Macneill's new diesel forklift

Calcutta-based Macneill Engineering Ltd is on the lookout for more technical partnerships after launching a new range of diesel forklifts last month.

The 1.5- to 10-ton forklifts with a maximum lift height of six metres were produced in collaboration with Tailift Co Ltd subsidiary Global-Power (G-Power), which manufactures forklifts in Shandong province, China (Forkliftaction.com News #306).

Macneill director Gaurav Churiwal tells Forkliftaction.com News over 80% of the 3,000 to 3,500 forklifts sold in India each year are diesel-powered.
"They're more in demand and we are trying to penetrate the diesel forklift segment with a big bang. Our competitors, Godrej and Voltas, are there and have a big market share.

"With G-Power forklifts, we believe we can go to great heights," he predicts.

Macneill's entry into diesel forklift manufacturing started when it was founded in 1964. A 10-year collaboration with Coventry Climax in the UK resulted in forklifts with Graziano transmissions and UK-branded engines brought to the Indian market.

In the 1980s, Macneill started producing its own diesel forklifts with Graziano transmissions and Simpson engines. Two decades on, Macneill has decided to upgrade its diesel forklift range for a newer, more ergonomic design at lower manufacturing costs.

Macneill began talking about technical collaboration with Taiwanese manufacturer Tailift in October 2005.

The partnership will see Macneill importing transmissions and Chinese-made Xinchai engines from G-Power for forklifts assembled at Macneill's West Bengal plant.

A prototype of the forklift has been working at a steel company's facility for the past eight months. "Tata International bought the prototype from us (and) it has been giving them good performance," says Churiwal.

Forklift users have the option of an Isuzu or Nissan engine for the new forklifts, but that adds USD4,000 to the price tag.

"The new forklifts are beautiful looking with an excellent turning radius and great driving comfort," says Churiwal, adding that as Tailift brands - Artisan, Tailift, G-Power - were accepted in the US and European markets, so too will the new Macneill forklifts.

Churiwal adds that Macneill's chairman will be in Shanghai, China, to discuss possible technical collaborations on diesel forklifts with other Chinese manufacturers.

The ambitious forklift company aims to sell 100 units in the next 12 months and 250 units in the next three years. Its turnover for financial year ended March 2007 is INR250 million (USD6.1 million). This is expected to jump to INR350 million (USD8.6 million) and INR500 million (USD12.2 million) for 2008 and 2009.