The Hyster S50FT Fortis forklift.

Hyster Company set its aim on the global marketplace and turned a few heads at ProMat 2005 with the introduction of its Fortis line of forklifts.

Hyster intends to roll out a series of Fortis-brand forklifts and offer powertrain configurations under the Package, Advance and Advance+ identities.

Greenville, North Carolina-based Hyster, makes strong claims for the Fortis line and its design advances: better mechanicals to reduce downtime, fuel efficiency 20 per cent better than competing models, auto deceleration to dramatically extend brake life up to 60 per cent and tyre life up to 50 per cent, and a high performance in-tank filtration system capturing 99.5 per cent of hydraulic system debris.

Hyster touts lower operating costs as a key benefit of the Fortis concept. Hyster said it projected annual savings of USD1900 per vehicle, compared to similar competitive products.

The Fortis line features an overhead guard with a grid-style pattern, a Stablis mechanical stability system, patented DuraMatch transmission designs, an ergonomically designed operator compartment, an elastomeric-mounted steer axle and a counterweight design permitting greater airflow.

"The Fortis series represents a breakthrough in how lift trucks are designed, built and acquired," Hyster claimed in a release.

A group within publicly traded Nacco Industries Inc produces forklifts and aftermarket parts under the Hyster and Yale brand names.