The new Crown pallet truck received the prestigious IDEA Gold Award 2011 in the Commercial and Industrial Products category.

Exceptional industrial design is intelligent, innovative and successful. To achieve this kind of excellence, the function, value and appearance of products and systems must be optimised for the mutual benefit of both user and manufacturer. This is how the Industrial Designers Society of America (IDSA) defines industrial design and their definition clearly highlights the exceedingly high standards in design and development which capital equipment must satisfy.

Since 1980, the IDSA has each year bestowed the coveted annual International Design Excellence Awards (IDEA) on products which stand out by virtue of their innovation, functionality and benefits to users and customers. In 2011 the new WT 3000 Series of pallet trucks developed by Crown collected the highest accolade: an IDEA Gold Award.

The truck's innovative engineering and ergonomics were the key factors which prompted the jury to award this top-level prize. The WT 3000 Series has been designed to withstand the most demanding working conditions in warehouses and loading bays, day after day. The vehicle's robustness and exceptionally operator-friendly design were also acknowledged earlier this year when the WT 3000 Series received the iF Product Design Award 2011.