Goscor Lift Trucks (GLT), a prominent name in materials handling solutions, proudly commemorates four decades of a robust partnership with Crown Equipment Corporation, one of the world's leading manufacturers of materials handling equipment.

In 1984, Goscor Lift Trucks marked its inception with Crown's electric warehousing equipment, setting a precedent for excellence and reliability in the Southern African market. Since then, as the sole distributor of Crown forklifts in the region, GLT has cemented its position as one of the largest Crown dealers worldwide, amongst top-tier company-owned branches and independent dealers across the EMEA region.

In April, GLT received an award from Crown at their Dealer Conference held in Munich for being the longest-standing Crown dealer worldwide. 2024 marks forty years of partnership with this leading manufacturer.

“Over the years, Goscor Lift Trucks has demonstrated unwavering commitment, having supplied in excess of 12,000 Crown machines to the Southern African market,” states Patrick Barber, GLT’s Director for Business Development. “Notably, original sites continue to operate equipment surpassing the two-decade mark, a testament to the enduring quality and product longevity facilitated by the robust partnership between Crown and GLT,” he adds.

Product Longevity and Quality

Crown is renowned for the durability and reliability of its products, a reputation built on meticulous engineering, rigorous testing, and continuous improvement. Crown forklifts and warehousing equipment are designed to withstand the most demanding environments, ensuring minimal downtime and maximum productivity for users. This product longevity is a key factor behind the success and widespread adoption of Crown equipment in the Southern African market.

Superior Aftermarket Support by GLT

The exceptional longevity of Crown's products is significantly bolstered by GLT's superior aftermarket support, which ensures that these machines remain operational and efficient throughout their lifecycle.

"GLT ensures optimal equipment performance and minimal downtime by maintaining a vast inventory of genuine OEM parts and employing certified technicians specialising in OEM equipment," asserts Barber. "Technicians provide timely maintenance and repairs using the latest tools and training. Additionally, GLT's tailored preventative maintenance programs address potential issues early, extending equipment lifespan and ensuring consistent performance. With around-the-clock support, GLT promptly addresses urgent issues to keep operations running smoothly."

Global Accolades for Crown’s SP High-Level Order Picker

The Crown SP 1500 Series high-level order picker secured Crown's fifth International Intralogistics and Forklift Truck of the Year (IFOY) Award in 2023. “As winners in the “Warehouse Truck Highlifter” category, his accolade highlights the product's outstanding performance and innovative design. Key features include exceptional all-round visibility, customisable operating elements, industry-leading travel speeds up to 12 km/h, and a high-speed lift function. The SP 1500 Series is praised for its efficiency, ergonomics, and energy-saving regenerative lowering feature. The award recognises Crown's commitment to productivity, ergonomics, and safety in their high-performance lift trucks,” adds Barber.

The 2024 IFOY Awards once again see Crown in the spotlight, with the recently developed ESR 1200 being nominated. The ESR 1200, boasting a load capacity of two tons and a lifting height of 14.2 meters, stands out for its comprehensive commitment to sustainability and productivity. This reach truck features several enhancements, including a new mast design that provides improved stability and visibility, alongside a modernised production process that reduces its ecological footprint.

Evolution of Crown's ESR Reach Trucks

Crown's commitment to innovation is evident in their continuous introduction to new products and advancements in technology. With state-of-the-art factories worldwide, Crown continuously updates its equipment to incorporate the latest advancements, ensuring that their products remain at the pinnacle of efficiency and performance.

One of Crown's standout innovations is the evolution of their flagship Reach Trucks, specifically the ESR model. “The ESR series has consistently set the standard for reach truck performance, safety, and operator comfort. Over the years, Crown has introduced significant enhancements to the ESR models, reflecting their commitment to technological innovation and excellence,” maintains Barber.

“The original ESR models were celebrated for their robust construction and reliable performance. Subsequent models have built on this strong foundation, incorporating advanced features such as regenerative braking for improved energy efficiency, intuitive controls for enhanced operator comfort, and advanced safety systems to protect both operators and goods,” he adds.

Crown's dedication to continuous improvement is evident in the latest ESR models, which feature state-of-the-art technology like integrated telematics for real-time fleet management, enhanced ergonomic designs to reduce operator fatigue, and advanced load handling capabilities for increased productivity, and the highest capacity performance at lift height. Barber believes these advancements ensure that Crown's ESR Reach Trucks remain at the cutting edge of materials handling technology, providing users with the most efficient, reliable, and safe equipment available.

As GLT celebrates its 40th anniversary in providing trusted equipment solutions to the Southern African market, it reaffirms its commitment to excellence and customer satisfaction. As part of the Goscor Group, GLT stands as a beacon of reliability, offering comprehensive support and services to ensure optimal performance and longevity of Crown Equipment's esteemed products.