About Us

With branches in Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Northern Territory and Western Australia. Waverley Forklifts is uniquely positioned to meet the material handling needs of businesses nationwide.

From flagons to forklifts

Waverley Forklifts is a family owned company that evolved from a bottle recycling business that began in 1895 to a forklift and transport specialist in 1973. Over the past 50 years, w’ve grown to be one of the largest fully independent forklift and transport companies in Australia.

2023

2022

CJ Schwerkolt joins WFL as the third generation Schwerkolt
Forklift fleet passes 4000 units

2021

National expansion continues with opening of the Darwin branch
Forklift fleet exceeds 3000 units

2020

Team 18 expands to two cars with Scott Pye joining Team 18 secures first podiums
WFL Transport introduces first Interstate truck

2019

Waverley Forklifts South Australia commenced operation in Adelaide
Team 18 - Irwin Racing on board as the naming rights sponsor, with Mark Winterbottom signed on as the team's new driver
The WFL Transport fleet reaches 20 trucks

2018

Forklift rental fleet reaches 2000 machines
Waverley Forklifts Sales (Sydney) relocated from Wetherill Park to Smithfield

2017

Team 18 - Relocated to new
premises adjacent to Waverley Forklifts, Mt Waverley
Waverley Forklifts Queensland commenced operation at Yatala

2016

Team 18 - Charlie began his own V8SC team based in Melbourne, with Preston Hire Racing signed on for a 3 year sponsorship deal Charlie has been with Waverley Forklifts for 40 years

2015

Charlie moved to the Customer Program at Walkinshaw Racing and driver Lee Holdsworth joins the team
The WFL Transport fleet reaches 15 trucks

2013

Charlie embarked on the Customer Program at Ford Performance Racing (2 years) with Car #18
Forklift rental fleet
reaches 1000 machines

2010

James Courtney of DJR wins the V8 Supercar Championship in Car #18

2008

Charlie and Dick Johnson became partners in Dick Johnson Racing (DJR). Charlie takes ownership of the Car #18 V8SC licence Forklift rental fleet reaches 500 machines

2006

Waverley Forklifts Sales (Sydney)
commenced operation National Equipment (Aust)
was purchased Charlie celebrated his
30 year anniversary at Waverley Forklifts

1997

The association between Waverley Forklifts and the Australian Grand Prix began

1996

Waverley Bottle Depot was closed
Waverley Forklifts
moved to the current location of
74 Ricketts Rd, Mt Waverley

1988

Charles Lionel Schwerkolt retired

1977

Charlie began his diesel apprenticeship at Waverley Forklifts

1976

Charles (Charlie) Thomas Schwerkolt began working at Waverley Bottle Depot with his
father, Charles
Lionel Schwerkolt

1973

Waverley Forklifts commenced
operation at 80 Ricketts Rd,
Mt Waverley

1972

The Schwerkolt
Bottle Depot located
at Bang St, Prahran
was closed

1966

Waverley Bottle Depot commenced in Ricketts Rd, Mt Waverley

1895

Schwerkolt Bottle Washing & Marine Store commenced in Prahran

1864

Schwerkolt Cottage built in Nunawading

Waverley Forklifts celebrates its 50th anniversary with a Gala event in Melbourne.
New Perth branch opens
Forklift fleet exceeds 5000 units.
QLD branch moves to brand new facility in Yatala Gen3 Chevrolet Camaros join Team 18

Join the team

We’re always on the lookout for great people to join the Waverley Forklifts team. Check out the latest opportunities on our careers page, or send us a message if you’d like to be considered for future positions.

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