Combilift is the leading global supplier of customised and innovative handling solutions for wide ranging applications across varied industry sectors. Whether you handle long and awkward loads, pallets, containers, extremely oversized loads or a combination of these, there is a Combilift to fit the bill. Combilift offers the most extensive portfolio of specialist and multidirectional products from one single manufacturer to ensure safe, space saving, cost effective and productive materials handling.
With over 30,000 units produced so far, Combilift sets industry standards that other manufacturers can only aspire to when it comes to design, engineering and quality. The move to the new £40 million purpose built factory in 2017 will keep Combilift on track to double its current turnover within the next five years.
Martin McVicar, Managing Director/CEO at Combilift Ltd speaks to Warehouse News about the forthcoming IMHX exhibition.
Warehouse & Logistics News – First of all, Martin, as Managing Director, what is your role in the company from day to day?
I take an active and hands on role in the day to day running of the company. An engineer by profession I liaise closely with our design engineers and R&D department in product development. My commitment to getting our products out into the global marketplace means that I spend a fair amount of time travelling to identify new markets and customers around the world. We receive a lot of visits at the factory from customers and dealers – we actively encourage this – and I enjoy the feedback that this produces.
Anyone who knows me will testify to the fact that I am definitely not a “desk bound” MD!
WLN – Can you talk us through the different products and services Combilift provides?
How long have you got! We are acknowledged as an innovative manufacturer of narrow aisle and multidirectional forklifts. We have launched at least one new model range a year since we started production and alongside our original C Series we offer very narrow aisle stand-on models, multidirectional and two directional sideloaders, the 4-way compact Combi-CB counterbalance design truck (for long load and pallet handling and for stuffing and destuffing containers) and a rough terrain series. The Combi-WR and Combi-WR4 reach-stacker models fulfil the preference of many operations for pedestrian operated trucks where lighter loads are handled. At the other end of the scale are the Combilift Straddle Carriers and Mobile Gantries which can cope with products that I can only describe as extreme in length and weight, which need to be handled in confined spaces. And of course there are the Aisle-Master articulated trucks for VNA operation which can double available storage space.
Customers make good use of our free of charge warehouse design and logistic audit service. Our layout plans and 3D simulations illustrate the full space saving potential of our products and the level of improvement that can be achieved.
WLN – What kinds of businesses in what industry sectors are your solutions aimed at? What specific needs do they target?
Any company wanting to make handling, storage and transport safer, more efficient, cost effective and productive will find a solution with one of our products: from ports to poultry, steel, plastics, timber – the list of industries we supply is almost endless. The manufacturing sector favours our products due to their versatility to handle, store as well as feed production lines. 3pl and distribution companies value the Aisle-Master for its space saving attributes and lift heights of up to 15m, which enable maximum pallet density for reduced perpallet costs. The Combi-SC Straddle Carrier range is gaining us a lot of new customers with companies who stuff and de-stuff containers. The Straddle enables the process to happen with ease whilst the container is on the ground. It is also increasingly being used by manufacturers of structural steel, concrete and products for the wind power industry as a much more viable alternative to other heavy handling equipment.
WLN – When was your business established? Who owns the company now? Which other countries do you operate in besides the UK?
Technical Director Robert Moffett and I established Combilift in 1998 and we are co-owners. We export into more than 75 countries around the world. However the UK is our single largest market and accounts for 25% of our volume.
WLN – What sets your company apart as a supplier in your sector? Why should busy professionals from the warehouse and logistics industry take time out to visit your stand at IMHX? What is your overall message to visitors?
Our extensive, ever growing and unrivalled range of products can be tailored to exact customer requirements and built with off the shelf components to ensure maximum reliability. The live, hands on experience at a show cannot be matched by reading brochures or looking at websites. Visitors have the advantage of immediate access to our team of product managers, all specialists in their field. Even a short visit to our stand will prove to be invaluable for sourcing the best solutions going forward.
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WLN – What will visitors be able to see on your stand at this year’s show? Which of your core products and solutions are you presenting? Are you launching anything new at IMHX?
With over 400 square meters of stand space indoors and out and a total of 19 exhibits, many of our product ranges will be represented – from the small Combi-WR through to the Combi-SC Straddle Carriers which now have lift capacities of over 80 tonnes. We are keeping a few new launches under wraps until IMHX starts!
WLN – Is this your first time exhibiting at IMHX? If you’ve been there before, what are you doing that’s different to last time?
We are long term IMHX exhibitors and the size of our participation has grown each time. Our show formula has proved to be so successful that we will not be radically changing anything. Our stand 12X69 will be the usual mix of innovative products, expert advice, live demo’s, entertainment and of course Guinness for thirsty visitors.
WLN – The last IMHX was in 2013. How have your customers’ needs changed since then? What are the biggest pressures your clients face these days? How are you addressing these?
Best possible space utilisation is more of an issue than ever and customers continue to need what we have always provided – no nonsense solutions that offer long life, dependable operation with an excellent ROI. They also want multipurpose equipment to make the most of capital expenditure – and the versatility of our products fulfills this requirement.
WLN – How do your products and solutions address today’s increased emphasis on safety and environmental impact in warehousing and logistics? Will you be highlighting this aspect of your offering at the show?
Safer handling of long loads was one of the key reasons for the inception of the initial C series and this continues to be a key issue when developing new models. Replacing various types of trucks with a versatile and space saving Combilift also contributes to greener operations. There will also be live demonstrations of a new safety feature that we are premiering – the load moment lift cut out. Combilift is offering this as an option but we believe that this simple and cost effective system should become a standard option on all counterbalance trucks in future.
WLN – And finally, it’s three years to the next IMHX. Where do you see your market sector and your company going in that time?
We are optimistic that business in the UK market will have increased by 50% by then. The opening of our new factory next year will give us even more manufacturing capacity. Our target is to continue to develop products that will do multiple tasks for our customers which will enable us to have broken into more market sectors by the time the next IMHX comes around.
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