Gregory Poole Equipment Company is proud to announce that it has reached an agreement to acquire Cincinnati, Ohio based Advanced Handling Systems, Incorporated (AHS), a full service provider of integrated fulfillment and distribution solutions within the material handling supply chain industry. Under this agreement AHS will operate as an affiliate of Gregory Poole Equipment Company and work in conjunction with the Gregory Poole Lift Systems Division, one of the largest forklift and material handling distributors in the Southeast. This transaction is expected to be completed by May 1, 2014. Both Gregory Poole Lift Systems and AHS are industry leaders in their fields and coming off record years in sales. This acquisition will allow Gregory Poole Lift Systems and AHS to merge the outstanding services of both companies and provide customers a broader package of products and services.
“AHS is a proven leader in the industry and has a long history of success. By acquiring AHS, we are able to combine the strengths of both companies to be more responsive to industry needs,” said Hal Ingram, Lift Systems Vice President at Gregory Poole Equipment Company. “We are confident that the additional competencies this deal will provide to both companies will enable us to further expand our diversity of service solutions to our customer base.”
Under the agreement, AHS will continue to operate under their name and the leadership of Chuck Frank, Jeff Miller, and Dave Tavel. Chuck Frank will continue his role as President of AHS. The merger enhances both companies’ core competencies to assist their clients with justified material handling and supply chain solutions as well as create one of the largest material handling solution providers in the country.
“I have always appreciated the tremendous leadership and commitment to service that Gregory Poole is dedicated to,” said Frank. “Our combined resources and strengths will be a true asset for our customers as we continue to expand and grow our business and client base across North America.”
Gregory Poole’s mission is not only to be a great product and service provider, but to also develop and sustain meaningful relationships with its customers, employees and throughout its community locations. Since its beginning in 1951, Gregory Poole Equipment Company has expanded to over seven divisions and employs over 900 employees at 17 facilities located throughout parts of North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia and West Virginia. Gregory Poole employees are dedicated to community engagement and participate in numerous fundraising efforts and volunteer personal time for various causes. The company remains family-owned today by James Gregory Poole III, who has been Chairman, President, and CEO since 1999.
