Mississippi-headquartered forklift manufacturer Donkey Forklifts, is celebrating its 40th anniversary.

A division of Hol-Mac Corporation, Donkey Forklifts was founded in Denver when visionary engineer Kenton “Ken” C Ensor Jr designed a lightweight, powerful truck-mounted forklift which eliminated the need for towable forklifts or separate trailers. 

The company takes its name from the sure-footed donkeys that hauled mining materials through the rugged Rocky Mountains terrain.

“Ken didn’t just change how materials reach jobsites,” explains Jamie Holder, president of Hol-Mac Corporation. “He redefined what a truck-mounted forklift could do.

“That legacy of thoughtful engineering and intentional design is what still drives us to this day.”

Hol-Mac and Donkey Forklifts started partnering in the mid-2000s, with Hol-Mac supplying parts, service, and support. When Holder first reached out to Ensor in 2008 expressing his interest in buying Donkey Forklifts, he received no response, but eight years later Ensor was ready to sell the business. 

In 2017, five years before he passed away, Ensor received the Innovator of the Year Award from Turfgrass Producers International, honouring his lasting influence on material handling.

Donkey Forklifts were built in Denver for its first 30 years but are now designed and manufactured in Bay Springs, Mississippi, at Hol-Mac’s Plant 1 facility.

Donkey Forklifts states that the truck-mounted forklift market “is projected to grow significantly, driven by expanding logistics, construction, and e-commerce sectors”, positioning Donkey Forklifts for continued success in the decades ahead.