CLARK Material Handling Company: Innovating Forklifts for a Century of Efficiency

As global supply chains grow increasingly sophisticated, the importance of material handling companies cannot be overstated. Among these, Clark Material Handling Company (Clark MHC) stands out as a venerable and innovative force in the world of forklifts—also known as forklift trucks. With over a century of heritage and a diverse product lineup, Clark MHC continues to shape the industry through durability, technology, and global reach.

1. A Legacy Built on Innovation and Reliability

Founded as an offshoot of the Clark Equipment Company, Clark MHC traces its origins back to the early 20th century. The company made history in 1924 by introducing the first internal combustion forklift equipped with a hydraulic lifting mechanism—a design that redefined material handling equipment Wikipedia. Today, Clark remains among the top-ten global manufacturers of forklifts and related parts CLARK Material Handling CompanyWikipedia. With a global workforce employing over 1,500 people and more than 250 service locations across North America, the brand’s network ensures parts and support are always within reach CLARK Material Handling Company+1.

2. Clark MHC's Forklift Product Portfolio

Clark MHC offers a remarkably broad range of forklifts, covering all five industry-recognized classes—from manual pallet jacks to heavy-capacity sit-down internal combustion units.

• Electric & LPG/Diesel Lift Trucks
  
  

• Powered Pallet Jacks: Compact solutions like the WPL series (e.g., WPL25, WPL40) support lighter indoor tasks effectively CLARK Material Handling Company+1.
  
  

• Electric Stand-up & Narrow Aisle Forklifts: Models such as the SE15-S25, SEC20-35, and GEX40-50 offer advanced performance and space efficiency CLARK Material Handling Company+1.
  
  

• Internal Combustion (IC): Cushion tire options like C15C and CGC70, and pneumatic tire variants like C60 and S40-60 serve robust outdoor and heavy-duty tasks CLARK Material Handling Company+1.
  
  

• Specialized Forklifts
  
  

• Order Pickers: OSQ and OSX models designed for efficient multi-level picking operations CLARK Material Handling Company+1.
  
  

• Reach Trucks: NPX series accommodates narrow-aisle maneuvering while handling moderate loads CLARK Material Handling Company+1.
  
  

• Tow Tractors: High-capacity units like CTX (up to 15,400 lbs) pull heavy loads in industrial facilities CLARK Material Handling Company+1.
  
  

In total, Clark supports diverse applications—whether you’re operating in food storage, warehousing, lumber yards, or heavy industry CLARK Material Handling Company+1.

3. Smart, Safe, and Durable: The Clark Advantage

Clark MHC consistently markets its products as "Smart, Strong, and Safe." This is embodied through:

• Advanced Technology Integration
  
  

• CLARK SMART Telematics: Real-time fleet tracking, diagnostics, and performance optimization tools help businesses stay proactive and efficient CLARK Material Handling Company+1.
  
  

• Lean Manufacturing & Heavy Parts Distribution
  
  

• The company’s 165,000 sq ft parts facility in Louisville, Kentucky, fuels an efficient aftermarket supply chain, ensuring short downtime and quick maintenance support CLARK Material Handling Company+1.
  
  

• Clark also applies lean manufacturing principles to keep costs and lead times low while maintaining quality and reliability CLARK Material Handling Company.
  
  

• Global Dealer Network
  
  

• With over 250 dealer locations in North America and 550+ globally, Clark prioritizes service accessibility and operational continuity for clients worldwide CLARK Material Handling Company.
  
  

4. Industry Solutions Tailored to Your Needs

Clark MHC understands that material handling needs vary dramatically across industries. Here’s how they cater to key verticals:

• Warehousing, Logistics & Distribution: Reach trucks, order pickers, and electric stackers enable safe, high-density storage operations CLARK Material Handling Company+1.
  
  

• Manufacturing & Heavy Industry: Rugged IC forklifts (e.g., C60, CGC70) handle heavy lifts and challenging environments CLARK Material Handling Company+1.
  
  

• Food & Beverage / Cold Storage: Electric models and insulated designs support temperature-sensitive storage & handling CLARK Material Handling Company+1.
  
  

• Building Materials, Wood & Masonry: High-capacity models like CTX and CGC series are essential for transporting dense, bulky loads CLARK Material Handling Company+1.
  
  

5. Organizational Highlights & Commitment to Excellence

Clark MHC isn’t just about products—it’s about people and purpose:

• Award-Winning Employer
  
  

• Clark earned the "Best Places to Work in Kentucky" distinction in multiple years (2020, 2022, 2023) as awarded by the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce and KYSHRM CLARK Material Handling Company.
  
  

• Global Headquarters & Growth
  
  

• In April 2025, Clark inaugurated its new Global Headquarters in the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex, underlining its continued commitment to innovation and global leadership CLARK Material Handling Company+1.
  
  

• Philanthropy
  
  

• Through its "Raising Hope" initiative, Clark supports over 85 Bluegrass-region organizations annually—reinforcing its values of community stewardship CLARK Material Handling Company.
  
  

• Milestones & Reach
  
  

• Over its history, Clark has produced more than one million forklifts, with 350,000+ in operation globally, affirming its reliability and scale Wikipedia