DID YOU KNOW THAT THE FRANNA NAME COMES FROM ‘’FRANCIS AND ANNA’’ WHICH IS THE FAMILY NAME OF THE COMPANY FOUNDER AND HIS WIFE?
Did you know that the name Franna comes from “Francis and Anna” which is the family name of the company founder and his wife? In 1978, Dave Francis developed the first pick and carry crane, from truck components. In 1986, the business was sold to Lou Parolin and Brian Hain...
DID YOU KNOW THE MANITOU NAME WAS CHOSEN TO EMBODY A VEHICLE THAT ‘HANDLES EVERYTHING’?
In 1958 Manitou pioneered the very first rough terrain forklift truck. Marcel Braud, the visionary founder of Manitou, conceived an innovative machine by reimagining the conventional farm tractor layout. He added a lifting mast and introduced hydraulic steering, giving birth to the world’s first rough terrain forklift truck. This ingenious...
DID YOU KNOW THE FIRST LIFT TRUCK WAS CREATED IN 1917?
In 1917, the first lift truck was created. The company credited with creating the modern lift truck is the American Clark Equipment Company. World War I had created a labour shortage in many U.S. factories and warehouses, prompting the company to unveil the ‘Tructractor’—a gas-powered, three-wheeled prototype that is now...
FUN FACT: DID YOU KNOW THAT PATERSON SIMONS HISTORY DATES BACK TO 1850?
Paterson Simons was established in the 1850s. One of the founders, William Ker, developed a close personal relationship with the Temenggong of Johore and was entrusted with managing his finances in 1853. This relationship granted Ker and his partners, William Paterson and Henry Minchin Simons, special business privileges. The company...