Forklift dealership Barclay Brand Ferdon has raised funds and boosted awareness for the non-profit Operation Homefront chapter serving New Jersey, New York and Connecticut.

"Tens of thousands of troops are deployed out of, and return to, the tri-state area every year," says military veteran Skip Russo, Barclay president and chief executive officer. On Veterans Day, 11 November, "my wife and I have also pledged to match all of the donations made by our employees".

Barclay Brand Ferdon employs numerous veterans and has seen several employees deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan with US military forces.

"Our employees are very community-oriented and wanted to do something to give back," says spokeswoman Cathy Kenvin. "They recognise the sacrifice that was made."

The president of the local Operation Homefront chapter visited a company barbecue and showed a seven-minute documentary. The presentation "crystalised the sacrifice that not only our soldiers make, but what their children and families go through", Kenvin notes. "During the viewing, sobs and sniffles were coming from our big, burly service technicians; they were extremely moved."

San Antonio, Texas-based Operation Homefront has 23 chapters serving 32 states.

The dealership represents the Yale brand in 11 New Jersey and four New York counties and also carries the Mariotti, Hoist and Sellick forklift lines; JLG and Genie scissor lifts; EnerSys batteries and chargers; and Cascade attachments.

Also, Barclay Brand Ferdon provides fleet management and maintenance programs; warehouse systems for energy efficiency, automation, racking, mezzanines and modular walls and buildings; and loading dock equipment including levelers, seals, bumpers and shelters. The rental fleet has about 300 units.

The dealership employs 80 persons including 40 field and shop service technicians and occupies a 50,000 sqft. (4,500 sqm) facility in South Plainfield. The site includes an equipment showroom and a centre for technical training and monthly customer safety classes.