Doosan Infracore recently became the first Korean company ever to produce and sell 300,000 forklift trucks. The milestone was celebrated by employees, suppliers and major customers in a July 12 ceremony at the Incheon Plant. During the festivities, special prizes were presented to exemplary employees, while the buyer of the 300,000th forklift truck received a plaque of appreciation, "good luck key," and warranty certificate.
  The company (then part of Daewoo) began producing forklifts in 1968, and aggregate output reached 200,000 units in 2000. The 300,000 mark was reached just six years later.
  The success was made possible by various interrelated factors, including the capability to develop technologically advanced machines in-house, a lineup of over 80 globally competitive models, and a global network of more than 500 dealers in over 90 countries. In June, monthly forklift sales surpassed 2,000 units for the first time, while aggregate sales in China passed 5,000 units in May.
  Doosan Infracore has already achieved outstanding success in China's excavator market and aims to do the same with forklifts by developing models that cater specifically to local needs. Mass production of the all new "G" model forklift went into mass production in July.
  Executive Vice President Kim Woong-bum, Industrial Vehicle BG Chief, made the following remarks at the Incheon celebration on July 12:
  "Our production and sale of the 300,000th forklift is historically significant for the entire Korean machinery industry. It is the result of the hard work that has been devoted toward technology development and quality enhancement over the years. We will further expand our overseas network in order to become the world's fifth-largest forklift maker by 2010. At the same time, we are stepping up R&D for new technology breakthroughs and are scheduled to introduce our next-generation electric forklifts with AC motors in the second half of this year."