Großenhain celebrates: René Mahner is the second world champion forklift driver!

Großenhain celebrates: René Mahner is the second world champion forklift driver!

A great event is behind us: From October 23rd to 25th, the anniversary edition of the StaplerCup, also known as the Forklift World Championship, took place in the Linde MH Arena in Aschaffenburg. What was particularly impressive were the over 50,000 fans who gathered on site and watched the exciting competitions. Among the participants was René Mahner from Großenhain, who achieved second place in the “Forklift Men’s World Championship” discipline with his outstanding performance. This event is not only a competition of skills, but also a highlight of the logistics industry.

The StaplerCup was launched in 1992 by Linde dealer Suffel Fördertechnik and has developed over the years into an important platform for forklift drivers. Linde Material Handling took over the organization in 2005 and renamed it the “German Championships in Forklift Driving”. In 2024, the competition was finally renamed the Forklift World Championship to emphasize the international participation it has since received. Every participation is a step towards fame, and with over 130 participants from all over the world every year, the event really becomes a challenge.

Exciting competitions and creative challenges

The final of this year's championship was a real thriller: René Mahner competed against Benjamin Danker. Mahner managed to score in the semifinals with a time of 5:06 minutes, while Danker also catapulted him into the final with a time of 5:11 minutes. Despite an excellent performance, Mahner had to give up the title at the crucial moment when his column of big balls fell over. The audience was thrilled by the creativity of the course designers, who this year offered a special challenge such as fishing beak stackers and transporting a tray of 76 golf balls. An automated transport vehicle was also used on the course for the first time.

Another reason to celebrate the StaplerCup is that it not only represents sporting ability, but also highlights the importance of forklift drivers in the logistics industry. The event provides a forum to celebrate their skills and valuable role in the economy. Over the years the competition has also developed into a charity event. The Charity Cup, which has been running since 2013, allows celebrities to raise money for charities while driving forklifts.

An event for the whole family

The atmosphere in the Linde MH Arena was warm and inviting, so visitors of all ages got their money's worth. The StaplerCup has not only captured the hearts of viewers, but has also received significant awards in the marketing industry and was recognized by the “Germany – Land of Ideas” initiative in 2008. In combination with several regional championships and international qualifications, which have also been taking place since 2024, it shows that the enthusiasm for forklift driving continues to grow every year.

A special mention also goes to the event's patron, the Bavarian Digital Minister Judith Gerlach, who has made a strong commitment to promoting this unique competition since 2008. Anyone who has experienced the fascination and dynamism of the StaplerCup will hardly be able to escape the charm of the event.

All in all, the Forklift World Championship 2025 was a brilliant event that once again demonstrated that the world of forklift driving is not only taken seriously, but also celebrated!

Further information about the StaplerCup can be found at diesachsen.de, the Wikipedia as well as at staplerberater.de.