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Yale Yale is the brand name for a full
line of lift trucks including forklifts sold as part of the NACCO Materials
Handling Group (NMHG). Yale lift trucks are well known for their quality and
are being sold worldwide through 223 authorized dealerships. Yale has 80 years
of experience of developing hoists and lift trucks. It's also credited for
inviting one of the first electric trucks to use both raised forks and an
elevating mast. History - Yale started as a small
company, very far away from the currently know global manufacturer of lift
trucks into which it has evolved today. First product that the company produced
was a pin tumbler cylinder lock invented by Linus Yale Jr. in 1844. In 1868 the
first factory was established by Linus Yale and Henry Towne located in
Stamford, Connecticut called Yale Lock Manufacturing Co. Linus Yale passed away
during the company’s first year in business and Towne has taken over the leadership.
In 1875 Yale has introduced its first hand powered chain hoist after acquiring
patterns from Western differential pulley blocks. By 1883 Yale was the country
top lock produced but also has taken the leading in as in a hoist manufacturer
with the addition of gears and electric powered hoists. The Leap to
Lift Trucks - In 1920 Yale and Towne expanded its involvement after the purchase of
C.W. Hunt Co. of Staten Island. One year before, The Hunt Co. had introduced a
new battery powered low lift platform truck. The merger of Hunt Co. has given
the chance Yale and Towne to afford the opportunity to invest its very first
forklift truck in 1923. It was also credited for producing the very first
electric truck that used to raise forks and elevating mast. By the 1920’s Yale had already
produced a line of complete line of trucks. • Model K 20 narrow high platform
truck • Model K 21 wide high platform truck
• Model K 22 general utility
elevating platform truck • Model K 23 low platform truck • Model K 24 three wheel tractor
truck By 1929 company has incorporated
Hunt-designed trucks under the Yale name brand and had introduced a new family
of battery operated trucks that had features for both low and high platform,
non-tipping tow tractor, a low slung and the first forklift that came with an
clamp attachment. In 1931 the company has moved its headquarters to
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, rounding up production of its electric trucks,
hoists and hand trucks all under the same roof. Merger with
Eaton -
In 1963 Yale and Towne have gotten a chance to merge with a multinational
company called Eaton Manufacturing Co., operating in the industrial truck divisions.
Under the Eaton umbrella, Yale has continued to grow rapidly. It was later
renamed to Eaton Corp. Partnership
with Sumitomo - by 1971 Yale was selling its Japanese made trucks all over North America
and Europe. As the result of that a joint venture was agreed upon with Sumitomo
called Sumitomo-Yale Co. Ltd. Yale
Materials Handling - in 1984 Yale Materials Handling Corp. was formed and the
company was restructured. In 1992 Yale Europe Materials Handling was formed to
supply forklifts to Middle East, Africa and Europe. NACCO Buys
Yale Brand - In 1985 NACCO has purchased Yale Materials Handling Corp. Yale's new
owner became the largest producer of lift trucks in the world, selling over a
70.000 forklifts worldwide in 1994. Company
Today - the
Yale brand is sold and marketed worldwide as part of NACCO Materials Handling
Group. NACCO is currently the largest producer of lift trucks inside the U.S.
and the third largest in the world. It generates about $1.5 billion in revenue
annually.
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