For over 26 years, Combilift has transformed the material-handling sector by enabling safer and more efficient operations of both palletised and long loads, while also optimising your storage capacity. Innovation is in Combilift’s DNA and since the groundbreaking multidirectional C4000 model was first designed in 1998, the Irish-based manufacturer has developed a wide array of innovative material handling solutions. Alongside the C-Series models, which are still a core favourite, the model range on offer exceeds 25 product families with capacities ranging from less than 1 tonne to over 150 tonnes. These include the Aisle Master narrow aisle articulated forklift, compact pedestrian stackers and powered pallet trucks, sideloaders, the Combi-CSS to safely load and unload containers, as well as Straddle Carriers and Mobile Gantries to handle oversized loads. These advancements serve as a testament to Combilift’s commitment to continuing its Lifting Innovation for many years to come.
CEO and co-founder at Combilift
Martin McVicar, CEO and co-founder of Combilift spoke to Warehouse & Logistics News.
What are your best-known products/solutions/services?
Our innovative range of products is designed to handle long and awkward loads while navigating tight spaces. We specialise in manufacturing material handling equipment, particularly multidirectional forklifts which feature a unique design. Our forklifts, such as the C-Series or CB range, operate like standard models, capable of moving forwards and backwards and, with the flick of a switch, they can also travel sideways. This design significantly enhances operational efficiency, improves safety standards and reduces the risk of damage to both goods and infrastructure, all while optimising the use of available storage space.
However, I have always seen Combilift as much more than a designer and manufacturer of forklifts and other material-handling solutions. Space is one of the most valuable assets our customers possess, and if our trucks can make it work better for them in terms of storage density, then everyone benefits. The ongoing demand for warehouse space coupled with ever-rising business costs means that space optimisation is now more important than ever. Additional benefits also include avoiding the operational headache for management and the workforce of relocating to new premises, the lack of bureaucracy associated with new builds or extensions, and the expense of leasing extra offsite storage.
We have an in-house team of design engineers who can provide companies with a free-of-charge 3D warehouse layout service. This service demonstrates how warehouse space can be configured according to the capabilities of our products, which in some cases can double available space – a value-added service that epitomises our commitment to our current or potential customers.
In what ways does your company stand out from its competitors?
A major factor in our success is that we are customer-driven. We have the ability to identify the needs of our growing customer base, take feedback on board, and develop new products accordingly, the majority of which fill an untapped niche in the market.
We are always keen to learn from what our customers have to say and to hear how their operations have improved since they started using Combilift. By listening attentively to their feedback and analysing their needs, we continue to grow and evolve. It’s through close collaboration with our customers that we have been able to develop some of our latest innovations, such as the Combi-LC Blade. Developed in partnership with Siemens Gamesa, it is designed to transport offshore wind turbine blades and towers that are up to 115 metres long and weigh around 70 tons. It is engineered to ensure the safe and efficient transportation of wind blades and towers from manufacturing sites to storage and deployment locations.
Alongside these factors and the previously mentioned warehouse layout service, we must consider the cutting-edge engineering features that are included in our product range, which includes multiple patents such as the multidirectional function or the multi-position tiller arm in our pedestrian range, which offer safer operation, maximum operator visibility, and narrow aisle performance, to name a few.
What are your most recent product innovations?
Innovation is in our DNA and it has been key to our success. Our team consistently designs exciting new products, which keeps us ahead of our competitors.
We marked 25 years in business in 2023 and to celebrate that milestone we unveiled 5 products.
We entered the offshore wind sector with the Combi-LC Blade, which has recently won two awards: ‘Manufacturer Product Innovation of the Year’ at the UKMHA Awards; and the EMA ‘Design Team of the Year’ for our Heavy Equipment Team’s exceptional work on the design of the Blade and their collaboration with Siemens Gamesa.
At Combilift, we are recognised for our customer-centric approach and our ability to create tailored material-handling solutions. These awards underscore our team’s skills and dedication to innovative solutions in renewable energy logistics.
In 2023, we also entered another new sector: the autonomous truck market, with the introduction of the electric Combi-AGT, which is the first autonomous sideloader with optional manual operation and designed for operating in Very Narrow Aisles.
It is ideal for steel service centres and metal industries, and is designed to autonomously transport long steel loads up to 5t.
Additionally, we launched the Combi-Cube and Combi-CB70E multidirectional forklifts. Both models are electric and feature our new ‘Combi-Eco’ green colour. The Combi-CB70E, with a lifting capacity of 7 tons, is the shortest counterbalance truck within its capacity range. Its multidirectional capabilities enable versatile and space-saving handling of long and bulky loads. The Combi-Cube, with a load capacity of 3 tons, is equipped with Combilift’s unique Dynamic 360 Steering, allowing seamless changes in direction. This makes the Combi-Cube the most manoeuvrable counterbalance forklift available on the market. Both are designed with drivers’ comfort in mind and aim to reduce their day-to-day strain. They are equipped with our newly developed Auto Swivel Seat – patent pending – as a standard feature. It automatically engages and swivels the seat and armrest 15° to the right or left following the direction of travel selected by the operator.
The Combi-CB70 received the ‘Ergonomic Innovation of the Year’ for its remarkable design at this year’s Archies. Together with the Auto Swivel Seat, it boasts a spacious cabin with floor-to-ceiling panoramic glass for excellent visibility and safety. It also incorporates a gas strut suspension system, and large super-elastic tyres, providing a smooth ride on rough terrain, making it ideal for long shifts.
Beyond hardware, Combilift’s innovation extends to software solutions like Combi-Connect, which provides real-time data on key performance indicators, energy consumption, idle times, maintenance alerts, and remote updates. This helps clients optimise their fleet performance and efficiency.
This year we also unveiled another customer-led solution at EXPO Richmond 2024: the Combi-CLL Log Loader. It is designed to address the requirements of exporters of softwood and hardwood logs and is built on the principles of our already popular Combi-CSS (Container Slip Sheet). The Combi-CLL has a 30 ton capacity and can fully load a 40-foot container in under six minutes with just one operator. This machine prioritises speed, efficiency, and safety, significantly reducing the risk of accidents, as well as damage to products and containers.
What are the major trends and developments affecting your category and your customers, and how are you responding?
Customers need to be educated on the safer options of material handling available to them and the significant benefits these options offer, any investment where safety is a priority really does pay for itself. I recall an EasyJet spokesperson once saying, “If you think safety is expensive, try an accident.” This resonates strongly with me.
Can you tell us about any recent customer contract wins or projects and how you helped the customer meet their challenges?
One of our most notable recent projects is the development of the Combi-LC Blade, created in partnership with Siemens Gamesa.
Combilift’s Heavy Lift engineering team designed the Combi-LC Blade to efficiently lift and transport wind turbine blades and towers during production and to storage locations. These blades can be as long as 115 meters and weigh around 70 tons, with some storage locations being up to 5 kilometers away. Handling these loads is particularly challenging due to their non-uniform shapes and delicate nature.
Winning the prestigious ‘Design Team of the Year’ EMA award highlights our commitment to providing innovative, customer-focused solutions.
What sets your company apart from others?
Combilift is a solutions-based forklift manufacturer, which is why we like to visit each customer’s site, getting a hands-on perspective of what the customer really needs. From there we can offer forklift options from our extensive range of product-based solutions, as well as a free warehouse design to help optimise production, storage and safety throughout the entire site.
COMBILIFT
+ 353 47 80500
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