Crown Equipment, one of the world’s leading forklift manufacturers, discussed Ohio’s growing importance in the fuel cell industry and shared information about the company’s environmental sustainability initiatives with local government and business leaders at a recent fuel cell forum at Ohio Northern University in Ada, Ohio. The event, sponsored by the Ohio Fuel Cell Coalition (OFCC), was designed to explore the coalition’s efforts to expand the fuel cell industry in Ohio and showcase regional examples of fuel cell research and commercial application.

“Crown’s success with forklift fuel cell applications is a great case study because it shows how quickly a company can move from theoretical scientific research into real-world implementation,” said Eric Jensen, Crown’s manager of new technology research and development and a presenter at the forum. “The coalition’s message is that there’s a developing market for this technology and Ohio is well equipped to meet that market’s needs. Companies such as Crown are helping establish Ohio’s leadership in the advancement of environmental sustainability and specifically in fuel cell technology research, development and application.”

Jensen explained how the fuel cell power packs used to replace the batteries in the company’s electric forklifts work by converting hydrogen and oxygen into electricity and water. He discussed the potential advantages of fuel cells for forklift users – such as faster refueling times and cost and space savings from eliminating the battery room in a warehouse – that are creating demand for fuel cell-powered forklifts.

OFCC Director Patrick Valente said Crown’s presence in the field is a driver of the industry’s growth in Ohio. He described a cycle through which suppliers are encouraged to locate where manufacturers are already established, and vice versa. Valente said Ohio now has the best fuel cell supply chain of any state in the country.

Crown’s participation in the forum reflects its focus on environmental sustainability and its commitment to exploring and implementing alternative fuel sources for its forklifts. In April, the company received its second grant from the State of Ohio’s Third Frontier Fuel Cell Program. Crown is using the $1 million grant to fund further testing of fuel cell-powered forklifts at its research center in near Dayton, Ohio.

About the Ohio Fuel Cell Coalition

The Ohio Fuel Cell Coalition is a united group of industry, academic and government leaders working collectively to strengthen Ohio’s fuel cell industry and to accelerate the transformation of the region to global leadership in fuel cell technology. The Coalition was established to ensure Ohio’s presence both regionally and nationally in current fuel cell discussions.

About Crown Equipment Corporation

Crown is the number one brand of electric lift trucks in the United States and the seventh largest lift truck manufacturer in the world. Crown’s award-winning line of lift trucks has earned a reputation for exceptional product design, engineering and manufacturing. From the smallest hand pallet truck to the highest lifting turret truck, Crown seeks to provide users with safe, efficient and ergonomic lift trucks that lower total cost of ownership and maximize uptime. Headquartered in New Bremen, Ohio, Crown manufactures lift trucks that are sold throughout the world.