Clark has enhanced its dealer support packages

Clark Material Handling Co has enhanced an aftermarket parts/new equipment financing/forklift sales package that was introduced to dealers in February.

Including wholesale and retail initiatives, "these 17 programs are designed to support the sales, service and parts divisions of authorised Clark dealers," says Scott Johnson, director of dealer services with Clark in Lexington. "We have a deliberate and planned approach to the balance of 2009, and we continue to execute those elements that we believe will bring mutual success to Clark and its family of distributors."

The programs have been praised by certain Clark dealers in the Mid-South, New York and California.

"I am glad I am in a foxhole with Clark," says Mike Sain, vice president of Material Handling Inc (MHI), characterising the core February program as "very comprehensive".

Family-owned and -operated MHI employs 88 people and has locations in Dalton and Gainesville, Georgia; Chattanooga and Nashville, Tennessee; and Bowling Green, Kentucky (Forkliftaction.com News #364).

"Clark runs its business with the same intention and integrity that our family tries to run MHI," Sain notes. "Clark, to me, is doing things that are helpful to help dealers in these tough times."

MHI sells and services equipment from Clark, Linde, Princeton and, in some markets, Komatsu.

The Clark stimulus program is "extremely meaningful" to New York-based multi-line dealer Infiniti Handling Systems (IHS) and "all inclusive for mechanics and sales and service" personnel, says Baron Selman, IHS vice president of sales and marketing. "The June revisions made (the program) better."

IHS was formed in 1997, employs 50, has sites in Middletown and Garden City, New York and sells and services equipment for the Clark (initially in June 2008), Doosan, Nissan, Genie, Barrett and Motrec brands. Clark has been aggressive on deals and financing and "can make decisions based on the American market", Selman notes.

Clark is "being very aggressive with dealers to go out and get deals," says Mark Maechling, president of Cal-Lift Inc in its consolidated new location in City of Industry, California (Forkliftaction.com News #402).

Maechling terms Clark managers "relentless," calls the February offering "a pretty big program with so many components" and sees the June update as "tweaking" some elements involving parts, service and sales.

In its geographic market, Cal-Lift has exclusive representation of Clark (initially in September 2008), Taylor and Ottawa brands and shared dealings for the Mitsubishi and Linde brands. Cal-Lift was formed in 1964 and employs 75.