The purpose-built global R&D centre has meeting spaces and 'idea rooms' to promote communication among researchers and aid creativity.

Doosan Industrial Vehicle's new global research and development centre in South Korea is expected to significantly benefit the company's UK forklift customers.

DIVUK general manager Tim Waples says DIV's in-house research capability gives the company a competitive advantage. "The G2 engine range was the result of our researchers taking a radical new approach to engine design after realising conventional approaches such as diesel particulate filters were flawed.

"Our global research and development centre will undoubtedly lead to more of these game-changing product advances reaching the UK market."

The G2 engine, which won the innovation award at the 2014 FLTA Awards for Excellence, was launched in the UK last year. The result of collaboration between Doosan Industrial Vehicle and Doosan Engine, the G2 meets stringent new EU emissions standards while completely removing the need for diesel particulate filters, which Doosan says is a common cause of engine malfunction and business downtime.

The purpose-built, 26,000 sqm (279,861 sqft.) global R&D centre has meeting spaces and 'idea rooms' to promote communication among researchers and aid creativity, as well as an academy devoted to the continuous professional development of Doosan's researchers. The contents of the company's major patents are also on permanent display, illustrating the accomplishments of company researchers.

The 12-storey Incheon building with two basement floors can accommodate 1,000 R&D personnel in an environment specifically designed to facilitate collaboration among the different business groups within Doosan's infrastructure support division.

A DIVUK spokesperson tells Forkliftaction.com News that in the pipeline for the company is the new 7-series range of electric counterbalance forklifts. The 48 v series, in three- and four-wheel configurations with lifting capacities from 1.3 to 2.0 T, will be launched next month. The 80 v models, ranging from 2.2 to 5.0 T trucks, will be launched in October 2015.

"This new 7-series signals Doosan's continued intention to develop the widest range of top quality products, all built with safety, innovation, productivity and reliability at the forefront of the design team's mind."

Doosan Industrial Vehicle produces a product range consisting of over 200 models, from the hand pallet truck to 25 T diesel forklifts.

Doosan Industrial Vehicle is part of the Doosan Group, a South Korean conglomerate with products and services ranging from power generation to engines, military equipment and construction equipment.