KION NA announces territory expansion of Material Handling Inc.
KION North America has expanded territory in central Kentucky and Tennessee with dealer partner Material Handling Inc. (MHI). In addition to a territory expansion, Material Handling Inc. appoints an existing facility in Knoxville, Tennessee, as an authorized Linde Material Handling and Baoli sales and service location. Material Handling, Inc. is authorized to sell KION North America’s portfolio of Linde Material Handling and Baoli brands. “We are proud to grow our territory with Material Handling Inc. into central Kentucky and Tennessee,” said Rick Schiel, Director of Distribution Management. “This organization has spent many years building its portfolio of exceptional products and services and is known for providing dependable solutions for its customers’ material handling needs. We are eager to see the positive impact of this expansion.” Since 1975, Material Handling, Inc. has provided custom material handling solutions for its customers. And by continuously putting its customers first, Material Handling Inc. has built the reputation of a trusted solutions provider throughout the areas they serve. Material Handling Inc. proudly offers forklift solutions, including warehouse products and repair and maintenance services. “We are excited to represent the full range of Linde Material Handling products to the important Knoxville, Tennessee, and central Kentucky markets,” said Mike Sain, Material Handling Inc. (MHI) President.
Raymond introduces notification system for truck and pedestrian awareness
Designed to increase employee awareness of forklift and pedestrian proximity in dynamic operating environments, iWAREHOUSE® FieldSense strengthens Raymond’s intralogistics capabilities The Raymond Corporation has announced its latest addition to the iWAREHOUSE® Fleet and Warehouse Optimization System portfolio: the iWAREHOUSE FieldSense (iW.FieldSense) proximity notification system. Designed to reinforce operator best practices, instill a mindset of continuous improvement, and enhance environmental awareness, iW.FieldSense is unique in how it uses magnetic field generator (MFG) technology to see through and around most objects — including racking and corners — to alert properly equipped pedestrians and lift truck operators when they come within a predefined distance of each other. “We developed iWAREHOUSE FieldSense as a flexible solution, allowing users to customize the product to meet their specific needs today and then expand the system in the future,” said Steve Gorr, application manager for iWAREHOUSE Solutions at The Raymond Corporation. “It’s designed so warehouse managers can customize it to best fit their operators, applications and facility layouts without significant infrastructure changes.” The vehicle-mounted MFG creates an adjustable field around each piece of mobile equipment. If a pedestrian-worn pedestrian notification device (PND) detects a field, the PND sends a notification to the MFG, which then notifies the vehicle-mounted Notification Device for the vehicle operator to see. Using this field, iW.FieldSense can provide three levels of awareness: Truck-to-truck: When a vehicle-mounted MFG recognizes another MFG field from similarly equipped vehicles in close proximity, a warning light and sound is generated through the vehicle-mounted Notification Module, alerting the vehicle operator. Truck-to-pedestrian: When a pedestrian-worn PND recognizes a MFG field generated by a vehicle-mounted MFG, distance is determined and a notification is generated to inform the pedestrian. The same notification is simultaneously sent back to the MFG, notifying the vehicle operator. Truck-to-facility (with infrastructure option): Optional devices can be installed in sensitive areas around the facility that can detect the presence of the MFG fields, alerting vehicle operators of their close proximity to designated areas. Additionally, iW.FieldSense can be tailored to the operation and application, with features such as: 360-degree detection: Provides a solution for free range and dynamic environments that follows lift trucks and personnel around for greater security and flexibility. Easy installation: Vehicle hardware kits are designed for easy installation, and there are no additional software applications to learn. Vehicle compatibility: Allows the system to be added to almost any make and model of forklift — or other vehicle — for use across your entire fleet. Exceptional performance: Offers a reliable solution in nearly any environment, including cold storage. “The Raymond team of experts is here to support you every step of the way,” said Susan Comfort, senior manager of technology solutions and marketing at The Raymond Corporation. “Our innovative intralogistics solutions can help you optimize, connect and automate your operation to cut lead times, reduce waste, minimize downtime and improve quality all while continuously improving every aspect of your warehouse.”
Hy-Tek reintroduces itself with new brand identity
Hy-Tek Material Handling debuts a new look as Hy-Tek Intralogistics- reflecting the company’s growth and new brand promise Hy-Tek Material Handling, a full-service provider of integrated fulfillment and distribution solutions, announced today that it has completed a major rebranding. Hy-Tek Material Handling reintroduces itself with a new brand identity, positioning, and brand promise as Hy-Tek Intralogistics. Hy-Tek Material Handling originally started as Slife Material Handling in 1963. The name and logo continued for 26 years until Sam Grooms and four others purchased the company in 1989, renaming it Hy-Tek Material Handling— a play on the 1980s buzzword “High-Tech.” Inspired by its roots, the 59-year-old national supply chain integration company is reimagining every detail of its service offerings and the customer experience in the form of a single-source platform that can meet its customers at any stage of the process. “Over fifty years ago, Hy-Tek set out on a mission to build the organization into a single-source platform for our customers,” said Sam Grooms, CEO of Hy-Tek. “We have done this by developing internal expertise and through the acquisition of several brands. I am excited about the future of Hy-Tek Intralogistics. We believe this name best represents our comprehensive offering and supports our vision.” Over the next several months, Hy-Tek will be taking steps to migrate all its acquired companies under the new Hy-Tek Intralogistics brand. The full migration is expected to be completed in early 2023.
CALSTART research forecasts strong growth in zero-emission off-road equipment
CALSTART has collaborated with the California Air Resources Board (CARB) on a market readiness and technological status assessment of zero-emission off-road equipment CALSTART, a global non-profit focused on clean energy and transportation, has released the results of a new research project that gives a wide-ranging technology and market assessment of zero-emission off-highway equipment. This research was conducted in partnership with Interact Analysis to support the California Air Resource Board’s Long-Term Heavy-Duty Investment Strategy, including the Clean Off-Road Equipment Voucher Incentive Project (CORE), and shows how off-highway equipment lags behind on-highway equipment in terms of electrification despite concerns over public health and greenhouse gas emissions. The analysis finds that off-road equipment electrification is progressing rapidly, with over 200 electrified equipment models currently available on the market across eight distinct off-road categories. Several categories, such as light forklifts, airport ground-support equipment, yard trucks, and transportation refrigeration units, are classified as technologically mature, meaning that only market barriers stand in the way of widespread deployment. Furthermore, technological progress in these segments is helping to transition the mining, rail, cargo-handling, marine, and agriculture sectors. Construction equipment is primed for fast growth in electrification. There are various reasons for this, including the compactness of many construction machines and the proximity of many construction sites to the electrical infrastructure necessary for recharging this equipment. For example, sales of battery electric mini-excavators accounted for 5% of the total U.S. market in 2021 and are projected to account for 15% of the market by 2029. By contrast, the electrification of agricultural machinery is a much more difficult challenge, partly due to the need to operate in remote locations. Two of the most successful segments have been forklifts and underground mining equipment, where the deployment of electrified machinery is already widespread due to the need for these machines to operate in enclosed environments where exhaust fumes are a health concern. The report argues that mining companies need to more rapidly electrify other categories of equipment to meet the environmental goals that they themselves have set. It also points out that beyond the air quality and associated health and financial benefits of eliminating exhaust fumes, there are additional benefits to electrification in mining, such as higher low-end torque, which offers greater hauling power at low speeds. Meanwhile, in forklifts, the big story is the battle between lead acid and Li-ion batteries. Currently, the market is 80/20 in favor of lead acid. By 2030, it is projected to be 30/70 in favor of Li-ion. “Going forward, electrification of the largest off-road equipment will be challenging. Nevertheless, significant progress is being made,” said Jacob Whitson, Program Manager at CALSTART. “Some of the largest equipment is produced in small enough volumes that it may not be as hard to electrify them as originally presumed. For example, Sandvik is rolling out a battery-electric 65-ton truck. The CALSTART beachhead strategy shows how advances in electrifying smaller equipment translate into advances in electrification of larger machines more rapidly than many assume.” With the Bauma Conference going on in München, leading OEMs are showcasing advancements in construction vehicle electrification, including Komatsu’s direct electric actuated wheel loader and 20-ton Proterra battery-powered excavator; John Deere’s two asphalt pavers and eight compaction rollers; Bobcat’s compact track loader; and Yanmar’s “powertrains for all” third-party solution suite. “CALSTART’s beachhead strategy outlines the roadmap to the deployment of zero-emission technologies in even the largest off-road equipment segments, added Jessie Lund, Truck Program Manager at CALSTART. “The beachhead strategy is based on the concept that the development and continual improvement of smaller electric machines lead to rapid improvements in areas such as component performance or charging infrastructure improvements that then drive the whole market forward. For example, the market success of battery electric forklifts clearly paved the way for the next wave of zero-emission equipment such as off-road yard trucks – a segment that is rapidly growing today.”
Toyota Material Handling auctions off special forklift for National Breast Cancer Awareness Month
Toyota Material Handling (TMH) is auctioning off a unique forklift to its North American dealer network in support of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. All funds raised from the auction – which is open until October 31 – will be donated to Susan G. Komen to help with breast cancer research and treatment. The idea originated with the Toyota Women’s Impact Network (T-WIN). The group, whose mission is to continue TMH’s success as an employer of choice for women, wanted to do something unique to raise breast cancer awareness during the month of October. When they came up with the idea to auction off a one-of-a-kind pink breast cancer forklift, they mobilized a broad cross-functional team across TMH for support. The groups were unanimous in their support for the idea and decided to offer its industry-leading dealer network the opportunity to bid on the special version of Toyota’s all-new 3-Wheel Electric Forklift. Many departments worked through various tasks like design, decals, tear down, paint, and assembly. “We are so proud of the teamwork and collaboration that was put into making this meaningful truck,” said Lea Ann King, Vice President of Legal and founder of the Toyota Women’s Impact Network. “Toyota’s founding principle is to contribute to society, and I’m proud to work for a company that finds different ways to make an impact on important causes. We all know someone who has been affected by breast cancer, so this auction is about more than just creating a pink forklift. It shows our associates, their families, and our dealers that we are passionate about supporting world-changing causes like Susan G. Komen. It was a team effort from our associates in Columbus, Indiana, and it was special to see so many people jump in to make this forklift and promote the auction.” They worked quickly to ensure the beautiful truck was on display in early October during the company’s annual dealer meetings in Indianapolis. The auction and the cause that inspired it has also been actively promoted on social media. Every employee that had a hand in building the forklift or who has been touched by breast cancer in some way will sign the back of the forklift.
KION Group results for first Nine Months of 2022 impacted by sharp increase in project business costs in Third Quarter
KION Group’s third-quarter adjusted EBIT for 2022 at the higher end of the expected range communicated in September Q1–Q3 2022 order intake at €9.172 billion above the previous year (+2.0%) – considerable order deferrals by customers in the project business in the third quarter Q1-Q3 2022 revenue increases by 9.4 % to €8.243 billion driven by a strong Industrial Trucks & Services segment Q1-Q3 2022 adjusted EBIT of €210.6 million significantly below the previous year (€691.1 million) – affected by ongoing disruptions in supply chains and further increases in costs for materials, energy, and logistics Q1-Q3 2022 free cash flow of -€971.9 million (€134.7 million) clearly negative as a result of a significant increase in net working capital KION Group intends to withdraw completely from Russian business Full-year 2022 outlook presented in September 2022 confirmed KION Group ended the first nine months of the 2022 financial year with a solid order intake and strong revenue, driven in particular by the Industrial Trucks & Services (ITS) segment. Free cash flow and adjusted EBIT were under significant strain. High inflation and increasing economic uncertainties continued to have a serious impact on the KION Group’s business activities in the third quarter of 2022. The continuing unfavorable development of costs coupled with supply chain disruptions also had an increasingly negative effect. The inefficiencies due to a lack of availability of important parts at project locations led to project delays and therefore higher overall project costs in the Supply Chain Solutions segment. The extremely volatile macroeconomic environment also exacerbated internal inefficiencies in project management and implementation. Sharply rising costs for materials, energy, and logistics, as well as ongoing bottlenecks for supplier parts and components also negatively impacted the Industrial Trucks & Services segment and thereby the Group’s results. The adjusted EBIT of KION Group of -€101.1 million (previous year: €228.9 million) for the third quarter of 2022 is at the higher end of the expected range of -€140 to -€100 million communicated in September 2022. “In a market environment that remains volatile, KION Group has intensified its measures to reduce costs and improve project management processes. The Group also continues to focus on strengthening its supplier network and on implementing agile price adjustments,” says Rob Smith, CEO of KION GROUP AG. “During the third quarter, we also developed a roadmap of targeted measures to increase our profitability, particularly in the project business, which we are now implementing consistently.” Among other things, this includes risk reduction in all project contracts through price adjustment clauses and a general optimization of bid preparation and solution design at the start of projects. Further, procurement processes will be improved, the supplier network expanded, and risk mitigation across the entire portfolio intensified. The order intake of KION Group after nine months of 2022 was at €9.172 billion, 2.0 percent higher than the strong 2021 comparative value. The Industrial Trucks & Services segment increased order intake in the reporting period by 17.5 percent to €6.732 billion (prior year: €5.731 billion), despite a market environment affected by macroeconomic uncertainties. A substantial part of the increase is attributable to previous price increases, particularly in the EMEA region. In the third quarter of 2022, the order intake of €1.905 billion was 11.4 percent higher than in the prior-year quarter. The Supply Chain Solutions segment recorded a decrease of 24.1 percent in order intake in the nine-month comparison, down to €2.480 billion (prior year: €3.267 billion). In the third quarter of 2022, order intake decreased by 56.1 percent to €614 million compared to the record third quarter of the previous year. Whilst in the prior year, the order book was filled with several large contracts, the lower order volume in the reporting period was also impacted by customers deferring considerably orders. In addition, slowing demand from e-commerce customers as well as the cancellation of two significant orders by customers also impacted order intake. By September 30, 2022, the Group order book increased accordingly to €7.697 billion (end of 2021: €6.658 billion). After nine months of 2022, Group revenue totaled €8.243 billion, exceeding the prior year’s value (€7.534 billion) by 9.4 percent. Revenues grew by 5.5 percent in the third quarter to €2.706 billion. Total revenue in the Industrial Trucks & Services segment in the reporting period was up 11.3 percent to €5.288 billion (prior year: €4.750 billion). Due to extended delivery times, the increase in revenue was largely based on the order book from the previous year. As a result, the dynamic price increases for industrial trucks in the first nine months have not yet had a tangible impact on revenue for the Industrial Trucks & Services segment. High deliveries of trucks at the end of the third quarter, however, led to a significant increase in revenue compared to the prior-year quarter. Total revenue in the Supply Chain Solutions segment increased by 6.3 percent to €2.970 billion (previous year: €2.794 billion), mainly driven by strong growth in the service business. KION Group’s adjusted EBIT fell to €210.6 million in the reporting period (prior year: €691.1 million). The adjusted EBIT margin, therefore, dropped significantly to 2.6 percent (previous year: 9.2 percent). The adjusted EBIT in the Industrial Trucks & Services segment decreased to €300.4 million in the nine-month comparison (prior year: €423.1 million). In the third quarter of 2022, adjusted EBIT was €102.6 million, 29 percent lower than in the same quarter of the previous year (Q3 2021: €144.5 million). The higher costs were so far barely offset by increases in sales prices in the first nine months of the year 2022, as mainly orders received before the price adjustments were being processed. The adjusted EBIT margin in the first nine months of 2022 was 5.7 percent (prior year: 8.9 percent), a slight improvement compared to the previous quarter. As a result of higher sales volumes, the adjusted EBIT margin in the third quarter of 2022 improved by around 0.8 percentage points compared to the previous quarter. The adjusted EBIT for the Supply Chain Solutions segment in the first nine months of 2022 was -€32.2 million, significantly below the prior year’s value (€336.6
H&E Equipment Services Inc. reports third quarter 2022 results
H&E Equipment Services, Inc. just announced results for the third quarter that ended September 30, 2022, citing record results for its rental business segment, meaningful fleet growth, and further expansion of its branch network. On October 1, 2021, the Company sold its crane business, (the “Crane Sale”). All results and comparisons for the periods reported are presented on a continuing operations basis with the Crane Sale reported as discontinued operations in certain statements and schedules accompanying this report. THIRD QUARTER 2022 SUMMARY Revenues increased 17.7% to $324.3 million compared to $275.4 million in the third quarter of 2021. Net income increased 55.2% to $38.4 million compared to $24.7 million in the third quarter of 2021. The effective income tax rate was 25.2% compared to 24.7% in the third quarter of 2021. Adjusted EBITDA totaled $139.4 million, an increase of 24.1% compared to $112.3 million in the third quarter of 2021, resulting in a margin of 43.0% of revenues compared to 40.8% in the third quarter of 2021. Total equipment rental revenues were $253.6 million, an increase of $56.4 million, or 28.6%, compared to $197.2 million in the third quarter of 2021. Rental revenues were $224.1 million, an increase of $47.5 million, or 26.9%, compared to $176.7 million in the third quarter of 2021. Used equipment sales decreased 34.7% to $20.3 million compared to $31.1 million in the third quarter of 2021. Margins improved to 53.7% compared to 37.6% in the third quarter of 2021. New equipment sales totaled $23.5 million, an increase of 21.4% when compared to $19.4 million in the third quarter of 2021. Gross margin improved to 46.8% compared to 41.4% in the third quarter of 2021. Total equipment rental gross margins were 50.5% compared to 45.6% in the third quarter of 2021. Rental gross margins were 55.6% compared to 50.9% over the same period of comparison. Average time utilization (based on original equipment cost) was 73.3% compared to 71.9% in the third quarter of 2021. The Company’s rental fleet, based on original acquisition cost, closed the third quarter of 2022 at approximately $2.1 billion, an increase of $305.4 million, or 16.7%, compared to the third quarter of 2021. Average rental rates increased by 10.1% when compared to the third quarter of 2021, and 3.2% when compared to the second quarter of 2022. Dollar utilization improved to 42.7% compared to 38.9% in the third quarter of 2021. The average rental fleet age on September 30, 2022, was 40.6 months compared to an industry average age of 53.0 months. Paid regular quarterly cash dividend of $0.275 per share of common stock. “A combination of exceptional rental rate appreciation, robust physical fleet utilization, and further fleet growth resulted in a record performance for our equipment rental segment,” stated Brad Barber, chief executive officer of H&E. “We continue to lead the industry in average rental rate improvement, with rates in the third quarter advancing 10.1% when compared to the same quarter in 2021, and 3.2% on a sequential quarterly basis. I believe several factors contribute to our consistent pricing success, including outstanding operational execution and the use of our proprietary “Smart Rates” platform, along with an advantageous mix of equipment, and expanding geographic reach. Also, average physical fleet utilization continued to rise, closing the quarter at 73.3%, or 140 and 10 basis points ahead of the year-ago and sequential quarters, respectively. Finally, our fleet, as measured by original equipment cost (OEC), grew $305.4 million, or 16.7% from the year-ago quarter, and $277.0 million, or 14.9%, since the close of 2021. We ended the third quarter with a record fleet OEC of more than $2.1 billion while establishing record revenue, gross profit, and gross margin in our equipment rental segment. On a consolidated basis, records were set for adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) and adjusted EBITDA margin.” Mr. Barber offered an encouraging perspective on the equipment rental industry, explaining, “We expect favorable industry fundamentals to prevail through the close of 2022 and into 2023. This promising outlook is supported by a backlog of projects in the non-residential construction and industrial end markets that continue to sustain strong customer demand. In addition, global supply chains continue to constrict the availability of rental equipment. These factors reinforce a fundamentally sound business environment, leading to solid fleet utilization and favorable pricing trends. As early as 2023, we expect to benefit from the onset of numerous infrastructure projects, as well as other construction projects focused on the expansion of U.S. manufacturing capabilities and renewable energy. Collectively, these programs are expected to provide greater visibility to emerging construction opportunities.” H&E has successfully demonstrated its ability to grow, with 2022 being a record year of expansion for the Company. Concluding, Mr. Barber said, “Our strategic growth and expansion initiatives made exceptional progress in the third quarter. The previously announced acquisition of One Source Equipment Rentals Inc. (One Source), which closed on October 1, 2022, increases our branch network by 10 locations, including an initial presence in Illinois, Indiana, and Kentucky. In addition, the consistent progress of our accelerated new location program was evident in the third quarter, with four branches opened during the period. The latest branch openings bring the total of new locations this year to eight. With more openings expected in the fourth quarter, we are confident in achieving our goal of no less than 10 new locations in 2022. In less than two years, we have added 28 locations to our branch network and now operate 120 branches across 29 states.” FINANCIAL DISCUSSION FOR THE THIRD QUARTER OF 2022 Revenue Total revenues improved to $324.3 million, or 17.7%, in the third quarter of 2022 from $275.4 million in the third quarter of 2021. Total equipment rental revenues of $253.6 million improved by 28.6% compared to $197.2 million in the third quarter of 2021. Rental revenues of $224.1 million increased by 26.9% compared to $176.7 million in the third quarter of 2021. Used equipment sales of $20.3 million decreased by 34.7% compared to $31.1 million in the third quarter of 2021. New equipment sales of $23.5 million increased by 21.4% compared to $19.4 million in the same quarter of 2021. Parts sales of $16.7
Raymond introduces High-Capacity Orderpicker to intralogistics solutions offering
With an industry-leading elevated height of 456 inches, the new Raymond® High-Capacity Orderpicker boosts storage capacity as e-commerce demands increase The Raymond Corporation answers the industry’s need to pick more efficiently at increased heights with the launch of the Raymond® High Capacity Orderpicker. Designed to facilitate order picking a full rack higher than models currently on the market, this first-of-a-kind lift truck delivers market-leading capacity at all heights and reduces the annual cost per pallet stored by 19% compared with competitors. “As SKU counts proliferate and warehouse space continues to be at a premium, the need to better equip our customers with tools that provide increased warehouse layout flexibility and significant picking efficiencies was clear,” said Shannon Curtis, product manager for Class II, ZaP and iADS at The Raymond Corporation. “The Raymond High Capacity Orderpicker is what the material handling industry has been asking for — it brings operations to new levels of performance.” The new orderpicker features an industry-leading elevated height of 456 inches, which allows for increased rack storage access to 11% more pick slots. The increased elevated height enables operators to optimize storage capacity for more usable space and improved SKU count without increasing a facility’s overall footprint. Further enhancing productivity efficiencies, this new orderpicker integrates with additional intralogistics solutions and energy technologies from Raymond: Lithium-ion battery technology, which delivers more convenient charging and minimal downtime with opportunity-charging and fast-charging capabilities The In-Aisle Detection System, which notifies operators traveling in the tractor-first direction when the system detects objects in the lift truck’s path Zoning and Positioning technology, an operator assist option, where operators are able to focus on their surroundings and the task at hand instead of searching for the exact pick location, which ensures more reliable and repeatable lift truck operation by controlling many order picking functions The new High Capacity Orderpicker joins the Raymond suite of high-capacity solutions engineered specifically to lift heavier loads higher than ever, including the Raymond High Capacity Reach-Fork®, the Raymond High Capacity Deep-Reach®, and the Raymond High Capacity Swing-Reach® trucks. “Building on a century-long history of innovation and the existing High Capacity suite of products contributed to the speed to market we were able to achieve for the Raymond High Capacity Orderpicker,” Curtis noted. “As an intralogistics solutions provider that has the technology and industry know-how to provide customers a competitive edge, we are always looking ahead to find better answers that drive the material handling industry forward.”
Big Joe announces new Autonomous division
The new venture focused on end-user goals will be led by Nick Malewicki Today Big Joe Forklifts announced the creation of its autonomous division. As robotics is set to progressively play a larger role at each step of the supply chain, Big Joe recognized the need to develop an autonomous division to serve its customers as warehouse and manufacturing environments look to adopt new technologies in response to labor shortages and other operations challenges. As a milestone in this venture, Big Joe has begun building a team with several recent new hires, including industry expert Nick Malewicki who will serve as general manager. The strategy behind the new division is a distinctively different approach to the market than what the industry is seeing from competitors. This introduction is turning the traditional automation mindset in material handling somewhat on its head. Instead of developing highly rigid, expensive, and resource-intensive implementations, the Big Joe approach looks to empower users with simple machines that can be set up and deliver positive ROI beginning on day one. “Big Joe is known for making small utilitarian lift trucks matched to a task, and what we are preparing for customers is so well aligned with what we have done for over 70 years. It is just hugely exciting for everyone involved with the brand,” said Bill Pedriana, Chief Marketing Officer at Big Joe. Pedriana has been highly involved in the development of the company’s initial autonomous products and strategy over the past few years, which has focused on developing ‘User Directed’ cobots, like the BUD prototype unveiled at MODEX in Atlanta earlier this year. “A lot of what we do at Big Joe is, at its core, really about empowering people,” continued Pedriana. “That follows through not just to the how and the what, but the who. Having Nick lead our new division speaks volumes as to how we are uniquely looking at developing automation solutions for customers from their perspective, not from a software, engineering, or tech-heavy philosophy.” Nick Malewicki comes to Big Joe from Pactiv Evergreen, the leading manufacturer of fresh food and beverage packaging in North America. Nick’s 25-year career in the distribution, manufacturing, and packaging industries progressed from operations, engineering and automation, to leading teams to enhance profitability through cost savings initiatives. In his most recent role at Pactiv Evergreen, Nick was responsible for providing the strategic initiatives for over $100M of capital projects for a business unit, including the implementation of automation solutions, warehouse facilities improvements, and managing over 1,500 leased material handling assets. As general manager for the new Big Joe autonomous division, Nick will be drawing from his considerable end-user expertise to focus the new divisions’ efforts on making automation easy and practical for customers to understand, deploy and support. “My intense immediate focus is on commercialization and preventing scope creep temptations as we move into 2023. Our upcoming autonomous products are on track to be simpler and lower priced than traditional offerings that our distribution partners and potential customers will simply be amazed,” said Malewicki. “Our big differentiation is that we will be able to quickly and successfully deploy autonomous products that actually work, every day, and exceed end-user expectations. As a former end user, I couldn’t be happier to be building a team and leading our efforts to deliver on that promise for our customers.” Big Joe Forklifts plans to announce additional details on automation products and technology partnerships during Q1 2023, with a formal product introduction at ProMat 2023 which runs March 20-23 in Chicago.
Episode 326: ePicker at MODEX 2022
In this episode, Kevin sits down with Jason Bratton, President at ePicker, to discuss material handling solutions. ePicker provides a full line of material handling equipment like stackers, pallet jacks, AGVs, and access vehicles. ePicker prides itself on doing things a little differently to provide an elite product to its consumers. In addition, Jason believes their understanding of what their customers need and post-sale support are just a few qualities that make them different from other suppliers. Be sure to tune into this bite-sized episode to learn about ePicker and the material handling industry. Key Takeaways Having spare parts on hand and preventative maintenance programs are two ways ePicker helps its customers maximize uptime. Jason and his team understand how critical uptime is for customers. Using telemetry, they can run diagnostics to identify potential problems and predict when components may fail. This advanced knowledge is crucial for repair technicians as it ensures they have the right parts upon arrival. The evolution of lithium power over the last few years has increased the number of applications available in the material handling space. Many warehouses are eager to switch, but there is still some uncertainty around power and performance. Jason believes lithium has come a long way, and until a few years ago, the use cases were limited. Lithium is now a viable solution for the masses thanks to lower prices, higher performance, and lower maintenance. Kevin and Jason discuss how warehouses address space challenges and the need to pick single items. Two methods warehouses implement to maximize space are going higher and making aisles narrow, but both require a particular type of material handler. Another way is to add robots or other automation solutions that allow products to be picked more efficiently and reduce the need for forklift operators. Jason shares how he sees warehouses incorporating more autonomous vehicles and removing the operator from the equation. Overall, the forklift platform has numerous possibilities for innovation in terms of safety, efficiency, and data collection. The New Warehouse Podcast Episode 326: ePicker at MODEX 2022
OTR Wheel Engineering announces Port Wheel Inspection Program with Taylor Machine Works
OTR Wheel Engineering, Inc. (OTR) has successfully launched a program with Taylor Machine Works (TMW), the market-leading manufacturer of high-capacity lift trucks and container handling equipment, to inspect and, if needed, replace wheels used in vehicles operating at ports. The collaboration between longtime partners OTR and TMW facilitates on-site wheel inspections at major U.S. ports and provides a critical safety enhancement that port staff and union leadership alike have endorsed. The program also reduces costly equipment downtime and productivity losses, a major focus given the volume of business transacted at ports. Because safety is a top priority worldwide, especially at ports where heavy equipment is involved, OTR is expanding this program to its customer base and partners in Europe. Through this expansion, OTR will leverage its footprint and staff to replicate the same process being implemented in the U.S. It will offer proper de-mounting and installation of OEM-approved wheels, which is not only mission-critical for worker safety but also affects the productivity and performance of vehicles operating in the field when downtime is not an option. “This program is game-changing,” says Michael Stoeckel, Global Vice President, Sales & Marketing at OTR. “Together with TMW personnel, our program is providing critical service to ports across the U.S. and soon, globally. This is a great example of how working with long-standing partners, such as TMW, can offer tremendous benefits in safety and productivity, and we’re thankful for TMW’s support in this effort.” “We inspect, diagnose and confirm the condition of the wheel, its duty cycle, and the application,” explains Charles Jackson, senior manager and sponsor of OTR’s program with TMW. “If a wheel has a stress crack, we can visually see or detect it using a proprietary process, and if it’s approaching end of life, we will inform the port staff accordingly. We then recommend an OEM-approved replacement wheel, allocated from OTR’s stock of wheels manufactured in-house, to ensure safe and continuous vehicle operation at the ports. It’s a win-win-win.” OTR will be exhibiting at Bauma, October 24-28, 2022, Booth 430 in Hall A6, where a 10-bar OTR port wheel will be displayed. Staff will be on-site to explain how the program can be implemented in additional locations worldwide.
KION Group appoints new Chief Financial Officer and Chief People and Sustainability Officer
Marcus A. Wassenberg was appointed Chief Financial Officer of the Group Valeria Gargiulo to assume the newly created role of Chief People and Sustainability Officer Chairman of the Supervisory Board Michael Macht: “The additions to the Executive Board underline KION Group’s clear commitment to achieving its strategic medium-term targets swiftly and in full, including strong profitability, the implementation of significant sustainability targets and the expansion of internal human resources planning and development initiatives” KION GROUP AG announces the completion of its Executive Board with the appointments of Marcus Wassenberg as Group Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and Valeria Gargiulo as Chief People and Sustainability Officer (CPSO). The expansion of the Executive Board will come into effect in the first half of 2023; the position of CPSO will be newly created. Marcus Wassenberg (55) joins KION GROUP AG as CFO from Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG. His responsibilities at KION will include Accounting, Controlling, Finance, IT, as well as M&A and Investor Relations. The VPs Finance of the Operating Units will also report to Wassenberg. He will assume his new role by April 1, 2023, at the latest. Since September 2019, he has been responsible for the successful implementation of a comprehensive transformation program as CFO at Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG, improving the company’s financial performance and competitiveness. He also served previously as CFO at Rolls-Royce Power Systems AG and Senvion AG. At both companies, he gained relevant industry experience and actively engaged with capital market participants. Wassenberg will work alongside with the entire Executive Board to further drive the profitability of the Group and enhance the processes required to achieve this. He will also actively engage in the dialogue with the capital markets both on the equities and the debt side. Valeria Gargiulo (50) joins KION Group AG from Daimler Truck AG and will assume her new role as Chief People and Sustainability Officer in Frankfurt/Main by May 1, 2023, at the latest. She will also take up the role as Labor Relations Director. Gargiulo’s responsibilities at KION will include Group-wide HR, Health & Safety, and Sustainability. As CPSO, she will focus, among other things, on attracting and intensively developing talent around the globe, equipping internal teams with all the necessary skills, and further advancing a diverse, equitable, and inclusive culture that elevates people’s engagement and unlocks their long-term potential. At Daimler Truck, she serves as Vice President People & Organisational Development. With around 30 years of experience in HR, sales, legal, and M&A, she brings extensive international experience as well as an excellent track record in organizational development, including building trustful relationships with social partners. As an active member of the ESG Steering Committee at her current employer, she is also instrumental in developing and implementing a state-of-the-art sustainability vision and process. Based on her many years of experience in the areas of environment, social and responsible corporate governance, she will sharpen the Group’s sustainability profile, significantly increase its transparency and ensure targeted implementation. “Valeria Gargiulo and Marcus Wassenberg, both experienced executives with proven track records, high-performance standards, and compelling visions for the future, will strengthen the incumbent Executive Board led by CEO Rob Smith” said Dr Michael Macht, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of KION Group AG. “The additions to the Executive Board underline KION Group’s clear commitment to achieving its strategic medium-term targets swiftly and in full. This applies in particular to strong profitability, the implementation of significant sustainability targets, and the expansion of internal human resources planning and development initiatives.” Rob Smith, Chief Executive Officer of the KION GROUP, added: “We at KION are focused on delivering profitable growth for the benefit of our stakeholders. Central to this pursuit is to continue to be an attractive employer who masters the challenges of our times. As a responsible company, we will contribute to the positive and sustainable development of our environment and society. I look forward to working with Valeria Gargiulo, Marcus Wassenberg, and all my other colleagues on the Executive Board to achieve our goals.”
Alta Equipment Group to acquire Ecoverse Industries creating additional business segment
Establishes Alta’s Master Dealer Equipment Distribution Platform in North America Expands Product Portfolio and Diversifies End Markets with Entrance into Environmental Processing Equipment Ecoverse’s $64.3 million in revenue, $10.0 million in net income, $10.1 million in Adjusted EBITDA, and $9.7 million of Adjusted pre-tax net income on a trailing twelve-month basis is expected to be immediately accretive to the Company’s free cash flow conversion, profitability, and earnings per share ratios. Alta Equipment Group Inc. has announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Ecoverse Industries, LTD (“Ecoverse”), a full-line distributor of industry-leading environmental processing equipment headquartered in Avon, Ohio, with 15 sub-dealers throughout North America. “The acquisition of Ecoverse is exciting for our business as it represents our first investment into large-scale equipment distribution, giving us the master dealer rights to distribute best-in-class environmental equipment to dealers and customers throughout North America,” said Ryan Greenawalt, Chief Executive Officer of Alta. “Ecoverse has a long-standing track record in the environmental processing equipment sector as a distributor of high-end equipment which is used in biofuel, composting, and various waste and recycling applications. The Ecoverse acquisition immediately positions Alta as an industry leader in a sector where demand for eco-friendly waste solutions and recycling continues to grow. We welcome Ecoverse to the Alta family.” Strategic and Financial Highlights Exclusive distribution rights to North America for European equipment OEMs, including Doppstadt, Backus, Backers, and Tiger Depackaging products. The increasing size of the equipment field population in North America will provide for future parts and service growth opportunities. Ecoverse generated approximately $64.3 million in revenue, $10.0 million in net income, Adjusted EBITDA of $10.1 million, and $9.7 million of Adjusted pre-tax net income for the trailing twelve-month period through July 2022. Given Ecoverse’s asset-light distribution business model and minimal maintenance capex requirements, the Company expects the acquisition to be highly accretive to the Company’s EBITDA to cash flow conversion and earnings per share ratios. The deal is structured as an asset acquisition allowing for a step-up in tax basis of assets acquired. Additional Transaction Details The purchase price includes $42.5 million in cash, $2.5 million of Alta common stock and a $6.0 million seller note, at close. In addition, the purchase price includes contingent consideration in the form of an earn-out whereby sellers can earn an additional $4.0 million of Alta common stock and $12.0 million of cash over a five-year period subject to future EBITA growth. To the extent EBITA remains flat at July 2022 trailing twelve-month levels throughout the earn-out period, the total purchase price will be $59.0 million ($52.5 million in cash and $6.5 million in stock). Other iterations of the ultimate purchase price range from $51.0 million to $67.0 million based on future EBITA performance. Ecoverse’s brand name, employees, and management team will remain in place post-close. The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions and is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2022. Including Ecoverse, since the Company’s initial public offering in 2020, Alta has completed 13 acquisitions which have contributed $440.3 million in revenue, and $52.5 million in Adjusted EBITDA. More information on Ecoverse, its products and applications can be found at www.ecoverse.net.
State Tractor & Equipment joins LiuGong North America Dealer Network
State Tractor & Equipment Co. Inc. is the latest dealership to join the LiuGong dealer lineup. Throughout the process of joining the LiuGong dealer network, State Tractor & Equipment leaders were impressed by the service LiuGong provides. Unlike other heavy equipment manufacturers, they have the infrastructure, inventory, employees, and quality products to ensure their customers are satisfied. Joshua Badder, State Tractor & Equipment sales director, noted they have already sold their first machine. “We are pretty excited to see how this LiuGong machine does out in the field,” he said. “We look forward to strengthening our partnership and seeing what the future holds.” State Tractor & Equipment is family owned and operated by Cliff Dale and his two sons. It has one location currently in Kansas City, Kansas, with a second store coming in Springfield, Missouri. The grand opening was slated for Oct. 6. Company leaders also hope to expand to Oklahoma in the future. State Tractor & Equipment has a background in railroad service, heavy haul trucking, and added sales to its offerings in 2015. Securing LiuGong products will be integral to expanding that side of the business. “We are really good on the shop aspect of the business, and on the sales side too,” Badder said. LiuGong North America President Andrew Ryan welcomed State Tractor & Equipment to the dealer network and said the partnership will bolster its footprint in the region. “We are thankful to add another great partner in State Tractor & Equipment to our LiuGong dealer network,” Ryan said. “Their presence in the Midwest helps us continue our development and growth strategy in North America.” State Tractor & Equipment offers machinery for construction, vegetation management, demolitions, scrap, and recycling applications.
Hyster begins first-ever real-world pilot of hydrogen fuel cell-powered container handler at Los Angeles port
Hyster Company announces testing of a top-pick container handler powered by hydrogen fuel cells (HFC) at Fenix Marine Services in the Port of Los Angeles. Building on the industry standard Hyster® H1050-1150XD-CH top-pick container handler design, the truck is powered by two 45kw hydrogen fuel cells from Nuvera, a wholly owned subsidiary of Hyster parent company Hyster-Yale Group. A California Climate Investments grant awarded by the California Air Resources Board in 2018 helped support the development of the HFC-powered container handler. The HFC-powered top pick is designed to provide the zero-emissions benefits of a battery-electric option, with enough capacity to keep operators moving and avoid the need to stop in the middle of a shift to refuel or recharge. Refueling the top pick with hydrogen fuel is expected to take approximately 15 minutes, with the intention to provide eight to 10 hours of continuous run time, all while producing no harmful emissions – only water and heat. The hydrogen fuel cell works in tandem with an onboard lithium-ion battery to either power the equipment directly or charge the onboard battery. The top pick is also equipped with a patented Hyster® energy recovery system for electric container handlers that recovers and stores energy from lowering loads and braking. The Fenix Marine Services (FMS) container terminal, acquired in 2021 by the CMA CGM Group, a global player in sea, land, air, and logistics solutions, uses compressed hydrogen delivered on-site to fuel the top pick. “We are excited to participate in this pilot and implement another sustainable solution designed to help meet Clean Air Action Plan 2030 objectives. Exploring the use of hydrogen as a zero-emission fuel source is important for the entire transportation industry and is a perfect complement to the other alternative energy research and development projects our parent company, CMA CGM Group, is spearheading to protect the planet and reach net-zero carbon by 2050,” says FMS CEO Steve Trombley. To electrify higher-capacity equipment for port terminals, Hyster draws on extensive experience in electric truck design with the company’s line of smaller, lighter-capacity powered industrial trucks used in both indoor and outdoor settings. The company has recently launched lithium-ion powered forklifts with load capacities up to 36,000-pounds, and previously announced a pilot of a fuel-cell powered ReachStacker at the Port of Valencia, a fuel cell-powered empty container handler at a terminal in Hamburg, Germany, and a joint partnership to develop electric and hydrogen-powered terminal tractors. “Our mission is to provide the innovative technologies our customers need to help meet their goals for emissions reduction and performance. For some operations, lithium-ion power might be the answer, but for others, hydrogen is the right choice,” says Jan Willem van den Brand, director, of global market development, big trucks, Hyster. “The answer depends on so many factors like duty cycle, utility grid capacity, and fuel availability. Our customers deserve choices that allow them to build the right solution based on their needs – not shoehorning a single technology into their operation.” This project is part of California Climate Investments, a statewide initiative that puts billions of cap-and-trade dollars to work reducing greenhouse gas emissions, strengthening the economy, improving public health and the environment, and providing meaningful benefits to the most disadvantaged communities, low-income communities, and low-income households.
Toyota Material Handling and group companies contribute $100,000 to American Red Cross in Hurricane Ian Relief
Toyota Group Companies partner together to support relief efforts across Florida and the Carolinas Toyota Material Handling (TMH), along with its partner companies, is donating $100,000 to the American Red Cross to support communities affected by the devastation of Hurricane Ian. Toyota Material Handling (TMH), The Raymond Corporation, Toyota Advanced Logistics/Bastian Solutions, Toyota Industries Commercial Finance (TICF), and Toyota Industries Commercial Finance Canada (TICFC), have come together to make the combined contribution to disaster relief. The devastation was left in the wake of Hurricane Ian. More than 1.7 million people are still without electricity while search and rescue crews are working around the clock to save those trapped by high waters. Central Florida continues to flood as many people face dreadful conditions. The American Red Cross was one of the first relief efforts in the area offering people a safe place to stay, a hot meal, and healthcare services. The American Red Cross continues opening shelters throughout Florida and the Carolinas while dozens of Red Cross response vehicles travel to the hardest hit areas to provide food and supplies where it is safe to do so. “As our relief efforts continue in response to the devastation caused by Hurricane Ian, we are grateful that Toyota Material Handling, and its affiliated companies, are partnering with us to provide vital aid and relief to the communities affected by this deadly disaster,” said Donna Colón, Executive Director, Southeast Chapter, American Red Cross – Indiana Region. “TMH has been a partner for years, and this generous gift will help us bring comfort and care to those impacted by this historic disaster. What a special way for TMH and its dealers to come together to help the American Red Cross alleviate suffering.” Dozens of blood drives have been canceled due to dangerous conditions and flood waters, leaving the Southeast in need of thousands of blood and platelet donations. This past week, TMH hosted a blood drive that collected 84 units of blood that will go directly toward the American Red Cross. “Toyota Material Handling not only supports the American Red Cross financially in these times of severe need but also with a large number of associate volunteers and regular blood drives,” said Bill Finerty, President and CEO of Toyota Material Handling. “We are proud to support disaster relief in Florida and the Carolinas as they continue to face hardship in the aftermath of Hurricane Ian. Toyota is committed to Helping People Carry the Load, whenever and wherever they may face that need.”
Pfannenberg celebrates 25th anniversary of North American Manufacturing
Pfannenberg, Inc., a global manufacturer of thermal management, signaling technologies, and packaged process chillers, announces the 25th anniversary of its United States manufacturing operations. A celebratory event will be held on November 9th, 2022, from 12-5 p.m. at the company’s facility at 68 Ward Road, Lancaster, NY. The event will feature a buffet meal, factory tours, and presentations by Andreas Pfannenberg, Owner – of Pfannenberg Group, Tobias Merle, CEO – of Pfannenberg Group, Earl Rogalski, President – of Pfannenberg Sales America, and Ronald Ruffino, Lancaster Town Supervisor. In announcing the celebration, Andreas Pfannenberg paid special tribute to the resources available in the Western New York Region that he says are a major contributor to the company’s success. “When we decided in the late 1990s to expand into North America from our roots in Germany, we understood that to successfully grow the business, products for North America needed to be designed and manufactured in North America.” He added, “The Buffalo area’s long and storied manufacturing history and reputation for a strong work ethic fit our needs and supports Pfannenberg’s high-quality reputation. Our North American growth is largely due to the willingness of the two cultures to work together in the spirit of learning.” Tobias Merle added, “As a German family business, we are proud to develop and produce our thermal management products in Lancaster, NY. Known for offering unique value and the highest standards, our product solutions and services are trusted by some of the largest, well-known companies from around the world. Our success for the last 25 years is based on a long-term vision of growth built around high-quality products manufactured in America, our skilled employees, and our reputation as a trusted advisor to our customers. As we look forward, we welcome anyone who wants to be part of this journey for the next 25 years.” Earl Rogalski, noted that it is an honor to be working alongside his Pfannenberg colleagues in the United States and around the world. “What makes this milestone achievement so special,” said Rogalski, “Is knowing the positive impact our colleagues are making and the solutions our products are providing – from critical life-saving infrastructure to clean drinking water. Few companies get an opportunity to celebrate 10 years, let alone 25 years. This is a fantastic achievement made possible by our dedicated and highly talented team.”
Toyota Material Handling launches Toyota Assist – Advanced Operator Awareness Technologies
A new pedestrian detection system adds enhanced operator features to expand situational awareness and productivity Toyota Material Handling (TMH), the industry provider in material handling innovation, announces Toyota Assist, a comprehensive suite of advanced features that reflect the company’s commitment to fostering a culture of safety. The Toyota-designed operator assist technologies included in this premiere package work both passively and actively to enhance operability, productivity, and situational awareness. “Today more than ever, fleet managers are under increasing pressure to move product faster while keeping operators and pedestrians comfortable and safe,” said Tony Miller, TMH Senior Vice President of Operations, Engineering & Strategic Planning. “The new and innovative suite of features included in Toyota Assist empowers customers with the ability to outperform normal productivity under the most challenging environmental conditions and situations with the most advanced safety technology on the market.” The latest innovation featured in this unique package is the Smart Environment Sensor® + (SEnS+) technology that provides operators with pedestrian and object detection. This system, available on new Toyota Forklift models, delivers visual and audible alerts when objects or pedestrians are detected within range, similar to pedestrian alerts found in the modern automobile driver assist technologies. SEnS+ limits the movement of the forklift by engaging regenerative braking. A dynamic zoning feature automatically adjusts the detection range of obstacles in a 130-degree field of view up to 32 feet away based on the forklift’s speed. This feature is complemented by an obstacle detection system – designed and engineered by Toyota – which uses stereoscopic vision technology to assist operators by differentiating between pedestrians and objects. Toyota Assist also features the System of Active Stability (SAS), which engages instantly to stabilize the rear axle if the system senses the forklift is in a situation that could lead to instability. The EZ Control Joystick places all hydraulic controls, travel direction, and horn button in a single, ergonomically designed handle, while a selection of adjustable cameras help operators keep an eye on their surroundings. Additional innovative safety features such as Toyota’s Acu-Laser, Auto Height Select, Lift Logic, Load Weight Sensing Ground Level Monitoring, Object Detection Radar, and Compartment Sensing System are also included. For a complete and detailed listing of all the unique and advanced features of this package, visit the Toyota Assist resource page. Learn more about how to enhance forklift operability and improve fleet performance with the Toyota Assist suite of features including the new and innovative SEnS+ pedestrian detection system, at ToyotaForklift.com.
Wolter, Inc. celebrates Sixty Years of business and growth
Wolter, Inc. celebrates sixty years of business and tremendous growth. Wolter continues to grow through the expansion of product offerings, superior customer service, acquisitions, and an extensive suite of operational productivity solutions Wolter has built over the decades. Becoming Wolter The Wolter, Inc. story began in 1962, when Otto Wolter, CEO, founded LPM Parts & Service, later named Wisconsin Lift Truck, out of a two-car garage in Milwaukee, WI. Starting as an aftermarket parts supplier, Wolter quickly expanded into service and used material handling equipment sales. From there, the company took on new lift truck lines and began to grow the business organically. In 1995, Otto Wolter began looking to accelerate growth through acquisition: 1995: Fiorenza Material Handling, Illinois 1998: AmGen, Wisconsin 2001: Equipment Sales & Service, Wisconsin 2006: Material Handling Services, Wisconsin 2010: WITCO Systems, Wisconsin 2012: Scott Lift Truck, Illinois; YDR, Wisconsin 2014: Chicago Lift Truck, Illinois 2015: Service Max and Fleet Lift Truck Service, Illinois 2016: Ellis Systems, Illinois 2017: Stephan Forklift Repair, Wisconsin 2019: Kensar Equipment Company, Indiana; Bohnert Equipment Company, Kentucky 2020: Integrity Industrial Equipment, Ohio; A D Lift Truck, Missouri; K&L Equipment, Illinois 2021: Power Products Plus, WI; Advantage Materials Handling, IN 2022: Valley Industrial Crane, OH On January 1st, 2022, these collective brands united to rebrand as Wolter, Inc. And now, at 60 years of business, Wolter is comprised of a diverse suite of productivity solutions including material handling equipment, automation, and robotics, cranes and hoists, engineered systems, storage and handling, railcar movers, power systems, workplace storage; offering sales, service, parts rentals, and training. The People Behind the Name The company employs a team of over 550 product and solution specialists that can address each customer’s operational challenges under the mission of creating serious competitive advantages for its customers by leveraging its products, services, and people’s unique expertise to reimagine their productivity opportunities. “Wolter began as and continues to be a family business – a family business that does not just speak to the family members of the founder, but to a set of values that the business is based around,” explains, Jerry Weidmann, Wolter President. “Our values determine the way we care for one another, the way we work together, and the way we take care of our customers.” “Our future has a strong foundation and a strong team. We can all be proud of what has been, and all look forward to the future that is yet to be.”
Durante Equipment joins LiuGong North America Dealer lineup
LiuGong North America has added another Florida-based dealer to its lineup, in the form of Hollywood, Fla.-based Durante Equipment. Durante Equipment is a general rent equipment operations company (it includes both construction equipment and material handling products) and boasts a 30-year track record of experience led by Dealer Principal/President John Durante and GM/Sales Manager David D’Attilo. The Hollywood location allows Durante to serve material handling and earthmoving customers in Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach counties. Durante’s family and dealership background are based in New York. He added the Florida location roughly 2 ½ years ago. The availability of material handling inventory is key to the partnership, D’Attilo said. D’Attilo noted a strong customer base within material handling and worked with the LiuGong North America team to become the dealer for sales as well as rentals. Additionally, D’Attilo described the importance of culture within Durante Equipment with its three core tenets: driven to deliver, old-school values, and a passion to be the best. “I like to say that we are constantly building a culture,” D’Attilo said. “We are very selective on who to keep and put into our team because we want to have people here for the long haul.” Jared Ward, LiuGong North America Director of Material Handling, welcomed the Durante Equipment family into the fold. “Durante Equipment has a strong pedigree in rentals and material handling, and we are thrilled to welcome them to our LiuGong dealer lineup,” Ward said. “Ensuring they have the products and availability they need is a major part of our mission and program.” Michel Marchand, LiuGong North America Vice President of Sales, noted the importance of Durante to LiuGong’s construction equipment dealer network. “Florida is booming with projects requiring heavy equipment,” Marchand said. “As we continue to add great partners to our dealer network, we are confident Durante Equipment will be up to the task of servicing earthmoving customers in the area.”