Combi-XL6 Recognised for Engineering Excellence at the Irish Steel Awards 2026
Combilift is proud to announce that the Combi-XL6 (Xpress Loader) has won the Industrial Engineering – Equipment Manufacturing Award at the Irish Steel Awards 2026.
Presented by Voortman, the award recognises the innovation and engineering excellence behind the Combi-XL6. This heavy-duty material-handling solution was developed specifically to meet the evolving requirements of the steel industry, where oversized loads, demanding operating conditions and high-duty cycles require equipment that delivers safety, strength and reliability.
The award is a significant achievement for everyone involved in the design, development and manufacture of the Combi-XL6. It also reflects Combilift’s continued commitment to creating practical, customer-focused solutions for complex material-handling applications.
Purpose-Built for Heavy-Duty Steel Handling
The Combi-XL6 is a fully customisable, high-capacity straddle carrier designed to handle oversized and exceptionally heavy steel components safely and efficiently.
With a lifting capacity of up to 45 tonnes, the machine gives steel manufacturers, processors and distributors a versatile solution for transporting long, wide and bulky loads. It is particularly suited to operations where conventional material-handling equipment may be unable to safely accommodate the load’s size, shape or weight.
The Combi-XL6 can operate both indoors and outdoors, helping businesses move materials efficiently between production areas, storage facilities and distribution points. This operational flexibility can reduce the need to transfer loads between multiple machines, contributing to a more streamlined material-handling process.
By reducing unnecessary handling stages, the Combi-XL6 helps improve material flow while supporting a safer and more productive working environment.
Improving Safety, Efficiency and Productivity
Handling oversized steel products presents a unique set of operational challenges. Steel loads can be extremely heavy, difficult to manoeuvre and unsuitable for conventional forklifts or standard material-handling equipment.
The Combi-XL6 addresses these challenges through its innovative straddle carrier design. By securely lifting and carrying the load within the machine’s structure, it provides greater stability and control while transporting large steel components through busy working environments.
This approach allows businesses to handle demanding loads more effectively while maintaining a clear focus on operator safety, load security and operational efficiency. Its heavy-duty construction also makes it suitable for high-duty-cycle steel operations where equipment must perform reliably throughout intensive working periods.
Key Operational Benefits of the Combi-XL6
- Lifting capacity of up to 45 tonnes
- Safe handling of oversized and exceptionally heavy steel components
- Suitable for transporting long, wide and bulky loads
- Efficient indoor and outdoor operation
- Improved material flow across steel production and storage facilities
- Reduced need for unnecessary load transfers
- Enhanced operator and workplace safety
- Increased productivity in high-duty-cycle applications
- Fully customisable configuration for specific operational requirements
These capabilities make the Combi-XL6 an effective solution for demanding steel-handling environments where strength, durability, safety and operational efficiency are essential.
Recognition for Innovative Equipment Manufacturing
The Industrial Engineering – Equipment Manufacturing Award celebrates excellence in the design and manufacture of industrial equipment. Winning this award highlights Combilift’s ability to develop innovative machinery that responds directly to real challenges within the steel industry.
The recognition reflects the expertise and dedication of the teams involved throughout the development of the Combi-XL6. From its robust construction and high lifting capacity to its adaptable configuration, every aspect of the machine has been designed around the requirements of modern steel-handling operations.
Its fully customisable design allows the Combi-XL6 to be configured to meet the requirements of individual sites and applications. This application-specific approach gives customers a solution developed around their loads, working environment and operational priorities.
The award also demonstrates the importance of listening to customers and understanding the demands they face. By combining customer insight with engineering expertise, Combilift continues to develop equipment that supports safer working practices, more efficient material flow and increased productivity.
Celebrating the Achievement
Combilift representatives Tommy Mohan and Noel O’Dowd attended the Irish Steel Awards ceremony and proudly accepted the award on behalf of the company.
The award was presented by Voortman, marking an important moment for the teams responsible for bringing the Combi-XL6 from concept through to production.
Combilift was also pleased to support the event as an award sponsor. This involvement reinforces the company’s close relationship with the steel sector and its commitment to celebrating innovation, engineering excellence and achievement throughout the industry.
The recognition represents another important milestone for Combilift. It demonstrates the valuable role that intelligent, application-specific engineering can play in making heavy-duty steel handling safer, more efficient and more productive.
Engineering Solutions for the Steel Industry
The success of the Combi-XL6 reflects Combilift’s continued focus on developing innovative equipment for specialised and complex material-handling applications.
By combining heavy-duty lifting performance with a fully customisable design, indoor and outdoor versatility, and a strong focus on safety, the Combi-XL6 gives steel businesses a practical solution for handling oversized components in demanding, high-duty-cycle environments.
Winning the Industrial Engineering – Equipment Manufacturing Award at the Irish Steel Awards 2026 is a proud achievement for everyone involved. It provides strong recognition of the engineering expertise behind the Combi-XL6 and the contribution it can make to modern steel-handling operations.
Congratulations to the entire Combilift team on this outstanding recognition.
