Combilift Rides Data Centre Wave as Monaghan Manufacturer Reports 10-12% US Growth Driven by Tesla and Google
Monaghan-based forklift manufacturer Combilift is projecting 10-12% growth in its US market for 2026, driven by surging demand from data centre construction and from major technology firms including Tesla and Google — a performance that underlines the remarkable success of one of Ireland's most innovative manufacturing companies and its ability to capitalise on global industrial trends.
Background
Combilift was founded in 1998 by Martin McVicar and Robert Moffett in Monaghan town, with a simple but powerful idea: to design and manufacture multi-directional forklifts that could handle long loads in confined spaces — a problem that conventional forklifts were poorly equipped to solve. The company's innovative approach to materials handling quickly attracted international attention, and Combilift has grown from a small Irish start-up into a global leader in its field, exporting to over 85 countries and employing more than 900 people at its purpose-built manufacturing facility in Monaghan.
The company's success is built on a combination of engineering innovation, customer focus, and a willingness to invest in research and development even during difficult economic periods. Combilift has consistently reinvested its profits in new product development, and its range now encompasses over 20 different product lines — from compact pedestrian-operated trucks to large-scale custom vehicles capable of handling loads of hundreds of tonnes. This breadth of product range has allowed the company to serve a diverse range of industries, from timber and steel to aerospace and offshore energy.
The global data centre construction boom — driven by the explosive growth of artificial intelligence, cloud computing, and digital infrastructure — has created a new and rapidly growing market for Combilift's products. Data centres require specialised materials handling equipment for the construction phase, and the scale of the current investment wave — with hundreds of billions of dollars flowing into data centre construction across Europe and the United States — has generated significant demand for Combilift's multi-directional forklifts and long-load handling equipment.
Key Developments
Chief Executive Martin McVicar confirmed this week that Combilift is projecting 10-12% growth in its US market for 2026, with the company's US workforce having increased by 15% compared to 2024 levels. The company maintains a strong presence in the US market, with over 50 staff members and a parts distribution centre in Greensboro, North Carolina.
The growth is being driven by two distinct channels. First, steel fabricators involved in data centre construction are using Combilift's equipment to handle the large structural steel components that form the skeleton of modern data centre buildings. Second, technology firms including Google are using Combilift's smaller forklift trucks to move components during the assembly of data centre facilities — a use case that reflects the precision and versatility of Combilift's product range.
Beyond data centres, Combilift has also seen increased demand from Tesla factories, where its equipment is used to move heavy battery packs during the electric vehicle manufacturing process. The company has also benefited from rising interest in prefabricated housing and factory construction, sectors that require specialised materials handling equipment for the assembly of large modular components.
Why It Matters
Combilift's success is significant for several reasons. It demonstrates that Irish manufacturing companies can compete and win at the highest level of global industry — not by competing on cost, but by competing on innovation, quality, and customer service. The company's ability to identify and capitalise on emerging industrial trends — from the offshore energy boom of the 2000s to the data centre wave of the 2020s — reflects a strategic agility that is rare in any manufacturing business, let alone one based in a small town in the Irish midlands.
The company's performance also has significant implications for the Monaghan economy. With over 900 employees at its Monaghan headquarters, Combilift is one of the largest private employers in the county, and its success generates significant economic activity in the local supply chain and service sector. The company's commitment to its Monaghan base — despite the obvious attractions of relocating to a larger urban centre or a lower-cost location — is a source of considerable local pride and a model for other Irish manufacturers.
Local Impact
In Monaghan town, Combilift's continued growth is a source of significant economic benefit. The company's payroll supports hundreds of local families, and its supply chain relationships generate business for a wide range of local and regional suppliers. The company has also invested significantly in its Monaghan facility in recent years, including the construction of a new manufacturing hall that has expanded its production capacity. For the broader border region — which has faced particular economic challenges in the post-Brexit environment — Combilift's success is an important demonstration that world-class manufacturing can thrive in areas that are sometimes overlooked in national economic planning. The company's dual-market access — selling to both the UK and EU markets — has also made it a beneficiary of the Windsor Framework's provisions for Northern Ireland, with cross-border supply chain relationships playing an important role in its operations.
What's Next
Combilift will publish its annual results later in the year, providing a full picture of its financial performance in 2026. The company is expected to announce further investment in its Monaghan facility, including additional manufacturing capacity and research and development infrastructure. McVicar has indicated that the company is exploring new product lines designed specifically for the data centre construction market, reflecting the scale and duration of the investment wave in that sector. The company is also expanding its presence in the Australian market, where the data centre pipeline is estimated to reach a $150 billion investment value by 2030 — a market opportunity that Combilift is well-positioned to exploit.
