History repeats for Crown

Crown entered the European market in 1968 with the purchase of an Irish manufacturing facility based in Galway on Ireland’s west coast.

The first electric counterbalance truck manufactured under Crown’s ownership at the Galway plant recently appeared for sale. Crown Lift Trucks UK quickly acquired the historic forklift. Although noticeably smaller than today’s typical three-wheel electric counterbalance trucks, Crown engineers were not surprised it was still running and periodically in use.

Crown Lift Trucks UK managing director Simon Barkworth, says: “Crown manufactured this Piccolift truck in 1968. With a lifting capacity of 600 kg and a simple two-stage mast with lift and tilt functions, this is the grandfather to today’s Crown SC Series electric counterbalance forklift. Just seeing the two together shows how far forklifts have evolved, but the fact this over 50-year-old predecessor was still working reinforces Crown’s core values of strong, robust and reliable.”

Today’s Crown SC Series is available in three- and four-wheel configurations and capacities from 1300-2000kg.

Since being reclaimed by Crown, the Piccolift forklift resides as a permanent heritage display in the reception area of the newly opened Crown Midland sales and service centre in Birmingham.

For more information, visit www.crown.com