Greener lifting, smarter warehousing with Combilift
Sustainability is a term that is becoming increasingly important for companies worldwide. “Green” is no longer just a colour; it has become a symbol, as businesses strive to demonstrate their commitment to environmentally responsible practices.
The impressive Combi FSE8000 at Ligna last year
Reducing your company’s carbon footprint benefits both society and the environment, and transitioning to electric-powered material handling equipment can help ensure a more sustainable business model.
Combilift’s CEO and Co-Founder, Martin McVicar, explains: “Sustainability is at our core – we’re highly focused on making our vehicles more environmentally friendly and helping our customers maximise their warehouse efficiency.”
The Irish material-handling specialist is responding to the growing demand for greener technologies, with 98% of its R&D dedicated to developing energy-efficient and electric-powered equipment. Today, over 70% of its production is electric.
Award-winning material handling solutions
Combilift’s latest product innovations primarily feature fully electric models, highlighting the company’s dedication to sustainability.
The multi-directional Combi-CB70E is the most compact seven-tonne counterbalance model on the market, designed with a small footprint and lateral movement capabilities that allow easy navigation through confined spaces and narrow aisles, making it ideal for transporting long and bulky timber loads.
This model has been recognised with the Red Dot Award 2025 and also received the prestigious Ergonomic Innovation of the Year award at the 2024 UK Materials Handling Association Awards. Designed with driver comfort in mind, it features a remarkably spacious cab with floor-to-ceiling panoramic glass and the Auto Swivel Seat, which automatically rotates 15° to the left or right depending on travel direction, significantly reducing driver strain, particularly during reverse manoeuvres.
Combi-CB70E – hard at work outdoors in challenging conditions
Continuous innovation
The latest addition to Combilift’s ever-growing electric range is the Combi-FSE 8000, an 8-tonne-capacity four-wheel sideloader, ideal for handling structural timber, panels, or engineered wood products in confined indoor or outdoor environments.
The Combi-FSE 8000 delivers class-leading operator visibility, low maintenance requirements, and patented traction control, while offering zero-emission performance without compromising on power, safety, or durability. This makes it an ideal solution for industries handling timber and long loads in confined or indoor spaces.
Martin McVicar highlighted:
“Almost every model in our extensive range of products is now available with electric power. The ever-increasing lift capacities will answer the demand for more powerful products, which at the same time help companies to achieve their aims for more sustainable operations”
Do more with your space
In addition to its wide range of electric models, Combilift’s product range is designed to maximise efficiency, storage capacity, and safety. The multidirectional “3-forklifts-in-1” models, such as the C-Series and CB range, can replace multiple types of trucks, significantly reducing the size of the required fleet.
They operate in narrow spaces while carrying long loads, potentially creating up to 50% more space and avoiding an unnecessary greenfield expansion during growth periods. They are especially designed for handling long, heavy, or bulky timber products, as they enable safe and space-saving transportation of these loads in confined spaces.
By reducing aisle widths and making better use of vertical space, companies can achieve up to 50% more storage capacity while improving workflow and safety. This approach ensures measurable improvements in storage efficiency, productivity, and overall operational safety.
Optimisation long loads – before and after with Combilift
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 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.
“We have always viewed Combilift as more than just a forklift manufacturer,” explains Martin McVicar. “Space is one of the most valuable assets our customers possess, and if our trucks can help them improve storage density, everyone benefits.”
Combilift also has a team of experienced design engineers who provide a complimentary warehouse and yard design service, creating customised layouts that maximise storage capacity based on the capabilities of Combilift equipment.
Let us show you how Combilift can enhance your material-handling operations, making them safer while helping you optimise your existing space.
