90 Years of Material Handling Equipment
We do more than make history, we build it.

2006
  • Resumption of electric lift truck assembly at the Clark Material Handling Company in Lexington.
  • Clark Material Handling China headquarters and factory opens in Qingdao, China.
2005
  • Clark Material Handling Company (CMHC) opens its North American headquarters in Lexington, Kentucky.
  • Dabo Material Handling Equipment Brazil S.A. opens its new headquarters in Valinhos.
  • TMX12-25 and ECX20-32 with 100% AC technology are introduced.

2004
  • Clark Europe Gmbh opens its European headquarters in Duisburg, Germany to service Clark dealers throughout Europe.
2003
  • Young An Hat Company of Korea acquires Clark Material Handling Company.
  • Young An Hat Company acquires Clark Material Handling Asia.
2002
  • New EPG 20/30 series electric 4-wheel pneumatic tire lift truck released in Asia and Europe



 
2001
  • Released new global model GEN2 series lift trucks. Offers capacities ranging from 4,000 lbs. to 6,500 lbs. in either pneumatic or cushion tire configurations.

  • Launched electric 3 wheel lift truck TMG series
  • Launched electric 4 wheel lift truck ECG series
  • Clark Material Handling Asia becomes Environment Management Systems ISO 14001 certified
2000

 
  • Busan Total Distribution Center established
  • Constructed second plant for exclusive production of electric models TMG/ECG in Asia

  • Closed our North America manufacturing facility and consolidated manufacturing in our facilities in Changwon, Korea and Mülheim, Germany.
1999

 
  • Built and opened a new state-of-the-art Parts Distribution facility in Louisville, KY and also established parts centers in Europe and Asia.
  • Released new 1-2 ton IC cushion M-series truck – CMC 15/18/20S

1998

 
  • Purchased Korean manufacturer Samsung. Clark Material Handling Asia was incorporated and a new 312,000-sq. ft. factory was constructed in Changwon, Korea.
  • CLARK is the first lift truck manufacturer to put a free operator safety video tape on every truck.
1997


  • The big, cushion-tire CGC 40/70 lift truck is introduced, bringing the innovations of Genesis™ design to trucks capable of handling 8,000 to 15,000 lbs. (4000 to 7000 kg.). The 40/70 also introduces CLARK's new severe application cooling system that incorporates independent oil coolers for transmission and engine oil, in addition to the engine coolant radiator. Overhead tilt on 60/70 models improves control of tilt operation for the increased stability needed in the paper and steel industries.
  • CLARK celebrates its 80th Anniversary and produces its one-millionth Forklift.


  • CLARK is the first lift truck manufacturer to achieve the highest ISO 9001 certification for all its plants worldwide.
  • CLARK Power Control MegaValve electronic control of hydraulic functions awarded first prize for ergonomics by U.K. Fork Truck Association.
1996


  • The next generation of high productivity Genesis trucks is introduced in 8,000 to 11,000 lb. (4000 to 5500 kg.) models. Offered with powerful diesel or new V-6 engines and CLARK two-speed powershift transmission, these trucks provide the highest level of productivity in indoor, outdoor, yard and dock applications.
  • CLARK PowerControl MegaStat lift truck awarded first prize for innovation by the U.K. Fork Truck Association.
1995


  • The Genesis™ Series is launched. CLARK sets a new industry standard for productivity, reliability and operator comfort in 4,000 to 6,000 lb. (2000 to 3000 kg.) internal combustion trucks. The hydrostatic transmission option on the Genesis is introduced. The "MegaPro" provides customers with high torque and durability for demanding shuttle and high cycle applications.
  • CLARK Mülheim, Germany plant achieves ISO 9001certification.
1993

 
  • Clark Material Handling Europe presents a new series of hydrostatic driven lift trucks in the 2-3 ton lifting capacity range.
1991


  • CLARK is the first supplier to offer a factory-installed compressed natural gas fuel option.
1990

 
  • CLARK is the first lift truck manufacturer to provide the "Employer's Guide to Material Handling Safety" free on every truck.
1988

 

  • Transistor controls are used for the first time on CLARK's line of Powrworkers®.

1985

 
  • Clark expands its production range with the new M-series to a total of 22 models and is awarded "Lift Truck of the Year" by the British Fork Truck Association for the new lift trucks.
1983


  • CLARK pioneers the operator restraint system. A seat with vertical "wings" and a seatbelt was developed to keep operators with the truck in the event of a lateral turnover and was made standard equipment on internal combustion trucks. CLARK also offered a retrofit for all eligible trucks in the field. The patent for this safety innovation was offered to all lift truck manufacturers, royalty-free.
1982

 
  • CLARK is the first manufacturer to offer overhead guard rear posts as standard equipment on all stand-up rider forklifts.
1977

 

  • New CLARK plant in Mülheim, West Germany is completed.

1972


  • CLARK offers the first dual voltage electric trucks. These provided varied performance options based on the demands of the application.
1967


  • CLARK was the first manufacturer to provide operator overhead guards as standard equipment on all sit-down rider trucks.

  • CLARK produced the TW. The first highly maneuverable, three-wheel electric rider truck.
1956


  • The first nested I-beam upright was produced by CLARK. This new upright design dramatically improved upright strength and load stability.

1955


  • CLARK put powershift transmissions on 2,000 to 8,000 lb. (1000 to 4000 kg.) capacity gas trucks for the first time.

1952

 
  • First CLARK lift trucks built under license at plant in Mülheim/Ruhr, West Germany.
  • In the 1950s CLARK was the first lift truck manufacturer to provide operator training programs.


 

1945

 
  • First CLARK lift trucks arrive in Europe.
1943

 

  • CLARK was the first lift truck manufacturer to put warning decals on lift trucks.

1941-1945


  • CLARK 's output of industrial trucks was just over 500 in 1939. In the four years of World War II, production was approximately 23,500 trucks per year and CLARK's plant was running three shifts a day. CLARK supplied substantially 90 percent of all the government requirements for this type of equipment.
1942


  • CLARK produced the Carloader, the first electric truck capable of working a full shift. Due to wartime restrictions, the product introduction was postponed to 1945.
1928


  • The first Tructier was introduced, the forerunner of CLARK's line of modern forklift trucks.
1927


  • CLARK produced the first Clarktor, a gas-powered, four-wheel towing tractor with drawbar pull capacities from 2,100 to 12,000 lbs. (1050 to 6000 kg.).
1924


  • The Duat was used as the foundation of the first gas-powered forklift truck.

1923


  • CLARK produced the Duat (do this, do that), the first gas-powered, three-wheel tow tractor with 1,500 lbs. (750 kg.) of drawbar pull capacity.
1920


  • The Truclift, with capacities from 4,000 to 10,000 lbs. (2000 to 5000 kg.), was the first industrial truck to use hydraulic power as the means of lifting its load.
1917


  • The first Tructractor was built to haul materials between various departments of CLARK's axle plant. Visitors to the plant were impressed with the practicality of this truck, and asked CLARK to build trucks for them. In 1918, eight Tructractors were built and in 1919 CLARK manufactured and sold over 75 trucks.