The opening of Lone Star Lift in Texas last week marks the first factory-direct store for Mitsubishi Forklift Trucks in the United States.

Located at 10795 Hammerly Boulevard, Houston, the Mitsubishi Caterpillar Forklift America-owned dealership will service a 24-county area across the Texas gulf coast.

Headed by company president Jack Sipola, Lone Star offers factory-direct support and products, including Mitsubishi parts and other brands. There is also a range of forklifts for rent and factory-reconditioned used forklifts for sale.

"With Mitsubishi forklifts being manufactured in Houston, it gives us a strong base here and we want to support that base as effectively as possible," Sipola said.

A Mitsubishi spokesperson said the store would sell Mastersource parts that fitted other forklift brands so Lone Star could be a single supplier and service provider for its customers' forklift needs.

The dealership offers more than 50 forklift configurations, including electric, gas, LP gas and diesel.