Handling Network is a magazine devoted to all aspects of the materials handling, storage and distribution industry in Ireland

Latest News

  • Sparck Technologies reveals new print on demand for ‘fit-to-size’ ecommerce packaging at IMHX 2022
  • PALFINGER at IAA Transportation: Eco Efficient & Smart into the Future
  • Rhenus reaches first milestone in LCL (less-container-load) Carbon-Neutral journey with pilot launch of Carbon Neutrality Label
  • IFOY AWARDs 2023: Application phase begins 
  • idealworks Extends Partner Network with Linde Material Handling
  • Home
  • News
    • Handling News
    • UK News
    • Euro News
    • Global News
    • Safety News
  • Regular Features
    • Case Studies
    • Handling Life
    • The Graham Archer Column
  • Warehousing Seminar
  • A-Z Directory
  • Videos
  • About us
  • Contact Us
  • follow
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Google+
    • Pinterest
    • RSS Feed
    • Linked
    • Youtube

WORKING UP TO THE CHALLENGE


  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn

The resilience of the Irish Forklift Industry in testing times

It would appear that the materials handling equipment sector in Ireland
learned some hard lessons from the 1980s recession, when a significant
number of dealers/distributors fell by the wayside or lost important franchises.

Today, despite the fact that we’re told this downturn is even more severe
than that of the ‘80s, the Irish forklift truck sector has risen to the challenge.
It’s true that in order to survive, hard decisions have often had to be made
in terms working conditions and contracts. But despite any slimming down
of operations, the underlying strength of the sector has become apparent.

Better management, improved efficiencies and greater support from manufacturers
have all played their part in maintaining high levels of customer support service
across Ireland.

Today also, it’s true that customers, big and small, have an even greater appreciation
of the benefits offered of the forklift truck. The vast majority of commercial and
industrial enterprises have a need for materials handling equipment of some type.
This is because practically everything we see around us: food and drink; building and
maintenance materials; clothing and medicines; office furniture and equipment …you
name it, it’s been moved by a forklift truck at least once before it gets to the end user.

Choice of Machines


And the variety of machines available to the buyer is growing all the time. The
conventional IC-engine counterbalance forklift now comes with better specification
and, with improved technology, has become easier to operate. Electric warehouse
trucks have become highly sophisticated, providing more efficient handling and
capable of operating for longer periods on a single charge. Niche brands, such as
the articulated forklift and the 4-way directional truck, have made significant inroads
into the conventional market – giving buyers greater opportunities to satisfy their
individual handling requirements. And now the ‘hybrid forklift’ is beginning to come on
stream, heralding yet a new era in materials handling equipment.

Irish Importers


Europe and Japan, the regions from where Ireland gets most its imported trucks, are
well-recognised as the most advanced in the area of materials handling equipment
design, R&D and production techniques.

And the forklift industry in Ireland is well up for the challenge of change: there is
probably no market in the world more ready to embrace new technologies and
equipment – with forklift importers, distributors and dealers ready and well-equipped
to offer new developments to their customers.

Training in servicing techniques and parts systems is traditionally seen as a priority
in the industry. Likewise, sales personnel generally have an excellent background
in product knowledge – an essential requirement where correct and appropriate
specifications are crucial to customers’ applications.

Irish-based Manufacturers


Almost unique in the area of heavy engineering, the Irish forklift industry has its
own highly-progressive manufacturing sector. Foremost amongst these enterprises
is Combilift of Monaghan – a company which started in 1998 as a small operation
aiming to produce a niche 4-way directional truck and now recognised as a global
brand with some 11,000 machines operating in more than 50 countries worldwide. Its
sister company, Aisle-Master, has achieved similar success with its articulated forklift
range.

Other Irish forklift manufacturing operations include Moffett Engineering of Dundalk,
who produce a wide range of truck-mounted forklifts, and the Shannon-based
Stonehall Engineering Company, builders of a similar range of products.

The Hyster and Yale forklift brands – part of the NACCO Materials Handling Group –
have been built since 1981 in one of the most progressive manufacturing plants of its
kind in the world. This plant, located at Craigavon in Co Armagh, outstrips production
efficiencies seen at all other NACCO plants worldwide.

Fit for Purpose

As for almost all other sectors in Ireland, the last two years have been extremely
painful for forklift truck suppliers. And while we believe economic recovery is on the
way, there is no doubt a long and difficult road ahead. But it is a journey for which we
are confident that the operators in the industry are well ‘fit for purpose’.


  • tweet
DRIVE 2 ZERO RISKY WORK PLATFORMS

Related articles
  • Sparck Technologies reveals new print on demand for ‘fit-to-size’ ecommerce packaging at IMHX 2022
    Sparck Technologies reveals new print...

    Comments Off on Sparck Technologies reveals new print on demand for ‘fit-to-size’ ecommerce packaging at IMHX 2022

  • PALFINGER at IAA Transportation: Eco Efficient & Smart into the Future
    PALFINGER at IAA Transportation: Eco...

    Comments Off on PALFINGER at IAA Transportation: Eco Efficient & Smart into the Future

  • Rhenus reaches first milestone in LCL (less-container-load) Carbon-Neutral journey with pilot launch of Carbon Neutrality Label
    Rhenus reaches first milestone in LCL...

    Comments Off on Rhenus reaches first milestone in LCL (less-container-load) Carbon-Neutral journey with pilot launch of Carbon Neutrality Label

  • IFOY AWARDs 2023: Application phase begins 
    IFOY AWARDs 2023: Application phase...

    Comments Off on IFOY AWARDs 2023: Application phase begins 

More in this category
  • Clark Material Handling Company organises Humanitarian aid for Ukrainian families set in motion
    Clark Material Handling Company...

    Comments Off on Clark Material Handling Company organises Humanitarian aid for Ukrainian families set in motion

  • Modular Assembly at Audi: Innovative assembly & logistics concept is about to be ready for serial production
    Modular Assembly at Audi: Innovative...

    Comments Off on Modular Assembly at Audi: Innovative assembly & logistics concept is about to be ready for serial production

  • Finning calling for more women contenders for the Cat Operator Challenge
    Finning calling for more women...

    Comments Off on Finning calling for more women contenders for the Cat Operator Challenge

  • Inside the transformation of Yale: Q&A with Robert O’Donoghue, Vice President Marketing & Solutions, EMEA
    Inside the transformation of Yale:...

    Comments Off on Inside the transformation of Yale: Q&A with Robert O’Donoghue, Vice President Marketing & Solutions, EMEA


Read now: Summer 2022

Tweets by @HandlingNetwork

Logistics

Rhenus reaches first milestone in LCL (less-container-load) Carbon-Neutral journey with pilot launch of Carbon Neutrality Label

Rhenus reaches first milestone in LCL (less-container-load)...

LCL consolidation shipments exported by Rhenus from the Central European Gateway in Hilden, Germany, can receive the ClimatePartner label, as proof of the carbon emissions neutralised for the first...
Read More
From truck to rail: Audi switches up delivery of battery modules for Brussels

From truck to rail: Audi switches up delivery of...

Creating sustainable value within Intralogistics 

Creating sustainable value within

Combilift launches the Combi-FSE – the new electric sideloader 

Combilift launches the Combi-FSE – the new...

XPO Logistics Extends as Official Logistics Supplier for IRONMAN & IRONMAN 70.3 Triathlon Events in Europe

XPO Logistics Extends as Official Logistics...

Handling

PALFINGER at IAA Transportation: Eco Efficient & Smart into the Future

PALFINGER at IAA Transportation: Eco Efficient & Smart into the...

The world’s leading provider of innovative crane and lifting solutions presents its smart products and solutions at the IAA Transportation 2022. In line with the company’s Vision & Strategy 2030, PALFINGER offers hardware and software from a single source and uses the potential of...
Read More
IFOY AWARDs 2023: Application phase begins 

IFOY AWARDs 2023: Application phase begins 

Euro News

  • idealworks Extends Partner Network with Linde Material Handling
    idealworks Extends Partner Network with Linde Material...

    Cutting-edge improvements in technology, such as autonomous...
  • New Flli Ferrari 6000 Series
    New Flli Ferrari 6000 Series

    F.lli Ferrari has increased choices and performances in its...

Global

  • Rhenus reaches first milestone in LCL (less-container-load) Carbon-Neutral journey with pilot launch of Carbon Neutrality Label
    Rhenus reaches first milestone in LCL (less-container-load)...

    LCL consolidation shipments exported by Rhenus from the...
  • Clark Material Handling Company organises Humanitarian aid for Ukrainian families set in motion
    Clark Material Handling Company organises Humanitarian aid...

    Clark Family organises transport of baby food worth USD...

UK News

  • HIAB working with Renault & Massey Trucks to develop next generation of drawbar vehicles to bring greener benefits & greater efficiencies
    HIAB working with Renault & Massey Trucks to develop...

    Hiab has teamed up with five firms across the UK to develop...
  • Discover the technologies that keep fulfilment operations ahead of the game
    Discover the technologies that keep fulfilment operations...

    During an era where the only certainty is uncertainty and...

Safety News

  • Biggest ever Lifting Industry careers event at LiftEx 2022
    Biggest ever Lifting Industry careers event at LiftEx 2022

    LiftEx in Aberdeen will host the biggest ever Lifting...
  • RSA warning on using plough lamps on Tractors when traveling on public roads
    RSA warning on using plough lamps on Tractors when...

    The Road Safety Authority (RSA) and The Association of Farm...
Copyright 2019 Handling Networks Ireland / All rights reserved