McCoy’s Building Supply Hosts Ultimate Forklift Challenge

Ten competitors recently battled it out in the Ultimate Forklift Challenge Championship at the McCoy’s Building Supply headquarters in San Marcos, TX. When all was said and done, Zach Redwine, a member of the yard crew at McCoy’s Odessa location was crowned the champion.  Andrew Camp, Yard Crew Leader from the Gainesville store captured 2nd place while Jacob Guerrero, a member of the yard crew at McCoy’s Southeast San Antonio store placed 3rd. 

McCoy’s held over 88 competitions in five states with 700 certified forklift-driver contestants before narrowing it down to the ten challengers. Participants took a written test then tackled the 2,500 sq. ft., timed obstacle course with determination and enthusiasm, navigating pylons while picking up basketballs and avoiding penalties. The courses changed slightly and became tougher as the competition progressed.

“My favorite part of the contest was watching the finals at headquarters,” shares David Strom, McCoy’s Director of Loss Prevention and Operations Support. “One part of the course required the forklift driver to lift a pallet carrying a basketball over a board placed between two ladders. And then angle the pallet so the basketball rolled into a trash can to make a basket. That was pretty exciting to watch!”

McCoy’s has held a few forklift competitions in years past but never anything as elaborate at the Ultimate Forklift Challenge. The Risk & Safety division and the Loss Prevention team facilitated the events, which were designed to promote a healthy competition while emphasizing the importance of safety on the job site. McCoy’s Building Supply is very proud of its forklift drivers who load thousands of pounds of materials onto trucks for deliveries Monday through Saturday. It’s no small feat to work with precision and grace while operating heavy machinery but at McCoy’s; the operators strive to make it look easy.