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Clark Material Handling Company
American forklift truck manufacturer From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Clark Material Handling Company (CMHC), also known as CLARK or CLARK the Forklift, is an American manufacturer of forklift trucks based in Dallas, Texas. The company has manufacturing facilities in Changwon, South Korea, Lexington, Kentucky, Qingdao, China, and Hanoi, Vietnam. CLARK currently (2023) offers one of the broadest product lines in the industry, with products covering all five forklift classes, ranging from hand pallet jacks to 18,000 pound-capacity sit down forklifts.[1]
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According to the company, there are over 350,000 CLARK forklift trucks currently in operation around the world.[2] CLARK is credited with having invented the world's first truck with a hydraulic lifting mechanism in 1924, an attachment to the Duat tow tractor. This internal combustion truck with hydraulic lifting mechanism became the forerunner to modern forklift trucks.
The company began as the George R. Rich Manufacturing Company, a manufacturer of steel products, which was purchased by the Illinois Steel Company in 1897. In 1904, they tasked Eugene Clark, a young engineer working for the Illinois Steel Company, with improving the product, facility, and prosperity of the George R. Rich Manufacturing Company. Eugene Clark refined the product, improved facility efficiency, and rearranged the staff to optimize productivity, and under his leadership, they renamed the company to the Celfor Tool Company in 1907, after their staple product, the Celfor Drill.
In 1916, after enjoying many years of success, growth, and expansion, they renamed the company the Clark Equipment Company, after Eugene Clark. In 1917, the Clark Equipment Company invented the Tructractor, the world's first internal combustion shop buggy. As interest in the Tructractor grew, Clark Equipment Company split into two branches: Clark Equipment and Clark Tructractor Company. The current CLARK Material Handling Company is a direct descendant of the Clark Tructractor Company division. Clark continued to innovate, introducing tow tractors, and, in 1924, the first forklift - a modified Duat tow tractor with a hydraulic lifting mechanism. As Clark continued to grow and diversify its product line, it became known for producing the highest quality, and durable trucks on the market. Clark has been the leader in safety, innovation, and quality for the material handling industry for over 100 years. In 2003, Clark was purchased by the Young An Hat Company of Korea, which owns the company to this day.
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History
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In 1994, the Genesis model line of four-wheel internal combustion cushion and pneumatic-tire fork lifts was introduced. The Genesis featured a rubber isolated operator cell to improve operator comfort and set new industry standards for productivity and reliability.
In 1997, Clark built its one millionth forklift.
In 1999, Clark Aftermarket Parts Depot in Louisville, Kentucky, was opened.
in 2003, Clark Material Handling Company was acquired by Young An Hat Company, headquartered in Seoul, South Korea. They also acquired CLARK Material Handling Asia.
In 2006, Production of stand-up electric fork lift trucks moved to the CLARK Material Handling Company facility in Lexington, Kentucky.
In 2014, the Raising Hope program was created, a consolidation of philanthropic efforts for the company. Along with providing financial support to local community organizations, CLARK provides 12 hours of Volunteer Paid Time Off for every employee, to allow them to serve their community.
In 2019, CLARK opened a factory in Vietnam. The OSQ, a 24-volt working platform vehicle, was introduced. The HWXE/PWXE was introduced. The facilities at its North American corporate headquarters are expanded in Lexington, Kentucky, adding a third facility to the company's manufacturing operation. The CLARK product certification course is opened. This course is designed to validate and test new products and components.
2021, The WPL40 lithium-ion walkie pallet stacker is introduced. With a 4,000-pound capacity, the ability to opportunity charge, and built-in safety features, the WPL40 is the perfect option for trucking and 3PL customers. The SE15-25T is introduced.
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Factories
The Clark company has factories in South Korea, China, Vietnam, and Lexington, Kentucky.
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References
External links
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