Combilift's new offering presented at 10th anniversary celebrations

To celebrate a business milestone, most companies throw a party. To celebrate its 10th anniversary, Combilift Ireland not only did that, it also launched a new forklift.

Combilift launched the Combi-CB, which is more compact than a traditional counterbalance forklift and has multi-directional operation.

Martin McVicar, managing director, says "versatility has always been a hallmark of Combilift products, and the Combi-CB is no exception".

McVicar sees a wide variety of suitable applications for the forklift, particularly in retail outlets and manufacturing plants.

"(It's suited to applications) where not only the use of all available shelf space is crucial but also safe handling and manoeuvrability is paramount. The 1,400mm- (55 inch-) wide fork carriage with optional integrated fork positioner offers excellent support for handling long products."

Commenting on the firm's anniversary, McVicar says 10 years may not seem like a long time, but the growth the company has experienced has been huge.

"The growth we have achieved since we launched the product in 1998 has been exceptional, and we are the global leaders in our field," he says. "Starting with the original C4000 Combilift, we have, on average, introduced at least one new model each year, and our ever-growing range now encompasses trucks with capacities from 2.5 up to 14 tonnes."

The 2,500 kilogram (6,000 pound) Combi-CB has a few advantages over conventional machines - it is available in LPG, diesel and electric, can lift heights up to 7.5 metres (25 feet), has rubber tyres for indoor/outdoor use and has a fully enclosed cabin with heater.

The Combi-CB has no platform, so goods can be stacked directly from the floor up and its compact size allows it to stuff and de-stuff containers and transport the pallets or long loads directly to the warehouse.