Worthington produces forklift LPG cylinders

US steel manufacturer Worthington Industries this year celebrates its 60th anniversary, with a growing footprint in the materials handling sector.

The company traces its origins to 1955, when John H. McConnell purchased his first load of steel by borrowing USD600 against his 1952 Oldsmobile.

Worthington, which pioneered management innovations like profit sharing, went public in 1968 with an offering of 150,00 shares and by 1983 had made it onto the Fortune 500 list.

There have been several acquisitions since its humble beginnings, including the 1996 purchase of Dietrich Metal Framing which took Worthington into the metal framing market.

Earlier this year, Worthington expanded its alternative fuel presence with the purchase of hybrid trailer maker James Russell Engineering.

A spokesman says the company's involvement in the materials handling market began with a request from a well-known motorcycle manufacturer. At the time, the manufacturer was experiencing a high volume of damaged bikes during shipments. Worthington constructed a packaging solution that eliminated product damage. "This success inspired us to design racks for products beyond motorcycles. We now offer a variety of custom packaging solutions for end-item crates, carts, returnable racks, pin pallets and more," according to the spokesman.

"We also build roll-over protective cabs for materials handling applications. Industry-leading manufacturers of telescopic material handlers, straight-mast forklifts, and small articulated loaders have partnered with Worthington, developing canopy and cabin solutions for mobile equipment."

The company has been involved in the manufacturer of forklift tanks for more than 40 years, and marketing coordinator Autumn Owdom says Worthington has focused on improving LP gas distribution efficiency for its customers by pioneering ways to decrease cylinder weight. "We're proud to make low-risk, cost-effective technology available for LP gas applications around the world. This includes a continued commitment to producing forklift cylinders that feature a rugged, consistent design made to withstand the rigours of warehouse transportation," she adds.