Improving Efficient Handling From Yard To Dispatch - with Combilift

Despite ongoing challenges across the broader construction sector, timber construction in Australia continues to gain momentum, particularly in renovation, prefabrication, and modular building. Demand is being driven by timber’s sustainability credentials, speed of assembly, and suitability for off-site manufacturing. As manufacturers expand production and prefabricated timber elements become larger and more sophisticated, efficient material handling and logistics within factories and storage yards are becoming increasingly important operational factors.

Components such as trusses, beams, and timber frame panels can vary in size, shape, and weight. They are typically challenging to handle due to their bulkiness, heaviness, and lengths that can exceed 14 meters. These high-value components need to move seamlessly throughout various areas, from raw material reception in the yard to final dispatch station. Traditional forklifts often struggle when handling such long and bulky loads. Wide turning circles limit their manoeuvrability, leading to lost time and inefficient space utilisation. To navigate tight corners or narrow aisles, operators may need to reposition the load, which increases the risk of damage to these valuable loads and potential collisions. This also adds valuable handling time.

Material handling specialist Combilift addresses these challenges with its wide range of purpose-built, space-saving material handling solutions. 

Multidirectional forklifts for handling long loads

The multidirectional C-Series forklift is specifically designed to handle long loads. Its versatility allows it to work as a regular counterbalance but, at the flick of a switch, transform into a sideloader capable of navigating in much narrower aisles and doorways while transporting long, heavy loads, keeping them low to the ground and resting on the integrated platform. The sideways capability eliminates the need for overhead carrying while navigating narrow aisles and tight spaces, significantly reducing the risk of injury, product damage, and collision, and, in turn, enhancing safety and space efficiency.

Nearly three decades ago, Combilift launched the C-Series 4000, the world’s first multidirectional forklift, designed for handling long loads in confined spaces safely.

Since then, the company has expanded its range to handle heavier and oversized loads, while increasing its focus on electric and energy-efficient equipment. Today, making material handling operations more sustainable drives its innovation, with 98% of R&D focused on energy-efficient and electric equipment, which now accounts for over 70% of production.

One of the latest additions to the ever-growing electric range is the multidirectional Combi-CB70E. It has a 7-tonne lifting capacity and is the most compact counterbalance truck in its category. Its small footprint and lateral movement capability enable seamless operation in confined spaces and narrow aisles, making it ideal for handling long and bulky timber loads and beams with precision and ease.

Electric Sideloaders for Long-Distance Transport

Some timber construction companies might require long travel distances, transporting heavy loads across expansive sites, or even between multiple locations, where efficiency and endurance are critical.
The Combi FSE 8000 is the newest addition to Combilift’s four-wheel electric sideloader range, delivering the power and performance needed for demanding, long-distance operations, all while supporting cleaner, more energy-efficient material handling. This fully electric model further strengthens Combilift's commitment to sustainability, reinforcing its focus on developing high-performance, energy-efficient solutions that meet the evolving demands of modern material handling.

With an 8-tonne lift capacity, it is ideal for handling structural timber, sawn wood packs, panels, and engineered wood products in both indoor and outdoor environments where space is limited.
This new model is also equipped with Combi-Connect, Combilift’s advanced telematics system. This cloud-based platform allows for real-time performance monitoring, diagnostics, and usage analytics, providing fleet managers with valuable insights to boost productivity, minimise downtime, and support proactive maintenance scheduling.   

Beyond Manufacturing: Warehouse Design Expertise

In addition to manufacturing specialised material handling equipment. Combilift also offers a free, in-depth warehouse and yard layout design, aimed at improving space utilisation and operational efficiency. This service demonstrates how facilities can be reconfigured around the capabilities of Combilift’s handling equipment to improve traffic flow, increase storage density, and enhance safety.

Simple adjustments, such as narrowing aisle widths or increasing racking heights to better utilise vertical space, can deliver substantial gains. In many cases, storage capacity can increase by up to 50% without the need for costly building expansions or relocation. This “improving, not moving” approach offers manufacturers a more sustainable and cost-effective way to increase output within existing facilities.

Alongside electrification, optimising warehouse and yard space can also contribute to more sustainable operations by reducing the overall footprint and energy demands of a facility. By combining space efficiency, operational flexibility, and load-handling capability, Combilift’s equipment can support the safe and efficient movement of large timber components throughout manufacturing and distribution environments.

Visit Combilift.com for more information.