CLARK EQUIPMENT AUSTRALIA SECURES FANTUZZI DEAL

A heads of agreement signing earlier this year almost assures closure, says CEA marketing manager Alan Foulkes.

"The Fantuzzi deal is a big operation for both of us. It means we will be joining forces with a strong international manufacturer, and Fantuzzi will be joining with a big player in the regional market," he said.

Mr Foulkes said the two companies also had reached an agreement which will see  CEA manufacturing Fantuzzis under licence before year end.

"We will be distributing all Fantuzzi's heavy lift trucks throughout Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific, and acquiring a reach stacker to complement our current range," he said.

The Italian trucks will be sold under the Fantuzzi-Omega brand name in Australia, and simply as Omega throughout the rest of the Asia-Pacific region.

Fantuzzi's current distributor, Sydney-based MLA Holdings Pty Ltd, will continue to service its current Fantuzzi customers, while CEA will handle new business.

Fantuzzi Reggiane Australasia general manager Terry Mulqueen said the deal was the "way of the future" and management was excited about the prospects of the new arrangement.

"This deal not only covers Australia and New Zealand, but also Polynesia and Papua New Guinea," he said.

Since the agreement was made, five Fantuzzi-Omega lift trucks have been sold to Brisbane's Multi-Modal Terminal, at Fisherman's Island. Forkliftaction.com understands the contract is worth around $A3 million. CEA is currently delivering the machines.

CEA, the manufacturer of 10-tonne to 48-tonne Omega lift trucks, is the largest player in the materials handling industry in Australia-New Zealand, supplying more than 50% of the industry's forklift trucks.