Combilift Ltd has added another trophy to its collection by winning the UK Fork Lift Truck Association’s 2009 Award for innovation for its Combi-CB model, which was officially launched at the company’s 10th anniversary event last September.

Combilift beat the seven other finalists to win the innovation category, and MD Martin McVicar and technical director Robert Moffett accepted the “Archie” award from Kevin Lofting of the category sponsor Albury Asset Rentals at the ceremony at the Hilton Birmingham Metropole Hotel on 14th February.

Versatility has always been a hallmark of the company’s products, and the 4-way Combi-CB is no exception. It is the smallest Combilift to date, and was developed specifically for operations handling mixed loads comprising mainly palletised goods but which also deal with a small amount of long products. It is an excellent alternative to electric 4-way reach trucks, and as it has been designed with no platform, 100 per cent use of lower storage areas can be achieved. Very compact dimensions also enable operation in containers for seamless unloading directly from delivery vehicles to the warehouse. The Combi-CB works indoors and out, has a 2.5t capacity and is available with LPG, diesel or AC electric power.

The UK FLTA summed up the benefits of this new forklift as follows: “The Combi-CB compact multi-directional counterbalance transfers the four-way principle into a small counterbalance truck for the first time.” Martin McVicar commented: “Research and development has always been a major part of Combilift’s business strategy, and we are constantly striving to come up with products that make handling and storage more productive, safer and cost effective for customers.”