Clark's new European headquarters

Clark forklifts may soon be produced in Europe as the old-brand forklifts' European sales office moves to bigger headquarters to accommodate expanding sales.

On January 26, Clark Europe GmbH moved from Duisburg to Mülheim, about 500 metres from its former Mülheim factory. Clark Europe GmbH was established in Duisburg on September 1, 2004, after Clark Material Handling Europe, in Mülheim, was closed and its assets sold to FiLCO GmbH (Forkliftaction.com News #182).

Clark Europe managing director Egon Strehl told Forkliftaction.com News the new headquarters was thrice the size of the Duisburg premises. "It was necessary, because we were running out of space."

The new spare parts warehouse is 25,000 square metres and office space covers 550 square metres.

"This is an important step for our development. It was already planned when we started in Europe in 2004," Strehl said.

Clark's parent, Young An Hat Co, had planned for Clark's European base to initially support and expand its European dealer network and then to establish a manufacturing facility by the end of 2008 or 2009.

Forklifts made in the Changwon plant, South Korea, were currently imported to Europe. Plans for a European manufacturing facility were in the pipeline, Strehl said.

"That depends on our sales growth. When we can sell 3,000 forklifts a year through our European dealer network, then we think of a new production facility, at least an assembly line to build some trucks."

Clark Europe is on target with its sales growth. In 2006, Clark sold 1,505 forklifts in Europe, a 44 per cent increase from 2005. Forklift sales this year are forecast at 2,000 units.

"We are optimistic we can reach [3,000 units] by 2008," Strehl said.

Clark Europe currently has 102 dealers throughout Europe; more than half are exclusive dealers. The goal is to have only exclusive dealers in the marketplace. There are currently 27 Clark dealers in Germany; 14 of which are exclusive.

The start-up team at Clark Europe has grown from an initial six-member team to 25 employees. The company would hire five more sales and administration staff by the end of 2007.

Strehl, formerly responsible for Clark Material Handling Europe's spare parts, said finding good salespeople for the forklift industry was not a problem in Europe.

"In Germany, the bigger problem is dealers finding skilled technicians for forklift repairs and maintenance," he said.

Clark Europe GmbH will participate in its first trade show at IMHX, in Birmingham, from March 13 to March 16. Forkliftaction.com European sales representative Stephen Burford will be at IMHX in Hall 20 - Booth 20B135. Email www.forkliftaction.com to arrange a meeting.