Use of advanced software has allowed Combilift Ltd to achieve an average 40 per cent reduction in forklift product development time.

Combilift uses a range of SolidWorks products, including three-dimensional computer-aided-design software, Cosmos analysis software and a PDMWorks product data management tool. The combination enables Combilift to design and test machines customers might use in tight warehouse spaces to stack 40-foot-long steel beams, wood trusses or PVC pipe.

Combilift engineers have estimated savings of time, effort and processing. The software combination overcame other software's potential instability, gained faster loading of large assembly models, and had better ways to automate changes throughout designs.

SolidWorks software was used to develop new products, often based on dealing with particular aspects of customers' warehouse floor plans.

Les Smith, Combilift design engineer, said in a statement: "SolidWorks' design tables and large assembly features help us quickly customise designs to suit customers' needs."

A Combilift department focuses on warehouse layouts and provides free design services to potential and current customers.

Starting with two-dimensional customer floor plans, Combilift uses SolidWorks DWGgateway to export models into drawings, then builds a SolidWorks solid model and tests the model in CosmosWorks Designer.

In 1998, Martin McVicar and Robert Moffett formed Monaghan-based Combilift, which pioneered the three-wheeled, four-way forklift and can customise various forklift and sideloader models to fit available workspaces.

Simon Booker, SolidWorks marketing manager in Europe, said: "Combilift has an impressive customer list, including globally recognised brands like Alcoa, Lowe's, and Boise Cascade."