As part of a series of acquisitions, Western Australian-based equipment company United Equipment Pty Ltd has bought Victorian-based Western Forklift Services.

The acquisition took place on November 2.

A United statement said Western’s acquisition was "calculated to capture the major market segment of the materials handling industry in Victoria". United told WA Business News the acquisition was backed by AMP Private Equity.

United, established in August 2005 in Welshpool, Western Australia, said the Western acquisition increased annual turnover from AUD79 million to AUD150 million.

In the last 10 months, United has acquired Victorian forklift companies Wagmac, in Dingley, and DFS Holdings, in Geelong. A statement said it had also acquired WA Fork Trucks, in Perth and Bunbury, and WA Access, Perth, Northern Territory’s NT Forklifts, and United Skymaster, in New South Wales.

United chairman Laurie Puddy said more acquisitions were planned.

"The purchase of Western makes United Equipment a formidable operation in Victoria and, while I can’t comment on industry speculation as to who might next join our operation, I can say that this is a very exciting time for us," he said.

Western branch manager Mick Whelan said the acquisition had been well received and gave Western an opportunity to increase its all terrain vehicles and access gear.

Western Forklift Services has operated in Altona, Victoria, since 1994. It represents Nissan forklifts and SMV container handlers and forklifts.

United said it planned to establish a national network of materials handling and access outlets.