Combilift’s COMBi-SPI Secures R&D Innovation of the Year at 2025 Plant & Civil Engineer Awards
Combilift, a global leader in material handling solutions, has been named joint winner of the R&D Innovation of the Year Award at the Plant & Civil Engineer Awards for the groundbreaking Combi-SPI (Self-Propelled Inloader). This recognition underscores Combilift’s ongoing commitment to innovation, highlighting its development of a custom-engineered solution for transporting heavy, oversized, and fragile loads—particularly within the concrete industry.
Renowned for its customer-centric approach, Combilift embarked on the COMBi-SPI project in collaboration with Spaansen, a leading precast concrete manufacturer from the Netherlands, in April 2022. The goal was to address the challenges associated with transporting Inloader pallets using traditional systems, while meeting the specific needs of the precast concrete sector.
The COMBi-SPI, a fully electric, self-propelled vehicle, was praised for its ability to transport oversized precast concrete elements and large wall panels within production yards and construction sites. Capable of safely handling up to 30-tonne Inloader pallets, it offers enhanced visibility, agility, and precision, delivering a safer, more efficient alternative to conventional truck-and-trailer systems.
The R&D Innovation of the Year Award, sponsored by Scania Road Trucks, was presented in recognition of Combilift’s visionary engineering and customer-driven design. The judges praised: “Combilift’s development of the COMBi-SPI exemplifies visionary engineering and a deep understanding of industry needs. It showcases the spirit of R&D excellence.”
“This project showcases Combilift’s commitment to innovation and customer-driven design,” said Josh Moffett - Heavy Equipment Manager at Combilift. “We’ve leveraged decades of expertise in specialised transport machinery to develop a state-of-the-art solution that meets the evolving needs of the concrete and glass industries.”
For more information visit: https://combilift.com/spi/
Video: https://youtu.be/st8bBakCu1E
About Combilift
Combilift is the world’s largest manufacturer of multi-directional, side-loading, and articulated forklifts, with over 100,000 machines operating across 85 countries. Widely recognised for its innovative material handling solutions, the Irish-based manufacturer continues to set benchmarks in safety, design, and operational efficiency in the materials handling sector.