Nigel Martin, business development manager, HC Forklifts UK

Eqstra Industrial Equipment has established new company, HC Forklifts UK, to import and distribute the HC range of forklifts manufactured by leading Chinese forklift manufacturer Hangcha.

Eqstra has appointed Nigel Martin to head Corby-based HC Forklifts UK. The forklifts will be supplied through a UK-wide dealer network.

Martin, who has 15 years' experience in the materials handling industry, is currently in discussions with potential dealerships. He is looking for UK dealers who are interested to represent the HC brand.

South Africa-based Eqstra group supplies and maintains materials handling equipment in Africa, and has a presence in the UK through its ownership of Impact Handling.

The new business will operate independently and Eqstra sees it as a route to increase the group's share of the UK market.

Gary Neubert, CEO of Eqstra Industrial Equipment, is very clear that clinching the deal to distribute the Hangcha range is complementary to the group's current activities.

"We are very impressed with the build quality of the brand and we understand where it sits in the marketplace," he explains. "It is already established in the UK through its previous distributor, so we see this as a great opportunity to grow our business in a competitive, mature market."

The HC range was previously distributed by Samuk Lift Trucks, which was founded by industry veteran Sir Neville-Bowman Shaw (Forkliftaction.com News #264). Samuk has a new partnership with Sino-American Zhejiang Maximal Forklift Co Ltd (Forkliftaction.com News #589).