HKS Fordertechnik

What HKS Fordertechnik does

HKS Fördertechnik AG is a Swiss privately-held industrial equipment distributor headquartered in Marthalen with a branch office in Burgdorf. Operating since 1984 (firmographic profile lists 1985), the company functions as a "Generalvertreter" (general representative) — an authorized country-level distributor — for 19 international forklift and material handling brands, including Hyster, Yale, Bulmor, Mariotti, Carer, Maximal, Meyer Bolzoni, Kaup, Terberg Kinglifter, MasterMover, Simai, Stabau, Sichelschmidt, DEC Modena, Griptech, Samag, Votex-Bison, M-Fahrzeugbau, and ACTIL-ABEKO. Its geographic remit covers Switzerland and Liechtenstein.

The company's revenue model is a multi-stream industrial distribution business with five identified revenue lines: new equipment sales, used equipment ("Occasionen") sales, equipment rental and leasing, spare parts and accessories (sold via the dedicated e-commerce site staplerteile24.ch), and after-sales service including maintenance, repair, and the Swisslifter safety check. Its product portfolio spans electric, diesel, and LPG forklifts, heavy-load units up to 29,000 kg, warehouse technology (narrow-aisle, order pickers), specialty equipment (four-way, side-load, explosion-protected, rough-terrain), reachstackers, truck-mounted forklifts, stainless-steel units for hygiene-sensitive applications, and a wide array of attachments. Custom manufacturing ("Sonderanfertigungen") is offered as a differentiator. The firm operates a direct-to-customer GTM with field sales, an online configurator, a separate rental platform (vermietung.hks-stapler.ch), and a bilingual (German/French) website serving the Swiss Romandie market.

HKS serves Swiss and Liechtenstein B2B customers across warehousing, logistics, manufacturing, construction, and specialized industries requiring material handling equipment. With approximately 70 employees serving customers across Switzerland, the company has reached a 40-year operating milestone (celebrated in 2024). It has no disclosed proprietary technology, no parent company, no external investors, and no disclosed M&A, funding, or international expansion activity.

Name

HKS Fordertechnik

Legal name

HKS Fördertechnik AG

Website

https://hks-hyster.ch

Company type

Private

Founded year

1984

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

HKS Fördertechnik AG is a Swiss general distributor representing 19 international forklift and material handling equipment brands across Switzerland and Liechtenstein, offering new and used equipment sales, rental, leasing, custom manufacturing, parts, and maintenance services to B2B customers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Material Handling Equipment Distribution

SIC

Industrial Trucks, Tractors, Trailors & Stackers (3537), Wholesale-Machinery, Equipment & Supplies (5080)

akta.pro primary industry

Material Handling Equipment Rental/Leasing (Forklifts, Telehandlers, Reach Trucks) (TLABAFAF)

Keywords

• Forklift distribution
• Material handling equipment
• Industrial trucks
• Warehouse equipment
• Forklift service

Headquarters

HQ city

Marthalen

HQ country

Switzerland

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. New Equipment Sales: Sales of new forklifts and material handling equipment from represented brands including electric, diesel, gas, heavy-duty, and specialty forklifts
2. Used Equipment Sales: Sale of pre-owned forklifts and material handling equipment as Occasionen (used goods)
3. Equipment Rental and Leasing: Flexible rental terms with dedicated rental fleet, also offering leasing options for equipment acquisition
4. Spare Parts and Shop: Sales of replacement parts and accessories through staplerteile24.ch online shop
5. Service and Maintenance: Full-service maintenance, repair, and safety check services including Swisslifter Sicherheits Check

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

HKS Fördertechnik AG distributes, rents, leases, services, and custom-builds forklifts and material handling equipment for businesses in Switzerland and Liechtenstein, acting as Generalvertreter for 19 brands including Hyster and Yale. It complements new and used equipment sales with an in-house rental fleet, financial leasing, maintenance and Swisslifter safety checks, an online spare parts shop, and customer-specific Sonderanfertigungen.

Product overview

HKS Fordertechnik is a Swiss general distributor (Generalvertreter) for forklifts and material handling equipment, operating across Switzerland and Liechtenstein for over 35 years with approximately 70 employees. The company offers a comprehensive portfolio organized around two core pillars: new equipment sales and after-market services. The product lineup spans multiple forklift types including electric, diesel, gas, heavy-load (6,025-29,000 kg), warehouse technology (narrow aisle, order pickers), specialty forklifts (four-way, side-load, explosion-protected, rough terrain), reachstackers, and portable truck-mounted forklifts. They distribute 19 represented brands including Hyster, Yale, Terberg, Bulmor, Meyer Bolzoni, Mariotti, Carer, Maximal, and others. The service ecosystem includes rental (Stapler Vermietung) with configurable rental options, leasing, maintenance and repair, an online parts shop (staplerteile24.ch), a forklift configurator tool, custom manufacturing, and used/occasion equipment sales. Attachments (Anbaugerate) for various applications including paper roll clamps, coil clamps, barrel handlers, and brick clamps complement the core forklift offerings. The company operates from headquarters in Marthalen and a branch in Burgdorf.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Electric Forklifts (Elektro-Stapler) Electric-powered forklifts for indoor warehouse and logistics applications, available in 3-wheel and 4-wheel configurations, distributed to Swiss commercial buyers across multiple represented brands.
• Diesel Forklifts (Diesel-Stapler) Diesel-powered forklifts for heavy-duty outdoor and industrial applications, sold to Swiss businesses needing robust load handling in demanding environments.
• Gas/LPG Forklifts (Gas-Stapler) LPG-powered forklifts offering flexibility for both indoor and outdoor operations, supplied as new equipment across represented brands.
• Heavy-Load Forklifts (Gross-Stapler) Heavy-duty forklifts with load capacities ranging from 6,025 kg to 29,000 kg for large-scale industrial applications and container handling.
• Warehouse Technology (Lagertechnik) Warehouse equipment including powered pallet trucks, stackers, and other material handling devices for distribution centres and storage facilities.
• Order Pickers (Kommissionierer) Order picking equipment for efficient warehouse picking operations at various height levels, supplied to logistics and distribution operators.
• Four-Way Forklifts (Vierwege-Stapler) Specialized forklifts capable of moving loads in all four directions for handling long materials such as timber, steel, and pipes.
• Side-Load Forklifts (Seiten-Stapler) Side-facing forklifts designed for handling long and bulky loads such as timber and steel in production and storage environments.
• Explosion-Protected Forklifts (Ex-Stapler) Forklifts certified for use in explosive atmospheres and hazardous environments, including chemical, pharmaceutical, and petrochemical operations.
• Rough Terrain Forklifts (Gelände-Stapler) Off-road capable forklifts designed for construction sites, lumber yards, and uneven terrain operations.
• Electric Tow Tractors (Elektro-Schlepper) Electric-powered tow tractors for moving multiple carts or heavy loads within industrial facilities, airports, and warehouses.
• Stainless Steel Equipment (Inox Geräte) Stainless steel material handling equipment for hygiene-critical environments such as food processing and pharmaceutical industries.
• Narrow Aisle Forklifts (Schmalgangstapler) Forklifts designed for operation in narrow warehouse aisles to maximize storage density and racking efficiency.
• Reachstacker / Container Forklifts Heavy lifting equipment for stacking and handling shipping containers and ISO containers at ports, terminals, and logistics hubs.
• Special Equipment (Sondergeräte) Custom-built and special-purpose forklifts tailored to specific industry requirements where standard models are not suitable.
• Portable/Mountable Forklifts (Mitnahmestapler) Truck-mounted forklifts (Terberg Kinglifter) that can be transported together with loads for mobile last-mile delivery and shunting applications.
• Forklift Attachments (Anbaugeräte) Forklift attachments including hydraulic forks, clamps for paper rolls, coils, barrels, and brick clamps, supplied as specialized material handling accessories from manufacturers such as Kaup, Meyer/Bolzoni, and Griptech.
• Used Forklifts (Occasionen) Pre-owned forklifts and material handling equipment sold at reduced prices, including electric, diesel, gas, heavy-load, rough terrain, four-way, reach, order pickers, and attachments inventory.
• Forklift Rental (Stapler Vermietung) Short-term and long-term forklift rental services with a dedicated rental fleet and online rental configurator, providing flexible equipment access for Swiss businesses.
• Forklift Leasing (Stapler Leasing) Financial leasing solutions for forklifts and material handling equipment, enabling multi-year acquisition contracts for Swiss commercial customers.
• Maintenance and Repair Service (Kundendienst) Full-service support including preventive maintenance, repairs, spare parts supply, and Swisslifter Sicherheits Check (safety certification) for forklifts and material handling equipment.
• Spare Parts Shop (Ersatzteile Shop) Online e-commerce shop for replacement parts and accessories for forklifts and material handling equipment operated across Switzerland.
• Custom Forklift Manufacturing (Sonderanfertigungen) Customer-specific custom-built and specially designed forklifts and material handling equipment for unique applications not covered by standard catalogue offerings.

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

19 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• HystercoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorHKS is general representative (Generalvertreter) for Hyster forklifts and material handling equipment in Switzerland and Liechtenstein
• YalecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorHKS is general representative for Yale forklifts and material handling equipment in Switzerland and Liechtenstein
• BulmorcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorHKS represents Bulmor brand equipment in Switzerland and Liechtenstein
• Meyer Bolzoni GroupcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorHKS represents Meyer Bolzoni Group products including attachments and handling solutions
• MariotticoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorHKS represents Mariotti forklifts and material handling equipment
• KaupcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorHKS represents Kaup attachment products and handling solutions
• MasterMoverminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorHKS represents MasterMover electric tuggers and moving equipment
• SimaiminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorHKS represents Simai material handling equipment
• StabauminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorHKS represents Stabau stacking and handling equipment
• SichelschmidtminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorHKS represents Sichelschmidt forklifts and material handling equipment
• DEC ModenaminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorHKS represents DEC Modena equipment in Swiss market
• GriptechminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorHKS represents Griptech handling solutions
• SamagminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorHKS represents Samag (inox/specialized) equipment
• Votex-BisonminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorHKS represents Votex-Bison products in Switzerland
• M-FahrzeugbauminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorHKS represents M-Fahrzeugbau special vehicles and equipment
• MaximalminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorHKS represents Maximal forklifts and material handling equipment
• ACTIL-ABEKOminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorHKS represents ACTIL-ABEKO products in Swiss market
• CarerminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorHKS represents Carer electric forklifts and handling equipment
• Terberg KinglifterminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorHKS represents Terberg Kinglifter equipment including Mitnahmestapler (shunting trucks)

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Linde Material Handling: Linde Material Handling (a KION Group brand) is one of Europe's leading forklift and intralogistics OEMs with its own direct sales and service dealer network across Switzerland and Europe. Highly comparable to HKS as a multi-brand industrial-truck provider offering new, rental, and service across the same customer use-cases.
• Crown Equipment: Crown Equipment is a US-headquartered global forklift OEM with a European direct-sales and dealer footprint. Comparable to HKS in offering electric and ICE lift trucks plus warehouse technology to industrial and logistics customers.
• Toyota Material Handling: Toyota Material Handling is the world's largest forklift OEM and operates a European dealer network offering electric and ICE forklifts, rental, service and parts — directly mirroring HKS's product/service mix. Overlaps heavily with HKS in serving Swiss and broader European logistics and manufacturing customers.
• STILL: STILL (KION Group) is a German forklift and intralogistics OEM with an extensive European dealer and service network, offering counterbalance trucks, warehouse trucks, rental and digital fleet management — directly comparable to HKS in product breadth and full-service positioning.
• Jungheinrich: Jungheinrich is a leading European intralogistics OEM with direct sales of forklifts, warehouse equipment, rental fleets and service in Switzerland. Closely comparable to HKS as a full-line material handling and warehouse equipment provider with a strong service-led business model.
• Cesab: Cesab (a Toyota Industries-owned European brand) is a European forklift brand that markets through an independent dealer network selling electric and ICE forklifts and warehouse equipment — a distribution model highly comparable to HKS's Generalvertreter structure.
• Clark Material Handling: Clark is a long-established US-anchored global forklift OEM with a worldwide independent dealer and service network, including European distributors. Closely comparable to HKS in product mix (counterbalance and warehouse trucks) and dealer-driven full-service go-to-market.
• Doosan Industrial Vehicle: Doosan Industrial Vehicle (now part of Doosan Bobcat's material handling business) is a global forklift OEM with European distribution. Comparable to HKS in selling electric and diesel counterbalance trucks and warehouse equipment to industrial customers through dealer/service networks.

Broad incumbents

• Manitou: Manitou is a French-listed global OEM of material handling and rough-terrain equipment (forklifts, telehandlers, aerial platforms). Comparable to HKS at the category level — overlapping forklift and rough-terrain product lines — though broader in scope including construction equipment.

Others

• Hyster-Yale Group: Hyster-Yale Group is the OEM principal of the Hyster and Yale brands that HKS distributes as Generalvertreter. It is the upstream supplier rather than a competitor — included as the most relevant brand-principal counterparty for HKS's distribution model.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

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 HKS Fordertechnik