The International Forklift Truck of the Year Awards were held this year at the CeMAT material handling trade show in Germany. The annual awards ceremony is judged by a panel of international trade journalists, and aims to recognise the top material handling equipment and intralogistics solutions of the past 12 months.

All finalists entered into the awards categories are subject to tailored driving or function tests, and the judging panel each assesses the finalists individually before voting starts. The aim of the event is to encourage competitiveness and raise the profile of the entire intralogistics industry, whilst honoring innovative and technical merit in forklift and warehouse technology.This year’s winners have now been announced, with a surprising first-ever tie for the prestigious Warehouse Truck of the Year Award…

Warehouse Truck of the Year Award: Jungheinrich ECE 225

The 2.5-ton order picker tied for this year’s winner in the Warehouse Truck of the Year category, with particular attention falling on its ability to automatically follow its operator remotely. This is achieved by a control unit on the belt or in the pocket of the operator, which automatically connects the remote control to the semi-automatic forklift via radio.

Warehouse Truck of the Year Award: Wegard Trail

Also winning as the best product in the Warehouse Truck of the Year category, is the Wegard Trail. Recognised as the first modular tugger train with autonomous and electronically steered axles. The tugger train boasts an innovative steering algorithm, which allows it to perform maneuvers such as lateral parking or reversing, along with high directional stability.

Integrated Warehouse Solution: Witron Migros Omnichannel Warehouse

By managing to merge the volatile small volume order picking of migrolino, with the Migros branch business, Witron Logistik + Informatik combined with European retail chain Migros, to win the Integrated Warehouse Solution category. Witron developed and integrated an automated logistics and order picking system for a Migros distribution center, to make logistic processes more efficient and more economic.

Crane and Lifting Appliance: Liebherr MK 140

Snagging the Crane and Lifting Appliance category was the Liebherr MK 140, that utilises the  Vario Jib to combine the trolley mode for fast and fully electric handling with the luffing mode for special applications. The tower crane can carry loads of up to 1,900 kg, lift heights of up to 94 mtrs and has a projection of up to 65 mtrs.

Special of the Year: Jungheinrich SLH 300

Jungheinrich took a second award this year, with their cross-technology SLH 300 battery charger for industrial trucks. Designed to offer significant advantages for mixed fleets or for those looking to switch from lead-acid to lithium-ion technology.

Counter Balanced Truck: STILL RX 20

Voted the best best truck of the year, was the RX 20 from Still GmbH – a versatile and maneuverable forklift truck, which is suitable for both indoor and outdoor use. It also uses lead-acid and lithium-ion batteries.

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