Crown Equipment opens new forklift engine plant in Ohio
Crown Equipment Corporation is continuing its longstanding integrated manufacturing tradition with the production of the 2.4L LPG engine used in its Crown C-5 Series industrial forklifts. The engines are being built in a 165,500-square-foot facility in Troy, Ohio, which Crown purchased in 2012. The operation recently earned the International Organization for Standardization ISO 9001:2008 certification that specifies requirements for a quality management system.
In preparation for the launch of the Crown C-5 Series in 2009, Crown Equipment worked closely with John Deere Power Systems to jointly develop an engine built specifically for forklifts operating in the toughest environments. Initially, John Deere Power Systems supplied the engines and has since supported Crown throughout the transition of the engine production to the new Crown facility. Moving forward, Crown’s completed engines will be transported to its Greencastle, Ind., plant to be placed inside Crown C-5 Series forklifts for delivery to customers.
According to Jim Dicke III, president, Crown Equipment, the company’s integrated manufacturing model enables it to bring customers value in innovative ways, as seen in many of the features found on the Crown C-5 Series. Dicke noted that Crown’s integrated manufacturing practices “provide a level of control and consistency that brings unsurpassed quality and increased dependability and reliability to customers. It’s a forward-thinking culture that Crown embraces globally, and has resulted in competitive differentiation for the Crown lift trucks customer experience.”
In addition to compiling a premier team of automotive and industrial engine experts to lead the new Troy facility, Crown worked closely with best-in-class manufacturers from related segments to gain insight into proven processes for high-performance engines.
Dave Besser, senior vice president of manufacturing, Crown Equipment, added, “Throughout all of our manufacturing operations we use what we believe to be some of the most advanced manufacturing and related practices to support tooling, fabrication, assembly, electronics and finishing. We invest in training and sophisticated manufacturing technology to ensure that quality and precision are built into each step of the process. As a result, our customers know that the forklift they receive isn’t just a Crown forklift on the outside. It’s a Crown forklift on the inside, too. And this is a difference our customers value.”
The Crown C-5 Series is built for indoor and outdoor environments requiring material handling equipment capable of performing in harsh conditions that traditionally have been too tough for sustained forklift performance. As a result, the Crown C-5 Series is equipped with innovative and durable components, such as an on-demand cooling system, which extend product life, increase uptime and reduce total maintenance costs. It can handle capacities up to 6,500 pounds.
