President of Brazil Dilma Rousseff and governor of Rio Grande do Sul state, Tarso Genro, walking by the backhoes.

JCB wins GBP60M tender
Rocester, United Kingdom
Telehandler and forklift manufacturer JCB has won one of the biggest single tenders in its history with an order for over 1,016 backhoe loaders worth over GBP60 million (USD96.6 million) for the Brazilian government.
The first 114 backhoes, which will be used to improve the country's road infrastructure, have been delivered and the remainder, which will be manufactured at the Sao Paulo plant, will be delivered by the end of June.
In 2006, UK plant hire firm Fork Rent ordered 1,000 JCB Loadall telehandlers and backhoe loaders, giving JCB its largest Loadall range order (Forkliftaction.com News #260).

Wuxi centre opens
Wuxi, China
Linde (China) has officially opened the Wuxi sales and service centre, which is expected to provide customers with quicker service and a bigger facility to hold sufficient stocks of forklift parts.
UPS general manager Zhang Yiling, who attended the ceremony, says the international freight company has had a long working relationship with Linde, and the Wuxi facility will ensure "better and faster service".
VIPs performed the ribbon cutting for the new location and watched a lively show that displayed the efficiency and ergonomics of Linde forklifts.

Toyota forklift "safest"
Irvine, CA, United States
Toyota Material Handling USA Inc (TMHU) took top billing for producing the safest forklift in a study by Peerless Research Group.
The study was conducted with qualified readers of Modern Materials Handling magazine to better understand and track forklift safety issues that are most important, and which companies are regarded as manufacturers of the safest forklifts. Those surveyed were selected from subscribers who are involved in the use, evaluation and purchase of forklifts and forklift accessories.

Art museum receives forklift donation
Portland, OR, United States
Nacco Materials Handling Group Inc, in co-operation with the Portland operation of materials handling equipment firm Papé Group Inc, donated a Hyster electric reach truck to the Portland Art Museum for use in helping move works of art for displays. Hyster donated the reach truck, and Papé donated a battery and charging unit.