This year, 2021, marks 40 years of Hyster® forklift trucks being manufactured at the Craigavon site in Northern Ireland, and it’s the amazing people working at the site that we have to thank for its continued success.
Over the past four decades the Craigavon plant has grown to be the largest volume forklift manufacturing plant in the UK, producing thousands of Hyster electric, diesel, and LPG forklifts each year for export throughout Europe, the Middle East and Africa.
Dedicated employees key to Hyster success
“Success through People” is one of our seven Company Values, and it is evident that the Craigavon plant’s success is driven by the people who work there to deliver quality Hyster lift trucks for our customers. The average length of service is 17 years, which goes to show the incredible dedication, perseverance, and loyalty at every level throughout the company.
Hundreds of people from the local area are employed at the Craigavon site, which is around 30 miles from Belfast. 20 team members are also celebrating their 40-year milestone with the company this year, while more than 100 current employees at the site have 30 years or more of service. In fact, many of our management team started their careers on the shop floor!
The site has also achieved the Investors in People Gold Award recognising effective people management, OHSAS 18001 accreditation for occupational health and safety, and was crowned “Best Place to Work” at The Irish News Workplace & Employment Awards 2013. The Craigavon factory achieved the prestigious Northern Ireland Quality Award 2011 (EFQM) which assesses how well an organisation is performing in the areas of Leadership, People, Strategy, Partnerships and Resources, Processes, Products and Services, Customers, Key Results and Social Welfare.
Site expansion for more Hyster trucks and more jobs
When it first officially opened on 7th April 1981, the site was equipped with the most up-to-date robot systems and equipment. A multi-million dollar investment has now been made over the past two years into developing the factory, which continues to incorporate leading technologies and up-to-date automated systems.
The latest extension will also create dozens of new jobs, including continued investment in apprenticeships.
Investing in sustainable forklift manufacturing
The Craigavon site is also committed to energy efficiency and sustainability, with ISO 50001 certification. The new extension to the factory is built with environmental objectives at its heart, to decrease electricity consumption and reduced CO2 emissions. The site is already working hard towards reaching ambitious objectives around reducing water consumption, waste, and landfill, while also encouraging biodiversity within its grounds.
Hyster forklift trucks manufactured in Craigavon
Thousands of forklift trucks are manufactured at the Craigavon plant each year and it is the largest counterbalance forklift truck factory that remains in the UK. It is also the European source for all Hyster branded 1.3 – 3.5 tonne electric counterbalance lift trucks and 1.6 – 5.5 tonne pneumatic tyred Internal Combustion counterbalance lift trucks. That includes the popular Hyster Fortens® range.
For more information about the Hyster products produced at the Craigavon plant, or to discuss how Hyster can help with your specific application requirements, talk to a local Hyster distribution partner.
