Donkey Forklifts Celebrates Four Decades of American Innovation
40 Years of Outworking the Competition: Donkey Forklifts Celebrates Four Decades of American Innovation. From Rocky Mountain vision to Mississippi manufacturing powerhouse, the Donkey legacy continues.
BAY SPRINGS, MISS.–January 27, 2026–Donkey Forklifts, a division of Hol-Mac Corporation, proudly marks40 years as an industry leader in truck-mounted forklift manufacturing. Since its founding in 1985, the Donkey brand has become synonymous with innovation, durability, and American-made quality.
The Donkey story began in Denver, Colorado, when visionary engineer Kenton C. “Ken” Ensor Jr. designed a revolutionary lightweight, powerful truck-mounted forklift that eliminated the need for towable forklifts or separate trailers. Inspired by the sure-footed donkeys that hauled mining materials through the Rocky Mountains’ rugged terrain, Ensor created a compact, hardworking machine perfectly suited for America’s jobsites.
“Ken didn’t just change how materials reach jobsites—he redefined what a truck-mounted forklift could do,” said Jamie Holder, President of Hol-Mac Corporation. “From the beginning, Donkey earned a reputation for being pound-for-pound the strongest, lightest, and fastest forklift in the industry. That legacy of thoughtful engineering and intentional design is what still drives us to this day.
”For nearly three decades, Quality Corporation manufactured every Donkey forklift in Denver. In the mid-2000s, Hol-Mac Corporation became part of the story, supplying parts, service, and support. During that time, a relationship formed between Jamie and Ken, rooted in shared values. In 2008,Jamie emailed Ken to express interest in purchasing the company should the opportunity ever arise. Though Ken did not respond at the time, he never forgot. Eight years later, when he was ready to sell, Ensor chose Hol-Mac to carry the Donkey legacy forward.
When asked why he chose Jamie, Ensor explained that it came down to trust and shared vision. He believed Jamie wanted the same thing he did: to make Donkey Forklifts the number one truck-mounted forklift in the world.
In 2017, Ensor received the Innovator of the Year Award from Turfgrass Producers International, honoring his lasting influence on material handling. Though he passed away in2022, his vision lives on in every Donkey forklift built today.
Donkey Forklifts are now designed and manufactured in Bay Springs, Mississippi, at Hol-Mac’s Plant 1 facility, just steps from the historic barn door where founder Charles B. Holder Jr. started Southern Machine & Welding in 1963, the foundation of what became Hol-Mac Corporation. That same door, preserved inside Donkey’s Quality Assurance bay, serves as a daily reminder of the stubborn determination that defined both founders.
“The Rocky Mountain spirit that started it all now lives in the heart of Mississippi,” Holder said. “Every Donkey that leaves our facility carries American steel, American hands, and stubbornly high standards that neither Ken nor my father ever compromised.
“That commitment to excellence extends across every application. Donkey Forklifts serves diverse industries including turfgrass, landscaping, construction, agriculture, and logistics. The brand leads the market with innovations such as the Single Axle Solution®, longest standard reach, lowest ground pressure, and patented Donkey Glide System®—delivering forklifts that are more than 1,500 pounds lighter and over 5 mph faster than competing models.
The product lineup spans 3,000-to 5,500-pound capacities across multiple models, from compact mechanical forklifts to advanced hydrostatic systems. Most recently, the company unveiled the Burro Volt—the first all-electric, truck-carried walk-behind forklift made in America, delivering an industry-leading 30-hour runtime and demonstrating the brand’s ongoing commitment to innovation.
The truck-mounted forklift market is projected to grow significantly, driven by expanding logistics, construction, and e-commerce sectors, positioning Donkey Forklifts for continued success in the decades ahead.
As part of the Hol-Mac family of brands—which includes Pac-Mac Refuse & Recycling Equipment, Huber Vacuum Equipment, and Hammerhead Armor—Donkey Forklifts benefits from over 950 skilled craftsmen working across seven facilities totaling approximately 600,000 square feet of manufacturing space.
“My father and Ken Ensor built their companies on the same foundation: integrity, innovation, and a refusal to compromise,” said Holder. “That shared DNA is what drives our commitment to excellence, ensuring that 40 years later, nothing outworks a Donkey.”
For more information about Donkey Forklifts and the 40th anniversary celebration, visit donkeyforklift.com or call (800) 844-3019.
About Donkey Forklifts
Founded in 1985 by engineer Ken Ensor, Donkey Forklifts revolutionized the material handling industry with its innovative truck-mounted forklift design. Acquired by Hol-Mac Corporation in 2016, Donkey Forklifts continues to manufacture high-quality, American-made equipment in Bay Springs, Mississippi, serving customers across North America.
About Hol-Mac Corporation
Established in 1963 by Charles B. Holder Jr., Hol-Mac Corporation is a family-owned American manufacturer headquartered in Bay Springs, Mississippi. The company operates seven facilities with over 950 employees, producing four proprietary product lines: Pac-Mac Refuse & Recycling Equipment, Donkey Forklifts, Huber Vacuum Equipment, and Hammerhead Armor. Hol-Mac is committed to integrity, innovation, and American manufacturing excellence.
