Manitou appoints new dealer in South AfricaManitou names new dealer for South Africa
Ancenis, France
French materials handling equipment maker Manitou Group, has appointed a new dealer in South Africa for its GEHL brand as it looks to expand its presence in the market.
Family-owned, Johannesburg-based BurGerS Equipment & Spares will offer the GEHL brand from its Cape Town branch. The company has established its reputation for excellence in providing mining equipment and is now expanding into the agricultural and construction sectors with Manitou.
The GEHL brand specialises in construction and agricultural machinery including materials handling equipment, telescopic handlers and articulated loaders.
Manitou says the appointment has been made in response to increasing demand in the region.
Steve Ryder, president of Manitou Group’s LAPAM region, states: ”South Africa is a critical market for Manitou Group, and a robust dealer network is essential to successfully support our expanding GEHL product range. Our priority is to elevate the customer experience to seamlessly meet local demands, and we look forward to seeing this strengthened foundation drive mutual business growth across the region."
JCB receives record order
Cheshire, United Kingdom
JCB has received its biggest order ever
A Cheshire family business has placed an order for almost 270 machines with equipment maker JCB, valued at GBP18 million (USD23.8 million).
The order from equipment hire business Ashbrook, is the biggest in JCB’s history and includes Loadall telescopic handlers, the company’s first ever X Series tracked excavators, site dumpers and compaction equipment.
Managing director James Ashbrook says: “We are extremely proud of how our family company has grown over the past 28 years into one of the most respected plant hirers in Cheshire, Staffordshire and the North-West, with a strong reputation for excellent customer service”.
“We are now hiring a wide range of JCB machines including dumpers, Loadall telescopic handlers, excavators, rollers and powered access,” he adds.
Midwest business receives award for ethics
Omaha, NB, United States
Riekes Equipment has won an award ethics
The Better Business Bureau (BBB) of the Midwest Plains (US) has named Riekes Equipment as a 2026 recipient of the Torch Award for Ethics.
The Torch Awards honour businesses and non-profits across BBB Midwest Plains' five-state region (Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska and South Dakota) which it believes exemplify the four Cs of trust: character, culture, customers and community.
"We are honoured to receive this recognition," says Duncan Murphy, president of Riekes Equipment. "This award reflects our daily commitment to ethical business practices and the trust our stakeholders place in us."
As a local winner, Riekes now advances to the International Torch Awards for Ethics, with final selections announced this fall.