Darr Lift, the materials handling division of Darr Equipment Co, a Caterpillar dealer founded in 1953, has merged with FMH Material Handling Solutions, Inc.

The new company, based in Westminster, Colorado, will be known as Darr FMH.

Darr Lift chairman Randy Engstrom, a third-generation principal shareholder of Darr Equipment, and FMH Material Handling Solutions president John Faulkner, who has owned and operated FMH since 1977, will lead the new company.

Mr Faulkner will be president of the new company and Pat Faulkner and Steve Brooks will be vice-presidents. Financial details of the merger were not revealed, but Forkliftaction.com News understands the new company is already trading.

Darr FMH will employ 480 workers at nine locations in Albuquerque, Colorado Springs, Dallas, Denver, El Paso, Salt Lake City, Oklahoma City, Seattle and Tulsa. The company's territory covers three times zones, 11 western states, and part of Mexico.

A multi-line dealership, DARR FMH now represents diverse manufacturers, including Caterpillar, Clark, Crown, and Daewoo. Forecast sales for 2002 are expected to exceed USD100 million.