EDITOR’S CHOICE


The right tool for the job: How one Combilift has delivered safe operations for 28 years


As National Forklift Safety Day highlights the importance of safe material handling  


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till in operation after 28 years at J.G. Kelly Supplies in Monaghan, Ireland, the original multi-directional forklift has


helped transform the company’s handling of long  proving that purpose-built equipment can deliver exceptional returns for decades. Before the company started operating a Combilift, traditional forklift methods created  Long PVC stillages measuring up to six metres had to be moved through a doorway only four metres wide. Conventional counterbalance forklifts could not handle the task safely or  Operator Tony McManus explains: “Before, we just used to use counterbalance trucks. We had to reverse a lorry in here and were on a main busy road in the town.” He adds: “But now, it just  both sides if needed, with minimal obstruction to 


The C-Series’ multi-directional capability


provided the ideal solution, allowing operators to move long loads sideways with greater control and stability, while navigating tight spaces and  For nearly three decades, the C-Series has


transformed the site operations and the way the company used to handle long loads. And the


“Any issues we’ve had  on site, and quickly. That’s the main thing, because if the machine is out of action for any length of time, we’re in trouble.”


  improved safety for operators, pedestrians and passing vehicles. McManus continues: “With the C-Series, it’s less labour intensive than it used to be. It would take   short space of time compared to before.” An additional safety feature is the forklift’s


integrated platform, which has further enhanced load stability when handling such long products. Operators can now safely support lengthy stillages during transport, reducing the risks associated with moving oversized loads and making the entire process more controlled and  McManus adds: “We know that it’s a lot safer,


once you get the load on the platform, you can sort of relax almost. You’ve got that stability of it being on the rest beds.” Safety on site has been greatly improved by the introduction of the C-Series, but equally remarkable is the machine’s longevity. Managing Director Paul Kelly highlights: “I never expected we’d still be using the same forklift nearly three decades later. But it’s a testament to the build quality of the machine as it’s still running after 28 years.” While multiple conventional forklifts have come


18 May/June 2026 Irish Manufacturing www.irish-manufacturing.com


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