When Big Joe Forklifts engineer and Badger alumnus Zach Skelton spotted a 1960s-era stacker in a UW–Madison engineering lab, he knew it was a perfect opportunity to acknowledge decades of endurance, innovation, and collaboration across Wisconsin.
“I knew there was an opportunity to not just celebrate how this equipment has stood the test of time, but to help the university modernize its processes,” Skelton said.
On August 19, Big Joe gathered employees, distributors, and even family to formally donate a brand new, custom painted red-and-white IBH stacker to the College of Engineering. Big Joe, established in 1951 and based in Madison, offers a variety of integrated lithium-ion forklifts designed to replace internal combustion. The forklifts themselves are manufactured in Wisconsin Dells, meaning that the new Badger IBH links engineers, suppliers, and researchers throughout the state.
A celebratory gathering was held in the Helically Symmetric eXperiment (HSX) lab on campus, where the forklift will be used. The event brought together academic and industry leaders, including College of Engineering Dean Devesh Ranjan, Associate Dean of Research Innovation Oliver Schmitz, Assistant Professor Benedikt Geiger, and Assistant Dean for Facilities Pete Nemmetz.
Geiger and his HSX research team offered insights into how modern equipment supports both hands-on educational instruction and groundbreaking research. Attendees then engaged and strengthened the personal relationships behind their brands to solidify a valued ongoing partnership.
Office of Corporate Relations director Russ Johnson was pleased to attend with colleagues from across campus. “This event inspired new ideas and information. It formed relationships that weren’t there before, and deepened connections to the College of Engineering as a whole. It keeps the door open for mutually beneficial student internships and talent pathways,” he said. “I felt the excitement and appreciation from Big Joe. It made me proud to be part of UW.”
With this new resource, Big Joe hopes to support and empower the next generation of Badger engineers and the faculty who teach them, as well as bolster a robust supply chain—reinforcing Wisconsin’s role as a hub of engineering excellence.
“We are truly excited to not only help the University of Wisconsin at Madison continue on its mission to train future engineers, but to see the full life cycle of Big Joe products in action,” said Big Joe VP of Engineering Mat McEachern. “We built this new IBH with the same core values as the one it’s replacing: durability, simplicity and purpose-driven design. We look forward to working with university staff and students as a part of the Madison community.”
Although it will no longer be performing operational work, the original Big Joe forklift’s era isn’t quite over. Not only is it over 60 years old and the first model design the company ever made, but it had originally been received second hand. It will now retire to the Big Joe headquarters here in Madison to serve as a tangible symbol of historical longevity and future collaboration.
Featured image: The newly donated, custom painted Big Joe IBH stacker, complete with CoE branding. Big Joe VP of Engineering Mat McEachern speaks in the background. Photo by Xin Zou, 2025.
Author: Bri Meyer, Research Impact and Outreach Communications Specialist