Why Choose RICO Manufacturing for Military & Explosion-Proof Material Handling?

When safety, reliability, and mission-critical performance matter most, organizations across the military, defense, and hazardous environment location industries turn to RICO Manufacturing.

For more than 40 years, RICO has engineered custom material handling solutions designed to operate safely in some of the world's most demanding environments including ammunition facilities, defense manufacturing operations, fuel handling areas, chemical processing plants, and explosion-proof classified locations.

Our lift trucks do more than move materials. They solve unique operational challenges. From navigating confined shipboard spaces to handling specialized military cargo and operating in hazardous atmospheres, RICO equipment is custom engineered to reduce handling time, improve productivity, and provide a safer material handling solution for our customers.

Every RICO truck is built with a focus on safety, compliance, durability, and performance. Whether your application requires an explosion-proof forklift, a custom-engineered military vehicle, or a specialty material handling solution designed around your facility constraints, our team works closely with you to deliver equipment that meets your exact requirements.

Mission Ready. Safety Focused. Custom Engineered.

Features include:

• Customizable capacities available to match your unique application
• Newest Explosion Proof fleet in the Material Handling Industry
• Turnkey Solutions for EX Rated Forklifts include Vehicle, Battery and Charger.
• EX material handling vehicles readily available for sale or rental
• Fleet and Multiple Truck Discounts Available
• Short and Long term Rental Periods available
• Explosion Proof Enclosures
• Spark resistant
• MI Cable
• Intrinsically Safe Wiring
• Static Conductive Tires

All EX forklifts are built to the UL 583 specifications and are approved by a National Recognized Testing Laboratory (NRTL) for operation in:

• Class 1, Division 1 & 2, Group D
• Class 2, Division 1 & 2, Group G
• Hazardous Environment

RICO Manufacturing: Providing Explosion Proof Equipment since 1984.

EX Material Handling Applications for Ammunition & Munitions Facilities

RICO supports specialized material handling applications across ammunition manufacturing, munitions handling, ordnance facilities, explosives processing, and energetic materials environments. Whether the application calls for an EX forklift, compact pallet truck, reach truck, tow tractor, or custom-engineered vehicle, RICO can help match the equipment to the load, facility layout, workflow, and hazardous classification.

Ammunition Plant Forklifts

Explosion proof forklifts for facilities that manufacture, process, store, or move ammunition, munitions, ordnance, and related materials.

• Support for moving palletized components, finished materials, and production supplies

• Vehicle configurations based on load capacity, lift height, travel path, and operating environment

• Application review for new plants, expansions, and specialized defense manufacturing facilities

EX Pallet Jacks & Pallet Trucks

Compact EX pallet trucks and pallet jacks for moving palletized loads through production, staging, storage, and internal transport areas.

• Walk-behind and rider-style options for different routes and travel distances

• Material handling support for tight spaces, staging zones, and production areas

• Equipment matched to pallet size, aisle width, load weight, and hazardous classification

Hazardous Location Lift Trucks

EX-rated lift trucks for classified hazardous environments where standard industrial equipment may not meet the application requirements.

• Explosion proof vehicle solutions for ammunition, ordnance, explosives, and energetic materials facilities

• Equipment options for production areas, storage, staging, and internal logistics

• Custom configurations based on capacity, lift height, operator needs, and facility layout

Munitions, Ordnance & Energetic Materials Handling

Specialized material handling vehicles for munitions facilities, ordnance operations, explosives processing, and defense manufacturing environments.

• Solutions for production, staging, storage, maintenance, and internal transport workflows

• Custom-engineered EX vehicles for specialized loads, routes, and operating conditions

• Application support for matching the right vehicle to the facility’s workflow and safety requirements

Need help matching the right EX vehicle to your ammunition or munitions handling application?
Complete the form on this page to request an application review from RICO.