The P-Series P450 pneumatic forklift

Heavy forklift manufacturer Hoist Liftruck is looking to replicate its success in the US with the international market.

In 2006, Hoist restructured its US dealer network by partnering with dealers that would represent the company's entire product line. Various Toyota dealers in the US that sell forklifts up to 15,000lbs (6,804kg) capacity have expanded their product offerings with Hoist's 15,000lb-100,000lb (6,804kg-45,359kg) forklifts.

Hoist president Marty Flaska tells Forkliftaction.com News the company wants to restructure its global dealer network along the same lines as last year's initiative for the US market.

Changes to the US dealer network have raised awareness of Hoist Liftruck products and increased sales.

"We have always had dealers. However, after re-evaluating the [US] market and determining that we wanted to expand in the pneumatic tyre business, we needed partners who would benefit from our entire line," Flaska says, adding that there are now over 50 Hoist dealers in the US.

In the UK, Locators Ltd markets Hoist's Neptune series while in Australia, dealership Budget Forklifts promotes the company's full line.

Flaska says there are several Hoist dealers in Canada but he expects more international dealers to start representing Hoist.

"Having global success with current dealerships, it makes perfect sense with the heavy import-export industry coming our way for [increased demand in our] upcoming container handlers and reach stackers for port industry applications."

The Hoist line-up includes the P-Series pneumatic forklift, Neptuna series marina forklift, and the Titian, FKS and Lazer series cushion-tyre forklifts. It recently added empty and loaded container handlers to its line and is introducing reach stackers in the third quarter of 2008 (Forkliftaction.com News #315).