As the industry battles with high turnover and an ageing workforce, the physical demands placed on employees are drawing increased scrutiny. The latest government data shows nearly 40% of UK logistics businesses are struggling to fill vacancies. While automation garners attention, many warehouses still rely heavily on manual processes – and it’s here that equipment upgrades can have the most immediate impact.

“Better conditions start with better equipment,” says Phil Chesworth, Managing Director at Pallet Trucks UK. “If you’re asking someone to lift, push, and transport heavy loads all day, you have a duty to ensure they’re using tools that minimise strain and reduce injury risk. It’s a matter respect, efficiency, and staff wellbeing.”

The company has seen growing demand for ergonomically designed pallet trucks and scissor lift tables that reduce physical stress on workers. These pallets not only help to avoid workplace injuries – a leading cause of absence in logistics – but can also serve as a valuable retention tool.

According to the British Safety Council, musculoskeletal injuries remain one of the most common reasons for long-term sickness among warehouse staff. Providing safer, easier-to-use handling solutions shows a tangible investment in the workforce – which can make all the difference in an industry where margins are tight, and staff loyalty is often hard-won.

“As competition for labour intensifies, we’re finding that companies who invest in the wellbeing of their warehouse teams see better morale, fewer injuries, and greater staff retention,” adds Chesworth. “It’s becoming a competitive necessity, particularly for businesses that cannot afford to compete with industry giants when it comes to pay.”

For businesses looking to future-proof their workforce, investing in the right manual handling equipment could just be the smartest move they make in 2025.

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The Red Dot Award recognises excellence in design quality and innovation, and is no stranger to Combilift’s vision to shape the commercial vehicles industry. This award completes a hat trick for Combilift who previously won a Red Dot for the Combi-WR and ‘Best of the Best’ for the Combi-CB4. Combilift’s Combi-CB70E impressed the international jury with its new ergonomic design, environmental credentials, and ability to enhance operator comfort and productivity in demanding industrial settings.

Martin McVicar, CEO and Co-founder of Combilift, commented: “We are delighted to receive our third Red Dot Award this year for the Combi-CB70E. Our design and engineering teams have been striving to provide solutions that are not only functional and safe but also reflect excellence in industrial design. Our customers increasingly demand electric alternatives that don’t compromise on performance, and the CB70E is exactly that.”

The multidirectional Combi-CB70E is a 7-tonne capacity electric counterbalance forklift, specifically designed for handling long and bulky loads in confined or challenging spaces. Equipped with Combilift’s patented Independent Traction Control System and large elastic rubber tyres, it provides all-terrain capability while maintaining zero-emission operation. The spacious gas strut suspension cab and floor to ceiling glazing offers enhanced visibility and comfort, while the Auto Swivel Seat- which automatically swivels 15 degrees to the left or right, depending on the direction of travel- ensures optimal ergonomics and comfort for operators, even during extended shifts.

This Red Dot recognition comes in an exceptional 11 months of success for Combilift, which has also received multiple international accolades for its products and leadership, including Product of the Year and Ergonomics Award at the UKMHA Archies Awards, as well as Design Team of the Year and Industry Leader awards from the UK’s Engineering & Manufacturing Awards. Watch the video here.

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The pallet trucks, each with a 2.5-tonne load capacity and built to accommodate standard UK pallets, are part of a highly specialised and carefully managed contract. With complex technical requirements and logistical challenges, the order represents one of the most detailed and ambitious projects the business has undertaken to date.

Phil Chesworth, Managing Director at Midland Pallet Trucks, said, “Supplying the Ministry of Defence is an honour and a testament to the strength of our products and the dedication of our team. From the initial consultation to the final dispatch, this order required a huge team effort and close attention to detail. We’re immensely proud of everyone involved, from those in the warehouse building the trucks, to the staff coordinating transport, to those making sure even the smallest specifications were met.”

The pallet trucks, designed to handle the demands of tough industrial environments, will now be supporting operational efficiency across various military facilities. Built with durability and performance in mind, they offer low-maintenance reliability – critical for fast-paced, high-pressure settings like those operated by the MoD.

The scale of the order has seen multiple articulated lorries loaded at Midland Pallet Trucks’ distribution hub, with the first two trucks already enroute and twenty more to follow. Each truck had to meet strict technical requirements, down to the precise fork width, roller composition, and pallet compatibility.

This order is a glowing example not only of Midland Pallet Trucks’ commitment to quality, but also its ability to deliver on large, complex contracts. As the final deliveries roll out, this success story serves as a reminder that investment in robust, well-designed manual handling equipment – like pallet trucks, lift tables, and stacker trucks – remains a cornerstone of efficiency.

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Rune Wee, Head of Product Development at one of Norway’s largest online equipment suppliers, Wee.no, is launching a new transport system for loaded containers. The system, named ContainerWheels 2-in-1, offers a simple yet powerful solution for lifting and towing containers without the need for heavy machinery or permanent infrastructure. Following two years of product development and testing, the system from Wee.no has now been granted patent protection in 45 countries.

Robust and practical

ContainerWheels 2-in-1 consists of two galvanized modules and a front drawbar. Each module features dual solid wheels and a manual crank-lift mechanism. The units slide into the container’s forklift pockets, allowing users to lift the container approximately 15 cm off the ground. Once elevated, the container can be towed with a forklift, car, wheel loader, or tractor.

The system will initially be available in two models, capable of handling loads of 10 and 20 tonnes, respectively.

Inventor and product developer at Wee.no, Rune Wee, explains: “ContainerWheels 2-in-1 is designed to meet the requirements of companies that frequently move or reposition containers in ports, warehouses, construction sites, storage facilities, or recycling stations. The system is both robust and practical to utilize, and is constructed to handle uneven terrain during transport.

“What began as a practical idea is now a fully realized product with global potential. We’re excited to introduce this solution to international users, and believe that the new system will transform logistics for many companies globally,” concludes Wee, Head of Product Development at Wee.no. Watch this clip to see the syswtem in use.

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“If customers are storing and retrieving exclusively full pallets in high-bay racking, this forklift eliminates the need for them to purchase a manually operated truck,” explains Pascal Kuster, Sales Trainer Automated Guided Vehicles at Linde MH. Other vehicles set to launch include the Linde R-MATIC k reach truck and the Linde L MATIC AC k counterbalanced pallet stacker with cantilevered forks. These series production models are designed to maximize the benefits of automation projects implemented with Linde MH, reducing planning and implementation times while ensuring greater efficiency and lower costs.

“With the new models, the already launched automated Linde L-MATIC HD k pallet stacker, and the fully automated compact Linde L-MATIC core variant, we can automate our customers’ material flow processes more easily and cost-effectively, while also making them more service-friendly and flexible for expansion,” says Kuster. The ‘toolbox’ that Linde MH’s automation planners use to develop these concepts includes high-quality, energy-efficient and easy-to-program AGVs and AMRs. “Our new vehicles play a key role in our automation solutions. However, good project planning and preparation are just as crucial to success,” Kuster emphasizes. “After all, our customers are investing in a solution, rather than just a product.” The standardization of processes is an essential prerequisite for any automation project. In this context, it’s important to note that processes with manual trucks cannot always be replicated one-to-one with the corresponding automated vehicle models. For example: If a reach truck operator was previously also responsible for transporting goods from the receiving area to the high-bay racking, in the automated system using an automated pallet stacker for this subprocess may be more efficient in order to increase throughput and optimize pallet-handling costs per hour.

A new generation of vehicles for efficient automation

The larger the product portfolio, the more options arise for developing automation solutions that are precisely tailored to customers’ specific needs. Linde MH capitalizes on this by offering the industry’s most comprehensive range of vehicles. The Linde K-MATIC k stands out in the premier league of warehouse technology. With a load capacity of 1.5 tons and a maximum lift height of 14.5 meters, this very narrow aisle (VNA) truck is designed to optimize warehouse capacity usage. “Since the truck primarily operates in rack aisles, using an automated vehicle is a sensible choice,” explains product trainer Kuster. “This allows employees to focus on higher value-added activities.”

The Linde R-MATIC k reach truck is ideal for automated replenishment in wide-aisle warehouse sections. Three models are available, with load capacities of up to 2.3 tons. To optimally customize the trucks for individual needs, they can be equipped with a wide selection of modular mast variants, offering maximum lift heights of up to 10 meters. Automated shuttle and storage solutions round off the extended range of vehicles.

Innovative technology boosts productivity

Both VNA trucks and reach trucks use state-of-the-art reflector technology for navigation. They feature a sensor-based pallet positioning system with “intelligent” forks for precisely storing and retrieving qualified load carriers such as Euro pallets, mesh boxes and CHEP pallets. The system not only detects whether a rack location is empty but also identifies any obstacles in the way. If pallets are not correctly aligned, the forks adjust accordingly. Furthermore, the system ensures that the goods are precisely positioned in the rack before the forks withdraw from the load carrier. The trucks are powered by either lead-acid batteries or the latest generation of lithium-ion batteries for maximum energy efficiency. Both battery types can be combined with all available manual or automatic charging options. A clear, colored touchscreen simplifies human-machine communication and makes entering control commands easier. Numerous standard features such as 360° scanners, emergency stop switches, lights and acoustic signals ensure maximum operational safety. Optional functions are available to supplement these features, including 2D curtain lasers and other lighting solutions such as BlueSpot and Red Warning Lines.

Integrated software platform MATIC:move

All new vehicles have been developed in-house and are designed to map key intralogistics processes end-to-end. VNA trucks and reach trucks are digitally networked with the pallet stacker variants. Automated trucks are controlled via the Linde MATIC:move (or MATIC:move+) software platform’s uniform user interface, which allows for real-time monitoring, display of open orders, predictive maintenance and standardized connection to WMS and ERP systems. Additionally, the Linde Warehouse Manager facilitates the networking of automated and manual vehicles and their integration into operational safety assistance systems such as the Linde Safety Guard. “However, cooperation with our customers is a key factor for success,” emphasizes Kuster. “We provide comprehensive support to decision-makers throughout the entire process, from the conceptualization phase through implementation. We assist in standardizing processes, defining key performance indicators and simulating material flow with the help of our digital twin. This approach ensures a solid foundation for successful project completion and a swift return on investment. And after commissioning, our experienced service technicians and the high density of our sales and service network ensure that customers can rely on fast response times for maintenance and repairs.”

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At their Essex-based site, Simarco International has used GRENDiA trucks intensively since 2013, working 24 hours a day, 6 days a week. The most recent additions, 10 LPG-powered forklifts, are now the third batch to prove themselves at the growing operation. Indeed, Simarco has come to trust the trucks – and their distributor’s support – so much that the business operates successfully with no backup vehicle in place.

A proven performer at a growing business

For nearly 30 years, Simarco has made a habit of delivering tailored solutions for clients in the UK, across Europe, and internationally across all trade routes. The company occupies 30,000 square metres of transit warehousing in the UK, giving its forklifts a constant workload. GRENDiA trucks’ sealed chassis and engine protection systems make the model a perfect fit, delivering robust performance on the hardworking site.

Head of UK and European Warehousing, Steve Pyne, explains: “We’ve used Mitsubishi GRENDiA trucks for years and they’ve never let us down. They’re incredibly reliable, which is vital because we don’t just have another backup truck waiting to be used – if the GRENDiA breaks down or stops performing, our operation comes to a halt.”

A successful, 12-year partnership

The Mitsubishi Forklift Truck authorised distributor for the area is proud to have played a role in Simarco’s success story. Managing Director, Joe Bronze, said: “Given their 24-hours-a-day, 6-days-a week-schedule, it is imperative that the equipment is top quality. Sticking with the GRENDiA model that’s worked so well in the past is a great choice. Over the years, we’ve seen the business grow and it’s great that we can continue to assist the team with their ongoing requirements. With our close working relationship, we’re always available to react to any changes they need – now, and in the future.”

Steve Pyne, Head of UK & European Warehousing at Simarco, also values the relationship: “The support and service from our local distributor is always excellent – and that’s crucial. With such a busy, intensive operation, any lost time will really hit us. But on the rare occasion we have an issue, they always respond to call-outs or questions very swiftly. I would have no hesitation in recommending them as a preferred supplier for materials handling equipment.”

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When Bobcat acquired Doosan’s forklift division, the industry watched with interest to see how the rugged, construction-focused brand would steer its new material handling arm. At LogiMAT this year, Bobcat made its intentions clear: to harness the legacy of Doosan while injecting Bobcat’s hallmark resilience, adaptability, and bold approach to innovation.

Jan Droogendijk, Product Manager for Material Handling at Bobcat EMEA, describes the company’s evolving strategy: “We are really focusing on small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) – those with one to ten trucks, perhaps a single shift. These are customers who want durability and performance, but not necessarily top-end specs they’ll never use. So, we’ve worked hard to build in the features they need, while staying cost-efficient.”

This pragmatic, value-oriented approach is embodied in Bobcat’s latest product lineup. At LogiMAT, the company showcased 10 new warehouse truck models, including pedestrian pallet trucks and stackers with platforms, plus a new three-wheel electric forklift designed for flexibility in tighter warehouse environments. The common thread among these machines? Fit-for-purpose functionality, built to last.

Durability as a Philosophy

Droogendijk is quick to emphasise that Bobcat’s material handling machines retain the core DNA of the Doosan forklifts: “Our trucks are heavier than many competitors’. That’s not just about weight, it’s about using more robust metal, which translates to better durability. These SMEs won’t replace a truck every couple of years. They want machines that last, and ours are built to do just that.”

Durability is treated as an essential characteristic for Bobcat’s target audience. “They don’t care if the truck goes 19 or 20 km/h,” Droogendijk says. “They just want it to work reliably, day in, day out.”

And for many of these customers, ownership still trumps leasing. While Bobcat does support financial programmes through its dealer network, outright purchase remains the most common path. “It’s a long-term investment,” he says. “After five years, they’ll ask: ‘Is it still working?’ If the answer is yes, then why change it?”

Rebranding

The transition from Doosan to Bobcat branding wasn’t merely cosmetic. As David Frodl, Senior Marketing Communication Manager at Bobcat EMEA, explains, “This was about more than a logo or a colour scheme. It was about creating synergy. Our parts and distribution centre for forklifts has moved to Halle, Germany, alongside our existing compact equipment infrastructure. That integration has allowed us to raise standards across the board.”

The transformation also brought introspection and mutual learning. “Bobcat learned from Doosan’s reliability heritage, and Doosan’s operations absorbed Bobcat’s energy and branding strength,” Frodl says. “It’s why we talk about ‘reliability redefined’. We’re building on what was great, and pushing it further.”

Electrification Push

Electrification is a major focus for Bobcat’s forklift strategy, albeit not an exclusive one. While lithium-ion battery systems are being rolled out under Bobcat’s own branding, with production expected to ramp up later this year, the company remains pragmatic about internal combustion (IC) engines. “You still need diesel,” Droogendijk affirms, gesturing toward the company’s seven-tonne diesel truck on display. “Especially in higher capacities and heavier-duty applications. We’re seeing electrification in these segments too, and we’re investing in it, but Stage V diesel is still efficient and clean.”

Frodl adds that infrastructure challenges often slow electric adoption. “In some countries, upgrading electrical capacity at a facility can take two years. You can be ready to invest, but the grid isn’t.”
Whether electric, diesel, or LPG, Bobcat’s product philosophy centres around delivering value where it counts. “Most of our SME customers operate trucks between one and three tonnes,” Droogendijk explains. “That’s the heartland of the forklift market and we’re very strong in that space.”

The new lithium-ion battery, developed through a joint venture but owned by Bobcat, is designed to be compatible with all the company’s electric forklift lines from launch. Benefits include faster charging, lower maintenance, and better uptime, though the cost-benefit ratio will vary based on application.

For now, the diesel and LPG options remain important for customers in less electrification-friendly regions or heavier-use industries. “We want to give customers the right product for today,” Droogendijk says. “And right now, diesel still makes sense in many situations.”

Expanding in Europe

The rebrand has also helped sharpen Bobcat’s dealer strategy across Europe. “We kept the majority of Doosan’s network,” Droogendijk explains. “But we also assessed where to improve, sometimes combining strong construction and material handling dealers in the same territory. As a result, we’ve increased our service points, improved aftermarket logistics, and strengthened support overall.”

As the Bobcat brand becomes more recognisable in the material handling world, the company is doubling down on visibility, marketing and product launches to maintain momentum. Its growth plans remain laser-focused on the SME sector, where the blend of rugged performance, thoughtful design, and strong after-sales support resonates deeply.

“We’re not trying to sell Porsches to people who need reliable delivery vans,” Droogendijk says. “We’re giving businesses the right tool for the job, one that lasts, doesn’t cost the earth, and is backed by a brand they can trust.” With an ever-expanding electric range, homegrown battery technology, and an integrated European network, Bobcat’s forklift business looks well-positioned to continue its growth path.

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“The new Yale® Series N electric forklift is built on a foundation of proven performance, delivering the reliability that warehouses will recognise from Yale, but reinvented for the challenges of today’s dynamic operations,” says Fraser Brash, Regional Product Manager, for Yale Lift Truck Technologies. “In its standard configuration, the new Yale Series N electric lift trucks enhance productivity, and ergonomics. However, every materials handling operation is unique. So, these forklifts also empower businesses to specify the features they need to tackle their specific requirements.”

The new Series N electric models can flex to both indoor and outdoor tasks, making them well suited to a wide range of industries, including auto parts, 3PL (third party logistics), retail, furniture, food, beverage, and pharmaceutical industries, and many others. The introduction of the new electric Series N lift trucks follows the launch of the Series N IC models in 2022. Both share many smart design features that contribute to an enhanced operator experience and excellent visibility, boosting confidence and efficiency.

“Flexibility is at the heart of Yale Series N trucks,” says Brash. “Both the IC and electric Series N trucks are designed with various optional features, to help the end user match their trucks to the specific needs of their individual operation.”

Reliable, Reinvented, Recharged

Like their IC counterparts, the new Series N electric models offer a spacious cabin with a user-friendly touch screen as standard. Further customisations for the operator environment include dual joystick hydraulic controls, and a variety of comfortable seat options.

Meanwhile, the mast offers excellent visibility through the two channels, considered best in class. What’s more, a zero-turn radius, provides better manoeuvrability in tight warehouse spaces.
To support safe operation in certain applications, the Dynamic Stability System (DSS) option helps to enhance stability and reduce the likelihood of tip overs. It delivers audio and visual alerts and restricts the truck’s performance when operated outside set parameters. Such as limiting traction speed when the mast is raised to a certain height.

The Yale ERP2.2-3.5N Series N electric lift trucks are also engineered to allow for the integration of Yale Reliant operator assist system (OAS). This optional technology may help certain operations to manage risk, reduce damage, and encourage correct operator behaviours.

“A key innovation with this Yale electric forklift is the ability for customers to specify the motor option that best suits their application and priorities. The standard option includes AC induction motors for both the drive and hydraulic pump, ideal for many warehouses. However, the enhanced motor package may be better suited to those with higher intensity operations,” explains Brash.

The enhanced motor option includes permanent magnet drive motors and a permanent magnet hydraulic pump. This provides higher performance and better energy efficiency, which may help certain operations to reduce the total cost of ownership (TCO) over time.

The new Series N models also provide potential savings and lower TCO by helping to reduce maintenance expenses. Electric forklifts feature fewer drivetrain components and less complexity, lowering overall maintenance requirements. Battery flexibility allows businesses to select the battery that excels for their operations while managing costs.

A choice of lithium-ion, lead acid, or TPPL (Thin Plate Pure Lead) batteries meets differing requirements. For instance, the battery box replacement (BBR) design for the lithium-ion battery option may minimise long-term costs by enabling easier battery replacement and second-life use. Additionally, zero exhaust emissions in operation, can also contribute towards a company’s sustainability goals.

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Based in Bruchsal, Germany, SEW-Eurodrive is a specialist in drive technology. Its products enable movement in the handling, storing, sorting, transporting and distribution of goods in logistics. That means powering the conveyors, stacker cranes, palletisers and sorters, and a great deal more besides.

At LogiMAT in March, the company highlighted its focus on three key needs which its customers have identified: energy efficiency, throughput enhancement, and greater flexibility. SEW-Eurodrive’s Wolfgang Currle, Head of Sales Southwest Germany and responsible for SEW-Eurodrive’s presence at LogiMAT, told me that the company’s holistic concept is designed to coordinate perfectly with each customer’s application, with each of these three needs an integral part of the solution. It should be added that short installation times and minimal maintenance work are increasingly demanded by customers, so these requirements are a given.

Energy and Throughput Efficiency

Energy efficiency is achieved via a holistic concept consisting of drive technology, energy management, safety, software and control technology. With SEW-Eurodrive’s products, customers can expect high throughput, smart material flow, maximum energy efficiency, fast startup, and simple operation and diagnostics, all backed up by scalable and robust project planning.

Catching the eye in the company’s product portfolio is the MOVI-C modular automation system, which it describes as “the perfect one-stop shop for every automation task”. All parts and services are made and provided directly by SEW-Eurodrive including all hardware and software, from planning and startup to operation and servicing. Crucially, the MOVI-C is modular and scalable according to customer need. Currle says the benefits of this complete package are “full comfort, a future-proofed system and the reassuring confidence that comes from knowing you have a direct contact you can always rely on.”

Reduced Complexity

Simplicity in the pursuit of user-friendliness is the core product promise of the MOVI-C modular automation system, he says. “The aim is to make complex, high-performance automation and drive technology simple enough for you to install it effortlessly, operate it intuitively and monitor it easily,” he continues.

Deploying the hardware reduces complexity, installation space and costs – all the customer has to do is connect SEW-Eurodrive’s components, which link via plug-and-play, including to each other. With configurable devices and end-to-end control technology, the manufacturer reduces the number of device variants without losing any functions. They include everything from safety to robotics, maintaining the full range of movements.

As for the software, the MOVIKIT modules are easily started up via graphical configuration and diagnostics. The range of standardised software modules includes everything from simple drive functions, such as speed control and positioning, to challenging motion sequences as well as motion control functions such as robotics. Nonetheless, if the application requires, MOVIKIT software modules can also be freely programmed.

The MOVIKIT software modules are perfectly coordinated with MOVI-C control technology. Using MOVISUITE engineering software, the appropriate MOVIKIT software module is allocated directly to an axis or the controller and configured via graphical wizards and editors. As a result, the user has access to all relevant parameters from motor startup to software settings in a single parameterisation interface.

MOVIKIT is integrated into the IEC user program at the touch of a button using automatic IEC code generation. It is both quick and easy to complete. Every software module offers both a conventional variable interface and an object-oriented interface for implementing cutting-edge software architectures.

The control technology is based on a common platform for control cabinet and decentralised controllers with the same functionalities and identical interface diversity. The controller is used to execute high-end data-driven applications that require integrated functional safety and high-level, application-specific networking. Motion, automation and cyber physical control are all available with the system.

The AC motor, servomotor and linear motion drives are fully modular, with an enormous range of combinations to suit specific requirements. “Just connect and you’re good to go, thanks to an electronic nameplate and digital single-cable technology,” explains Wolfgang Currle.

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As the global materials handling sector undergoes seismic shifts – driven primarily by sustainability mandates, technological innovation, and evolving customer demands – Clark Europe is on a mission not just to keep up but to leap ahead. At the helm of this ambitious transformation is Stefan Budweit, its President and CEO, whose three-decade career spans major names like Jungheinrich, Toyota, and now, Clark, having replaced Rolf Eiten on 1st January this year. In an exclusive interview with Logistics Business, Budweit discusses the brand’s growth strategy, product innovation, and how a century-old name is reinventing itself for the electric age.

Growth-Driven Challenger

Budweit’s career journey mirrors the evolution of the industry itself. Starting in parts sales with Jungheinrich before taking on international sales roles, and later leading global key accounts at Toyota, he’s no stranger to operating at scale. “The transition to Clark was a chance to build something new,” Budweit explains. “At Jungheinrich and Toyota, you’re maintaining a large ship. At Clark, we saw the opportunity to grow from a lower base with fresh thinking. We had nothing to lose – only ground to gain.”

Now, with his promotion to CEO, Budweit is tasked with steering the next chapter in Clark’s storied history. “Taking Clark from a global ranking of around 14 or 15 to a top-10 position, that’s a task that excites me.”

Clark’s strategy isn’t about chasing every trend or copying market leaders. Instead, it focuses on aligning its products with customer needs, especially those of its core base: small to mid-sized businesses with fleets of up to 20 units. These customers, often underserved by larger OEMs, are facing the same pressures to cut carbon emissions and improve efficiency as the major logistics players.

“The role of the forklift hasn’t fundamentally changed – it still moves pallets from A to B,” says Budweit. “But the environment in which it operates has. That’s where we see opportunity.”
One of Clark’s key growth initiatives lies in its newly-announced crossover models, electric trucks designed for outdoor use, previously a stronghold of internal combustion (IC) vehicles. These rugged, high-clearance trucks can handle conditions where diesel and gas once reigned supreme, such as mud, rain, and uneven ground.

“These crossover models meet customer needs for performance and sustainability,” Budweit notes. “And because many big players don’t yet offer a comparable product, we see a real chance to carve out market share.”

Sustainability with Substance

For Clark, sustainability is a sales imperative. Across Europe, emissions regulations are accelerating the decline of IC trucks. Meanwhile, companies of all sizes face growing pressure to report on their ESG metrics.

“Even smaller customers now need to reduce their carbon footprint and report it in their annual reviews,” Budweit says. “We’re helping by providing electric alternatives and also by offering transparency in our own production and logistics emissions. ESG is now a core part of our value proposition.”

This shift is most visible in Clark’s electrification strategy. While IC trucks remain important in less regulated markets like Africa and parts of the Middle East, in Europe, electric models dominate, particularly in warehousing where electric account for around 65% of the market.

To serve this demand, Clark offers both lithium-ion and lead-acid battery options across its electric range. “Flexibility is key,” Budweit says. “Many customers start with lead-acid and upgrade later. Our trucks are designed to accommodate both.”

Another sign of Clark’s transformation is in branding. Gone are the cryptic model names, and in come the bold new product lines Raider and Renegade introduced at LogiMAT.
“The names help us position products for specific markets,” Budweit explains. “Raider is the entry-level option, cost-effective and durable. Renegade is for more demanding applications, with advanced features and premium ergonomics.”

The differentiation also allows Clark to tailor offerings across regions. While Eastern Europe may favour budget-friendly models, Scandinavia expects high-end features and comfort. With centralised product groups now coordinating global development, Clark is better equipped than ever to deliver region-specific solutions.

Going Digital

As the forklift industry evolves beyond the mechanical into the digital, Clark is embracing the shift. Its new fleet management system – developed in-house rather than outsourced – is a response to changing customer profiles and the rise of larger fleet operators.

“In the past, our customers didn’t necessarily demand fleet management,” Budweit says. “But as our client base grows to include bigger operators, we’re providing smart solutions, factory-installed, and fully integrated.”

Looking ahead, Clark sees potential in leveraging AI for predictive maintenance and safety features, particularly in real-time hazard detection. “AI is already playing a role in fleet optimisation,” Budweit says. “We’re integrating these capabilities to meet the demands of a more sophisticated user base.”

The Brand Comes Home

Founded in 1917, Clark invented the modern forklift. Today, Budweit sees that legacy as both a differentiator and an asset. “In many countries, when people say ‘forklift,’ they still say ‘Clark,’” he notes. The company is tapping into that heritage with a symbolic move: on 10th April, it officially returned its global headquarters to Dallas, Texas. “Clark is coming home,” Budweit says with a smile. “We’re reopening our US manufacturing base and reconnecting with our American roots.”

From rugged electric crossover trucks to AI-enabled fleet solutions, Clark is reimagining itself for a future that demands sustainability, flexibility, and performance. And under Budweit’s leadership, the company is not just talking about transformation, it’s building it one truck and one customer at a time. “The sky is the limit,” he concludes. Clark has no pretences to become another Toyota or Jungheinrich – it’s cornering a healthy market where a heritage brand meets future-ready thinking.

The post From Heritage to High-Tech Forklifts appeared first on Logistics Business.