Forklifts help improve football game day experiences

Whether they’re moving fertilizer, shoulder pads or game day programs—when it comes to heavy lifting—a materials handling and industrial lift equipment provider is helping three major Southeastern Conference (SEC) football programs create a game day experience that fans will continue to love.

The programs (Auburn University, The University of Alabama and Mississippi State University) have forged a partnership with The Lilly Company, an industrial lift equipment dealer located throughout the southern United States.

To ensure successful game days, the schools needed reliable equipment that worked efficiently behind the scenes every single time—equipment like IC pneumatic forklifts, which received custom paint jobs that match the school colors.

“There’s two seasons. There’s football season, and there’s not football season,” says John Wofford, marketing manager at The Lilly Company. “[The three SEC schools] all have unique traditions. Every single one of them was a unique opportunity for us to come in and solve a problem [and] provide a solution. And, at the same time, we wanted to provide them a piece of equipment that was very iconic.”

The universities agreed on one main aspect: the importance of fan experience. After all, fans make their way to the stadium on game day to indulge in the football traditions. And, just because they don’t see the work that goes on off the field, the work is still invaluable to the overall experience.

“We’re putting on a show here,” explains Chris Hand, senior manager of business development at Crimson Tide Sports Marketing. “And everything has to be right. The fan experience is real important.”

“Just about everything we purchase comes on a pallet,” says Eric Kleypas, director of athletic turf and grounds at Auburn University. “Fertilizer, pesticide, field marking paint—by using the forklift to get it from Field A to Field B, we’re fresh and we’re efficient.”

A materials handling partner that aligned with their values and work ethic was crucial for each of these universities. And, it’s not just football games that depend on forklifts: Concerts, commencement ceremonies and even other sports facilities rely on them.

“The one thing about the Auburn brand and the Auburn family is we believe in hard work,” says Chris Davis, vice president and general manager of Auburn Sports Properties. “We’re always going to do whatever it takes to get it done, but it’s always nice to have a product that you believe in to help you get the work done.”