SSA Marine, XL Lifts Launch Forklift Initiative

XL Lifts, specializing in zero and low emissions forklifts and a Wiggins Lift dealer, announced it is working with SSA Marine to launch a 36,000 lb. capacity zero-emissions electric forklift suitable for marine terminal and rail yard operations.

SSA Pacific, a subsidiary of SSA Marine, has committed to deploying the newly announced Wiggins Yard eBull for its operations at The Port of Stockton facility.

Featuring a quick charge lithium battery, the innovative Wiggins Yard eBull offers high-performance and energy efficiency, features never possible in a large capacity forklift. The effort is part of the company's mission to explore, evaluate and recommend energy transformation alternatives to reduce greenhouse gas emission and differentiate the ports and communities that SSA Marine serves.

"We are constantly evaluating our operations for opportunities to reduce emissions and we knew this technology was something that our team needed to be a part of," said Joe Carrillo, SSA Pacific regional vice president of Northern California. "We started by deploying two 33,000 lb. Tier 4 final forklifts (highest emission standard in California currently for heavy duty equipment), which was a step in the right direction, but we wanted to do more."

SSA Marine's large capacity zero-emissions forklift initiative was solidified at last year's Breakbulk Americas conference, where President of XL Lifts Mike Marzahl and SSA Pacific Regional Vice President of Northern California Joe Carrillo met over dinner. The idea was then brought to Wiggin's Lift Company, who was able to bring the concept to fruition in less than a year.

The company just announced its first commercialized, lithium battery large capacity forklift. Powered by Thor Trucks, the same innovators being used for UPS' fleet of electric trucks, the new Wiggins electric forklifts are able to run continuously, without significant downtime.

"Wiggins has a history of innovative firsts and the new Wiggins Yard eBull is another example of why Wiggins is the leading provider of forklifts for marinas and will soon be in the industrial sector as well," said Mike Marzahl, president of XL Lifts (a Wiggins dealer). "I am thrilled to be a part of the SSA Pacific green forklift initiative and look forward to a long and prosperous relationship with them."