Monaghan-based manufacturer of specialised forklifts Combilift plans to double its exports to Australia over the next two years following the launch of a new company Combilift Australia.

Combilift and Australian forklift importer, MHF Imports, officially launched the new company as a division of MHF Imports last month.

Combilift Australia will import, distribute and market forklifts and provide technical and marketing support to dealers.

MHF Imports has sold 280 Combilift and Aisle-Master forklifts since they were introduced into the Australian market.

Combilift managing director Martin McVicar said the company expects to increase the sale of its forklifts to Australia from 80-a-year to 160-a-year by the end of 2008.

Australia represents around 3 per cent of the company's turnover of€€60 million and McVicar said the aim was to bring this up to 6 per cent.

He said the Australian market is similar to the UK market which now accounts for 20 per cent of the company's turnover.

"It has a number of densely populated urban centres and land is expensive," he said.

Combilift's engine-powered, all wheel drive, multi-directional forklifts are designed to operate in narrow spaces, giving companies up to 50-70 per cent more usable space in warehouses.

The company, which was set up in Monaghan in 1998 by entrepreneurs Martin McVicar and Robert Moffett, exports 94 per cent of its forklifts around the world - to more than 45 countries.

Last June, the company announced plans to create 100 new jobs in Monaghan town as it opened its new €€10 million headquarters there.

It currently employs 150 people. The company has forecast that exports will increase to €100 million by 2010.