80 years of excellence - the story of HIAB MOFFETT
Since its founding in 1945, Hiab’s MOFFETT truck-mounted forklifts have been the gold standard for safety, cost efficiency, and reliable performance in the world of material handling.
For 80 years, MOFFETTs have delivered confidence and efficiency, helping businesses worldwide deliver more in less time. With over 100,000 units now produced, MOFFETT has become the trusted choice for tackling the toughest delivery challenges.
Designed to be carried on the rear of most trucks and trailers, truck-mounted forklifts can be dismounted and ready to deliver loads in less than one minute. Hiab is the world’s leading provider of truck mounted forklifts, producing truck mounted forklifts under two brands; MOFFETT – produced in Dundalk, Ireland, and available in 40 countries – and PRINCETON, which supplements Hiab’s offering in the US.
A legacy of innovation
MOFFETT's journey began with Cecil Moffett establishing MOFFETT Engineering in Ireland in 1945 with a target to build equipment for the local agricultural industry. As the company grew, he started crafting steel moulds for concrete goods, which quickly became the company's star product.
The first truck mounted forklift was created in the Netherlands in 1967 by the company Kooi, while MOFFETT created its first truck-mounted forklift in 1986 (Kooi was incorporated into MOFFETT in 2004). In the 1980s, MOFFETT expanded into promising new sectors and launched groundbreaking machines, including the MOFFETT Mounty, the Multi-Functional Tractor (MFT), and the Mixveyor.
Pushing boundaries and going green
MOFFETT's journey of expansion has been ongoing. In 2000, production was moved to Dundalk, Ireland, and in 2004, the merger of MOFFETT Engineering Ltd and Kooiaap BV led to the launch of the MOFFETT M8. The product showcases continued commitment to pioneering truck-mounted forklift technology.
MOFFETT has also been a pioneer in sustainability. In 2012, the world's first all-electric truck-mounted forklifts MOFFETTs E2 and E4 were introduced to the market. This step gave MOFFETT a decade-long head start in zero-emission, noiseless load handling.
The legacy continued in 2021 with the second-generation MOFFETT E4 NX, a cutting-edge series that combines top-tier safety with eco-friendly features like all-wheel drive, advanced displays, and real-time telematics. In 2022, the MOFFETT E5 NX was introduced. It is a specialist for medium to heavy-duty tasks lifting up to 2,500 kg and the world's first electric truck mounted forklift with a moving mast.
Completing the electric range of truck-mounted forklifts, the MOFFETT E8 NX was launched in 2022 for demanding and heavy-duty tasks. The E8 NX is capable of lifting loads up to 3,500 kg, mastering both rough terrain and difficult-to-reach job sites, busy yards and building sites.
A global success story
Today, Hiab’s MOFFETT stands as a global leader in forklift manufacturing, celebrating innovation, safety, and efficiency. By July 2024, it had surpassed an extraordinary milestone of 100,000 units being sold. As we celebrate 80 years of MOFFETT excellence, we at Hiab look forward to continuing our legacy of innovation and leadership in the industry.
Read more about MOFFETT and its 80-year legacy here.