The EJE 120 electric walkie truck produced specifically for the US market and introduced this year.

Forklift dealers representing Jungheinrich say it is business as usual since the forklift manufacturer restructured its US sales operations this year (Forkliftaction.com News #332).

Jungheinrich Lift Truck Corp closed its Chicago factory store and handed the sales area to Scott Lift Truck and Aurora Lift Truck Service Inc. Both dealerships are family-owned and have over 30 years' experience servicing the Chicago market.

Scott Swakow, Scott Lift Truck's vice president for sales and marketing, says the dealership took over the Northern Cook, Lake and Dupage areas in Illinois from the factory store in August. It has been representing Jungheinrich for about two months.

"We are a long-time dealer for Komatsu Forklifts and this line will complement the quality of product we already offer.

"We bring 34 years of experience in servicing the Chicagoland market."

Swakow says the Elk Grove Village-based company hired new employees and bought a lot of equipment from the factory store.

He expressed his confidence in Jungheinrich products, citing its ranking as the fourth-largest selling forklift manufacturer in the world and adds that end-users will benefit from an "unparalleled combination of reliability, support and make-sense technology" through Scott Lift Truck's partnership with Jungheinrich.

Aurora Lift Truck Service Inc of Montgomery, Illinois, has been representing Jungheinrich for the past year when the factory store closure added part of Cook County in Illinois and Lake County in Indiana to its territory.

The dealership hired two people from the factory store: the service manager and the "top service technician".

"Most of the factory store customers felt a good working relationship with Steven [the service manager] and we were able to bring most of these customers with us," says Brian Rhoads, Aurora Lift Truck vice president.

"The feedback I got from them is it's business as usual."

Rhoads says the dealership's 35 years' experience in Chicago and large service fleet will benefit customers.

"We are a family-owned business started by our father and mother in 1972. As we have grown through the years we have never lost focus on our family mentality.

"This translates to better understanding the needs of customers individually and tailoring a program that suits their requirements," Rhoads says.

Aurora also represents Komatsu and Schaeff.