FCM building in Forest Park, Georgia

This week, Forkliftaction.com News speaks to FCM president Matt Dougherty about his company

Q. What are your company's products/services?

Wholesale and re-rental. The company's main focus is to work with and serve forklift dealers with used equipment and specialty rental lifts.

Q. Give a brief history of your company's involvement in the materials handling industry.

FCM was founded by my father, Dan Dougherty, in 1978. Dan spent 35 years working with Wrenn Brothers, now Barloworld Handling, before starting FCM. In 1982, Dan retired from Wrenn and began wholesaling used equipment full time. His involvement with Hyster dealers through his years with Wrenn Brothers (the Hyster dealer for southeast US), and his association in MHEDA, made for a successful transition to the wholesale business.

I joined the business in 1985 and Harold Cox (FCM vice president) in 1988. FCM's primary interest has always been buying and selling used equipment to the dealer network. But after the recession of the early 1990s the company began a re-rental program.

FCM re-rental now has a fleet of 15,500lb to 20,000lb cushion tyre forklifts, and 15,500lb to 36,000lb pneumatic tyre lifts. Primarily working with dealers to fill gaps in their short-term rental requirements, FCM offers daily, weekly, and monthly terms. Long-term rentals are available as well.


Q. What is your company's current position in the regional market? How about globally?

Matt Dougherty

FCM is a regional company primarily due to the products it handles and the cost factor of shipping equipment. On specialty items, such as 36" and 48" load centre machines, FCM has a global market. However, the thrust of the business is smaller forklifts that are restricted by pricing to remain in the regional market.

Internet sites, such as Forkliftaction.com's Marketplace, assist FCM greatly in marketing to global customers. The ease of overseas dealers being able to go to one place to locate a particular forklift to fit a customer's exact requirements has opened a new world to us. In the past FCM was limited to mailing and later faxing directly to dealers the company had established contact with. Now we can be found by a few mouse clicks.

Q. What makes your company outstanding in its market?

FCM sells information, not necessarily product. The company brings all the equipment it purchases into its facility for a hands-on evaluation. The information gained from an inspection is recorded in a computer, along with photos. Thus, when we discuss or e-mail condition reports on a particular forklift, a prospective buyer can put dollars and cents to what we say. Assisting the customer to make a good decision promotes good will and continued relationships.

Q. Tell us your company's future plans.

FCM is always seeking ways to disseminate information, including promoting internet activity or products and services. Today's businesses have to be on the cutting edge of technology. FCM will broaden its markets through Forkliftaction.com's Marketplace, allowing the company to buy and sell more specialty products.