FORKLIFT TRUCKS L
ong products such as timber, pipes and steel sections can be particularly difficult to manoeuvre, especially where space is restricted. Traditional counterbalance
forklifts can require wide turning
circles, limiting manoeuvrability and taking up valuable space that could otherwise be used for storage. In busy warehouses and yards, this can affect productivity while increasing the potential for collisions with racking, infrastructure or other vehicles. As businesses look to maximise available
space and improve efficiency, selecting material handling equipment suited to the load and operating environment is essential. Safety should remain a fundamental consideration alongside productivity, cost and sustainability.
A SAFETY-FIRST DESIGN PHILOSOPHY At Combilift, safety is incorporated into the design and development of its material handling solutions. The company focuses on developing equipment that can improve manoeuvrability and space utilisation while helping operators handle challenging loads safely and efficiently. With nearly three decades of industry
experience, Combilift invests 7 of its annual revenue in research and development, developing equipment for applications where conventional handling solutions may not provide the most suitable approach.
MOVING LONG LOADS THROUGH TIGHT SPACES Handling long and bulky materials such as timber panels or pipes presents unique challenges. Combilift’s multidirectional C-Series and CB range are designed to address these demands. The sideways function eliminates the need
for overhead carrying while navigating narrow aisles and tight spaces, which significantly reduces the risk of injury or collision. This, in turn, allows for much better and cost-effective use of all available space, and results in an all-round safer working environment. The ability to travel sideways also allows
businesses to make more effective use of available space, enabling narrower aisles and more efficient storage layouts. An additional safety feature is that these
forklifts are built with a very low centre of gravity, allowing for a low-to-the-ground movement of your load, additionally the C-Series boasts an integrated platform that provides a secure resting point for loads during transport.
RETHINKING MATERIAL HANDLING FOR CONFINED SPACES
By Maria Sanchez, Marketing Manager, Combilift
Handling materials of different shapes, sizes and weights presents challenges for factories, warehouses and distribution facilities
SUPPORTING SAFER PEDESTRIAN OPERATIONS In many applications, pedestrian-operated trucks can support safer working conditions by operating at lower speeds and keeping operators closer to both the load and the surrounding environment, helping them maintain further awareness and react to conditions around them. A key safety feature of Combilift’s
pedestrian range is its patented multi-position tiller arm. At the touch of a button, the arm rotates left or right while the rear wheel pivots parallel to the chassis. This repositions the operator from behind the truck to the side, helping to keep them out of the crush zone between the truck and surrounding infrastructure while providing a clear line of sight over the load and aisle. The design also supports efficient operation
in confined spaces, with the range capable of operating in aisles from 2.1 metres wide, depending on the model and application. By combining manoeuvrability with improved operator positioning and visibility, the trucks can support safer and more precise handling in busy working environments.
MAKING SPACE WORK HARDER Expanding or relocating can be costly and disruptive, but maximising the use of existing facilities offers a more efficient, sustainable, and cost-effective solution, unlocking new
10 SEPTEMBER 2026 | FACTORY&HANDLINGSOLUTIONS
potential without major investment or downtime. In today’s challenging environment, companies are increasingly embracing the philosophy of ‘improving, not moving’ to make the most of their current space. CEO and Co-founder Martin McVicar
explains: “We have always seen Combilift as much more than a designer and manufacturer of forklifts and other handling solutions. Space is one of the most valuable assets our customers possess, and if our trucks can make it work better for them in terms of storage density then everyone benefits.” Combilift’s design engineers can also
provide companies with a free-of-charge warehouse design and layout service. This demonstrates how warehouse space can be optimised around the capabilities of Combilift’s equipment, often delivering gains of up to 50 per cent without altering the building footprint, simply by narrowing aisles and increasing racking height. Ultimately, safer and more efficient material
handling starts with choosing equipment suited to the load, layout and operating environment. By considering these factors together, businesses can improve material flow, make better use of available space and support safer day-to-day operations.
Combilift
www.combilift.com
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