During a ProMat press conference, Jim Malvaso, Raymond Corp.'s president and CEO, said Raymond is researching and testing lift trucks outfitted with emerging technologies like RFID readers, hydrogen fuel cells and vision systems, but added that "like good wine, innovations must not be released before their time."

Raymond, recognized for its AC-powered lift trucks, will apply the same cautious approach to bringing this trio of new technologies to market as part of lift trucks that it did with AC power in the 1990s, said Malvaso.

Similarly, said Malvaso, Raymond is working with partners such as Symbol Technolo-gies, a vendor of RFID readers, to ensure that readers are well integrated with the ergonomics and user interface of lift trucks.