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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.
1920
The “Truclift”, with capacities from 4,000 to 10,000lbs
(2000 to 5000kg), was the first industrial truck to use hydraulic
power as the means of lifting its load.
1923-4
CLARK produced the “Duat” (do this, do that), the first
gas-powered, three-wheel tow tractor with 1,500lbs (750kg) of
drawbar
pull capacity. The “Duat” was used as the foundation
of the first gas powered forklift truck.
1927
CLARK produced the first “Clarktor”, a gas-powered, four-wheel
towing tractor with drawbar pull capacities from 2,100 to 12,000lbs
(1050 to 6000kg).
1928
The first “Tructier” was introduced, the forerunner of
CLARK's line of modern forklift trucks.
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.
1941-45
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.
1943
CLARK was the first lift truck manufacturer to
put warning decals on lift trucks.
1945
First CLARK lift trucks arrive in Europe. In
the 1950's CLARK was the first lift truck manufacturer to provide
operator training programs.
1952
First CLARK lift trucks built under license at
plant in Mülheim, West Germany.
1955
CLARK put powershift transmissions on 2,000 to
8,000lb (1000 to 4000kg) capacity gas trucks for the first time.
1956
The first nested I-beam upright was produced by CLARK. This new
upright design dramatically improved upright strength and load stability.
1967
CLARK produced the “TW”. The first highly maneuverable,
threewheel electric rider truck. CLARK was the first manufacturer
to provide operator overhead guards as standard equipment on all
sit-down rider trucks.
1972
CLARK offers the first dual voltage electric trucks. These provided
varied performance options based on the demands of the application.
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 standard
equipment on production trucks.
CLARK also offered a retrofit for all eligible trucks in the field
at the time. The patent for this safety innovation was offered
to
all lift truck manufacturers, royalty-free.
1988
Transistor controls are used for the first time on CLARK's line
of Powerworkers®.
1990
CLARK is the first lift truck manufacturer to provide the "Employer's
Guide to Manufacturing Safety" free on every truck.
1991
CLARK is the first supplier to offer a factory-installed compressed
natural gas fuel option.
1997
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.
1998
CLARK take over the forklift truck business of SAMSUNG and increase
their worldwide activities and founds Clark Material Handling
Asia
(CMHA).
2000
The product line CLARK CMP is established and completes the already
available product lines with inexpensive quality forklift-trucks
within a capacity sector between 1,5 to 7,5t.
Present
Clark continue to provide excellent service with localised centres
and ensure the Clark range grows to meet the demands of today's
market.
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