Hi Karait,

you are right, the cost is always a very important factor in all the countries, but in some more and in some less.
If you have a stable economy as is Germany, you invest in machinery that can last more, also if they cost more.
In economies like the one of east Europe the instability of the market is making you thinking more of getting something cheap, that will not influence too much your cash flow, especially if you have an high exposure with banks... I can't know well as you the Polish situation, but I also come from east Europe (not Poland) and I know how it is.

You are right, the persons in this business are a closed circle, but here in Germany the circle of Cascade has twisted for my point of view to much: in the last 5-6 years they have changed 3 times locations, and all the time the contact persons in the office has changed.
At the beginning they were having a local stock of equipment (also used), a reparation center and more technicians, but in the last years they have reduced this services a lot.
From my personal taste, when I arrive at a customer and I find a combination Linde truck - Kaup attachment, I'm very happy: I know that I can easily find assistance if I need something.
In Cascade was also like this some years ago, but now not anymore.

It is a pity: I was in USA in holiday, and there more than the 50% of the attachments are Cascade, and from everybody I was having the feedback that Cascade attachemnts are absolutely the number 1 (also if a was a tourist I was not able to separate from my work).
OK, in Germany as I said a lot of persons are buying products "Made in Germany", as if somebody wants a sport car is getting a Porsche or a BMW M3, not a Corvette or Chevrolet Camaro, but it's really a shame to see how Cascade is developing the business in Germany compared to its image in the rest of the world: I don't understand their strategy, and now, with the acquisition from Toyota, I don't expect anything better.
That is my thought, lets see what it will be...