A standard model can work for just about anyone. That’s why it’s the standard model. But to get the best use out of a product, whether it’s a suit or a PC or material handling equipment, occasionally some customization is required.
Combilift USA, Greensboro, N.C., acts as a personal tailor when it comes to manufacturing forklifts for what the company describes as long or awkward loads. Just as humans come in different shapes and sizes, Combilift’s target industries all have a variety of specific needs.
"The metal service center is an ideal application for the forklifts," says Martin McVicar, managing director and co-founder of Combilift. "Every individual’s long-load sector has its own special requirements. We’ll customize an individual unit, but it’s built on a base unit that’s customized for that industry to start with."
The nuts and bolts
The basic models that Combilift works off of are anything but bare-bones. They operate indoors and outdoors; on LP gas, diesel or electric power; and can handle up to 30,000 pounds of material. The company’s GT model glides down narrow aisles, while the C-Series can run in forward, reverse, carousel mode and sideways.
No matter the model, Combilift customers receive a product that has already been developed for their industry. And that product has a gamut of add-ons that cater to those industry-specific needs. For handling long, flexible loads, customers can choose the spreader bar attachment. For smaller loads such as pallets or in tight spaces, fold-up external forks are an option. For deep storage possibilities, telescopic forks serve as a solution. Hydraulic clamps, rubber mats, adjustable guiderollers and a tilting chassis were probably exclusive to past customers, but once Combilift does a customization, it goes on file to later be borrowed from for future applications.
With each new facility comes new hurdles, but Combilift engineers take them on as welcomed challenges and then later as additions to the company’s lengthy catalog of custom options. McVicar says that other than exceeding the 30,000-pound weight capacity, there isn’t a reasonable request that Combilift can’t deliver.
"The basic design isn’t exactly the reason that we can offer more features, but it’s the reason why we can offer add-ons that are going to be reliable," he explains. "If you don’t keep the unit simple and if you add a lot of add-ons, it gets more and more complex, and then the piece of equipment becomes so costly to keep it running."
Made to order
McVicar refers to the company’s forklifts as customized because it’s what the customer requires, but he stresses that Combilift is confident in keeping the product’s foundation standard for the ease of parts and service support. "I could say that 90 percent of the Combilift product that we produce is a standard model, and it’s tweaking that last 10 percent--modifying it to suit a particular requirement," he says. "We try to build the unit to a certain level and then add the frills to it at the end."
The forklift manufacturing process takes place on two assembly lines at Combilift’s new 120,000-square-foot facility in Monaghan, Ireland. Almost every aspect of fabrication takes place in-house. The chassis are welded, shot-blasted and painted at Combilift’s facility, as well. Other than some cases where particular customers need special fork-handling attachments, which can be procured from an outside supplier, Combilift has the capability to do everything onsite. And if an attachment isn’t available elsewhere, company engineers will design and manufacture it themselves.
Eight years ago, when the company first came onto the scene, its manufacturing operation wasn’t designed for the level of flexibility that it currently needs. Combilift was customizing units early on, but back then it didn’t have its hands in as many different industries. As years have passed, the company has focused on more application possibilities and has positioned its production facility to take on bigger chassis in the future.
"The customization is an important reason why people are choosing Combilift," says McVicar, "but it’s also the simple and robust design of what we build."
When a piece of equipment is tailor-made, it is inevitable that productivity will increase, followed shortly by substantial savings that come in a variety of forms. But what happens when that customized forklift is placed in an equally customized facility? Well, optimal efficiency, of course.
Design in mind
Combilift has four engineers at its facility that work strictly on warehouse design. If a company is putting up a new building, adding racking systems to an existing building or simply in need of more storage area, Combilift will offer up its engineers as free consultants who can offer advice as to how to make better use of current space.
"It’s not just customizing the product," says McVicar, "it’s also helping to customize the warehouse. It’s giving the customer other ideas as to how to lay out his facility."
McVicar’s enthusiasm is apparent in the work that he does, and his desire to offer solutions comes through loud and clear. "Being engineers running a business, we’re always thinking of solving problems," he says. "If I’m involved with a customer or a potential customer, rather than just trying to sell what we’ve got, I’ll always be thinking of how I can do that particular job better for that customer." And the result of this type of service is a perfect fit every time. MM
By Abbe Miller, from the December 2006 issue of Modern Metals.
