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 | Forkliftaction.com helps you plan your advertising by providing a calendar of editorial features appearing in Forkliftaction.com News in the coming months.
Features planned are:
February: Forklifts in the logging & timber industry
March: Industrial batteries & chargers
April: The forklift market in China
For the full editorial calendar, click here.
Editorial features are an excellent way for your company to share the spotlight of these features. Feature advertising rates start at USD330! Contact marketing@forkliftaction.com for more information.
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*EXCLUSIVE* Manitou: Future outside Europe 
Sydney, AustraliaAt the opening of Manitou BF’s newest subsidiary, Manitou Australia, Forkliftaction.com News reporter Christine Liew spoke to Manitou executive vice president Bruno Fille. He and fellow French directors Francois F Piffard and Henri L Gallard were in Sydney to open Manitou Australia ( Forkliftaction.com News #246).
“A few years ago we talked about Manitou as the world leader in the rough-terrain business. Today our positioning is progressively changing. We are keeping our core business, rough-terrain forklifts, but developing other product lines, like industrial equipment,” Fille said.
Manitou, known for its all-terrain forklifts, aims to gradually become a global player in materials handling equipment. Today, its business activities and products cover three main markets: construction, farming and the industries market. The latter covers all applications not included in the first two market sectors.
Last year, Manitou’s consolidated net sales totalled AUD1.5 billion (USD1.1 billion ) with total growth exceeding 20 per cent. Group turnover for 2005 jumped 12 per cent in France, 23 per cent in Europe and 47 per cent in “other countries”. The USA experienced more than 60 per cent growth, Asia 79 per cent and the Pacific 49 per cent.
The Manitou Group’s strategy is to develop its activities in the three main sectors and avoid strong dependency on any one sector, Fille said. (Total net sales: 48 per cent construction, 27 per cent farming and 25 per cent industries).
The Asia-Pacific region was a point of interest for the group, representing its future as opportunities for market growth and increased market share existed there, Fille said.
However, he said Manitou had to start from first base in some Asia-Pacific markets.
“It will take years to develop the Chinese [rough-terrain] market because we have to develop from scratch but it’s a situation we like in Manitou. For the time being, we have no competitor in this market but we also recognise that the market has to be developed.
“We are starting activities in China with production of industrial forklifts to export them worldwide. They are relatively low cost in production and of good quality. Later, we will accelerate our development in Asia for rough-terrain forklifts but, for the time being, it’s a relatively small market,” he said.
Manitou acquired the Irisman Company in China last September for around AUD4 million (USD2.95 million). The company, which is considered a start-up, was renamed Manitou Hangzhou Material Handling Co Ltd and made an affiliate subsidiary.
Currently about 40 people work in Hanghou, which has the capacity to produce 3,000 units a year. The company manufactures industrial internal combustion forklifts with load capacities ranging from 1.5 tons to 3.5 tons.
Fille said there were ideas for joint ventures in other emerging markets, like India, but 2006 was “still a bit too early to talk about it”.
However, the group opened its own marketing office in Mumbai, India, in June 2005. In late 2005, the Spanish marketing office was converted to a sales affiliate “in view of the size of activities achieved in the country”. A marketing office opened in Belgorad, Russia, this year. | Dumping continues but agency says no injury
WASHINGTON, DC, United StatesThe US Department of Commerce (DoC) has revoked an anti-dumping (AD) order against Japanese forklifts first implemented more than 15 years ago.
In a US Federal Register notice, the International Trade Commission (ITC) determined in a sunset review that revocation of the AD order would not lead to injury to the US industry within a reasonably foreseeable time.
On June 7, 1988, the DoC first published its AD order and found dumping margins ranging from 13.65 per cent to 56.81 per cent for “selected respondents” and a margin of 39.45 per cent for “all other” Japanese forklift manufacturers, producers, and exporters.
The margins were calculated based on price differences of forklifts sold in “own markets” compared to those sold in the USA.
The Japanese forklifts covered by the order were IC industrial forklifts with load capacities ranging from 2,000lbs (907kg) to 15,000lbs (6803kg).
They were described as “assembled, not assembled, and less than complete, finished, and not finished, operator-riding forklifts powered by gasoline, propane or diesel fuel IC engines of off-the-highway types used in factories, warehouses, or transportation terminals for short-distance transport, towing, or handling of articles”.
Forklifts manufactured three years before entering the USA were termed “genuinely used forklifts”, and not covered by the AD order.
On June 2, 2000, the DoC published a continuation of the order. On March 1, 2005, the DoC initiated a sunset review of the order and found its revocation would lead to continued and recurred dumping.
The ITC was notified that revocation of the AD order would result in continued dumping by the following forklift manufacturers and exporters at weighted-average percentage margins of:
Toyota Motor Corp (47.79), Nissan Motor Co Ltd (51.33), Komatsu Forklift Co Ltd (47.50), Sumitomo-Yale Co Ltd (51.33), Toyo Umpanki Co Ltd (51.33), Sanki Industrial Co Ltd (13.65), Kasagi Forklift Inc (56.81) and all others (39.45).
However, on January 26, 2006, the ITC determined, under section 752 of the Tariff Act (1930), that revocation was not likely to cause material injury to the US industry.
A DoC staff member said the revocation was an affirmative finding of the DoC and the ITC.
“According to US law, a sunset review is conducted every five years to see if the order is renewed. The International Trade Administration of the DoC will investigate if there is evidence of dumping and the likelihood of future dumping while the ITC will determine if there is injury to a US industry,” he said.
The DoC says the effective date of revocation of the AD order is June 2, 2005. |
| Shareholders approve Bolzoni’s public offering
PIACENZA, ItalyBolzoni SpA shareholders have approved a listing project at a meeting in Piacenza, Italy, which will see its shares offered to the Italian public and institutional investors.
They also approved an increase in capital to support the process to admit ordinary corporate shares to the Segment for Stock with High Requisites (STAR) in the Italian Stock Exchange’s computerised stock trading market.
The process is a global offer divided into a public offer of sale & subscription, aimed at the Italian public, and a private placing aimed at Italian and foreign institutional investors. The latter excludes the USA, Canada, Japan and Australia.
Bolzoni said in a statement that the process was part of a strategy to consolidate its leadership in Europe, strengthen its geographical expansion policy, search for new business opportunities, improve the company’s processes and develop innovative products.
Bolzoni is a multinational group manufacturing forklift attachments worldwide. It has 16 subsidiaries, six of which are manufacturing plants in Italy, the USA, Finland, Estonia, Spain and China. In 2004, the group’s turnover totalled EUR84 million (USD99.8 million). Net profit rose from EUR1.36 million (USD1.62 million) in 2003 to EUR1.71 million (USD2.03 million) in 2004.
Banca IMI and Banca Cabato will act as joint global co-ordinators in the listing operation and as joint book runners and joint lead managers for the institutional placement. | | Hyster | J40XMT | 1996 | New Zealand | NZD 18500 | Details | | Jungheinrich | ECP100ZG | 1997 | Germany | EUR 1990 | Details | | Still | R 50-16 | 2000 | Germany | EUR 6600 | Details | | Still | R 70-30T | 2000 | Germany | EUR 6300 | Details | | Taylor | TEC-950-L | 1994 | United States | USD 199000 | Details | | Big Joe | PDM20-180 | - | Australia | AUD 6500 | Details | | Toyota | 42-6FG25 | 1996 | Australia | AUD 10000 | Details | | Crown | 20GPW2745 | - | Australia | AUD 4000 | Details | | Linde | L 12 | 2001 | Germany | EUR 2950 | Details | | Caterpillar | TH83 | 2000 | United States | USD 46500 | Details | | Toyota | 5FBCU30 | 2000 | Canada | USD 8750 | Details | | Taylor | TE450M | 1994 | United States | USD 95000 | Details | | Caterpillar | NO20ST | 2001 | Netherlands | EUR 2000 | Details | | Still | R70-18 G | 2002 | Germany | EUR 6900 | Details |
and thousands more... Click here to include your used forklifts, stackers, telehandlers, container handlers, attachments etc. | Forklift-owning prince’s legal woes end
LONDON, United KingdomA fleet of forklifts was among assets involved in a legal stoush between the Sultan of Brunei and his younger brother.
The five-year legal battle launched by the Sultan against his brother has now ended after the Sultan admitted defeat in a contempt action that could have seen his brother jailed.
According to The Times, Prince Jefri Bolkiah, 51, had been accused by Sultan Hassanal, 59, of embezzling GBP8 billion (USD13.9 billion) from the Brunei Investment Authority (BIA) during his 13-year tenure as Brunei’s finance minister.
In May 2000, the dispute was initially resolved by an out-of-court settlement. Prince Jefri agreed to hand over GBP3 billion (USD5.2 billion) from assets sold during a four-day auction in London in 2001.
The assets, stored in 21 warehouses, included 400 Victorian lamp posts, two unused Mercedes-Benz fire engines, 16,000 tonnes of Italian marble and a fleet of forklifts.
However, the Sultan launched new court proceedings in London, where the prince spends most of his time, because the prince was still leading an extravagant lifestyle.
The Sultan and BIA wanted the prince to disclose the full scale of his wealth. The five-year legal battle had cost the Sultan GBP1 million (USD1.7 million) in fees.
A Reuters News report said BIA would not rule out fresh contempt proceedings if new evidence arose. |
| Caterpillar surges forward
PEORIA, IL, United StatesCaterpillar Inc says 2005 was a year of unprecedented customer demand with full year sales and revenues were up 20 per cent to USD36.339 billion.
“With the surge in customer demand and production, employees and dealers responded in spectacular fashion to help us realise this opportunity,” company chairman Jim Owens said.
Owens said he was pleased with Caterpillar employees.
“I’m gratified by what Team Caterpillar has accomplished … Over the past two years we’ve more than doubled production at several manufacturing facilities, particularly those manufacturing large machines. We’ve done this without additional bricks and mortar and with a focus on managing our period cost structure.”
He said the 2005 increase in sales and revenues was a result of USD3.75 billion of higher sales volume, USD1.827 billion of improved price realisation and a USD363 million increase in financial product revenues.
Caterpillar made a profit of USD2.854 billion or USD4.04 a share, up 40 per cent from 2004.
In 2006, Caterpillar expects sales and revenues of about USD40 billion and a profit per share of USD4.65 to USD5.00.
“Most industries we serve are strong and the fundamental economic picture remains positive,” Owens said. “Our emphasis is on execution with Six Sigma as we implement our new strategy to achieve 2010 goals, with an even greater focus on improving employee safety, product quality and product availability.”
Six Sigma is a business improvement strategy that uses statistical tools to accelerate improvements in processes, products and services, and to reduce manufacturing and administrative costs. | JAMCO has good selection of late model Toyota LPG & electrics Jamco – Wholesale distributors of Used Forklifts, Battery Chargers, Pallet Trucks and more, sells to USA-Canada & parts of Mexico. All forklifts get thorough inspection of major components.
Celebrating 20 years in the forklift industry our growth is attributed to our business philosophy “Integrity Pricing & Repeat Business”. We provide accurate information and ask a reasonable price for all our products.
Our forklift inventory changes frequently. To receive updated stock lists email info@jamco1.com.
View our selection of late model Toyota LPG’s and Electrics, plus others at our Forkliftaction.com ShopFront. Click the 'Used Equipment' tab. |
| Duke gives royal nod to JCB plant
DERBYSHIRE, United KingdomThe Duke of York will give the royal seal of approval to JCB’s entry into diesel engine production when he officiates at the opening of JCB power systems plant in Derbyshire today.
As UK special representative for international trade & investment, Prince Andrew will visit the factory at Dove Valley Park, in Foston, where the JCB-developed 444 engine is manufactured.
The 444 engine design, development and manufacturing project, worth GBP80 million (USD139 million), is the biggest single investment in JCB’s history.
The Duke will be briefed on the engine design, observe production processes and meet employees. Before leaving, he will unveil a plaque to commemorate the plant’s opening.
In his role as special representative, the Duke encourages British companies to be involved in international trade by selling British goods and services overseas and undertakes activities to attract and retain inward investment to protect British jobs. | One-stop shop pioneered for Oz port
BRISBANE, AustraliaA Brisbane transport and logistics company is building a AUD65 million (USD48 million) warehouse precinct at the Port of Brisbane which will be a “one-stop shop” for freight forwarders, customs brokers and import/export businesses.
Queensland’s main roads & transport minister Paul Lucas has welcomed the concept being pioneered by Tzaneros Enterprises Pty Ltd.
Tzaneros will build the 8ha (80,000 square metre) warehouse precinct at Port Gate Estate at the Port of Brisbane.
“Drawing these elements together in one precinct makes good business sense,” Lucas said.
Tzaneros managing director Steven Tzaneros said while freight forwarders and customs brokers competed for business, they also had to work closely together to service customers, especially when securing container space.
He said interest in the new concept was high, with several leading freight forwarders expressing interest in the proposed development. Three formal expressions of interest had been received.
The warehouse precinct will be managed by Tzaneros. It will have 42,375 square metres of warehousing, 4,500 square metres of office space, parking for 282 cars, and a container storage area.
Stage one involves construction of three of six warehouses planned for the development. Warehouse 1 is expected to be completed by the end of July 2006. It will have 5,620 square metres of warehousing and 1,000 square metres of office space. Warehouses 2 and 3 are slated to be completed in 2007. |
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| In the Discussion Forums | Great place for technical discussions. " Thanks Mike for responding. I drove the truck today and in rev I locked the steering fully left and right and it seems to be ok...I think you are right about cable mix-up, also 2 large diodes on, panel not sure about position of them either ." james_m, IrelandNow this is a good question. " Is anyone measuring the effect of operator training on lost workdays or fatalities in their industry, company, or nation?
" joe_m, United StatesWhat repair shops think about cranks. " As for the converter, it is cheaper to just replace it ... however, we have not had any problems with broken cranks as a result of the vibration. Most of the time the vibration is just an aggravation to the operator.
" tom_w, United StatesGetting to the truth of the matter. " We have a saying: if you build something 'idiot proof' someone will build a better idiot, right away." etharp, United States |
| Jobs | 1. Mechanic - Full timeSparks, United States 2. Territory Representative - Full timeSydney, Australia 3. Program Compliance Manager - Full timeField Position, United States 4. Field Service Technician - AGV Industry - Full timeCharlotte, NC, United States 5. Application Support Engineer - AGV Industry - Full timeCharlotte, NC, United States 6. Key Account Manager Süd für elektr. Anbaugeräte - Full timeDeutschland Süd, Germany 7. OEM Sales Coordinator - Full timeColumbus, IN, United States |
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Editorial Calendar |
January
Explosion proof forklifts
February
Forklifts in the logging and timber industry
March
Industrial batteries and chargers
April
The forklift market in China
May
Reach stackers
June
Forklift tyres, wheels and castors
July
The German forklift industry
August
Container attachments
September
Truck mounted forklifts
October
Engines and drive trains
November
The forklift market in Canada
December
End of year review
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