Apex president John Paul Turcich

Clark Material Handling Co added Apex Material Handling Corp as an authorised distributor in 14 counties in northern Illinois and north west Indiana, effective from 30 July.

Clark continues its four-year relationship with National Lift Truck Inc sites in Franklin Park and East Hazel Crest, Illinois covering 15 counties.

"Clark now has two very solid and capable dealers covering the large Chicago (area of primary responsibility)," says Scott Johnson, vice president of business development for Clark in Lexington, Kentucky.

Johnson notes the new distributor's strengths. "John Paul Turcich, Apex president, has an established reputation with Clark customers in Chicago from his time with Material Handling Services (MHS). Additionally, many of his current team, whom were also with MHS, are also very experienced with Clark new equipment, parts and service divisions."

Johnson adds: "We have intentions to heavily promote the full line of Clark products throughout Chicago and to additionally focus on parts opportunities. Apex's growth plan across all five classes of Clark's product offering provides our companies with great synergy."

Apex began selling, servicing and supporting Doosan forklifts in 2006. In addition, Apex represents Genie aerial equipment.

In December, the Apex organisation acquired a dealer management system from IndustryBuilt Software Corporation's Equip-Soft business unit of Mississauga, Ontario, Canada. "We have been live for two months" with the system, Turcich reports. "We are a service-oriented, professional organisation that is constantly working to stay abreast of the ever changing materials handling industry."

Apex occupies 25,000 sqft (2,250 sqm), employs 36 staff and may add a sales person and perhaps a couple of technicians, Turcich says.

In addition to selling and servicing material handling equipment, the company operates the Apex Energy Solutions division focusing on efficient lighting, light pipes, control strategies and heating, ventilating and airconditioning solutions.