Combilift continues to be the global leading manufacturer of customised and innovative material handling solutions for a wide range of applications across varied industry sectors. Since it introduced its flagship product in 1998 – the multidirectional C4000 model – Combilift’s range has expanded rapidly over the years and now comprises very diverse products. These include compact pedestrian stackers and powered pallet trucks, sideloaders, stand-on trucks, as well as straddle carriers and mobile gantries designed to handle the most extreme and oversized loads. And of course not forgetting the world’s biggest selling narrow aisle articulated forklift – the Aisle Master. Combilift exports its products to more than 85 countries from its manufacturing facility and global HQ in Monaghan, and over 65,000 units have been produced since the company was established almost 25 years ago.
CEO and co-founder at Combilift
Martin McVicar, CEO and co-founder of Combilift spoke to Warehouse & Logistics News.
What products or services does your company offer?
Combilift is not just a manufacturer of handling equipment, but an expert in enabling customers to optimise one of their most valuable commodities, namely their space. All our products are designed to work in the smallest possible footprint according to their design, which makes for more efficient, cost effective and productive operation whilst ensuring the safest possible working environment. To this end we offer a free logistic and warehouse layout design service to illustrate the potential for optmising on-site space. Our team of highly experienced engineers design, plan and produce material flow analyses and 3-D animations for our worldwide customers. With the significant increase in the demand for warehouse premises, compounded by the growth in e-commerce, we have seen a 100% increase in demand for our free warehouse design service.
What are your most recent product innovations?
In keeping with our reputation as one of the most innovative manufacturers in the sector, we launched a number of new products once again this year. The new Combi-MR4 is a 4-wheel electric powered reach truck which takes multidirectional capability to the next level thanks to Combilift’s new Dynamic 360° ™ steering. This enables seamless directional change while on the move, allowing forward, sideward and crab steer mode for speedy operation. For maximum use of low level space in racking systems, the configuration of two drive wheels at the rear and two sets of smaller dual front wheels provides a platform height as low as 380mm.
We also added a model to our sideloader range – the Combi-FSE is an electric four wheeled, two directional sideloader with 5,000kg or 6,000kg lift capacity. This is ideal for heavier duty applications for the timber, steel, tubes & pipes and builders merchants sectors. It delivers on all aspects of reliability, durability, powerful performance and ease of maintenance, combined with the quiet and emission free electric operation that more and more customers are demanding. Its patented traction system ensures optimum performance in all weather conditions. Sensors in the front steering axle linked to the innovative Electronic Traction Control system enable the 2 independent 15kW drive motors on the rear axle to be controlled individually, with the speed of each wheel governed by the steer angle of the front wheels to provide improved steering control for the operator, better truck turning radius and reduced tyre wear. When combined with regenerative braking this technology makes for Combilift’s most advanced steering system on its four wheeled trucks to date.
Following collaboration with customers in the concrete sector we also launched the Combilift Swap Body Transporter – Combi-SBT. This can transport a wide variety of swap body containers ranging from standard container swap bodies to concrete wall panel swap bodies from production to storage. With a maximum lift capacity of 50,000kg, the machine is available with diesel or LPG power options. It has a 3-wheel design with 6 wheels for lower ground pressure. Its rear wheels are hydrostatically driven and are steered from the front, ensuring excellent manoeuvrability. In terms of safety and visibility the Combi-SBT offers numerous advantages compared to a shunt truck and trailer where you are driving “blind” with the load behind the driver. The cab position offers full 360° visibility and line of sight to all areas of the machine.
How were business levels in 2022 compared to previous years?
2021 was a record year for orders ands units produced (over 7,000) and 2022 looks set to surpass this. As we near our 25th anniversary we can look back on a quarter of a century of unparalleled growth, product development and innovation.
What is the company’s commitment to social responsibility?
We have put social responsibility and sustainability high on the agenda to help customers lower their carbon footprint by reducing emissions. In the last 18 months we have launched four new electric models, and over 60% of the products coming off the production lines are electric powered. In our own manufacturing facilities we are also committed to recycling and reusing materials to conserve natural resources. 92% of all components used in the truck assembly are 100% recyclable; 90% of our electric trucks’ batteries are recycled; we are on track to save over 473 tons of CO2 by using carbon neutral wood chip instead of gas for heating within the factory. We are also heavily involved in activities in our local community – we continue to sponsor the Monaghan Ladies Gaelic football team and we also offer support and regular donations to a number of worthy causes. This year these included Cuan Bhuire Ballybay addiction charity, breast Cancer Ireland and St Vincent De Paul.
What industries do you believe offer your business the most potential over the next year?
Demand for warehouse space continues to outstrip supply which is driving up costs, in part due to the unstoppable rise of e-commerce. This has been a driver for the growth in for our space saving range of warehouse products such as the the Aisle Master articulated trucks and the pedestrian stackers.
But we are also seeing increased demands from other sectors such as the offsite manufacturing and modular build industries. These are experiencing growth as prefabrication in a factory controlled environment ensures consistent build quality and also addresses the skill shortage affecting on-site construction. This has helped to boost sales of, for example, our larger multidirectional trucks and the straddle carrier and mobile gantry ranges.
How future proof is your business?
Due to the many and diverse industry sectors we supply and our geographical reach, our business is solid and future proof. Our policy of heavy investment in R&D means that we are continually coming up with new solutions that customers need as their handling requirements evolve.
How would you sum up your company in three/four words?
Sustainable Warehouse Storage Solutions
COMBILIFT
+ 353 47 80500
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