Wood products in the timber industry come in different shapes, sizes and weights, making them tricky to handle. From lumber frames to long pieces, these bulky loads often need special treatment. Regular forklifts struggle with this variety, sometimes requiring extra forklifts or operators lifting loads unsafely to avoid obstacles. Which is why Combilift designed the Combi-CB70E, a multidirectional, forklift all-rounder.
Irish-based manufacturer, Combilift, a global leader in multi-directional and customised materials handling solutions, has been awarded the Red Dot Award for Product Design 2025 for the Combi-CB70E, high-capacity, electric-powered multidirectional forklift - developed to meet the needs of heavy-duty, long-load handling in more sustainable ways.
The Red Dot Award recognises excellence in design quality and innovation. This award completes a hat trick for Combilift which previously won a Red Dot for the Combi-WR and ‘Best of the Best’ for the Combi-CB4. Combilift’s Combi-CB70E impressed the international jury with its new ergonomic design, environmental credentials, and ability to enhance operator comfort and productivity in demanding industrial settings.
Martin McVicar, CEO and Co-founder of Combilift, which has over 1,000 employees and exports to more than 85 countries, says, “We are delighted to receive our third Red Dot Award this year for the Combi-CB70E. Our design and engineering teams have been striving to provide solutions that are not only functional and safe but also reflect excellence in industrial design. Our customers increasingly demand electric alternatives that don’t compromise on performance, and the CB70E is exactly that.”
The multidirectional Combi-CB70E is a seven-tonne capacity electric counterbalance forklift, specifically designed for handling long and bulky loads in confined or challenging spaces. Equipped with Combilift’s patented Independent Traction Control System and large elastic rubber tyres, it provides all-terrain capability while maintaining zero-emission operation. The spacious gas strut suspension cab and floor-to-ceiling glazing offers enhanced visibility and comfort, while the Auto Swivel Seat - which automatically swivels 15 degrees to the left or right, depending on the direction of travel - ensures optimal ergonomics and comfort for operators, even during extended shifts.
This Red Dot recognition follows Combilift winning Product of the Year and the Ergonomics Award at the UKMHA Archies Awards, as well as Design Team of the Year and Industry Leader awards from the UK’s Engineering & Manufacturing Awards.
