Simon Barkworth

Crown participated in IMHX with one of its strongest line-ups ever as it marked its 50th year in the UK.

Simon Barkworth, managing director - UK, Crown Lift Trucks, noted that the UK market was "just about the only market in Europe that was up this year".

Barkworth conceded that some of the growth in the UK was related to Brexit: "We’re seeing additional storage facilities, and with those, you’re looking at additional racking and additional forklifts, so we’re seeing a spike."

Crown used the show to debut its new ESR 1000 Series with its Gena operating system and the Xpress Lower that doubles lowering speed to increase productivity by up to 21%. "The real battleground is not travel speed because that is generally subject to speed limits. The real opportunity is how quick you get up and how quick you get down," he explained.

Like most other suppliers, Crown is focused on electric drive systems. "I would suggest that 98% of the forklifts we’re selling in the UK are electric."

Crown is also seeing growing interest in lithium-ion batteries.

In addition, like others at the show, Barkworth noted the growth of automation and AGVs.