(L-R) Önder Türkkanı (CEO Arkas Group), Bert-Jan Knoef (CEO STILL GmbH), Lucien Arkas (President Arkas Group), Thomas A. Fischer (CSO STILL GmbH) and Nikolaus Michelsen (CFO STILL GmbH).

STILL has expanded in Turkey after buying its dealer, Arser İş Makineleri Servis ve Ticaret AŞ (Arser), from the Turkish Arkas Group on 28 May.

The acquisition value is confidential and the deal is subject to approval by the relevant authorities. When the transaction finalises in the third quarter, STILL will hold 51% of Arser shares, with Arkas Group holding the remainder.

Turkey, with its population of 74 million people, is an important hub for European trade with the Middle East. Bert-Jan Knoef, chairman of the management board of STILL GmbH, says: "Against the background of this enormous growth potential, the decision to bring our former exclusive dealer in Turkey on board and to be a shareholder in Arser, jointly with the Arkas Group, is an expression of STILL's consistent global growth strategy."

STILL wants to expand its market presence in the Turkish market and to increase the demand from its international customers with activities in Turkey. Demand for intralogistics products and services is growing steadily in the country. Environmental issues are becoming increasingly important in Turkey and STILL hopes to offer its Blue-Q energy-saving program and its hybrid forklift trucks to the Turkish market.

Arkas group chairman Lucien Arkas adds that STILL's "technological superiority and know-how" complements Arkas' experience and strength in the region and will generate positive results beyond Turkey's borders.

The Arkas Group, with its subsidiary Arser as STILL's authorised dealer for many years, says it has had an impressive track record since 2001 with the two main sites at Istanbul and Izmir. It has a rental fleet of 2,000 forklifts and an over 10% share of the Turkish forklift market. With around 6,700 employees in 61 individual companies, the owner-managed Turkish Arkas Group is a leading international ship owner and port logistics company.