18,000 Combilifts are in operation in over 75 countries around the world. Click image to enlarge

Combilift Ltd, the Irish specialist manufacturer of the Combilift 4-way forklift range as well as other innovative products is celebrating 15 years in business in 2013. Established in 1998 by Martin McVicar and Robert Moffett, the company has achieved unparalleled growth and success on a global scale in the materials handling sector and is now acknowledged as the world leader in the market for long load handling solutions.

Before the arrival of the Combilift - the world's first IC engine powered, all wheel drive multi-directional forklift, operations which needed to handle and store long loads had to rely on a combination of other types of forklifts, none of which was actually designed for their specific requirements. This not only compromised on safety procedures but was also time consuming and required large areas to be set aside for manoeuvring and storing products.

Click image to enlarge

The concept of a truck that could change the direction of its wheels to move forwards, backwards and sideways at just the touch of a button changed the face of materials handling if not almost overnight then at an unmatched pace in the industry: starting with 18 Combilifts produced in 1998, over 18,000 units have since been sold and what was once seen as a niche solution for a few select applications is now an industry standard.

So what is the secret behind the success of this Irish company based in Monaghan and how did its range of products come to be working in 75 countries in locations as diverse as the Arctic Circle, Hawaii and the Middle East? Apart from coming up with the initial ingenious idea for the truck's design and 4-way capabilities, MD Martin McVicar attributes it to a number of factors: ongoing and substantial investment in R&D, enabling at least one new model to be launched for every year of the company's existence; the support of a worldwide network of dealerships; the willingness to listen to customers to determine actual market demand and to supply tailor made machines.

"Customer feedback has been pivotal for new product development and as there is no one typical set of requirements for individual applications our production line was configured at the outset to offer a very high degree of customisation. We also use standard and readily available components so that our products can be easily maintained and serviced wherever in the world they are being used," he says.

The ability to handle ever longer loads with Combilift's range has changed practices and driven the market forward in a wide number of sectors such as the timber, steel, plastics and manufacturing industries to name but a few. Materials can now be delivered and offloaded in longer sizes to cut costs and increase productivity. The availability of additional storage space allows stock such as steel to be bought in when the price is advantageous and stored for later use.

With the incorporation of the Aisle-Master articulated trucks into Combilift's range in 2010 the company can now offer VNA solutions for pallet handling which has enabled the warehousing, 3pl, food and pharmaceutical sectors for example to benefit from maximum pallet density in any given space for lower per pallet costs and more streamlined operations all round.

As for the future, "Our strategy is to double our turnover in the coming 5 years," says Martin. "We are seeing significant sales increases in regions we recently entered such as the Far East, Central and South America. Demand in more traditional markets for our core range as well as new models continues to remain very buoyant. We will be introducing a number of new models this year and we expect to produce in excess of 3,000 units in 2013."

Combilift Ltd., Co. Monaghan, Ireland HQ Tel: 00353 47 80500. UK: 07870 976 758. North America: 1877 266 2456. Germany: 0800 000 5764. Australia: 1300 552 422 www.combilift.com send us a message

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