What Princeton Delivery Systems does

Princeton Delivery Systems is the leading North American manufacturer of truck-mounted forklift (TMFL) products, operating the PIGGY BACK® brand since its 1979 launch. The company designs and builds a line of forklifts ranging from 3,600 lb to 8,000 lb capacity (12+ models including the PB series three-wheel-drive and D-series skid steer configurations), engineered to mount on trucks or trailers in under 60 seconds via the patented EZ Hitch® system. Its core proprietary technology stack includes the EZ Hitch® 3-point safety mounting system, the RGM+ (Remote Ground Mount Plus) wireless remote control, Trac-Loc traction control, 4-way directional steering, Double Reach scissors extension, and Tier 4 Final compliant diesel engines. These features allow operators to spot-deliver palletized materials directly to job sites without loading docks or co-drivers in many applications.

The company's revenue model is hardware sales through an exclusive channel — a nationwide network of 40+ material handling equipment distributors with 180+ service points and 500+ certified technicians. End customers are B2B material distributors across ten verticals, including beverage, bottled gas, brick/block/pavers, doors/windows, drywall, general building materials, landscape/sod/turf, lumber, moving/storage, and roofing. Pricing is set through dealers and not publicly disclosed. Princeton operates from Perrysburg, Ohio (headquarters) and Canal Winchester, Ohio (product support facility), and is a wholly-owned division of Hiab Corporation, a publicly traded global on-road load handling company (Nasdaq Helsinki: HIAB) with operations in 100+ countries. The company does not have a public API, software platform, or disclosed AI/ML capabilities.

Name

Princeton Delivery Systems

Legal name

Princeton Delivery Systems

Website

https://piggy-back.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1927

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Princeton Delivery Systems is the leading North American manufacturer of PIGGY BACK® truck-mounted forklifts (3,600–8,000 lb capacity), selling exclusively through a nationwide dealer network of 40+ distributors to material delivery companies across construction, beverage, turf, and other B2B verticals.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Material Handling Equipment

NAICS

Industrial Truck, Tractor, Trailer, and Stacker Machinery Manufacturing (333924), Material Handling Equipment Manufacturing (33392)

SIC

Industrial Trucks, Tractors, Trailors & Stackers (3537), Construction, Mining & Materials Handling Machinery & Equip (3530)

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), Lifting Attachments & Material Handling Accessories (Fork Attachments, Slings, Rigging) (IMAHABAJ)

Keywords

• Truck-mounted forklifts
• Material handling equipment
• Forklift manufacturing
• Construction equipment
• Loading dock alternatives

Headquarters

HQ city

Perrysburg

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, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Truck-Mounted Forklift Sales: Princeton designs, manufactures and sells the PIGGY BACK® brand forklifts through a nationwide network of premier material handling equipment distributors. Products range from 3,600 lb to 8,000 lb capacity models.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Princeton Delivery Systems designs, manufactures and sells the PIGGY BACK® line of truck-mounted forklifts (TMFLs) that mount to standard delivery trucks and trailers, enabling spot-delivery of palletized construction, beverage, sod, lumber, and roofing materials directly to job sites. The product line spans 12 models with lifting capacities from 3,600 to 8,000 lbs, unified by the patented EZ Hitch® 3-point safety mounting system that allows deployment in under 60 seconds. The company sells exclusively through a nationwide network of more than 40 authorized material handling equipment dealers providing sales, rental, parts, and certified service support.

Product overview

Princeton Delivery Systems is the leading North American manufacturer of truck-mounted forklift products, offering the industry's broadest range of PIGGY BACK® brand forklifts with lifting capacities from 3,600 to 8,000 lbs. The product line includes three-wheel drive smooth and rough terrain models (PB series) and skid steer models (D series), with specialized variants for turf delivery (TurfMate), four-directional movement (4-way), extended reach applications (Double Reach), and single-axle truck compatibility (PB36.1). The portfolio is unified by the patented EZ Hitch® mounting system that enables mounting in under 60 seconds. Optional features include the RGM+ wireless remote for remote mounting operations and Trac-Loc traction control. Princeton also provides specialized mounting solutions for various truck and trailer configurations including dump beds, low boy trailers, and box trailers. The company operates as a division of Hiab and distributes through a nationwide network of over 40 dealer organizations with 180+ service points and 500+ certified technicians.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• PIGGY BACK: The primary brand name for Princeton's truck-mounted forklift product line.
• RGM+ (Remote Ground Mount Plus)
• EZ Hitch

Products and services

• PB80.3 Truck-Mounted Forklift Highest-capacity PIGGY BACK truck-mounted forklift offering 8,000 lb lifting capacity at 24" load center, with optional drywall handling package featuring load support arms for wide loads on rough terrain. Targeted at heavy product delivery operations.
• PB70.3 Truck-Mounted Forklift 7,000 lb capacity rough-terrain PIGGY BACK truck-mounted forklift featuring anti-stall hydraulics, 31" pneumatic sealed tires, center seating, 56 HP diesel engine, and excellent stability for rough terrain deliveries.
• PB55.3X Truck-Mounted Forklift 5,500 lb capacity PIGGY BACK truck-mounted forklift featuring industry-first Double Reach scissors reach system that doubles reach across the bed, enabling one-sided unloading of trucks and trailers even when carrying tanks or tandems.
• PB55.4 Truck-Mounted Forklift with 4-Way Steering 5,500 lb capacity PIGGY BACK truck-mounted forklift featuring 4-way directional steering that converts to side-directional mode with a flip of a switch for maneuvering extra-long loads in congested areas.
• PB55.3 Truck-Mounted Forklift 5,500 lb capacity PIGGY BACK truck-mounted forklift and industry favorite for brick, block, and paver delivery, featuring center seating, Trac-Loc traction control, 56 HP diesel engine, and high ground clearance.
• PB50.4 Truck-Mounted Forklift with 4-Way Steering 5,000 lb capacity PIGGY BACK truck-mounted forklift with 4-way functionality that converts to side-directional mode for sideways driving in restricted areas, ideal for roofing and insulation delivery.
• PB50.3 Truck-Mounted Forklift 5,000 lb capacity medium-duty PIGGY BACK truck-mounted forklift with excellent stability and ground clearance, designed for lighter building materials, roofing, insulation, tile, and agricultural products.
• PB45.3 STM Static Mast Forklift 4,500 lb capacity static mast PIGGY BACK forklift available in standard or low-profile design, featuring all-wheel drive, Tier 4 Final engine, and pantograph extension arm for partial one-side unloading.
• PB45.3 TurfMate Truck-Mounted Forklift 4,500 lb capacity static mast PIGGY BACK truck-mounted forklift designed for turf delivery, featuring all-wheel drive, nearly a foot of ground clearance, spacious operator compartment, and an efficient hydraulic system. Launched in 2020 as the PB45.3 TurfMate.
• D45.2X TurfMate Skid Steer Forklift 4,500 lb capacity skid steer PIGGY BACK forklift with zero-turn capability and standard Double Reach feature, featuring joystick controls, remotely lockable rear swivel dolly wheels, and a color LCD diagnostic display.
• D45.2 TurfMate Skid Steer Forklift 4,500 lb capacity skid steer PIGGY BACK forklift with high-speed zero-turn drive system, featuring ergonomic joystick controls, remotely lockable rear swivel dolly wheels, and smart color LCD display panel.
• PB36.1 Truck-Mounted Forklift 3,600 lb capacity PIGGY BACK truck-mounted forklift designed for single-axle delivery trucks, featuring a Tier 4 Final compliant Kohler engine, telescopic legs, and all-weather performance with garage-clearance dimensions. Launched in 2017.
• Special Mounting Solutions Custom mounting kits and adaptations enabling PIGGY BACK forklifts to mount to specialty trucks and trailers, including Box Trailer Mount, Dump Bed Mount, Top Mount Kit, West Coast Trailer adaptations, Low Boy Trailer solutions, and Competitive/Universal Mounting adaptations.

Quantifiable outcome

• Up to 50% reduction in unloading time compared to manual methods
• +4 more outcomes

Segments10 records

Ideal customer profiles7 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature7 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• G&W Equipment, Inc.coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 21 September 2018G&W Equipment, Inc. serves as authorized dealer for Princeton PiggyBack truck-mounted forklifts at five locations across Western North Carolina and all of South Carolina. G&W provides sales, rental and support services for the Princeton product line, strengthening their foundation as a premier forklift service company across the southeast.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• JCB: JCB manufactures telehandlers, rough-terrain forklifts, and related construction material handling equipment. Comparable as an incumbent offering overlapping rough-terrain lifting equipment for construction and agricultural applications, though not focused on truck-mounted designs.
• Crown Equipment Corporation: Crown Equipment is a major US industrial forklift and material handling equipment manufacturer with strong warehouse and distribution center presence. Comparable as a broad incumbent serving similar industrial end customers, though focused on stationary warehouse equipment rather than mobile truck-mounted solutions.
• Hyster-Yale Materials Handling: Hyster-Yale is a major industrial forklift manufacturer offering a full range of warehouse and counterbalance trucks. Comparable as a broader incumbent in the material handling space serving overlapping customer segments, though it does not specialize in truck-mounted designs.
• Toyota Material Handling: Toyota Material Handling is the largest global industrial forklift manufacturer, offering a comprehensive range of warehouse, counterbalance, and rough-terrain forklifts. Comparable as a broad incumbent in the same material handling category with overlapping dealer networks and customer segments.

Direct peers

• Manitou Group: Manitou manufactures truck-mounted forklifts (TMM range) alongside telehandlers and rough-terrain forklifts, serving construction, agricultural, and industrial delivery markets. Highly comparable as a direct TMFL manufacturer with similar product positioning and end-use cases.
• Aichi Corporation: Aichi is a Japanese manufacturer of truck-mounted aerial work platforms and truck-mounted forklifts. Directly comparable as a TMFL specialist serving utility, construction, and material delivery applications with similar product mechanics.
• CVS Ferrari: CVS Ferrari is an Italian manufacturer specializing in truck-mounted forklifts and container handlers for ports, logistics, and intermodal applications. Comparable as a focused TMFL manufacturer targeting industrial logistics and delivery use cases.
• Moffett (Hiab): Moffett is Hiab's other truck-mounted forklift brand and a direct competitor to Princeton within the same parent company. Both make TMFLs that mount on trucks/trailers for spot delivery of materials, serving overlapping customer bases in construction, beverage, and agricultural distribution.

Emerging players

• Combilift: Combilift manufactures multi-directional forklifts and material handling solutions, including stand-up counterbalance and sideloader designs for long-load handling. Comparable in serving similar industrial and warehouse material handling customers, though with a different core product form factor than truck-mounted designs.

Others

• Genie (Terex): Genie, part of Terex, manufactures aerial work platforms, telehandlers, and material handling equipment serving construction and industrial end customers. Comparable as an adjacent material handling equipment manufacturer with overlapping dealer relationships and customer segments, though focused on aerial rather than forklift solutions.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

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 Princeton Delivery Systems