Chris Burns, former sales and marketing manager with Linde Australia, has been appointed general manager of SMV Australia, part of the Powerlift group.

Mr Burns told Forkliftaction.com News he left Linde last October after seven years with the company, citing "management changes" as a reason for his departure.

After considering his options, Mr Burns accepted the position with Powerlift, and travelled to Sweden for training and to meet SMV executives.

He began working in his new role, being responsible for all SMV heavy engine forklift sales in Australia and New Zealand, in mid-January.

Mr Burns said his first goal was to raise SMV's profile in the region and lift sales.

"About 170 big trucks are sold in this region each year, of which SMV's share is about 18 to 20 currently," he said. "I'm confident we can push this to 30 to 40 machines through attaining a greater market share."

Established more than 50 years ago, SMV Lifttrucks AB, based in Markayrd, Sweden, manufactures forklifts and reachstackers ranging from 10 tonne to 52 tonne capacities. Its production facility can produce 225 machines a year.