Yale lift trucks: Efficiency on the move

Every investment made in business should ultimately lead to greater efficiency. When pertaining to the application of material handling equipment in the food sector, efficiency can be measured not just by the speed at which machines can move products from one point to the other. It is also about energy efficiency, ensuring the least product spoilage, reducing worker fatigue, and enhancing traceability.

With solutions designed to streamline warehouse operations, the lift truck and handling equipment market is driving increased operational agility. Newer equipment are also smarter and safer, according to Jon Caroe, Director, Major Accounts & Big Truck (Asia Pacific), Yale Lift Truck Technologies, in this interview.

Jon Caroe, Director, Major Accounts & Big Truck (Asia Pacific), Yale Lift Truck Technologies

What is driving growth in materials handling / lift trucks industry in Southeast Asia?

In Southeast Asia, demand for lift trucks is being driven by continued growth in e-commerce, FMCG, and manufacturing. As supply chains scale and diversify, businesses are seeking solutions that enhance efficiency, reduce downtime, and support sustainability goals.

Electric lift trucks are gaining traction as companies look to lower emissions while maintaining performance. At the same time, interest in data-driven tools like fleet telemetry is growing, as they help operators optimise usage and manage equipment more effectively. Safety and ergonomics also remain key considerations in high-traffic, labour-intensive environments.

Outloor electric lift truck

How does Yale design its material handling solutions to meet the challenges of food & beverage companies in the region?

Food and beverage operations often run at high volumes and face demanding conditions — from cold storage to continuous indoor-outdoor movement. Our Yale lift trucks are designed with operator comfort, ease of use, and space efficiency in mind, which is especially important in labour-constrained environments.

In addition, our lift trucks are highly configurable. For cold environments, models can be specified to operate at temperatures as low as -35°C, with options such as cab heaters to maintain operator comfort. We also offer integrated safety and telemetry features that give customers better visibility over fleet performance and operator behaviour.

Are there specific technologies for the beverage sector?

The beverage sector often requires fast, high-volume pallet handling. We offer lift trucks with attachments like multi-pallet handlers that support rapid throughput. Electric forklifts with lithium-ion batteries are particularly effective in beverage distribution, offering short charging times, consistent power, and better hygiene compared to internal combustion models. These solutions integrate well with automation and broader warehouse systems.

What designs improve safety in food & beverage warehouses?

Electric forklifts with lithium-ion batteries offer clean, efficient operation that aligns with food safety standards. In addition, we offer smart features such as automatic parking brakes, cornering speed reduction, and tilt-level control to support safer handling. Our telemetry system—Yale Vision—provide real-time insights into usage and behavior, while our pedestrian awareness camera system provides additional support to operators navigating through crowded, high-traffic areas within facilities.

Reach truck

How does Yale assist food & beverage companies in adapting to supply chain disruptions?

Supply chain disruptions can be especially challenging for the food and beverage sector, where time-sensitive products and strict regulations leave little room for delays. We help businesses stay agile with rental and leasing options that allow them to scale operations quickly in response to shifting demand or seasonal peaks.

Our wide range of electric lift trucks supports reliable performance across different environments, from cold storage to outdoor handling. Backed by a strong regional support network, we provide timely parts and responsive service to minimise downtime. In addition, our telemetry systems give customers real-time fleet insights to optimise utilisation and anticipate maintenance needs — supporting continuity even in unpredictable conditions.

How is data analytics enhancing materials handling efficiency?

Data and analytics are playing an increasingly central role in materials handling. Our fleet management tools provide detailed insights into fleet size, configuration, and equipment usage—including how much time forklifts spend lifting versus driving. This allows customers to identify peak operating times, assess whether different equipment types may be more efficient, and make data-backed decisions that improve overall operational performance.

Can you share a success story where a food company improved operations using Hyster and Yale equipment?

Omni Aquatic Supplies in Singapore is a good example. They transitioned from diesel-powered forklifts to a full fleet of electric models—including reach and pallet trucks—to support their new Automated Storage and Retrieval System (ASRS). Previously, they experienced frequent breakdowns and operational delays due to offsite refuelling. With electric equipment, they eliminated these disruptions, reduced downtime, and improved overall logistics efficiency. As a result, they increased in-house handling of imports from 30% to 95%, gaining greater control over their supply chain operations.