Mitsubishi's GRENDiA EX hybrid forklift

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd (MHI) has reorganised its forklift division and is selling powertrain systems to other companies.

MHI spokesman Hideo Ikuno says the company's Material Handling Equipment Business Department that mainly deals with forklift sales is now the Forklift Department while the Industrial Vehicle Engineering Department, which is responsible for engineering work, is now the Power Train System Department.

Ikuno adds that the reorganisation has nothing to do with MHI's plan to sell hybrid powertrains to other companies, but it is restructuring its departments based on products and not business activities.

The Forklift Department will now handle the marketing and engineering of forklifts while the Power Train System Department deals with the marketing and engineering of powertrains, including hybrid powertrains, motors and engines.

Mitsubishi Heavy wants to sell the powertrain system for its hybrid forklifts to foreign forklift manufacturers that market their products in North America and Europe.

"MHI has been selling forklift components to other companies. As for hybrid powertrains, [we] expect a large demand from other companies and decided to sell them to expand the business," says Ikuno.

The hybrid system will be available to manufacturers that don't have their own hybrid machine lines. The system can also be used for hydraulic shovels and other construction machinery.

In October, Mitsubishi Heavy launched its hybrid forklift, claiming it is the world's first hybrid forklift powered by a diesel engine and lithium ion battery pack. It also claims the forklift has 39% better fuel efficiency than regular engine-powered forklifts of comparable size (Forkliftaction.com News #432).