Young An Hat Co (YAHC) has taken over Clark Material Handling Asia (CMHA) following its acquisition of Clark Material Handling Company (CMHC) in January.

YAHC's buyout bid for Clark Material Handling Europe failed last week after it was rejected by employees.

CMHA, the South Korean subsidiary of CMHC, was created when Clark bought the forklift division of Samsung Heavy Industries in July, 1998. The Asian operation went into receivership when CMHC was taken over on January 31.

CMHA creditors told Asia Pulse YAHC would assume all capital and employees at CMHA, pending the approval of creditors, such as the Korea Development Bank and its shareholders. The hat maker did not reveal its acquisition bid.

YAHC, which holds more than 40 percent of the world hat market, also owns hotels, farm equipment production facilities, a supermarket chain and multiple bus manufacturing operations. It has more than 4,000 employees worldwide and estimated sales of US$750 million in 2003.