About Us

We are a leading Australian family-owned provider of forklifts, elevated work platforms, cleaning equipment, fleet management and telemetry systems.

We are the exclusive dealer for global leading brands, offering a comprehensive range of materials handling, access equipment and cleaning solutions.

  • 10,500
    units
    nationwide
  • 30
    branches &
    service centres
  • 500
    different
    models
  • Australian Owned
    Australian family
    owned & operated

Adaptalift Group is one of Australia’s largest forklift hire and sales companies. We employ over 500 staff around Australia. Our network consists of 11 branches and 32 service centres.

We exclusively distribute and support some of the largest brands in the world such as Hyster, Yale, Combilift and Kärcher cleaning equipment.

We service and support large and small business around Australia. Thousands of customers every year choose Adaptalift Group.

Our History & Founder’s Story

Founded in 1979, we have over 42 years of experience in materials handling.

Peter Whiffen, a mechanical engineer by profession, started designing and manufacturing forklift attachments and bespoke lifting solutions.

Margaret Whiffen’s background in the banking industry saw her finance and operations skills support the growing business.

As demand grew for the rental of custom forklift attachments, Adaptalift Forklift Rentals & Sales was born.

Case Studies

More case studies

Adaptalift Truck Rentals logo

Adaptalift Truck Rentals (ATR) offers a full range of truck and equipment rental solutions.

Visit ATR
Adaptalift Truck Rentals
Speedshield logo

Speedshield Technologies provides telemetry and engineering products and solutions to various industries and aftermarket applications including aviation, automotive, industrial, mining, and mobile fleet equipment.

Visit Speedshield
Speedshield
Pacific Materials Handling logo

Pacific Materials Handling are specialists in materials handling equipment and servicing.

Visit Pacific Materials Handling
Pacific Materials Handling
  • 1979

    The first of the AAL Group of companies, Adaptalift Hyster is established as Forklift Engineering Australia Pty Ltd, in Melbourne. Working to design and manufacture forklift attachments for the forklift and materials handling insdustry.

    Forklift attachment illustration More about forklift attachments
  • 1984

    Forklift Engineering Australia Pty Ltd began trading as Adapt-A-Lift Rentals and Sales.

    Early Adaptalift Branch
  • 1988 - 1998

    This decade sees the company experience extraordinary growth and development; branches are established in all Australian states.

    National Branches View Branch Locations
  • 1999

    Adapt-A-Lift makes BRW's Top 100 private companies list.

    adapt
  • 2003

    Adapt-A-Lift Imports is formed trading as Combilift Australia, in order to import and distribute niche market materials handling products.

    Combilift Browse Combilift Products
  • 2005

    Speedshield Technologies is acquired to obtain a stable speed control system and to develop online fleet management products.

    Forklift technology Visit Speedshield
  • 2009

    The acquisition of Hyster Australia sees Adapt-A-Lift Rentals and Sales become Adaptalift Hyster and triple its turnover.

    Hyster Browse Hyster Forklifts
  • 2011

    Speedshield Technologies signs a supply contract with Hyster-Yale as global telemetry provider and establishes a distribution centre in the USA.

    Speedshield Visit Speedshield
  • 2014

    Adaptalift GSE enters the Aviation Ground Support Equipment market.

    GSE
  • 2018

    Adaptalift Group is appointed as Yale dealer nationally, and is now an exclusive Karcher dealer. Adaptalift GSE successfully rolled out the Dnata contract.

    Yale Forklifts About Yale Browse Karcher Equipment
  • 2019

    Adaptalift Truck Rentals is launched in partnership with Daimler Truck & Bus Australia.

    Adaptalift Truck Rentals Adaptalift Truck Rentals
  • 2022

    Adaptalift GSE business sold to TCR, a global leader in GSE.

    GSE
  • 2023

    Adaptalift Group acquires Pacific Materials Handling, a leader in MHE, recycling & timber industries.

    PMH Pacific Materials Handling

    Adaptalift Group opens new branch in Auckland, New Zealand.

    NZ branch Adaptalift NZ
  • 2024

    Adaptalift Group grows its regional footprint in the Riverina, NSW and South West WA through the acquisitions of ForkWest and Riverina Lift Trucks, strategically enhancing our presence in these key regions.

    ForkWest ForkWest
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Our Locations

Adaptalift has head offices in VIC, NSW, QLD, WA, SA and TAS

View branch addresses and phone numbers

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