Between The Forks

Built To Last: 30+ Years Inside CLARK Engineering

Some careers don’t just span decades—they shape industries. Mark Dyster has spent more than 30 years inside the forklift world, bringing a rare, firsthand perspective on how material handling has evolved—and what it takes to build equipment that performs in the real world. In this episode of Between The Forks, he shares how he got his start in engineering, what’s changed across the industry since the late 1980s, and why the fundamentals of great equipment design—durability, maintainability, and real-world performance—remain constant. The conversation explores the evolution of electrification, the impact of lithium battery technology, and how advancements in adjacent industries like automotive are influencing the future of forklifts. The discussion also covers CLARK’s engineering philosophy, including how product support and field experience directly influence new product development, why integrated systems matter, and how thoughtful design can reduce downtime and total cost of ownership. Mark also shares perspective on automation, workforce challenges, and the growing role of safety standards and global collaboration in modern equipment design. Whether you’re in material handling, manufacturing, or simply interested in how industrial products are built and improved over time, this episode offers a practical, experience-driven look at what it takes to design equipment that’s truly built to last. Subscribe to Between the Forks for more episodes. For more information about CLARK Material Handling Company, visit: www.clarkmhc.com [https://www.clarkmhc.com] Follow CLARK Material Handling Company on LinkedIn for updates, stories, and industry insights: www.linkedin.com/company/clark-material-handling-company [https://www.linkedin.com/company/clark-material-handling-company]  Podcast Directed and Produced by: www.hiredgunsagency.com [http://www.hiredgunsagency.com]

What Really Matters In A Forklift Walk-Around

When customers walk up to a forklift, they’re rarely thinking about spec sheets, feature lists, or marketing language. What they notice first is visibility, comfort, safety, service access, and whether the truck feels like it will actually make their job easier every day. In this episode of Between the Forks, Paxton Bergdoll, Business Development Manager at MHE, shares what happens during a real forklift walk-around with customers. Drawing from extensive field experience, he explains what operators, fleet managers, and service teams immediately notice when they step up to a truck — and why those first impressions often reveal far more than a brochure ever could. With CLARK forklifts at the center of the discussion, the conversation explores how thoughtful design choices show up in real-world applications. From operator-first ergonomics and visibility to accessible service points and proven component design, Paxton walks through the details that customers tend to recognize right away when comparing equipment side-by-side. The discussion also highlights why simplicity and durability often matter more than feature lists in demanding material handling environments. Design elements like mast construction, service accessibility, and component durability all play a role in uptime, maintenance efficiency, and the long-term cost of ownership for a fleet. For dealerships, fleet managers, safety leaders, and operators evaluating forklifts, the walk-around is often the moment when the real differences between machines become clear. The details you notice standing next to the truck can reveal how well it will perform over years of daily use. This episode takes a closer look at those details and explains why thoughtful engineering — a philosophy that has defined CLARK forklifts since the very beginning of the industry — continues to stand out in real-world operations. Subscribe to Between the Forks for more episodes. For more information about CLARK Material Handling Company, visit: www.clarkmhc.com [https://www.clarkmhc.com] Follow CLARK Material Handling Company on LinkedIn for updates, stories, and industry insights: www.linkedin.com/company/clark-material-handling-company [https://www.linkedin.com/company/clark-material-handling-company]  Podcast Directed and Produced by: www.hiredgunsagency.com [http://www.hiredgunsagency.com]

Dealer of the Year Blueprint: How Tri-Lift Built an Elite Forklift Dealership

In this episode of Between the Forks, Robert Bond, Vice President of Sales & Marketing at Tri-Lift Industries, breaks down what truly makes a forklift dealership elite — and why Tri-Lift earned the honor of 2024 CLARK Dealer of the Year. Robert shares the legacy behind Tri-Lift’s long-standing relationship with CLARK, how the team approaches the difference between price and long-term cost, and why leading with a brand-new rental fleet creates a major advantage in sales, customer trust, and real-world product confidence. The conversation also dives into the future of material handling — from telematics and onboard diagnostics to the role emerging technologies like blockchain could play in equipment ownership, maintenance history, and fleet decision-making. Plus, this episode explores the impact of CLARK’s newest innovations, including the S-Series Smart Dash and the S25XE Renegade, a lithium-powered electric truck designed to take on outdoor demands traditionally dominated by diesel. If you’re in the world of forklifts, fleet management, warehouse operations, or dealership growth, this episode is packed with insights you can actually use. In This Episode, You’ll Learn: * What helped Tri-Lift become CLARK’s 2024 Dealer of the Year * Why Tri-Lift’s rental-first strategy is a competitive advantage * The difference between price vs. total cost of ownership * How Smart Dash + telematics are changing customer expectations * Why the Renegade may shift diesel buyers toward electric * How Tri-Lift maintains a family culture while scaling fast * Why real customer service still wins (including their no voicemail policy) * What the next 5–10 years could look like for forklift tech and data   Subscribe to Between the Forks for more episodes. For more information about CLARK Material Handling Company, visit: www.clarkmhc.com [https://www.clarkmhc.com] Follow CLARK Material Handling Company on LinkedIn for updates, stories, and industry insights: www.linkedin.com/company/clark-material-handling-company [https://www.linkedin.com/company/clark-material-handling-company]  Podcast Directed and Produced by: www.hiredgunsagency.com [http://www.hiredgunsagency.com]

CLARK TEC: Carrying a Legacy of Innovation Into the Future

Technical training is evolving—and the expectations for today’s service teams are higher than ever.   On Between the Forks, Oscar Silos, Technical Trainer at CLARK, shares how the new CLARK TEC program is reshaping how dealers and technicians are trained across the network. Built on CLARK’s legacy as the first name in forklifts, CLARK TEC represents a new era of hands-on learning, innovation, and partnership. The program is designed to strengthen dealership service teams by equipping technicians with the tools, knowledge, and confidence to fix it right the first time—reducing downtime, improving customer satisfaction, and ensuring every CLARK forklift performs at its best. Oscar offers an inside look at how the training is structured, from tiered in-person courses that break down every system on the truck to the CLARK Learning Academy, which extends education beyond the classroom. He also discusses the growing demand for skilled technicians, the increasing complexity of modern equipment, and how CLARK is stepping forward to meet those challenges. For dealers, technicians, and anyone focused on continuous improvement, this conversation highlights how CLARK TEC goes beyond training—it’s a commitment to the people who keep operations running and a meaningful step forward in service excellence. Subscribe to Between the Forks for more episodes. For more information about CLARK Material Handling Company, visit: www.clarkmhc.com [https://www.clarkmhc.com] Follow CLARK Material Handling Company on LinkedIn for updates, stories, and industry insights: www.linkedin.com/company/clark-material-handling-company [https://www.linkedin.com/company/clark-material-handling-company]  Podcast Directed and Produced by: www.hiredgunsagency.com [http://www.hiredgunsagency.com]

108 Years of Lift: Why CLARK's DNA Still Drives The Industry Today

In the premiere episode of Between the Forks, the official podcast from CLARK Material Handling Company, listeners are invited into the story of the company that invented the very first forklift in 1917. Guest Brandon Bullard, Vice President of Sales at CLARK, brings both deep expertise and a storyteller’s touch to a rare inside look at one of America’s most historic manufacturing companies. Brandon traces CLARK’s DNA through more than a century of innovation and safety—from creating the first forklift to pioneering seatbelts and overhead guards. He explains why true capacity retention matters, how CLARK continues to supply parts for forklifts built decades ago, and why “a forklift is a forklift” is one of the most dangerous myths in the industry. Along the way, he shares vivid stories that highlight the difference between cutting corners and building machines that last. The conversation also explores the road ahead: lithium-powered electric forklifts, advanced telematics, pedestrian-awareness technologies, and the role of durability and design in keeping operators safe. Brandon’s insights reveal why CLARK refuses to compromise on quality and why that commitment delivers real value to dealers and buyers alike. This first episode is more than a discussion—it’s a rare chance to hear the history and future of an iconic American brand. With Brandon Bullard’s passion and perspective, Between the Forks sets the stage for a podcast worth every minute of your time. Subscribe to Between the Forks for more episodes. For more information about CLARK Material Handling Company, visit: www.clarkmhc.com [https://www.clarkmhc.com] Follow CLARK Material Handling Company on LinkedIn for updates, stories, and industry insights: www.linkedin.com/company/clark-material-handling-company [https://www.linkedin.com/company/clark-material-handling-company]  Podcast Directed and Produced by: www.hiredgunsagency.com [http://www.hiredgunsagency.com]