Photo rendering of Hoist P-series ro-ro forklift

Hoist Liftruck Manufacturing Inc is preparing a re-entry into the US port and intermodal market more than 80 years after it started in the segment as a forklift, crane and container handler manufacturer.

Hoist Liftruck has its beginnings in Brooklyn, New York-based Silent Hoist & Crane, one of the US's port equipment pioneers. Silent Hoist manufactured heavy-duty forklifts, mobile cranes and container handlers in 1918.

Company president Marty Flaska says Silent Hoist & Crane helped boost the US import-export business and pave the way for other manufacturers and innovative equipment.

"Silent Hoist was the first manufacturer of heavy-duty, high-capacity equipment. Though the Silent Hoist name has changed to Hoist Liftruck, the historic tradition and solid reputation hasn't."

Hoist produces the pneumatic P-series forklifts that are used in steel and concrete industries. Over the past six months, port terminal operators and stevedore companies have expressed interest in Hoist's machines.

Old Silent Hoist container handler

Old Silent Hoist forklift picking up container

"The success with our P-series line along with the knowledge and history that we have with Silent Hoist showed us we could be successful in this industry," says Flaska.

"As we meet more and more people, the interest in Hoist and our products increases, with a few sales already completed."

Two months ago, Hoist introduced higher capacity models of the P-series (from 45,000lbs/20,422kg), equipped with Cummins diesel engines, Dana transmissions, AxleTech drive axles, RemoteTech vehicle management systems and low-profile chassis.

Hoist is also introducing the P-series ro-ro forklift. It is more compact than its P-series stablemates and has a low overall height to handle loads and manoeuvre in a cargo ship's interior. The first deliveries commence in the northern hemisphere summer.

Designs are being finalised for Hoist's new empty container handler line, available through Hoist's 50-plus exclusive US and overseas dealers in autumn. Laden container handlers will be on the market in 2008. The forklifts will have a mast design like Hoist's Neptune series marina forklift.

Flaska boasts that Hoist has the fastest lead times in the industry and "unmatched" parts and service support. All Hoist products have standardised components and more than 75% of components are made in-house.

"The port industry continues to grow and evolve, with increasing volumes and stricter emissions regulations. We have the products that can meet the demand from companies and the expectations from state and federal governments."

Hoist wants to be a single source for a wide range of port equipment with capacities ranging from 22,000lbs to 100,000-plus lbs (9,979kg to 45,359kg), its president says.