Combilift wins two Archies
Combilift has won in two categories at the UK Materials Handling Association (UKMHA) Archie Awards held in Birmingham on Saturday, 14th September. Competing against some of the biggest names in the industry, Combilift took home the ‘Ergonomic Innovation of the Year’ and the ‘Manufacturer Product Innovation of the Year’ awards.
The Combi-CB70E was honoured for its innovative ergonomic design. This electric-powered, multidirectional counterbalance forklift, with a capacity of 7 tonnes, is the shortest of its kind on the market. This makes it highly effective for handling long loads in confined spaces. Despite its compact size, the cab is designed to be spacious, with panoramic glass from floor to ceiling that gives operators excellent visibility and improves safety.
A key feature of the CB70E is the Auto Swivel Seat, which automatically turns 15 degrees to the left or right, depending on the direction of travel. This reduces strain on the driver, particularly when reversing.
The CB70E also includes a gas strut suspension system, more commonly found in larger industrial machinery. This, along with large super-elastic tyres, ensures a smooth ride, even on rough or uneven surfaces. Combilift’s independent electric traction system, previously a Red Dot award winner, provides full traction control for all drive wheels. This removes the need for a differential lock on slippery surfaces and reduces load swing, enhancing safety and precision, especially when transporting long, heavy loads sideways.
The second award, Manufacturer Product Innovation of the Year, was given for the Combi LC Blade. This machine is designed to meet the specific challenges of transporting offshore wind turbine blades, which can be up to 115 metres long and weigh up to 70 tonnes. Due to their size and fragility, moving these blades has long been a logistical challenge.
Commenting on the awards, Combilift’s CEO and co-founder, Martin McVicar, said: "We are absolutely delighted to have won not just one, but two prestigious awards at this year’s Archies, making it our 12th Archie award to date. Competing against such strong competitors shows what an outstanding team we have, always pushing the boundaries of the material handling industry."
These latest wins add to Combilift’s recent success at the UK EMA Awards in London, where the company won the ‘Design Team of the Year’ for the LC Blade and McVicar received the ‘Industry Leader Award’. In total, Combilift has secured four awards within two weeks.
Subscribe to the weekly newsletter
