Hyster-Yale Materials Handling has announced its plans to fulfill the domestic manufacturing requirements of the Build America, Buy America (BABA) Act for key portions of its product lineup.
The BABA Act is a piece of legislation aimed at increasing the use of American-made materials in federally funded infrastructure projects across the United States.
It was enacted as part of a broader effort to boost domestic manufacturing and economic growth, and mandates that federal dollars allocated to infrastructure – such as roads, bridges, ports and public transit systems – must prioritise materials produced in the USA, including critical items like steel, iron and various construction materials.
The maker of Hyster and Yale brand forklift trucks and container handling equipment plans to expand its existing American manufacturing with a targeted set of high-capacity models, including electric options, that align with the needs of infrastructure projects subject to BABA requirements.
The company’s plans include determining the optimal production location in the United States, strategically expanding sourcing agreements to meet local material requirements and further developing electric power options for high-capacity equipment.
“Our leadership is fully invested in meeting the needs of businesses that require BABA-compliant material handling solutions,” says Tony Salgado, chief operating officer, Hyster-Yale. “We are working to partner with our key domestic suppliers, as well as identifying how best to leverage our own American manufacturing footprint to deliver a competitive solution for our customers and stakeholders. But beyond mere compliance, and in line with the many areas of our business where we are evolving to better support our customers, our commitment remains steadfast. We are dedicated to delivering industry-leading standards in design, durability and performance — qualities that have become synonymous with our brands worldwide and that our customers have come to rely on and expect.”
