Newly established, large-capacity forklift producer hMach International Inc has delivered three heavy-duty forklifts as part of a design and manufacturing contract with Rahco International Inc.

The two companies are connected by an overlapping ownership structure. HMach's majority owner Richard W Hanson is also Rahco president and CEO. Rahco manufactures large, specialised equipment for the construction and mining industries.

Forklift industry veteran Leamon Tankersley, 63, of Scottsdale, Arizona, is hMach vice president of sales and its only direct employee. HMach forklifts are branded Magni-lift and feature a prominent Made in USA label.

The growing hMach product line targets companies needing forklifts with capacities of 30,000lbs to 100,000lbs (13,500kg-45,000 kg), typically for use at seaport cargo terminals, steel handling yards and concrete production sites. Larger units may cost USD400,000.

Tankersley said hMach wanted its forklift mechanisms to contain higher strength steel than other large forklifts.
"Because of the better materials, hMach forklift pricing may exceed that of competitors."

HMach planned to avoid electronics and other technologies susceptible to on-the-job breakdowns. "We have a different philosophy," he said. "Keep it simple."

At a 26-acre Spokane, Washington, site, Rahco and affiliated companies employ 150 people, including four hMach product designers and 10 people on a hMach-dedicated manufacturing line. The Rahco operation includes a 227,000 square foot (21,000 square metre) plant and 29,000 square feet (2,700 square metres) of offices.

Tankersley said hMach aimed for annual production of 20 to 50 forklifts. Custom designs may involve low-height shipboard operations or particular lifting specifications.

Diesel-powered, pneumatic-tyred hMach forklifts can lift 40,000lbs (14,000 kg) and cost about USD190,000 each.
Designers anticipate launching a hMach forklift series with solid tyres in early 2008.

HMach was incorporated in Washington State in February 2006.
"We saw an opportunity in the heavy-duty, larger-sized forklift market" and viewed manufacturing high-capacity forklift units as a natural migration, said Dennis Medina, Rahco marketing manager.

HMach started marketing forklifts in April 2006, made its initial delivery in November and shipped two more units this month.

Other heavy-duty forklift manufacturers include Taylor Machine Works, of Louisville, Mississippi, USA; Hyster Co, of Greenville, North Carolina, USA; and Kalmar Industries AB, of Ljungby, Sweden.