When the first Forkliftaction.com newsletter was published, it was emailed to just 50 people. The year was 1999, and many questioned if the internet was either a viable place for business or a legitimate source of news.

At the start of 2013, we see a very different landscape. Now, as our relationship with the news is coloured by a growing use of smart phones, tablets and e-readers, it is the longevity of the newspaper that is often questioned.

As Forkliftaction.com News celebrates its 600th issue milestone, we find that online news is thriving. Now the world's leading business-to-business publication for materials handling, Forkliftaction.com News is emailed to well over 50,000 opt-in members and approximately 200,000 loyal readers worldwide each week.

Every week, business people who buy, sell, use, operate and manage materials handling equipment utilise Forkliftaction.com News as an invaluable and reputable source of information.

The news service is headed by an experienced and dedicated team of journalists who keep readers informed through independent industry news stories, coverage of dealer developments, end-user stories, new technologies, products, corporate moves and market reports.

Since its inception, the news service has also seen a number of popular additions, including profiles of industry leaders, and regular columns such as 'Safety First', written by leading trainers and safety consultants in North America, Europe and Australia.

According to general manager Ann Hofmans, one of the most popular additions has been the industry feature articles, which take an in-depth look at new products, industry developments and market sector performance. These features are strengthened by contributions from some of the key players in the materials handling industry.

Like all great initiatives, leading business portal and news service Forkliftaction.com grew out of a specific need. At its time of inception, founder Michael Leu, a seasoned business owner within the forklift industry, was struck by his frequent need to quickly source a diverse range of industry information.

"This information was vital to give my customers the best possible service", Michael remembers, "but there was no single source. Information came from years of experience, industry gossip and a plethora of industry magazines and news articles."

Over a decade later, Forkliftaction.com has become that single source of information - an online place where industry professionals can meet, communicate and share news, information and ideas.

The flexibility of the internet means Forkliftaction.com has been able to grow and change with the industry. This immediacy means that Forkliftaction.com can offer the types of resources and information that are needed by industry professionals right now.

Each month, the web portal receives +400,000+ web visits, by +100,000+ unique visitors. The website serves well over 7,000,000 pages per month (app. 15,000,000 server hits). These owners, operators, managers, instructors, sellers, manufacturers, and users of materials handling equipment use Forkliftaction.com to equip themselves with all the latest information and industry resources for a fast-paced market.

But there is one thing that has not changed since Forkliftaction's creation over a decade ago - a dedication to deliver 'comprehensive, honest and independent news and business resources for materials handling'.

In a medium where immediacy often comes at the expense of quality, Forkliftaction.com is a trusted and globally recognised resource for business people affiliated with the materials handling industry.

A special thank you to all of the contributors, advertisers and readers who have played a part in the Forkliftaction.com News story so far.

That's our story...now tell yours. Contact us and make a contribution to Forkliftaction.com News.