Combilift Ltd – Annual Report 2015/16

Since Combilift launched its first C4000 4-way model in 1998 – the world’s first IC engine-powered all-wheel-drive multidirectional forklift – the company is now the acknowledged world leader when it comes to designing and manufacturing innovative solutions for the safe, space saving and productive handling of long loads, pallets, oversized loads and containers. Continual product development has led to the introduction of at least one new model a year and more than 27,000 units, all designed and manufactured at Combilift’s HQ and production facilities in Co. Monaghan, Ireland, have now been sold in at least 75 countries.

WLN – As a leading supplier in the Specialist Trucks category, what has the last year been like for your business? How about for the rest of your sector?

We continue to enjoy solid growth due to the wide range of products we offer – from our small 1.5 tonne capacity Walkie Reach pedestrian truck to the Straddle Carrier range capable of lifting 80 tonne loads. This diversity means that customers come to us with a variety of requirements that can be fulfilled by one specialist supplier. We had the best year in our existence so far: turnover rose to almost €150m, proving that in spite of a turndown in some regions, the ability to do more, safely, with fewer pieces of equipment is a major attraction for our customers.

WLN – What are your best-known products and services?

The Combilift name is synonymous with four-way forklifts but we are increasingly well known for our other products such as our Straddle Carriers, sideloaders – both four-way and two directional, and the Aisle-Master articulated range. In fact, Aisle-Masters now make up 50% of our sales in the UK.

Customers continue to make good use of our warehouse design and logistic audit service which is free of charge, with no obligation to purchase our trucks. 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 makes you the first choice supplier in your field?

Our years of experience, technical expertise and willingness to listen to feedback enable us to offer the widest range of customised products that are 100% suited to specific requirements. Investment of 7% of annual turnover in R&D keeps us at the forefront of innovation in the specialist trucks market. Our “time to market” for new products of 12 months is exceptionally fast in the sector and a big attraction for customers. The straightforward design, readily available standard components for easy maintenance and the excellent total cost of ownership that our products guarantee also marks us out. The Combilift brand is synonymous with innovation, good solid engineering, and versatile and reliable products that do just the job they promise.

WLN – What changes have you made to your core offering in the last year?

We refine and update our products on a regular basis. The recently introduced 15E narrow head Aisle-Master is proving to be a big seller as it can operate in 1,600mm aisles, due to its patented crossed dual hydraulic cylinder steering system and narrow axle. The cylinders are connected to the mast carrier with heavy duty chains which makes for precise and controlled steering with no slack in the system. We have also introduced a number of new features and models to our Combi-SC range.

WLN – What industries are your customers in?

Any company wanting to make handling, storage and transport more efficient is likely to find a solution with one of our products. From ports to poultry, scrap vehicles, steel, plastics and timber, the list is almost endless.

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 ability of the SC range to stuff and destuff containers is gaining us a lot of new customers in areas such as Felixstowe that service port operations.

WLN – How do your products and services help customers become more efficient, greener or work safer?

All our products do this. It is our company’s ethos: four-way manoeuvrability enables space saving storage and quicker, safer low level handling of awkward loads.

The Aisle-Master’s narrow aisle capabilities allow much better use of available space too, and by replacing a combination of reach and counterbalance trucks they speed up truck to rack operations. Optimising space avoids the need for relocation in times of growth, and a smaller footprint reduces the costs for overheads, like lighting and heating and is greener. The SCs are a cost effective and quicker method of moving, loading and offloading containers and oversized loads, again in a smaller space than with other methods.

WLN – What were your company’s biggest achievements in the last 12 months?

We added more awards to our impressive tally so far: we won the FLTA Ergonomics Category for our Rotating Operator Console.

Having won the FLTA 2104 Awards’ Lifetime Achievement Award, our Technical Director Robert Moffett, points out that he is not ready to take things easy just yet and plans to develop many other award winning products! We also received the Deloitte Best Managed Companies Award for the third time.

WLN – Are you currently investing in the business, taking on staff or going into new markets or countries? If so, how’s it going?

We announced a major investment in a new manufacturing facility in February, and recently broke ground on the new €40 million, 46,000m² manufacturing plant and global HQ on the 40 hectare site in Monaghan. The facility should be up and running by the first quarter of 2017. This will position Combilift to double our current €150 million turnover by 2020. 200 personnel will be employed throughout the construction period and a further 200 jobs will be created in the next five years, mainly for skilled technicians and design engineers.

WLN – What are you doing to bring on new talent and raise skills levels in your company?

We have established an apprenticeship scheme which started this year whereby 20 trainees a year will spend 50% of their time at college and 50% at the factory, studying hydraulics, electrics, and diagnostics, to ensure that we continue to have the very skilled workforce that we need for our future expansion.

WLN – What are the major issues facing the Specialist Trucks category as we go forward? How is your company addressing them?

More stringent environmental guidelines have prompted advances in diesel technology, pushing up the price of newer diesel engines and more and more customers are turning to our LP Gas powered units. For customers who prefer diesel we have incorporated the latest ultraclean Deutz engine as standard in some of our models – the 4-wheel sideloader for example. This is very low on emissions, eliminates the possibility of any exhaust residue, and has no diesel particulate filter which minimises maintenance costs.

WLN – Will you be exhibiting at any major trade shows in the coming year?

2016 will be a busy year in the UK and abroad. We are at LogiMAT in Stuttgart in March and CeMAT in Hannover in May. We are of course looking forward to meeting dealers and customers at IMHX in September where we will have two large stands with a vast array of new products on show. The Combi-CB dancing trucks will be staging regular performances and our hospitality area will be well stocked! We will also be at events around the world in sectors such as aluminium, timber, fenestration and ports/containers.

WLN – What other big news from Combilift can our readers look forward to reading in Warehouse & Logistics News in 2016?

Look out for news of our new Combilift Straddle Forklift, a finalist in the Innovation Category of the FLTA Awards 2016. It features a hydraulic rotating fork attachment, fitted with four or more forks depending on the specific load. In travel mode the forks are positioned at 0°, lowered over the load and rotated through 90° to lift, transport or lower it. Regular updates on the progress of the construction of the new factory, with short videos, will be available on our website. We are also on course for the Deloitte Best Managed Companies Award for the fourth consecutive year, making us a Gold Standard Winner.

+ 353 47 80500

info@combilift.com

www.combilift.com