OM Pimespo, traditionally strong in southern Europe, is planning aggressive growth further north, says export manager Claudio Gariboldi.

"We've got new dealers in Flanders (Belgium), Switzerland and Hungary," he told Forkliftaction.com News at CeMAT in Hannover last week. Forkliftaction.com News understands most former Steinbock dealers are now marketing Linde-owned OM Pimespo's products and services.

OM Pimespo has invested EUR25 million in machines and a new lay-out of its production site in Bari, Italy, and renewed its product range.

"Eighty percent of our products are younger than two years," Mr. Gariboldi said. "With a much more balanced offering, we want to increase our market share in the medium term."

As of March, the Linde-owned Steinbock label effectively ceased to exist. De Ronde & Drubbel NV, a Steinbock dealer in Flanders for more than 30 years, will now sell and service OM Pimespo forklifts and warehouse trucks.

"We did not want to associate with an independent constructor," says John De Ronde, who is responsable for sales. "Nowadays, the forklift business is a real jungle. There is a lot of concentration going on. We believe OM Pimespo, with the backing of Linde, is a strong partner for years to come. It (has) developed a quality portfolio that even broadens our former business."

Podevyn, based in Brussels, remains Belgian importer for OM Pimespo. De Ronde & Drubbel covers sales and service in all Flemish provinces, Namur and Liege.