Al Bennett, the founder of independent forklift and accessory hire and sales business All-Lift, has passed away.

Bennett, a mechanic by trade, founded All-Lift in 1976 with a partner before taking on sole ownership of the company in the late 1990s.

A LinkedIn post stated that Bennett quit his position as mechanic when he realised one day that office staff where he worked had better quality toilet paper than shop mechanics.

“When he asked why, his manager simply said, ‘That’s just how it is’,” the story post reads. “That moment defined Al’s future—he resigned on the spot, knowing he could build something better. A company where people were treated equally and with respect, regardless of their title or where they worked.

"That principle became the foundation of All-Lift, and it remains at the heart of everything we do. Al never forgot where he came from. He believed in doing the right thing, in taking care of his employees, and in building a workplace that felt more like a family. 

“Those values were passed on to his two sons, who continue to lead the business today with the same dedication and spirit that Al instilled in them.”

Bennett continued to come into work every day well into his later years, only stepping away in 2024 because of declining health.

“He was a pioneer in the forklift industry and touched countless lives with his generosity, humour, and unwavering commitment to people,” the company’s LinkedIn post states.

“He just missed seeing the company turn 50, but what a journey it’s been. His legacy lives on in the thousands of machines moved, customers served, and most importantly, the people who were fortunate enough to work alongside him.”