As warehouses and distribution facilities pursue cleaner, more efficient operations, fleet electrification has become a practical business strategy rather than a future initiative. Organizations are looking beyond emissions reduction to improve equipment availability, simplify maintenance, and lower operating costs without compromising productivity. For operations handling heavy loads in demanding environments, the challenge is finding electric equipment capable of matching the performance of traditional internal combustion forklifts.
This case study from Hyster highlights how Golden State Lumber successfully transitioned its indoor lumberyard from traditional equipment to a fleet of lithium-ion electric forklifts. Through a phased electrification strategy, the company improved operational efficiency while maintaining the high-lift performance required for tall indoor racking. The project demonstrates how the right equipment, battery technology, and dealer partnership can simplify fleet modernization without disrupting day-to-day operations.
Rather than replacing an entire fleet at once, Golden State Lumber used a measured approach that allowed the business to validate performance, refine charging strategies, and build confidence before expanding electrification across additional locations.
You will learn:
• Why Golden State Lumber chose to pilot forklift fleet electrification
• How lithium-ion forklifts improved equipment availability and operator efficiency
• Why high-lift capability remained critical for indoor lumberyard operations
• How overnight and opportunity charging maximized productivity throughout the workday
• The operational advantages of replacing lead-acid batteries with lithium-ion technology
• How fleet standardization improved flexibility and simplified operations
• Why dealer support played a key role in the electrification strategy
• How successful pilot programs can accelerate fleet modernization across multiple facilities
The case study begins by outlining Golden State Lumber’s challenge. Its new indoor facility required electric forklifts that could operate efficiently indoors while still providing the lifting capacity needed for unusually tall storage racks. Reliability, ease of maintenance, and consistent performance were all essential requirements for supporting a high-volume lumber operation.
Hyster and Papé Material Handling initially supplied a fleet of electric forklifts powered by lead-acid batteries before recommending an upgrade to lithium-ion technology. The transition eliminated battery watering, reduced maintenance requirements, maintained full power throughout battery discharge, and supported faster charging without producing tailpipe emissions. Battery sizing and charging schedules were optimized using operational data, allowing trucks to remain available throughout business hours while minimizing energy costs.
The company also standardized around Hyster E120XN forklifts equipped with high-lift three-stage masts capable of reaching up to 255 inches. The higher-capacity fleet improved flexibility, supported tall cantilever racking, and enabled operators to handle a wider range of loads using fewer equipment models. Combined with planned maintenance and continued dealer support, the new fleet delivered greater uptime, lower maintenance costs, quieter operation, and improved workplace conditions.
Following the success of the Concord facility, Golden State Lumber expanded its electrification strategy to additional locations, replacing diesel forklifts with electric models and establishing a repeatable roadmap for future fleet modernization. The case demonstrates how phased implementation reduces risk while delivering measurable operational and environmental benefits.
This case study is designed for warehouse managers, fleet managers, logistics leaders, manufacturing operations teams, distribution centers, and organizations evaluating electric forklift adoption and lithium-ion fleet strategies.
Download Fleet Electrification in Action: How Golden State Lumber Modernized Material Handling with Lithium-Ion Forklifts from Hyster to learn how phased fleet electrification can improve productivity, reduce maintenance, and support cleaner, more efficient material handling operations.
