Founded in 1984 by Ken Smith and Diana Smith, Ken Smith Fork Trucks was born. Ken purchased his first 10 hire trucks from Darwen Papermill were he had previously maintained them. These were soon followed by new trucks direct from Linde Sterling. Over the next 15 years Ken + Diane increased the hire fleet to some 80+ trucks, whilst maintianing other customers machines. Fast forward to 2013 were Ken
and Diane's son Edward joined the firm. Sadly in October 2013 Ken was diagnosed with terminal cancer, and one year later he passed away. At the beginning of 2015 Edward and Diana changed the name to KS Lift Trucks Ltd.