GREENVIILLE, NC - Hyster Company, a lift truck designer and manufacturer, celebrates its 80^th year as a lift truck manufacturer. Hyster Company was born when Willamette Iron & Steel, originally a lumber carrier manufacturer, merged with two other companies in 1929 to form a new company named Willamette Ersted. The name was eventually changed to Hyster Company, a reference to laborers shouting "Hoist 'er!" when a load was ready to be lifted.

For the past 80 years, Hyster Company has been dedicated to providing customers with the best value for their investment. Since introducing a smaller lift truck in 1941 and moving into the container handling market in 1959, Hyster Company now offers 130 models of lift trucks configured for gasoline, LPG, diesel, or electric power, with the widest capacity range in the industry - 2,000 lbs.-115,000 lbs.

Hyster Company continues to demonstrate a commitment to excellence with this year's introduction of the E45-70XN, a totally electric, AC product that provides superior energy efficiency and outstanding productivity capabilities. Hyster Company also continues to pursue the commercial development of alternate energy sources, including lithium ion battery technology, advanced energy storage devices, and hydrogen fuel cells.

"Since 1929, Hyster Company has aimed to provide the best products and support to meet the material handling needs of our customers," said Hyster President Paul Laroia. "Today, 80 years later, we remain as committed as ever to maintaining and meeting that same goal."