 Stärke means "strength" in German. |
Canadian Forklift Distributors Ltd (CFDL) has launched the Stärke Material Handling Group as a new division.
The Stärke brand is a wholly owned CFDL trade name.
CFDL general manager Jim Chesla notes that Stärke means "strength" in German and says that word "truly represents the Stärke forklift product". Models in the line are available with cushion or pneumatic tyres, a Nissan, GM, Kubota, Cummins or Perkins engine (internal combustion or electric options) and Cascade and other components.
CFDL contracted with an unidentified third party for manufacturing purposes and, effective from 1 January, makes the forklifts and pallet trucks available in Canada through its nationwide network of dealerships.
CFDL intends to introduce the Stärke line in the United States later in 2010 and begin development of a US dealer network.
The equipment's lifting range at this time is 3,000-22,000 lbs (1,350-9,000 kg).
Models include the Stärke Professional and Elite Series of internal combustion forklifts, the Stärke Energy Series lineup of AC electric forklifts, the Stärke LiftMaxx line of industrial, narrow-aisle and electric pallet trucks and walkie straddle stackers, and the Stärke Pallet Boss line of manual pallet trucks.
Thorold-based CFDL employs 21 staff and has relationships with more than 35 independently owned dealerships, with the strongest concentration in the company's home province of Ontario.
In addition to the Stärke group, other CFDL divisions represent the forklift line from Anhui Heli Co Ltd, of Hefei, China; rough-terrain forklifts from Master Craft Industrial Equipment of Tifton Georgia; the narrow-aisle warehouse line of E-P Equipment Co Ltd of Xiacheng, China; MD-brand attachments from Mo Doo Industry Co Ltd of Seoul, South Korea; tyres from L-Guard International Enterprise Ltd of Qingdao, China; and forks from Vision Manufacturing Inc Ltd of Zhejiang, China. Other CFDL divisions include the on-line Material Handling Express service and the Canadian Forklift Wholesale business unit.
Chesla reports: "The Heli forklift line will remain a dependable but economical option for our market. The Stärke Professional will offer improved sightlines and ergonomics and a more maintenance-free design. Moving up, the (Stärke) Elite has a very attractive and modern design, excellent sightlines and operator comfort that is driven by the standard anti-vibration and anti-shock cab design with full suspension seat option."
CFDL-affiliated dealers can obtain financing and leasing services in Canada through the Burlington, Ontario-based unit of Marubeni Corporation subsidiary CoActiv Capital Partners Inc.