Cooper SH prepared a16 tonne SMV 16-1200 forklift for shipping to Haiti within 48 hours of the contract award.

Cooper Specialised Handling is another forklift supplier to respond to the UK government's urgent request for equipment to be used in Haiti, within 48 hours.

Last week, Forkliftaction.com News reported that Castle Forklifts Ltd of Rugby, UK modified five new Maximal forklifts in under 48 hours for Haiti relief work (Forkliftaction.com News #449).

Cooper SH sales manager Chris Bames says the company doesn't "normally" sell rental machines for outright purchase "but the needs of the Department for International Development (DFID) over-rode procedures in this instance and we broke our own policy to ensure they had immediate availability".

When the DFID made an urgent enquiry for equipment, Cooper SH quickly prepared its 16 tonne SMV 16-1200 forklift that was then collected by the Royal Navy for shipping to Haiti within 48 hours of the contract award.

The forklift is a part of the DFID's equipment provision that included shelter, 4x4 vehicles, water purification tablets and jerry cans. They form the UK's GBP20 million (USD30.8 million) emergency aid programme for the Haiti earthquake victims.

"We were extremely happy to accommodate the DFID's needs and we are pleased that we could assist in making a difference," Bames says.