Combilift launches versatile 4-way counterbalance
September 11th 2008 Combilift has launched a smaller version of its four-way truck that it believes will eventually become its best seller. The Combi-CB (which stands for counterbalance) is aimed at firms that occasionally need to handle long or awkward loads in confined spaces, and need a manoeuvrable, versatile counterbalance truck to handle pallet loads the rest of the time.
The 2.5t capacity unit’s dimensions are such that it can drive into a standard container, unload goods into the yard or warehouse, and operate in narrow aisles. Unlike the standard Combilift, the CB has no platform, meaning goods can be stacked from the floor up, maximising use of lower storage areas. It has a maximum lift height of 7.5m and is available in LPG, diesel or electric.
Combilift MD, Martin McVicar, said the firm has trialled just over 100 Combi-CB’s over the last 18 months with main customers, in sectors including timber, automotive and steel. At present, the company is assembling five units a week in its Monaghan facitlity, with the capacity to make 25 units per week on a single shift. This year, McVicar aims to sell between 300 and 400 Combi-CB’s, with a total target of 2,100 trucks for the year.
The launch also marked Combilift’s 10th anniversary. Founded by McVicar and Robert Moffett (inventor of the truck-mounted Moffett Mounty) in 1998, the firm has grown rapidly through its space saving, long-load handling invention and is set to make its target of Euro100m turnover a year ahead of schedule, in 2009.
McVicar says sales could also be boosted by the now available ContainerLift solution - a flatbed truck with crane that allows a single operator to load and unload containers in a couple of minutes. According to McVicar this means distributors and freight forwarders can save time and money by dropping off the container without having to wait for it to be unloaded. He agrees the product dovetails with the new Combi-CB, which can take product directly from the container, through the yard and into narrow aisle racking in the warehouse, using all available space.
The firm also offers a warehouse planning service, whereby its engineers will take customers warehouse or yard dimensions and design the optimimum space saving layout free of charge.
For the full story, see the forthcoming October print issue of Handling & Storage solutions.
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