Sunshine Enterprise LLC of Memphis has become an equity partner of the Heli forklift distributor in the eastern and central US and the distributor's inside-China communicator with manufacturer Anhui Heli Co Ltd.
The arrangement "improves our skill set" and factory connection, says Bruce Pelynio, president and chief executive officer of Memphis-based Dobbs Imports LLC which trades as Heli Americas in 31 states. Sunshine and forklift distributor Heli Americas began discussions in early 2009, and the agreement was signed in early June.
Sunshine Enterprise CEO Wei Chen founded his business in Memphis in 1998.
Sunshine manufactures construction and industrial equipment-scaffolding, casters and hoists-in Shenzhen, Shanghai, Wuxi and Chenzhou, China and distributes primarily in North America through sites in Memphis, New York, Los Angeles, Houston and Atlanta.
Sunshine employs more than 400, occupies about one million square feet (90,000 sqm) in North America and China and has annual sales of about USD40 million.
Sunshine in China has close proximity to manufacturing facilities of Hefei, China-based Anhui Heli.
In its territory, Heli Americas added two new dealerships so far in 2009, bringing it to a total of 23, Pelynio notes. Four more dealer applications await possible activation this year. Heli Americas has seven direct employees.
"We are making inroads to national accounts, and we have an expanded product line" beyond the historic Heli line of 2,000 pounds (900 kg) to 22,000 pounds (9,900 kg) in the US, Pelynio says. "We spent money to get US standards" for larger forklift models with lifting capacities of 29,000, 36,000 and 39,000 pounds (13,050, 16,200 and 17,550 kg).
In early 2007, Pelynio and diversified investment company Dobbs Management Service LLC of Memphis acquired the Heli distribution business of MH Imports of Dallas, Texas and established Dobbs Imports under an equity partnership arrangement
(Forkliftaction.com News #294).
"Sunshine bought the first Heli Americas truck sold in Memphis," Pelynio reports.