Crown Equipment Builds 500th Fuel Cell-Powered Forklift


NEW BREMEN, Ohio - Crown Equipment Corporation, one of the world's leading forklift manufacturers, today announced that it has built its 500th new forklift to be operated with fuel cells. This is in addition to the Crown forklifts already in operation that have been retrofitted during the last few years to accommodate fuel cells. The achievement represents a notable milestone signifying the increased adoption of this technology in the material handling industry.

A Crown SR 5000 Series moving-mast reach truck was the 500th truck to be built with a fuel cell. The truck designed for fuel cells, which will be delivered later this year as part of a larger order, maintains similar features and benefits presented by the standard model. The Crown SR 5000 is the latest forklift to be qualified as part of Crown's fuel cell qualification program for its line of electric forklifts.

To date, Crown has qualified more than 20 of its electric forklift models to operate with various fuel cells, offering an unprecedented 29 qualified combinations of fuel cell packs and lift trucks. Some of the current line of Crown forklifts powered by fuel cells include the Crown PC 4500 Series center control pallet forklift, the Crown SP 3500 Series stockpicker, and the Crown FC 4500 Series counterbalanced forklift. Applications have varied from Walmart Canada's sustainable distribution center in Alberta to the Coca-Cola Bottling Co. Consolidated production center in North Carolina.

"An increasing number of our customers are considering fuel cell-powered forklifts as a viable option. They are coming to us with questions and asking for help determining if and how this technology can be integrated into their fleets and facilities," said Ernst Baumgartner, Crown's fuel cell project manager. "Crown continues to work closely with fuel cell manufacturers to guide the evolution of the technology and increase levels of fuel cell integration with lift trucks."

The company's fuel cell initiative is a component of its commitment to environmental sustainability throughout its business. A copy of Crown's 2010 ecologic report highlighting the company's sustainability initiatives and accomplishments can be downloaded at www.crown.com.

About Crown Equipment Corporation

Crown is one of the world's largest lift truck manufacturers. Crown's award-winning line of lift trucks maintains a reputation for exceptional product design, engineering and manufacturing. From the smallest hand pallet truck to the highest lifting turret truck, Crown seeks to provide users with safe, efficient and ergonomic lift trucks that lower total cost of ownership and maximize uptime. Headquartered in New Bremen, Ohio, Crown manufactures lift trucks that are sold throughout the world. For more information, visit www.crown.com.

Crown Equipment acknowledges the contribution of the State of Ohio, Department of Development and the Third Frontier Commission which provided the funding in support of the qualification of lift trucks for battery replacement fuel cell projects.

Tony Castillo

Senior Account Specialist

9049 Springboro Pike

Miamisburg, OH 45342

main: 937.560.2840

direct: 937.560.2858

cell: 937.344.1937

fax: 937.560.2841

www.fahlgrenmortine.com

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