United Equipment has added Caterpillar forklifts to its range of products.

Australia's importer and distributor of Nissan forklifts, Powerlift (Nissan) will boost its services to forklift users in Greater Melbourne, Western Australia and the Northern Territory.

Powerlift CEO Kim Campbell says the company's expansion plans involve changes to existing distribution arrangements and growing its branch network.

"In Darwin, we are appointing a new dealer, while in Melbourne and Western Australia, we are opening new branches to provide Powerlift's high standard of service direct to all forklift users in these areas."

Powerlift Melbourne's existing Mulgrave branch and Nissan Forklift dealers have been servicing forklifts in Melbourne for over 30 years. The additional branch will achieve wider coverage and quicker response times for customers in the Greater Melbourne area.

"Customers will be able to purchase or rent Nissan forklifts directly from Powerlift (Nissan) Pty Ltd and existing owners will benefit from quick and direct service from the importer and national parts distributor, without the middle man," says Campbell.

Campbell adds that transition arrangements had been made with United Equipment (the former Nissan dealer for East Melbourne) to prevent any potential disruption to customers, operations in the short term.

Meanwhile, the Perth-based materials handling and access equipment supplier which relinquished the Nissan distributor role, United Equipment, has added Caterpillar forklifts to its range of products.

The company, which has branches in Western Australia, Victoria, Northern Territory and New South Wales, also intends expanding its operations into Queensland and South Australia within the next six months.

CEO David Maxwell tells Forkliftaction.com News that although the company has made the decision to relinquish its exclusive dealer agreement with Nissan, it is well equipped to continue to support and service its existing customers.

The company offers a diverse range of products nationally including Caterpillar, Nichiyu and Dalian forklifts; Konecrane's (SMV) container handlers; and JLG's access equipment and telehandlers.