Northern Forklift is one of Scotland's largest independent materials handling distributors.

Briggs Equipment has completed the acquisition of Northern Forklift (Scotland) Ltd, one of Scotland's largest independent materials handling distributors. This further enhances the position of the asset management and engineering services specialist as one of the key providers of materials handling equipment in Scotland.

Northern Forklift has achieved significant success supporting the thriving food and drink sector in Scotland. The combination of Briggs Equipment and Northern Forklift will provide customers with access to a broader range of products and services.

In line with the Briggs offering, Northern Forklift will also now be able to offer the Hyster and Yale product ranges.

Peter Jones, group managing director of Briggs Equipment, says, "Northern Forklift ... is a valuable addition to the Briggs group, bringing a wealth of knowledge and engineering skill. In addition, this will add depth to our already broad customer portfolio, drawing on Northern Forklift's relationships with some of Scotland's biggest brands. I am really pleased to be able to welcome the employees and customers of Northern Forklift in Scotland to the Briggs group."

Andy Sirel, managing director of Northern Forklift, sees the deal as "an obvious fit ... in terms of our collective customers and employees which, going forward, will benefit all stakeholders".

"Briggs Equipment are determined to be the leading materials handling provider in Scotland, so this is an exciting time to join the Briggs group. They already have the necessary foundations in place, so as we work together to deliver best practice on asset management and engineering services across Scotland and build on already well-established customer relationships, I have no doubt that we can achieve that goal," he adds.

The acquisition sees Northern Forklift (Scotland) Ltd become a wholly owned subsidiary of Briggs, continuing to trade under its own name and with all current operational contacts remaining in place.

Details of the terms of the acquisition were not disclosed.