The Challenge
The scissor lift was installed in March 2026 at Greenfield Brewing Co.’s main distribution warehouse in Portland, Oregon. After a two-week commissioning period, the unit has been fully operational and integrated into daily workflows.
“The scissor lift has completely changed the way we handle palletizing and keg stacking. Our team is faster, safer, and far less fatigued at the end of a shift. It paid for itself within the first quarter.”
Background
Greenfield Brewing Co. was founded in 2017 as a small-batch craft brewery in Portland, Oregon. By 2024, annual production had grown from 5,000 to over 45,000 barrels, placing enormous strain on warehouse operations and manual handling processes.
- The brewery’s distribution center handles over 200 pallets per week across a range of kegs, cans, and bottles. Workers were manually lifting and stacking heavy cases onto pallets at fixed heights, leading to repetitive strain injuries and high staff turnover in the warehouse department.
- Management recognized that the bottleneck was not in brewing capacity but in the packaging and distribution workflow. An ergonomic assessment revealed that 68% of reported workplace injuries were related to manual lifting during palletizing operations.
- After evaluating several material handling solutions, the operations team identified a hydraulic scissor lift as the most versatile and cost-effective option for their facility.
We configured our scissor lift table to match our exact specifications, and the whole process was seamless. On top of that, the delivery was incredibly fast. We were up and running ahead of schedule.
Jens Jensen, Greenfield Brewing Co
The solution
The primary objective was to reduce manual lifting injuries and improve throughput in the palletizing area. Greenfield Brewing needed a solution that could handle loads up to 2,000 kg while adjusting to ergonomic working heights for operators of varying stature.
The scissor lift also needed to integrate seamlessly with the existing conveyor system and forklift operations without requiring major structural modifications to the warehouse floor.
The scissor lift solution and its key features
The selected model is a low-profile hydraulic scissor lift with a 2,500 kg capacity and a platform size of 1,700 × 1,200 mm. It features a lift height range of 80 mm to 1,000 mm, allowing operators to work at optimal ergonomic height throughout the entire palletizing process.
The unit is equipped with an integrated turntable, enabling 360-degree rotation of the pallet without the operator needing to walk around it. Safety features include toe guards, a maintenance strut, and an overload protection system.
Measurable results and return on investment
Within six months of installation, Greenfield Brewing Co. reported a 52% reduction in palletizing time per unit, zero workplace injuries related to manual lifting, and a 30% decrease in staff turnover in the warehouse department. The total return on investment is projected at 14 months.
