The Briggs International business of Sammons Enterprises Inc has doubled its presence in Mexico with the acquisition of Maquinaria Ligera Equinter SA de CV. No terms of the 1 May transaction were disclosed.

Mexico City-based Equinter represents Hyster forklifts, Bobcat equipment, Rail King mobile railcar movers, Capacity trailer spotters and other lines.

Fernando Malvido, director general of the Briggs Equipment SA de CV unit in Tlalnepantla de Baz, Mexico, will oversee the organisation's integration of 285 Briggs employees and about 300 Equinter employees that Briggs is hiring. Mauro Zarnora, an Equinter executive, will provide operational support.

In addition to its Mexico City base, Equinter has Mexican branch operations in Coatzacoalcos, Toluca, Manzanillo, Guadalajara, Irapuato, Vera Cruz, and Merida.

"Briggs International's growth strategy has concentrated on international acquisitions," says David C Bratton, president and chief executive officer of Briggs International and a member of the Sammons board of directors. We are pleased to double the size of our Mexico operations. . . . This acquisition joins the Hyster and Yale brands, two of the leading lift truck brands in Mexico."

Bratton notes that Briggs Equipment is one of the largest materials handling rental companies in Mexico with a 13-year record of service.

"Many of our customers are global companies," he says. "We have strong, valued relationships that cross international lines. . . . We plan to expand the number of countries where Briggs will be able to respond to our customer's request for assistance."

Headquarters for Briggs' and Sammons' operations are in Dallas.