A Crown PE4000 rider pallet truck.

by US correspondent Roger Renstrom
Wal-Mart Stores Inc's logistics subsidiary has agreed to support the commercialisation process of Cellex fuel cell power systems for electric forklifts

Four Crown PE4000 Series rider pallet trucks powered by Cellex fuel cell units recently participated in successful two-week Alpha field trials at a Missouri Wal-Mart food distribution centre.

"We were impressed with the operational benefits," said Rollin Ford, executive vice president of logistics and supply chain with Wal-Mart, based in Bentonville, Arkansas, USA.

"Wal-Mart's continued support of Cellex will be a key driver in moving fuel cells from a demonstration technology to a commercial product in the materials handling industry," said Tom Hoying, vice president of sales and marketing with Cellex Power Products Inc in Vancouver.

Crown Equipment Corp is expected to continue to supply the program's forklift trucks.