Focus on the customer

Combilift is based in Monaghan, Ireland, and invests more than 7% of its turnover in research and development. As a result, the model range of this Irish forklift manufacturer continues to grow. “We launch several new and innovative products on the market every year,” Martin McVicar, Managing Director and co-founder of Combilift, explains. A recent launch was that of the Combi-XLE, an electric powered multidirectional forklift which offers many advantages, such as the safe handling of long loads, optimal use of storage space, efficient use of manpower and quiet and emission free operation.

Individual solutions

“We are able to design each of our products to meet individual requirements, which is something that very few manufacturers of our size can do,” says Combilift’s MD. Customer feedback is often taken into account when designing new products. The development of the Combi-CSS Slip-Sheet, designed specifically for safe and fast loading of containers, is a good example of this practice. “This model is very popular with timber exporters,” McVicar tells us. He points out that the price of wood has risen sharply since the Combi-CSS Slip-Sheet was launched at the Ligna show in 2019 and explains: “Trying to fit as much wood as possible in a container while keeping the risk of damage to the products as low as possible has a much higher priority at the moment. High costs and the limited availability of containers are prompting companies to make full use of the available container space, and this has a positive effect on sales and orders for the Combi-CSS.”

Customer feedback also gave impetus to the development of the Aisle Master Order Picker (AME-OP) which was launched in spring. “We have customers who are already using the Aisle Master for the space-saving and efficient operation of their warehouses. They asked us if we could redesign the model to meet their growing demand for custom order picking,” McVicar recalls. The AME-OP is a stand-on electric powered model that combines the advantages of a narrow aisle articulated forklift and an order picker for versatile operation in warehousing applications.

Record in incoming orders

“In terms of production, 2021 will be a record year for Combilift,” the MD says, satisfied. Incoming orders will even exceed production this year. In August, the company celebrated the delivery of its 60,000^th product. Combilift has an extensive dealers and sales network and  “we always put the customer centre stage,” McVicar adds.

Thanks to the regular additions to its product range, the company expects further growth in 2022. Despite the supply chain-related challenges that many manufacturers are faced with, the company is optimistic about the future. Stock levels are sufficient to compensate for any possible bottlenecks in the supply chain. “We have expanded our storage area for raw materials by 4000 m²,” McVicar tells us.

Successful in Austria

Combilift delivered its first forklift to Austria in 2003, when one of the original C-Series models was bought by a customer from the timber sector. Since then, Combilift’s Austrian dealer and customer network has been growing steadily. Since 2018, the Austrian market has had its own country manager, Mr. Gregor Kramar. For several years now, Combilift’s incoming orders have recorded double-digit growth rates in the German-speaking countries. Last year, sales of more than €4 million were generated in Austria. As a considerable number of the world’s leading timber industry companies are based in Austria, the company sees great potential for further growth there. “We value each and every one of our customers. In our order books, you will find the names of companies of various sizes, from small carpentry businesses to the leading players in the timber industry,” Kramar says and explains: “Even though most of our customers come from the timber sector, we are proud to say that we are also seeing significant growth in other market segments, for example in the steel industry and in aluminum, modular and window construction.” He is confident that this positive trend will continue in the future. Austria is a demanding market, according to Kramar: “Here, customers have very high expectations of the product and service. As the global market leader in the four-way and sideloader forklift segment, we have a wide and up-to-the-minute range of products for handling long loads, as well as other models for pallet handling. As a result, we can fully satisfy the needs of our customers.” Combilift also has its own demonstration truck on the German-speaking market. “It allows us to demonstrate the performance of the forklifts to our customers on site,” Kramar adds.