Increase storage capacity

With sustainability becoming an increasingly important issue, Combilift is helping its customers achieve their environmental goals with its '3-forklift-in-1' models, which can be used both indoors and outdoors, reducing fleet size and therefore the_{carbon footprint}. A hallmark of all Combilift products, according to the company, is the ability to increase storage capacity without increasing the size of the premises. This results in lower energy consumption and the associated costs for heating, lighting and maintenance.

Noise pollution and carbon emissions, which can affect the health and well-being of people and animals, are also no longer an issue thanks to electric power. Drivers, employees and visitors on site appreciate the quiet operation, as do residents and businesses in the neighborhood, especially in urban areas.

Maneuverable and low maintenance

The Combi-XLE is equipped with modern technologies, such as the patented all-wheel traction, which reduces tire wear and load oscillation and improves braking performance. It also features a newly developed, patented Eco-Steer system, which offers a smaller turning radius and an improved driving experience. As electrically powered trucks do not have conventional combustion engines or hydraulic transmissions, there is no need to check and top up engine fluids and lubricants, resulting in longer maintenance intervals and therefore cost savings. The use of hardened, environmentally friendly water-based paint also drastically reduces the amount of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) during manufacture.

"The technology we have incorporated into the Combi-XLE means that its performance is comparable to that of diesel or LPG forklifts when it comes to handling very bulky and heavy loads, while of course offering a more environmentally friendly operation," said Martin McVicar, CEO and co-founder of Combilift. "We manufactured our first electric C-Series over 18 years ago, and today over 60 percent of the trucks we manufacture are electrically powered and available in almost every model in our range. More and more of our customers are opting for electric drive, and it's clear that they are as committed to sustainability and a circular economy as we are."

Sustainability and circular economy in production

At Combilift's own production facility, features such as daylight technology - LED lights with individual PIR sensors, solar panels and rainwater harvesting - are designed to conserve natural resources and reduce energy consumption. 92 percent of the materials used in forklift assembly are recyclable, and the company is on track to_save over 473 tons of_CO2 by using carbon-neutral woodchips instead of gas to heat the plant.

The article appeared in materialfluss 11-21/21.