Brisbane-based Forkliftaction turns 25 this week, having been started by former forklift dealer Michael Leu, as a global digital news service for the materials handling sector.

In the quarter of a century since the independent publication’s launch - the first newsletter was sent to 50 recipients - Forkliftaction has grown into a wide-ranging digital business platform and a trusted voice in the industry, and now has more than 73,000 opt-in subscribers who receive the news edition by email every week.

Forkliftaction’s Discussion Forums, which received a significant update in June, have proven particularly popular over the years and now receive 98,000 visits each week with industry participants posing questions and receiving helpful information.

Leu, who sold forklifts for 15 years and now serves as executive director of Forkliftaction, says of the impetus to establish the news service: “As a business manager, I needed diverse information quickly”. 

“I managed equipment sales and large rental fleets and serviced clients using different brands of forklifts, container handlers and port equipment,” Leu continues. “I wanted to know where sales markets were, what buyers wanted, and where to find alternate suppliers of spare parts at the best prices.

“As an importer and exporter of new and used equipment, I needed to know what was going on in my industry, where to find used equipment and what new product distribution opportunities were available. I also wanted to know about trade events around the world.”

This set the template for Forkliftaction News which has maintained this approach since its beginning.

CEO Ann Hofmans adds: “We are very proud of the publication we produce each week and of our position as a valued and trusted news outlet and source of information. We are looking forward to continuing our journey and have many exciting new projects in the pipeline that will keep evolving our platform with the latest developments in our industry”. 

Read more about Forkliftaction's 25th anniversary celebrations.