Komatsu Forklift USA LLC core dealerships are unlikely at this time to add North American sites of the soon-to-be-discontinued Tusk brand (Forkliftaction.com News #445).

"There has been no discussion or intention conveyed to convert all Tusk dealers to Komatsu," says Keith Allmandinger, senior marketing manager. "Each situation would be viewed on its own merits as we would view any other dealer applicant."

In the western hemisphere, Komatsu Forklift's 100 distributors manage about 150 locations. Nine of those Komatsu-brand dealers also represent Tusk, which has 33 distributors with about 65 locations in the US, Canada and Mexico. Sales of Tusk-branded equipment will cease on 31 July.

Allmandinger adds: "If Komatsu Forklift has a need, or an open territory, the existing Tusk dealer could be considered to fill that need, if interested. For the most part, Komatsu already has representation in the markets served by existing Tusk dealers."

Komatsu Forklift USA of Rolling Meadows is an affiliate of Tokyo-based Komatsu Ltd's regional subsidiary Komatsu America Corp.