Donkey Forklifts

What Donkey Forklifts does

Donkey Forklifts manufactures truck-mounted and walk-behind forklifts ranging from 3,000 to 5,500 lbs capacity, sold under the Donkey, Burro, and JACK® brands. The company is a wholly-owned sub-brand of Hol-Mac Corporation, a family-owned Mississippi manufacturer with 60+ years of heavy-equipment fabrication experience. Founded in 1985 by Ken Ensor in the Colorado Rockies, Donkey was acquired by Hol-Mac in 2016 and now operates from Bay Springs, Mississippi, with all production conducted in the United States.

Donkey's product portfolio centers on lightweight industrial forklifts differentiated by a fixed mast design, aerospace-grade aluminum scissor components, hydrostatic transmission (on the JACK model), and the industry's only single-axle truck-mounted solution that allows operation without a Commercial Driver's License. The line includes the Burro (walk-behind, 3,000 lbs), the Burro Volt (electric walk-behind, 2026 launch), 4K and 5K Series ride-on units, Low Profile and Container Handler variants, and integrated solution packages (Single Axle, Tandem Axle, Turnkey, Under-CDL Site, Last Mile). The company emphasizes quantifiable performance advantages including 1,500+ lbs lower weight versus competitors, 5+ mph higher speed, 30% better fuel efficiency, and lowest ground pressure in class.

Donkey generates revenue through hardware sales (new forklifts, certified pre-owned units, turnkey truck+forklift packages) and parts/service support, distributing primarily via a U.S. dealer network that receives ~20% margins plus training and marketing support, supplemented by direct-to-consumer quote-based sales through the corporate website. End markets span building materials, landscape supply, roofing, fencing, agriculture, hardware, brick and block, and general distribution, with primary customer pain points addressed including CDL driver shortages, payload capacity loss from heavy equipment, slow unloading, and ground damage on sensitive surfaces.

Name

Donkey Forklifts

Legal name

Donkey Forklifts

Website

https://donkeyforklift.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1985

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Donkey Forklifts, a Hol-Mac Corporation subsidiary based in Bay Springs, Mississippi, manufactures lightweight American-made truck-mounted and walk-behind forklifts (3,000-5,500 lb capacity) sold through a U.S. dealer network and direct channels to building materials, landscape, roofing, fencing, and agricultural delivery customers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Material Handling Forklifts

NAICS

Industrial Truck, Tractor, Trailer, and Stacker Machinery Manufacturing (333924)

SIC

Industrial Trucks, Tractors, Trailors & Stackers (3537)

akta.pro primary industry

Forklifts & Industrial Trucks (IC & Electric) (IMAHABAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Material Handling & Industrial Lift Vehicle Manufacturing (Forklifts/Telehandlers/Reach Stackers) (IMACAFAD), Truck-Mounted & Loader Cranes (IMAHAJAF)

Keywords

• Truck-mounted forklifts
• Walk-behind forklifts
• Jobsite delivery equipment
• Hydrostatic material handling
• Lightweight industrial forklifts

Headquarters

HQ city

Bay Springs

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Personnel, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Forklift Sales: Primary revenue from selling truck-mounted forklifts across various models including Burro, 4K Series, 5K Series, and The JACK hydrostatic forklift. Available in gas/diesel and electric variants with capacity range of 3,000 to 5,500 lbs.
2. Parts and Service Support: Revenue from parts sales and technical support services through dedicated service and parts support division.
3. Certified Pre-Owned Forklifts: Sale of factory-certified pre-owned forklifts passing 33-point comprehensive inspection, reconditioned with new components, backed by one-year warranty and 30-day engine warranty.
4. Turnkey Solutions: Package deals combining Donkey forklifts with trucks or trailers including factory-installed removable mounting systems, decking, LED lighting, and accessories.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels11 records

Core offering

Donkey Forklifts manufactures and sells American-made truck-mounted and walk-behind material handling forklifts ranging from 3,000 to 5,500 lbs capacity, including diesel/gas ride-on units, an all-electric walk-behind, and a hydrostatic model. The portfolio is sold alongside integrated truck+forklift turnkey packages, single-axle and tandem-axle mounting solutions, an under-CDL site delivery solution, last-mile delivery solution, and a certified pre-owned program, primarily through a nationwide dealer network with direct factory sales support.

Product overview

Donkey Forklifts manufactures a portfolio of truck-mounted and walk-behind forklifts under a single brand, produced by Hol-Mac Corporation. The product line ranges from 3,000 to 5,500 lbs capacity and includes: the JACK® Hydrostatic Forklift (5,500 lbs, hydrostatic drive), Burro Volt Electric (3,000 lbs, all-electric), Burro (3,000 lbs, walk-behind), Low Profile Series (4,000 lbs, low clearance), Container Handler Series (4,000 lbs, extended wheelbase), 4K Series (4,000 lbs), and 5K Series (5,000 lbs). These are complemented by solution packages including Single Axle Solution (CDL-free), Tandem Axle Solution, Turnkey Solution (truck + forklift package), Under-CDL Site Solution, and Last Mile Delivery. The Certified Pre-Owned Program offers inspected and warranted refurbished units. The company emphasizes lightweight design, American manufacturing, and specialized mounting systems for delivery truck applications.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Burro: All-terrain pallet jack / walk-behind forklift for smaller jobs, 3,000 lbs capacity, weighing only 1,800 lbs. The only motorized walk-behind forklift made in America.
• Burro Volt
• The JACK

Products and services

• The JACK® Hydrostatic Forklift American-made hydrostatic truck-mounted forklift with 5,500 lb lifting capacity, anti-stall hydrostatic drive prioritizing torque, tri-mode transmission (2WD/3WD/Diff Lock on Demand), 20% faster unloading vs standard models, and ANSI B56.14 safety certification. Aimed at jobsite delivery operators needing maximum traction and speed.
• Burro Volt Electric Forklift First all-electric, truck-carried walk-behind forklift made in America with 3,000 lb capacity, 30+ hour battery runtime, zero-emissions drivetrain, smart BMS with CAN communication, integrated telematics, remote diagnostics, digital information screen, and optional remote control operation.
• Burro Forklift Motorized walk-behind forklift with 3,000 lb capacity, 65-inch lift height, weighing only 1,800 lbs. The only motorized walk-behind forklift made in America, designed for smaller jobs and last-mile delivery.
• Low Profile Series Forklift Specialized low-clearance forklift with 4,000 lb capacity and 67-inch two-stage lift height designed to fit into 7-foot residential garages for indoor delivery applications.
• Container Handler Series Forklift Specialized forklift with 8-inch extended wheelbase for moving containerized product and handling loads with extended load centers, featuring 4,000 lb capacity.
• 4K Series Forklifts Lightest ride-on unit in the Donkey lineup with 4,000 lb capacity, Tier 4 compliant Kubota diesel engine, and speeds up to 15 mph, ideal for jobsite delivery applications.
• 5K Series Forklift Affordable and lightweight truck-mounted forklift with 5,000 lb capacity, Tier 4 compliant Kubota diesel engine, 70-inch standard lift height, and speeds up to 15 mph for longer-haul delivery operations.
• Single Axle Solution Industry's only truck-mounted single axle forklift solution enabling operations without CDL driver requirement, lower chassis costs, and 30% more fuel efficiency, designed for under-CDL jobsite delivery.
• Tandem Axle Solution Most efficient truck-mounted tandem axle forklift solution with increased payload capacity, better fuel efficiency, and superior handling for higher-volume delivery operations.
• Turnkey Solution Complete bundled package providing a state-of-the-art Donkey forklift with a truck or trailer, factory-installed removable mount, decking, LED lighting, accessories, and integrated delivery system for a one-stop purchase.
• Under-CDL Site Solution All-in-one turnkey package for site service delivery supporting up to 1,200 linear feet of fencing per load, with integrated air system for post-driving installation, no CDL required.
• Last Mile Delivery Solution Last-mile delivery solution built around the Burro walk-behind forklift, the only motorized walk-behind forklift made in America, for final-leg urban and residential material delivery.
• Donkey Certified Pre-Owned Program Certified pre-owned truck-mounted forklifts passing a 33-point comprehensive inspection, reconditioned with new components, backed by a one-year warranty and 30-day engine warranty, offering a lower-cost entry into the Donkey lineup.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 1,500 lbs lighter than competitor forklifts
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments8 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature10 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• Hol-Mac CorporationcoreOthersDonkey Forklifts is built by Hol-Mac Corporation, a trusted American manufacturer with over 60 years of expertise in heavy-duty equipment. Hol-Mac provides in-house engineering and tooling design, full-scale metal fabrication, robotic welding, laser cutting, and roll forming capabilities. The company operates multiple advanced facilities across Mississippi and has a history of supplying parts to world-leading OEMs. Hol-Mac's culture ('The Hol-Mac Way') emphasizes doing things right with integrity, quality, and commitment to service.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• JCB: JCB manufactures a wide range of industrial and agricultural equipment including telehandlers and rough-terrain forklifts, competing for the same contractor and rural delivery customers as Donkey's all-terrain products.
• Caterpillar: Caterpillar operates broadly in heavy equipment including material handling and lift trucks through its Cat Lift Trucks line, with overlapping capabilities for industrial and construction end markets.
• Hyster-Yale Materials Handling: Hyster-Yale manufactures a broad portfolio of forklifts and material handling equipment. While not specializing in truck-mounted units, it competes for the same end customers and dealer shelf space.
• Manitou Group: Manitou produces a broad portfolio of material handling and rough-terrain equipment including truck-mounted forklifts, offering overlapping capabilities as part of a much larger industrial vehicle portfolio.
• Toyota Material Handling: Toyota Material Handling is the largest forklift manufacturer globally and competes broadly in the industrial truck category, with overlapping presence in distribution and building-materials end markets.
• Crown Equipment: Crown is a major US-based forklift and material handling equipment manufacturer with broad product lines serving distribution, warehousing, and industrial customers overlapping with Donkey's end markets.
• Linde Material Handling: Linde Material Handling (KION Group) is a major global forklift and intralogistics manufacturer with a broad product range competing for the same industrial and distribution customers as Donkey.

Direct peers

• Moffett (Hiab): Hiab's Moffett brand is the global leader in truck-mounted forklifts, directly competing with Donkey across the same product category and delivery-fleet customer base (building materials, roofing, distribution).
• Princeton Delivery Systems: Princeton manufactures truck-mounted forklifts specifically for the building materials and HVAC delivery markets, overlapping directly with Donkey's core customer segments and product positioning.
• Combilift: Combilift specializes in space-efficient material handling forklifts including multi-directional and pedestrian units, competing with Donkey's walk-behind Burro line for last-mile and small-capacity applications.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/DonkeyForklifts
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/donkey-forklifts
• Instagraminstagram.com/donkeyforklifts

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Donkey Forklifts