theceomagazine.com The CEO Magazine - January 2015 101.

In The OfficeEXECUTIVE INTERVIEW

EASYAn innovative and forward-thinking duo changed the materials handling sector forever when they released the first four-way forklift onto the market.

In 1998, two highly qualified engineers, with decades of experience between them, came up with the idea for a long-

load materials handling solution. Their expertise, knowledge of the market, and practical experience led to the development of the Combilift, which has since become a global leader in the materials handling sector.

Martin McVicar and Robert Moffett were the aforementioned engineers whose innovative piece of technology can now be found in more than 75 countries around the world. The Combilift is an engine-powered, all-wheel-drive multidirectional forklift which is highly manoeuvrable, safe,

cost-effective, and efficient. It fills a niche in the market for a versatile forklift which saves space and handles long loads in confined spaces. Combilift has ISO 9001 Quality Management Systems certification.

The business is based in Monaghan, Ireland, and since its inception more than 22,000 units have been sold. The concept of a truck that can change the direction of its wheels to move forwards, backwards, and side to side at just the touch of a button changed the face of the materials handling sector at an unmatched pace. Combilift’s growth is supported by an international network of distributors in ever-expanding markets.

Martin McVicar holds the position of managing director. His career in engineering started with a summer job at the truck-mounted forklift manufacturers Moffett Engineering, where he quickly moved on to become Moffett’s

The Combilift is an engine-

powered, all-wheel-drive multidirectional forklift which is

highly manoeuvrable,

safe, cost-effective, and

efficient.

Handling

As featured in The CEO MagazineFor more info visit theceomagazine.com

Palm Springs

BMW M3

Delta Air Lines

Paspaley

Futureproofing your business in 2015Engaging Gen Y employeesWealth creation through trusts

CEO Albrecht Reimold injects knowledge and experience while accelerating Volkswagen Slovakia’s global growth

ATP Europe’s Laurent Delanney • CHIREC’s Jacques de Toeuf • noonee’s Keith Gunura

102. The CEO Magazine - January 2015 theceomagazine.com theceomagazine.com The CEO Magazine - January 2015 103.

chief engineer before he was 20 years old. When the company was sold in 1997, Martin set up Combilift together with Robert Moffett to help the public handle long and awkward loads with ease. Martin’s business acumen was recognised early on in the company’s history when he was named Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year at the age of just 29. Martin continues to develop new additions to the Combilift range of products and to travel widely to explore new markets and applications for this ingenious product.

Robert Moffett is the technical director after having been a key player in the development of the brand. He is a driving force in the research and development department, which continues to

bound towards new and innovative ideas all the time.

Combilift has always had the aim of exporting its products, rather than concentrating solely on the domestic market. Out of the 18 Combilifts that were sold in the first year of the company’s existence, all except one were exported. The first three trucks went to Norway, followed by exports to the UK, Benelux, and France. The first Combilift sold in Ireland is still going strong at a building materials supplier in Monaghan—proof that the forklifts are not only innovative but also robust, long-life machines.

In 2009, Combilift was named the Overall Irish Exporter of the Year and in 2012 it was presented

the Best Overall Exporter to Germany in the Irish Exporter to Germany Awards, organised by Enterprise Ireland and the German–Irish Chamber of Industry and Commerce.

Martin says that substantial investment in research and development, customisation, and the willingness to listen to customer feedback were the major factors in the success of the business. “The latter has been pivotal for new product development. As there is no one typical set of requirements for individual applications, our production line was configured at the outset to offer a very high degree of customisation. We also use standard and readily available components so that our products can be easily maintained and

serviced wherever in the world they are being used.”

The benefits of the Combilift are endless. The machinery is designed to be safe by eliminating the need to travel with elevated long loads and to provide great stability. Its integrated platform has a low centre of gravity and also provides a more stable base. Using patented, leading-edge technology, Combilift forklifts are equipped with a unique four-way steering system that allows the units to travel sideways with long loads. This gives the user multidirectional capability, delivering possible space savings of up to 100 per cent.

By eliminating unnecessary multiple handling of goods, the Combilift manoeuvres easily through doorways that are narrower than the load it carries. This results in less product damage and safer handling as well as eliminating the need for oversized doorways or conveyors. The system can be used inside and outside and is available with fuel-efficient LG, diesel or AC

electric power, eliminating the need for an indoor forklift and an outdoor forklift.

Productivity is increased, allowing for a more streamlined offloading and load-handling operation in and around the warehouse, thus eliminating double handling, increasing operational speed and combining with the ability to work in narrow aisles. The Combilift has suspension seats and high-visibility cabs with the option of hydraulic fork positioners and telescopic forks to reduce manual strain. Easy access to components makes it very maintenance friendly. Furthermore, the Combilift is designed to result in less product damage with excellent manoeuvrability around tight confines and the exact positioning of loads.

About 9 per cent of Combilift’s turnover is invested into research and development each year and new products are regularly released. The C4000 was the first Combilift to be produced when the company was established and paved the way for the successful

business. It was well-received by consumers, and the C-series, available with capacities from 2.5 tonnes to an impressive 25 tonnes, is still a bestseller today.

The Aisle-Master articulated forklifts became part of the brand’s portfolio in 2011 and several years later the cold-store model won the innovation category at the UK Fork Lift Truck Association Awards for Excellence, beating six other shortlisted nominees. A collaboration with major names in the cold-store and temperature-controlled warehousing industry enabled the development of a truck which specifically addresses all the necessary issues and also improves productivity. It boasts a fully enclosed heated cab, heated windows to eliminate condensation build-up, powerful 930-amp batteries for prolonged operations, and low-energy LED lights.

Combilift is prepared to handle continued growth. The business has around 275 employees as well as a large manufacturing facility to cater for increasing demand. It produces 2,000 units per annum on a standard working week, and is capable of making one unit per hour.

About 9 per cent of

Combilift’s turnover is

invested into research and development

each year and new products are regularly

released.

104. The CEO Magazine - January 2015 theceomagazine.com theceomagazine.com The CEO Magazine - January 2015 105.

ADVERTORIAL

SKYWARDHeading

Lift Technologies offers a range of equipment for the mobile materials handling industry.

L ift Technologies is a leading global supplier of material handling front-end equipment for the mobile

materials handling industry. Our front-end equipment is designed with innovative features that provide excellent performance, serviceability, and reliability, and is preferred by machine operators for ease of use and maximum productivity. The core product line offered is masts and associated accessory equipment that is mounted on the lift truck and is used to lift, carry and position the load.

Design innovation

Lift Technologies believes in the importance of technological innovation and continually invests in new engineering design software, allowing for the seamless exchange of technical information with our customers, which is essential for business success. Specialised front-end products are developed quickly, allowing OEM and dealer customers to meet the aggressive demands of their

downstream customers. Product simulations allow front-end equipment to be mounted on the base OEM truck chassis where further analysis and performance parameters can be considered and reviewed. This direct customer design interaction is a critical element that our customers rely on in making sourcing decisions for this type of equipment. Equipment designs can be modified in real time and short process simulations used to verify the interface of the mast with the lift truck and any other attachments that may be needed by the end user.

Global supply-chain partnerships

Lift Technologies has partnered with critical key suppliers on a global basis to ensure consistency of raw material and component supply that is of the highest quality standard. These partnerships are all-encompassing in that the relationship promotes constant collaboration and fosters ongoing challenges to the status quo of how and where materials have been sourced in the past.

Alternative material compositions, sizes, and designs are evaluated regularly with the goal of improved product performance that can be produced efficiently and at a competitive cost.

Quality built into the whole order-to-shipment process

Each Lift Technologies staff member is an important contributor to the overall quality initiative within the company. Lift Technologies team members are empowered to optimise quality by constantly improving processes and eliminating unnecessary waste in the use of materials, labour, and corporate resources. The company is moving towards even broader and more far-reaching initiatives through regular interaction with customers on quality focus areas that each can benefit from, while optimising the overall customer experience.

Lift Technologies Inc. (SC, USA) together with Elecar SpA (Piacenza, Italy) is the largest independent designer and manufacturer of masts and other

front-end solutions for the worldwide forklift truck industry, with more than 1,000 product designs available. The design offering is growing every year as new solutions are called for by new and existing customers, while the response time demanded by the market is continually being shortened.

A core company offering is the design of unique, customised solutions within a very short time frame. Understanding our customer’s true wants and needs and translating those into efficient, cost-effective front-end design solutions within weeks of receiving a request from a customer is critical. The depth of the design capability has been the main ingredient in establishing both companies as a key partner with OEMs who need suppliers of unique front-

end solutions outside of their own organisations.

This focus on understanding our customers, their activities, and markets, and supporting them with continuous new solutions has been the cornerstone of the successful relationship with Combilift dating back to 1998.

The breadth of the company product offering from 1- to 50-tonne lift capacity allows the two companies to respond instantly to any customer requirements. The companies, which are part of Calvi Holding Srl, have worldwide geographical coverage, with plants in North America and Europe. Continuous investment in new manufacturing equipment and processes will ensure a healthy and profitable future for both companies and reassure the worldwide customer

base that the companies will continue to deliver the highest quality in design and product.

“I have been working closely with Martin McVicar and Robert Moffett since 2001. Both gentlemen had a clear vision of what they wanted to achieve and set about it in a way that is just simply to be admired. Combilift’s annual growth rate has been remarkable since its inception and it is a real privilege for us to have become a key supplier. The relationship from time to time has not been without challenges that rapid growth and market expansion bring, but the joint desire to truly satisfy our customers has allowed us to move forward collectively in a very positive manner. It is a true pleasure working with Combilift and its entire team of dedicated employees.” - Konrad Ostmeier, CEO, Lift Technologies Inc.