A unit of Omaha-based Nebraska Machinery Co Inc (NMC) has picked up additional sales and service responsibilities for Caterpillar and Jungheinrich forklifts in parts of four US mid-west states.
The new territories for NMC Material Handling include most of North and South Dakota, north-west Iowa and western Minnesota. NMC Material Handling occupies 12 sites and has 670 employees, says Scott Simmons, vice president.
The company added the markets in an exchange of territories and product lines with Butler Machinery Co of Fargo, North Dakota. NMC gained forklift coverage while Butler added to its agricultural emphasis. Terms were not disclosed.
NMC and Butler completed the deal on 7 September and agreed to work closely over several months to implement a seamless transition. NMC communicated details with customers in early November and is now moving to complete the changes.
In the new area, NMC Material Handling opened an 8,000 sqft. (750 sqm) Sioux Falls, South Dakota location on 1 November. "We are growing that site and will have eight (employees there)," Simmons notes.
"We plan to expand in the Dakotas as we develop opportunities," Simmons says. "There is a lot going on in North Dakota," referring in particular to the economic boom involving extraction of oil from the state's portion of the Bakken subsurface rock formation.
Butler continues to provide product support in the vicinity of Sioux City, Iowa until NMC Material Handling is ready to take full responsibility for that territory.
In addition to the acquisition, NMC represents three forklift brands in Salt Lake City, Utah; most of Idaho; western Iowa including Des Moines and Mason City; and Nebraska. The brands are Mitsubishi, Caterpillar and Jungheinrich.
NMC Material Handling has operated as a full-service forklift dealer since 1970.
Butler has gained additional territory in its representation of AGCO Corp of Duluth, Georgia, a manufacturer and distributor of agricultural equipment and replacement parts.
Both NMC and Butler retain existing territories and exclusive rights in the sales and service of Caterpillar Inc construction equipment.