Joe Nenarella

Raymond Handling Consultants LC (RHC) has re-established a physical presence in Orlando, Florida, about 45 miles (72 km) from the equity dealership's headquarters in Lakeland.

Orlando has always been within RHC's territory, which covers central and northern Florida.

"Large customers need to know that we have a physical presence in, and commitment to, the Orlando market," says Joe Nenarella, RHC president. "Having a facility in their area gives the customers a better sense of our ability to help them keep their forklift equipment up and running."

At the Orlando branch, RHC will stock parts and industrial batteries and rent forklifts. The Lakeland site will handle refurbishing needs for the Orlando market.

In the near term, RHC expects to hire more road service technicians. "In spite of the sagging economy, we are continuing to grow our service base and need more technicians to handle the growth," Nenarella points out.

RHC employs 62 persons in Lakeland and at branches in Orlando and a full-service Jacksonville site that opened in 2000.

Raymond Corp. of Greene, New York established Handling Consultants in 1995 and changed to the RHC identity in May 2000 when Nenarella took charge. The business converted to an equity dealership in January 2003 when Nenarella acquired a majority interest.

RHC moved its headquarters to centrally located Lakeland from Tampa, Florida in August 2006 and closed the Tampa and Orlando facilities.
The new site "is centrally located in a dense (Sand Lake) industrial area of Orlando and is easily accessible from the major highways," Nenarella notes.

The Lakeland facility occupies 26,000 square feet (2,340 square metres), Jacksonville 13,000 square feet (1,170 square metres) and Orlando 5,000 square feet (450 square metres).