New Jersey is one of the most densely industrialized states in the nation, with a logistics sector anchored by the Port of New York and New Jersey—the largest port complex on the East Coast—alongside extensive warehousing, manufacturing, and construction activity across the state. This industrial backbone creates consistent demand for forklifts and material handling equipment, served by a network of established dealerships, rental providers, and training programs from North Jersey to the Shore.
Major Forklift Dealers in New Jersey
Eastern Lift Truck Co., Inc. is one of the largest material handling dealerships in the region, headquartered in Maple Shade with 20+ locations and more than 1,100 employees across the Mid-Atlantic. They offer new, used, and rental Hyster & Yale forklifts, along with Genie, JLG, Skyjack, and JCB aerial lifts. Their services include parts, service, forklift operator training, fleet management, and government contracts. Eastern Lift has a Piscataway location at 560 Stelton Rd and a Lincoln Park location at 2 Frassetto Way.
Barclay Brand Ferdon, located in South Plainfield, is an authorized dealer for Yale forklifts with over 50 new Yale models in stock. They also carry Mariotti compact forklifts and Sellick rough terrain forklifts. Their inventory includes electric, internal combustion, cushion tire, pneumatic tire, and autonomous robotic lift trucks.
Tri-Lift NJ Inc. in North Brunswick (1471 Jersey Ave) provides lift equipment and services, with customers praising their knowledgeable technicians for quickly diagnosing and resolving forklift and scissor lift issues. They handle last-minute rentals and ongoing maintenance.
South Jersey Lift, Inc. in Toms River offers comprehensive forklift service, maintenance, rental, and operator training for warehouses, manufacturing, and marinas throughout New Jersey.
Forklift Headquarters LLC in North Brunswick has over 25 years of experience offering forklifts, pallet rack solutions, rentals, OSHA training, and parts and repair services.
C&C Lift Truck, with a 24,000 sq ft facility in Central New Jersey, carries a complete line of replacement parts and tires for all makes and models of forklifts, lift trucks, and scissor lifts.
National Forklift Exchange in Linwood is a used forklift distributor shipping worldwide, helping businesses buy and sell used forklifts.
Rental Providers and Equipment Services
United Rentals has a Plainfield location (950 S 2nd St) offering forklifts, telehandlers, aerial lifts, earthmoving equipment, and a wide range of tools. They also sell used equipment from Genie, SkyTrak, and CASE.
Equipment Depot in Cherry Hill (5 Rockhill Rd) provides material handling solutions with an extensive inventory of forklifts, scissor lifts, and telehandlers, plus warehouse automation solutions and customized design services.
Mazzotta Rentals opened a new branch in Lumberton, NJ in Spring 2026, expanding its service footprint to provide faster access to construction equipment for contractors across Central New Jersey and Eastern Pennsylvania.
Area Rentals Inc in Hillside has provided construction equipment rentals including forklifts since 1993.
Regulatory Compliance and Safety
Forklift operations in New Jersey are governed by OSHA regulation 29 CFR 1910.178, which requires proper training and certification for all operators. All employers who use forklift trucks must comply with this standard.
The New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services emphasizes that employers should ensure forklift operators are properly trained and certified per OSHA requirements. New Jersey operates under the NJ PEOSH (Public Employees Occupational Safety and Health) program, which enforces OSHA standards for public sector employees.
Common citations in New Jersey include:
Operating forklifts without using seat belts or restraint systems
Allowing employees to stand on forks
Operating elevated platforms without fall protection
Failing to certify operator training
The NJ Department of Labor offers free safety and health consultations for businesses, including forklift safety training. Employers should also develop written training and certification programs and prohibit operators from placing body parts outside the forklift cab.
Training and Certification
New Jersey offers multiple pathways for forklift operator training and certification:
Somerset County One-Stop Career Center offers a free Powered Industrial Trucks (PIT) Forklift Certificate class.
Lincoln Tech in South Plainfield offers a Heavy Equipment Operation Certificate Program covering forklifts.
NJMEP (New Jersey Manufacturing Extension Program) provides OSHA-compliant forklift operator training courses.
ForkliftCertification.com offers an online training kit for $299.
EZ Wheels Driving School offers a comprehensive forklift certification program including instruction, testing, and OSHA compliance.
Certification typically includes formal instruction, practical training, and a performance evaluation, and is valid for three years.
Market Trends and Salary Data
The New Jersey forklift market is supported by a strong industrial base, with over 1,650 active forklift job listings as of May 2026. Average salaries for forklift operators range from approximately $19.58 per hour** (Indeed) to **$54,523 annually (SalaryExpert), with certified operators earning more than non-certified workers.
Key industry trends:
Electric forklifts are increasingly dominant due to zero emissions and lower operating costs
Lithium-ion batteries are replacing lead-acid for multi-shift operations
Telematics and IoT integration are becoming standard for fleet management
The Port of New York and New Jersey drives demand for heavy-duty container handling equipment
The Bottom Line
New Jersey's forklift industry is supported by a robust network of major dealerships including Eastern Lift Truck Co. (Hyster/Yale, 20+ locations), Barclay Brand Ferdon (Yale/Mariotti/Sellick), and regional providers like Tri-Lift NJ, South Jersey Lift, and Forklift Headquarters. Rental options include United Rentals, Equipment Depot, and Mazzotta Rentals. Operators must comply with OSHA 29 CFR 1910.178, with training available through community programs, technical schools, and private providers. The market continues to grow, driven by the Port of New York and New Jersey, e-commerce logistics, and the ongoing shift toward electric and automated material handling solutions.