ProMat 2025: Big Joe Forklifts announces four new products

Automation and lift truck provider Big Joe Forklifts recently announced four new products and its new corporate theme at ProMat 2025. The trade show was held March 17-20 in Chicago, Ill.

The company said its new corporate theme, “Powering Progress,” reflects the new and innovative electrification products and systems it showcased at the show.

This theme highlights the company’s focus on industrial electrification, partnering with customers to assist them in their efforts to replace internal combustion forklifts with Big Joe’s purpose-built, integrated lithium-ion battery-powered models, which can help boost productivity and efficiency, reduce total cost of ownership, and improve employee and environmental health.

“The mix of industrial lift trucks making up the North American market has been trending electric at a snail’s pace since it was a 50/50 mix of electric and internal combustion back in 1984,” said Martin Boyd, a 33-year industry veteran and Big Joe’s new chief marketing officer. “When you dig below the surface however, this slow movement toward electrics has primarily been driven by equipment found within the warehousing and distribution space, whereas sit-down type counterbalance equipment has continued to favor internal combustion over that same period with very little movement.

“With our Powering Progress mindset, Big Joe is poised to be the industry leader in electrification, partnering with organizations that have the need or desire to make the switch from internal combustion but haven’t been able to in the past,” Boyd added.

New lift trucks, mobile charging system previewed at ProMat

At this year’s Promat show, one of the largest material handling trade shows in North America, Big Joe Forklifts showcased several purpose-built, integrated lithium-ion lift trucks and energy storage systems designed to drive, not follow the electrification of the market.

LCE65S

• Expands the range of Big Joe’s purpose-built, integrated lithium-ion cushion tire forklifts with 6,500 pounds capacity.
• Offered as an alternative to propane-powered forklift for indoors operations.
• Intentionally designed to compete with ITA Class 4 cushion tire internal combustion forklifts.

LPE100S

• Projected to run 30% higher lift speed, 20% higher travel speed, and improved gradeability compared to its predecessor, the LPE100.
• Aimed squarely at Class 5 pneumatic tire internal combustion forklifts, reducing expensive engine maintenance and unexpected costs incurred by applications handling load weights up to 10,000 pounds.

LPX155

• Permanent magnet synchronous motor control, powered by an integrated high-voltage lithium-ion battery, is expected to deliver performance that exceeds internal combustion competitors.
• Multiple cooling systems intelligently keep core components cool for reliable operation in high-throughput applications, while handling loads up to 15,500 pounds in both outdoor and indoor environments.

Mobile Power Unit (MPU)

• Bolsters limited grid power or acts as a power source for sites with limited or no electrical supply.
• Liquid cooled and heated, with the ability to charge up to three forklifts concurrently at 60 kW total output.

Big Joe Forklifts said the products it previewed at ProMat will be available later in 2025.