Crown celebrates 40 years of manufacturing in Roding, Germany

Crown, a global material handling solutions provider headquartered in Ohio, USA, is celebrating 40 years of production in Roding, Germany. Since the facility opened in 1986, the site has expanded into a significant hub within the company’s global network, producing 19 different vehicle series.

The Roding location utilizes an integrated manufacturing process where up to 85 percent of forklift components are produced in-house to maintain control over quality and costs. A major milestone occurred in 2014 with the opening of a second production plant dedicated to final assembly, which features a 20-meter-high glass tower for comprehensive vehicle testing.

To support its workforce, the company opened a Training and Development Center (TDC) in 2025, offering specialized training in forklifts, cranes, and robotics. Ken Dufford, Vice President Europe at Crown, noted that the 40-year history represents continuous evolution from local innovation to global market solutions.