German forklift manufacturer Hubtex has acquired U.S. importer Design Storage and Handling (DSH), which will be known as Hubtex North America.

Alexander Baumann will oversee operations in North and Central America as the unit’s managing director.

DSH has been selling Hubtex products in the North and Central American markets for more than 30 years.

“We’re still the partner you can trust for transporting long, heavy and bulky loads,” Baumann says. “But now we’re expanding this expertise beyond the confines of the steel industry, taking in the building materials trade and the lumber and automotive industries as well – which our products are the perfect fit for.” 

Expanding automated intralogistics solutions in the U.S. and forging new links in the aerospace industry are other areas of focus, Baumann reveals. 

Hubtex is currently working on a number of projects in the U.S. to open up new areas of the market for multidirectional trucks. 

“This includes opening a new depot on the west coast of America – in California, to be precise – alongside our existing major branches in Ohio and Virginia,” explains Hubtex general manager Hans-Joachim Finger. 

The company also has sales and service staff in Washington State, Oregon, New Mexico, Texas and California. 

Hubtex North America will also add Genkinger to its portfolio. The German manufacturer of bespoke handling equipment for production environments complements the range, as well as specialist airport and air cargo equipment from Dimos Maschinenbau. 

In a bid to tackle the current shortage of skilled workers, Hubtex will introduce a training program at its sites in Brookville, Ohio and Fulda in Germany.