If your business is dealing with metal profiles, rebar, sheet metal, and so on, you may find it hard to find a suitable machine to transfer these long loads or long materials.
Or if you are a distributor who received a customer inquiry facing this situation, you also need to look for a manufacturer who can provide a suitable forklift, and also make a reasonable profit.
The perfect forklift for this situation is the multi-directional forklift, also named a side-loader. Take a real example, if the aisle width in a warehouse is as narrow as 2 meters, and the length of the load is about 3-15 meters, and you also have demand in the cargo weight and lifting height. Then the best choice is no other but a multi-directional forklift.
You may ask, Which manufacturer should I partner with? How could I find a high-quality forklift with a comparatively low price? This article will list several manufacturers of multi-directional forklifts. I believe you will find the right one after finishing reading.
- Business type: Manufacturer, Exporter
- Year established: 1981
- Factory location: Fulda, Germany
- Multidirectional forklift models: MSL 50, MAXX 50
- After-sales service locations: 26 global service locations across 35 countries, with sales and service divisions in North America.
- Price range: $38,000–$67,000
- Lead time: 6-12 months
HUBTEX develops and manufactures vehicles for efficient material flow and goods handling in confined spaces. They focus on maneuverability and design most ergonomically. They invested a lot in the durable components and vehicle precision that you can trace to any part of the whole forklift. In a word, Hubtex can offer you the best-qualified forklift, but at a rather high price compared to other forklift manufacturers.
Hubtex multi-directional forklifts are strictly produced in Germany. Because of their strict requirements and emphasis on vehicle quality, the lead time is expanded to a very long period, about 6-12 months. Hence, if you have an urgent demand for on-the-spot goods, Hubtex is not your good choice. However, if you take quality into the most consideration and don’t care about money, Hubtex’s multi-directional forklift is worth waiting for.
- Business type: Manufacturer, Exporter
- Year established: 1998
- Factory location: Monaghan, Ireland
- Multidirectional Product Models: C5000 / C5000–C6000 / C6000E; C7700, C8000 / C8000E; C10000 / C10000E / C10000 XL / C14000 / C17300 / C17300ET / C22000
- After-Sales Service Locations: 85 countries worldwide (through dealer network)
- Price Range: $35,000–$60,000
- Lead Time: 4-8 months
Another company I have to mention is Combilift; this brand may be the most famous and most popular in multi-directional manufacturers. They develop a full range of side-loaders (multi-directional forklifts). Being famous and a leader in the VNA forklift, they also enjoy a good position in the articulated forklift.
About the price, Combilift gives you the best value for money, a bit lower than Hubtex, but the quality is not compromised. However, the lead time is also not short. One sentence, if you take all elements into consideration and do not much prefer price and lead time, I assure you, you won’t regret purchasing their outstanding side loaders.
- Business type: Manufacturer, Exporter, OEM supplier, Import and Export Supplier
- Year established: 1994
- Factory location: Anhui, China
- Multidirectional forklift models: MQB, MQ25/30, MQD, MQZ30, MQC25/30/40/50, MQK30
- After-sales service locations: A global dealer network, with distributors and fast spare‑parts support based in China and the U.S.
- Price range: $20,000–$35,000
- Lead time: 1-2 months
MiMA forklift entered the field of forklifts in 1994, having the full production line of multi-directional forklifts, with a modular and professional production procedure. In the past few years, MiMA exported the most multi-directional models worldwide, compared to other young manufacturers in China.
MiMA’s dealer network spans over 60 countries, with local branches in China, the U.S., Vietnam, and more. MiMA Forklift aims to provide local distributors and after‑sales service in every region. The distributors of MiMA often inspect demo units before leading.
As an end-user, there is also a direct chance for you to get professional and uncompromised service, from a forklift company partnering with MiMA. Talking about quality, some of MiMA’s multi-directional forklifts have already clocked up to 10,000 hours in operation with no issues.
Since launching the MQC series in 2019, including 2.5–5 t multi-directional models, MiMA has led China’s VNA forklift market. Positioned in the international top 5 for electric multi-directional forklifts, MiMA offers sharp pricing, short lead times, and strong customization capabilities. As for MOQ, they are always willing to design 1 unique forklift for you.
- Business type: Manufacturer, Exporter, Distributor, Importer
- Year established: Toyota Industries (1926); Toyota Material Handling U.S. (1967); 1956, Toyota’s first forklift model
- Factory location: Columbus, Indiana, USA, and global factories (Japan, China, etc.)
- Multidirectional Product Models: RF1‑MD series (RF1‑MD1X45, multi-directional telescopic bridge models)
- After-Sales Service Locations: 85 countries worldwide (through dealer network)
- Price Range:
◦ Electric standard forklift: $20,000–$45,000
◦ Internal combustion forklift: $15,000–$50,000
- Lead Time: Several months
Toyota is one of the biggest names in the global forklift industry. Known for reliability and robust after-sales service, they’ve also brought multi-directional models into their lineup.
If you are looking for a dependable forklift from a brand you already trust, Toyota is a safe bet. Their equipment is easy to maintain and widely supported. I recognize this company for its brand reputation, large and complete dealer network, and high standards of service to customers.
There are also some important elements you need to consider. Toyota’s multi-directional forklift offering is not as advanced as some of the specialized players. They often focus on standard configurations, which may not meet the unique handling requirements of clients. Customization options and unique models for various scenarios are limited.
- Business type: Manufacturer, Exporter, OEM supplier
- Year established: 1953
- Factory location: Hamburg, Germany
- Multidirectional Product Models: ETV Q20/Q25
- After-Sales Service Locations: 40 self-owned sales and service companies
- Price Range: $30,000–$48,000
- Lead Time: 3-5 months
As a leading global material handling provider, Jungheinrich has been driving the development of innovative, sustainable products and solutions for all aspects of material flow. I recognize this company by the almost same brand name as Toyota. I would recommend this company because of its global scale and long history in providing equipment for warehousing and logistics.
But I have to say that Jungheinrich does not specialize in developing side loaders, the production lines and models of side loaders are very few, they added this forklift type just to enlarge their product line, in case the demand of clients with long material handling problems. However, that doesn’t mean that they are not good at forklift manufacturing. It can also produce beautiful and qualified multi-directional forklifts.
Final Thoughts
Here’s the deal. All five brands we covered have their strengths. If you have enough budget and waiting time and want to get the best quality, Combilift and Hubtex may be attractive. If you prefer a brand name and dealer network, Toyota can also be your choice.
But if you want a brand that supports a very small MOQ, various customization features, and tailored solution for you, meantime get a multi-forklifts delivering fast, at competitive price, you may take a good consideration of MiMA forklift.
EN 
DE 
FR 
ES 
IT 
PT 
JA 
KR 
AR 
RU