Innovation is at the heart of Combilift and it is now one of the biggest international players, with exports having now reached 85,000 units to more than 85 countries.
In 1998, the Ireland-based company manufactured 18 forklift trucks, with 17 of those being exported and from the very beginning, exports have been the primary focus, and today, they account for 97-98% of business.
Innovation is in Combilift’s DNA. Since the groundbreaking C4000 model was first designed in 1998, it has developed a wide array of innovative material handling solutions. Central to that is the 6% investment of annual revenue in research and development (R&D), with approximately 98% of it focused on creating new electric-powered solutions.
Two of Combilift’s latest launches in the forklift truck market are the Combi-Cube and the Combi-CB70E. Both multidirectional models showcase the new Combi-Eco green colour and are fully electric. Designed with driver comfort in mind, they also feature an Auto Swivel Seat (patent pending) as a standard optional feature. This innovative seat minimises day-to-day strain, as it automatically swivels 15° to the right or left to align with the operator’s direction of travel.
The Combi-CB70E boasts a lifting capacity of seven tons and is the shortest counterbalance truck in its capacity category, while also offering multidirectional capability, enabling versatile space-saving handling of both long and bulky loads.
The Combi-Cube has a load capacity of up to three tons and includes Combilift’s unique Dynamic 360 Steering, allowing for seamless directional changes.
Additionally, Combilift launched its first AGV model: the electric Combi-AGT, which stands out as the world’s first autonomous sideloader that also offers manual operation. This model has a lift capacity of 5,000 kg and a maximum lift height of 12 metres and is designed to address the needs of steel service centres and metal industries, which typically manage long materials.
CUSTOMER FOCUSED
Combilift has a strong focus on being customer-driven, and some of its latest launches have been developed in close collaboration with its customer base.
In April at the Bauma exhibition in Munich, it unveiled the pioneering Self-Propelled Inloader ‘Combi-SPI’, which marks a significant milestone in the transport of high loads, such as precast concrete, wall panels or glass A-frames, within production facilities and yard environments.
The development of the Combi-SPI began in April 2022 in collaboration with Spanseen, a specialist in precast concrete, and was driven by the need for an efficient, manoeuvrable, and cost-effective alternative to expensive trailers and trucks and had a clear objective – creating a versatile solution capable of handling 30-tonne loads on industry standard Inloader Pallets with superior visibility, agility, and ease of operation.
Last year, Combilift also launched another customer-led solution – the Combi-CLL Log Loader, designed to address the needs of exporters of softwood and hardwood logs and built on the principles of its 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.
Logs are individually lifted into a high-sided metal ‘tub’, which is then pushed into the container. A hydraulic dropdown hatch secures the logs, and the tub is retracted to allow the logs to settle. The Combi-CLL prioritises speed, efficiency, and safety, reducing the risk of accidents as well as product and container damage.
Additionally, one of Combilift’s most notable recent projects, the development of the Combi-LC Blade, is also a customer-led solution created in partnership with Siemens Gamesa.
Combilift’s heavy lift engineering team developed the Combi-LC Blade as a solution for lifting and transporting wind turbine blades and towers, which can be as long as 115 metres and weigh around 70 tons, during production stages and to storage locations, which can be up to five kilometres away.
COMPETITIVE EDGE
Combilift sees itself as a “solutions-based forklift manufacturer” and it aims to visit each customer’s site and get a hands-on perspective of what the customer really needs.
This approach it believes, allows it to recommend the most suitable forklift from its extensive range of product-based solutions, as well as a free warehouse design to help optimise production, storage and safety throughout the entire facility.
Since the introduction of the Multidirectional C4000, the very first Combilift, it has made significant investments in enhancing the safety aspects of material handling for long or awkward loads. The multidirectional C-series is designed to be a 3-in-1 forklift that functions as a counterbalance, side loader, and reach truck.
This design allows it to work as a regular counterbalance but, at the flick of a switch, transform into a side loader capable of navigating in much narrower aisles and doorways, keeping the load low to the ground and subsequently increasing the storage density by over 50%. This ensures clear visibility in the direction of travel and the load – regardless of its size – greatly reducing the risk of collisions and product damage.
Through the years, Combilift has continued to develop and expand its multidirectional range to include the Combi-CB, Pedestrian Stackers, Straddle Carriers, Mobile Gantries and Load Carriers, as well as Articulated VNAs.
Combi Connect is Combilift’s innovative telematics system that is designed to provide real-time insights into fleet performance, helping businesses reduce downtime, enhance safety, and maximise operational efficiency. It is an essential tool that makes a significant impact for fleet managers looking to optimise operations and maximise their fleet’s potential.
Key features include comprehensive fleet monitoring, data transparency for better decision-making, impact and shock detection, proactive maintenance alerts, and smart analytics and reporting. It is compatible with all Combilift models and comes with expert support for seamless integration.
THE FUTURE
Technology is driving change in warehouses and to achieve efficiency, Combilift believes it is crucial to utilise all available space effectively for storing products. This is especially important considering the high cost of land and its continuous rise.
To maximise storage capacity, the company advises operators to think about making simple layout adjustments, such as narrowing the aisles and increasing the height of pallet racking to better use vertical airspace.
As part of its service, it has a team of experienced design engineers who can provide companies with a free-of-charge, no-obligation warehouse design and layout service. This service demonstrates how warehouse space can be configured according to the capabilities of its products, which in some cases can double available space.
Martin McVicar, CEO and co-founder of Combilift, explains: “We have always viewed Combilift as more than just a designer and manufacturer of forklifts and other handling solutions. Space is one of the most valuable assets our customers possess, and if our trucks can help them improve storage density, then everyone benefits.”