Family-owned materials handling business Attica Equipment will be closing permanently at the end of November.

A statement to customers notes that "Attica has been a leader in the materials handling equipment industry since 1978 and we have been gratified at being a contributor to many successes of our customers, employees, vendors and the many charities we have supported over the years throughout British Columbia".

Sales manager Gary Levers says Attica's forklift operator training will be conducted by service manager Brad Porcellato through his consulting company, Porcellato Engineering.

As we finalised this newsletter, there was still some uncertainty over the future of Attica's forklift sales and service activities. "We are presently in discussions with existing materials handling equipment sales and service providers to determine the best way to accommodate all of your forklift sales and service requirements," the company says in its message to customers.

An update is expected soon.

Attica's golf and utility vehicle division will be taken over by Ian Calam under his new company, Defiance Equipment Ltd. Defiance Equipment will continue to support all sales, parts, rentals and service requirements.

While Forkliftaction News has not been able to determine the reason for the closure, Attica's message to customers requests "prompt payment on any outstanding receivables to clear up accounts".