History

A Proud Heritage

Hyster Vintage Lift Truck

Hyster Karry Krane Lift Truck

Hyster Historic Lift Truck

Hyster started as a small manufacturer of winches and lifting machines used in the logging and timber industry of the United States’ Pacific Northwest. The name originated from the call of the laborers who would shout “Hoist’er!” when a log was ready to be lifted.

A few years later the first forklift trucks were invented and Hyster quickly gained its reputation for rugged quality. Over eight decades Hyster has continuously developed its product offering and service network to become the leading international player it is today. The time line below highlights some of the milestones along the way.

1920's

Willamette Iron & Steel becomes a leading manufacturer of lumber carriers in the USA.

1929

Willamette Iron & Steel, Electric Steel Foundry and Ersted Machinery join forces to form a new company named Willamette Ersted.

1934

A straddle carrier with forks was one of the earliest forklift trucks manufactured by the company which, by this time, had been renamed Hyster.

1935

The ‘BT’ with its cable hoist system was one of the first Hyster forklift trucks.

1940

By experimental use of tractor frames, an advanced type of mobile crane was developed, later named the “Karry Krane”.

1941

As the need for a variety of lift truck sizes became more apparent; Willamette-Hyster designed a new smaller lift truck, known as the “Handy Andy”.

1942

The “Jumbo” was the first Willamette-Hyster truck to use pneumatic tires and a telescoping mast.

1944

The organization is renamed “Hyster Company” and an export department is created to provide better service for lift trucks that were now being sold in other parts of the world.

1946

Hyster Company’s first plant devoted exclusively to the mass production of lift trucks opens in Danville, Illinois (USA).

1952

Hyster opens its first plant outside the US, in Nijmegen, the Netherlands. The Hyster 40” and Karry Kranes were the first machines to be assembled there.

1959

Hyster moved into a new market with American built container handlers, later called “Big Trucks”.

1964

Hyster introduces the famous Monotrol® pedal, a unique development providing forward/reverse direction control in one simple pedal.

1966

Hyster opens a new design and development center in Portland, Oregon (USA). Today, this is still the world’s best-equipped and largest lift truck testing facility.

1970

Mass markets are developing and Hyster meets this challenge by developing the XL design philosophy, providing quality at an affordable price.

1981

Hyster opened a new manufacturing plant in Craigavon, Northern Ireland, dedicated initially to manufacturing internal combustion engine (ICE) trucks.

1989

Hyster purchased by NACCO Industries Ltd. a Fortune 1000 company based in Cleveland, Ohio (USA).

1993

The XL philosophy is progressively replaced by the XM generation of product combining outstanding performance and excellent driver comfort.

1996

Following the acquisition of manufacturing plants in Modena and Masate (Italy) a complete warehouse equipment range is developed for Europe, the Middle East & Africa.

1998

A substantial program of investment began to establish Nijmegen as the Global Center for Big Truck design, development and manufacturing, with worldwide production being transferred to the plant in 2002.

2000

Warehouse product launches and improvements begin focusing on harmonization and standardization of key components such as controllers and tiller arms.

2002

Following a substantial program of investment, Nijmegen has become the global center for Big Truck design, development and manufacturing

2004

All Hyster Company /Nacco Materials Handling Group, Inc (NMHG) facilities are awarded ISO 9001:2000 quality accreditation.

2005

Hyster begins to roll out a complete new generation of ICE trucks, with a modular design platform and innovative features, providing unprecedented reliability and value to users.

2006

As warehousing and distribution hubs grow world-wide, Hyster introduces the sophisticated VNA truck, featuring its unique quad mast design.

2007

Investment programs continue, focused on product-line development, quality and efficiency in our supply chain and optimization of NMHG’s world-wide manufacturing capacity.


1920's	Willamette Iron & Steel becomes a leading manufacturer of lumber carriers in the USA.
1929	Willamette Iron & Steel, Electric Steel Foundry and Ersted Machinery join forces to form a new company named Willamette Ersted.
1934	A straddle carrier with forks was one of the earliest forklift trucks manufactured by the company which, by this time, had been renamed Hyster.
1935	The ‘BT’ with its cable hoist system was one of the first Hyster forklift trucks.
1940	By experimental use of tractor frames, an advanced type of mobile crane was developed, later named the “Karry Krane”.
1941	As the need for a variety of lift truck sizes became more apparent; Willamette-Hyster designed a new smaller lift truck, known as the “Handy Andy”.
1942	The “Jumbo” was the first Willamette-Hyster truck to use pneumatic tires and a telescoping mast.
1944	The organization is renamed “Hyster Company” and an export department is created to provide better service for lift trucks that were now being sold in other parts of the world.
1946	Hyster Company’s first plant devoted exclusively to the mass production of lift trucks opens in Danville, Illinois (USA).
1952	Hyster opens its first plant outside the US, in Nijmegen, the Netherlands. The Hyster 40” and Karry Kranes were the first machines to be assembled there.
1959	Hyster moved into a new market with American built container handlers, later called “Big Trucks”.
1964	Hyster introduces the famous Monotrol® pedal, a unique development providing forward/reverse direction control in one simple pedal.
1966	Hyster opens a new design and development center in Portland, Oregon (USA). Today, this is still the world’s best-equipped and largest lift truck testing facility.
1970	Mass markets are developing and Hyster meets this challenge by developing the XL design philosophy, providing quality at an affordable price.
1981	Hyster opened a new manufacturing plant in Craigavon, Northern Ireland, dedicated initially to manufacturing internal combustion engine (ICE) trucks.
1989	Hyster purchased by NACCO Industries Ltd. a Fortune 1000 company based in Cleveland, Ohio (USA).
1993	The XL philosophy is progressively replaced by the XM generation of product combining outstanding performance and excellent driver comfort.
1996	Following the acquisition of manufacturing plants in Modena and Masate (Italy) a complete warehouse equipment range is developed for Europe, the Middle East & Africa.
1998	A substantial program of investment began to establish Nijmegen as the Global Center for Big Truck design, development and manufacturing, with worldwide production being transferred to the plant in 2002.
2000	Warehouse product launches and improvements begin focusing on harmonization and standardization of key components such as controllers and tiller arms.
2002	Following a substantial program of investment, Nijmegen has become the global center for Big Truck design, development and manufacturing
2004	All Hyster Company /Nacco Materials Handling Group, Inc (NMHG) facilities are awarded ISO 9001:2000 quality accreditation.
2005	Hyster begins to roll out a complete new generation of ICE trucks, with a modular design platform and innovative features, providing unprecedented reliability and value to users.
2006	As warehousing and distribution hubs grow world-wide, Hyster introduces the sophisticated VNA truck, featuring its unique quad mast design.
2007	Investment programs continue, focused on product-line development, quality and efficiency in our supply chain and optimization of NMHG’s world-wide manufacturing capacity.