GREENVILLE, N.C. (June 18, 2026) – Yale Lift Truck Technologies announces that the Yale Route Runner direct-store-delivery solution has been recognized as one of the year’s most innovative products by the Business Intelligence Group’s BIG Innovation Awards. The two-in-one solution overhauls traditional direct-store-delivery workflows by allowing drivers to haul just one piece of equipment from truck to store and removing the need to transfer inventory from a pallet truck to a smaller piece of equipment for indoor use. This workflow adjustment greatly reduces the risk of strains and injuries from manual labor throughout the course of a shift, and cuts manual materials handling by up to 50 percent.
Typically, direct-store delivery workflows require drivers to manage multiple pieces of equipment: a pallet truck for unloading trailers and a separate handcart or sled for navigating inside tight, indoor retail spaces. Yale Route Runner enables drivers to simply detach the nested sled from the larger pallet truck and take advantage of its small footprint in tight retail spaces – no need for downstacking products from one piece of equipment to another. The motorized sled provides an ergonomic power assist to reduce manual strain when navigating inclines or traversing thresholds, and can raise the load platform approximately 18 inches during restocking to reduce bending and lifting.
Avoiding the need to manually transfer product from a pallet truck to a small piece of equipment adds up to a major impact. Over a typical 9-stop route, drivers can lift 27,000 fewer pounds, take nearly 2,000 fewer steps and shorten their route by 63 minutes – possibly enabling drivers to make an additional stop.
“Direct-store delivery affects our everyday lives in ways we don’t even think about – stocking convenience stores with soda and other beverages, bringing new supplies to our offices and schools, and more,” said Kevin McWilliams, Director, Major Accounts, Yale Lift Truck Technologies. “With Yale Route Runner, we focused our innovation efforts on re-engineering the process of direct-store delivery and making it easier for drivers to execute and meet the needs of retail customers.”
In addition to the two-in-one sled and pallet jack, Yale’s comprehensive approach to direct-store delivery also includes matching pallets to round out the system.
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About Yale Lift Truck Technologies
Yale Lift Truck Technologies leverages over a century of material handling experience and substantial investment in innovation to bring the most advanced technology-driven lift truck solutions to market. The company offers a full line of award-winning lift trucks, including reach trucks, order pickers, turret trucks, pallet jacks and trucks, pallet stackers, tow tractors and counterbalanced forklifts, as well as powerful operator assist solutions, proven robotics and a wide range of power sources to help customers adapt to today’s demanding supply chain. Yale and its independent dealer network support these solutions with comprehensive after-sales service, parts, financing and training.
Yale Lift Truck Technologies is a division of Hyster-Yale Materials Handling, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Hyster-Yale Inc. (NYSE:HY) which is headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio and operates globally.
are trademarks of Hyster-Yale Materials Handling, Inc.Company Contact:
Brad Long
Yale Lift Truck Technologies
252-412-3652
brad.long@hyster-yale.com
Media Contact:
Dan Gauss
Koroberi
336-409-5391
dan@koroberi.com