Southeast Industrial Equipment Inc (SIE) has added Clark Material Handling Co lines to its offerings at seven locations in the south-east.

Clark called the Thorne family's SIE a "regional powerhouse" in announcing the appointment on July 10.

For Clark new equipment, service and aftermarket parts products, SIE covers metropolitan Charlotte, where it is based; eastern North Carolina; all of South Carolina; and the cities of Savannah and Augusta in Georgia. SIE has another location in Richmond, Virginia.

"This appointment represents a significant leap in coverage and capabilities for Clark in these important territories," says Scott Johnson, vice president of business development with Clark in Lexington, Kentucky. "Southeast is well known for its commitment to territory coverage, parts and service excellence and new equipment penetration."

In addition to Clark, locations of SIE represent numerous brands including Toyota, Hoist, Manitou, Combilift and Aisle-Master forklifts; Genie and Aichi aerial work platforms; Terex construction equipment; and Wacker Neuson compactors.

"Southeast has chosen to align itself with only the best products and partners," Johnson notes. "We certainly respect those other entities and look forward to incremental growth for both Clark and Southeast Industrial."

The dealership operated as Vesco Material Handling Equipment Inc until 1987 when automotive distributor JM Family Enterprises Inc of Deerfield Beach, Florida acquired the business and changed the name to Southeast Industrial Equipment. Steve Thorne joined SIE in 1991 as president and purchased the business in June 1994, when JM Family Enterprises decided to sell off non-car operations.

Thorne remained as chief executive officer in transferring SIE ownership in 2006 to trusts for his children and positioning them to manage the business. Cory Thorne is SIE president, and his sister, BJ Farrell, is vice president.

Clark operates as a business of Young An Hat Co Ltd, based in Bucheon in the South Korean province of Gyeonggi, and has 517 equipment dealer locations worldwide.