The Crown 2006 group represents more than 1,325 years of work experience.

Crown Equipment Corp has recognised 53 employees, who have a combined 1,325 years of experience in Crown's forklift operations.

The 53 employees who reached 25 years of service were presented with an acrylic-styled plaque and "a monetary gift" at a ceremony at the New Bremen High School gymnasium. Ceremonies recognising employees who reach the 25-year mark are held annually.

More than 647 Crown employees have reached 25 years with the company. Active employees in that group have more than 14,000 years of experience, Crown said in a statement.

At the national awards ceremony, 13 dealers and branches received awards for outstanding achievement.

Jim Wingate (L) and Jeff Sell (R) receive awards on behalf of Lift Stak & Stor.

Crown Lift Trucks, of Memphis, Tennessee, and Lift Stak & Stor Inc, of Minneapolis-St Paul, Minnesota, received the forklift manufacturer's highest dealer recognition, the James F Dicke Pioneer Award.

Lift Stak has won six Pioneer awards in the past 11 years and Crown Memphis was a first-time winner.

"In an industry where the pressure is unrelenting and much of the competition sells only on price, these dealers and branches consistently looked for opportunities to add value for customers," Crown senior vice president Jim Moran said.

Eleven other dealers and branches received Summit and Ascent awards. The winners were selected from Crown's 37 branch operations and 64 independent dealers.