Innovation, Quality and Service | About Us

Innovation, Quality, & Service

There's no such thing as perfect. That's why we keep making it better.

A History as the First, a Reputation for the Best

We’ve been finding better ways to keep industries and businesses moving for more than 90 years. We’re not about to stop now. Raymond has built its reputation on innovation, quality and service. These values — backed by our team of skilled and talented people—have made us a world-recognized leader in our industry. Our enduring goal is to design and build the best electric lift trucks and material handling solutions in the business and to serve our customers with unwavering commitment.

Since patenting the first hand pallet truck to the invention of the Reach-Fork® truck to our pioneering work in narrow aisle applications and beyond, Raymond has led the way in providing customers with the tools and expertise to improve their business.

An Industry Pioneer

Right From the Start

At Raymond, we stand behind what we build. Our constant focus is to deliver the utmost quality and to work for continuous improvement every day, in every aspect of our business. Click to read our quality and environmental policies.

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We're More Than Just Trucks

We take pride in the quality of service we provide to keep our customers’ operations up and running. Raymond is committed to delivering efficient, effective and innovative solutions tailored to meet our customers’ changing needs.

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Performance Without Compromise

Raymond eco-efficient lift trucks use less energy than competing models, costing you less and saving your operators time spent charging. Learn more about how Eco-Performance can help lower your operating costs.

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Highlights of Raymond's Innovations in Material Handling

Small-town Roots Grow to World-class Success

From a small village in central New York to the farthest corners of the world, The Raymond Corporation's world-class success began when George Raymond Sr. purchased a foundry in the village of Greene, New York, in 1922. With an eye for innovation and a vision for the future, George Raymond surrounded himself with talented employees who revolutionized the material handling industry.
The Double-faced Wooden Pallet

It began with the design and patent for the wooden pallet in 1939 — what we now know as a double-faced wooden pallet.
Hydraulic Hand Lift Truck

On Nov. 7, 1939, George Raymond, Sr. and employee William House were granted a patent for the first hydraulic hand pallet truck, which was to be used in unison with the double-faced wooden pallet.
The First Narrow Aisle Truck

In 1949, Christian D. Gibson began work designing the first narrow aisle truck. George Raymond Sr. and Christian D. Gibson were granted a patent for the power-driven, narrow aisle material handling truck in 1951 — pioneering the narrow aisle concept.
Narrow Aisle Principles of Design

The Lyon-Raymond Model 700 SpaceMaker truck was the first electric, narrow aisle lift truck. It was able to work in aisles less than 7 feet wide. Designed without a counterbalancing chassis, the vehicle preserved its gravitational integrity by straddling the pallet with baselegs, the basic principle for all narrow aisle trucks from that point on. This truck made The Lyon-Raymond Corporation the undisputed leader in the material handling industry.
Very Narrow Aisle Beginnings

Raymond introduced very narrow aisle to North America in the 1970s with the first Swing-Reach® truck.
Technological Advancements

As technology rapidly improved, The Raymond Corporation launched the first microprocessor-controlled lift truck in North America in 1986.
Ergonomic Designs Enhance Operation

Raymond is an ergonomic leader in the world of material handling. The ergonomically advanced control handle was introduced by The Raymond Corporation in 1991. It allows the operator to execute all the functions of a lift truck with one hand.
AC Power

Raymond introduced the first AC-powered Reach-Fork® truck built in North America in 2001, on the 50th anniversary of the first narrow aisle truck. AC power improves productivity, increases work done per battery charge and significantly reduces maintenance costs.
Hydrogen Fuel Cells in Material Handling

In partnership with hydrogen fuel cell manufacturers and our customers, The Raymond Corporation began the research and development of the application of fuel cells to battery-powered lift trucks in 2007, and developed the industry's first fuel cell-compatible orderpicker truck.
Optimization Solutions

In 2008 The Raymond Corporation introduced iWAREHOUSE, the industry's most comprehensive, customizable fleet optimization system. Like our world-class lift trucks, we strive to continuously improve our fleet optimization solutions to deliver greater efficiencies and cost savings to our customers. Today, the iWAREHOUSE fleet and warehouse optimization system suite of solutions includes iBATTERY industrial battery management, iTRACK maintenance tracking and asset management, and iWAREHOUSE Labor Management (iW LMS), an intelligent labor management system — to deliver greater visibility into your operations.
Lithium-ion Battery

In 2017, The Raymond Corporation introduced its first lift truck powered by a Lithium-ion battery. The Lithium-ion technology reflects Raymond’s commitment to alternative energy solutions that can enhance efficiency and productivity in a customer’s demanding warehouse application.
Integrated Technology

Also in 2017, Raymond introduced its Integrated Technologies to create the next generation of lift trucks. A Multifunction Color Touchscreen Display, built into the control system of the truck, simplifies the day-to-day challenges of everyone in a warehouse. Providing real-time truck data with invaluable insights to benefit operators, managers, technicians and everyone in-between.