From left, Vic Fogle, operations manager, industrial equipment division; Jason Milligan, vice president and general manager; Jim Ripkey, president, industrial equipment division; Gary Steele, product support manager; and Marty Grace, account manager.

Targeting the central Ohio construction market, Hy-Tek Material Handling Inc of Columbus has formed a division for equipment from a J C Bamford Excavators Ltd unit.

"Understanding the potential market growth for construction equipment in Columbus, Hy-Tek approached JCB for consideration as a dealer," Jim Ripkey and Jason Milligan say in a statement. "After an extensive period of analysis and due diligence, an agreement was reached on both sides in May 2013. Integration and launch teams were formed at both companies in order to deliver seamless support in equipment sales, rentals and service."

For the new Hy-Tek JCB construction equipment division, Ripkey is president and Milligan is vice president and general manager. They manage and operate the division as an independent profit centre reporting through the top executive in Hy-Tek's industrial equipment segment.

"We're very pleased to welcome Hy-Tek JCB to our expanding dealer network," says John Patterson, JCB North America's CEO and deputy chairman in Pooler, Georgia.

Hy-Tek has exclusive rights to sell JCB construction (including compact, mid-range and heavy line), industrial, waste/recycling and compaction equipment in eight Ohio counties: Franklin, Delaware, Union, Madison, Pickaway, Fairfield, Licking and Perry.

Hy-Tek leverages certain aspects of its parts and service capabilities across the overall organisation but has designated specific assets and some individuals for full-time duties focusing on JCB and construction equipment customers.

In addition to the new JCB relationship effective 30 May, Hy-Tek continues its lengthy history with the Yale forklift brand and also represents Landoll, Bendi, JLG, Taylor Dunn, Combilift, Seegrid, Utilev, Lift-Rite and Lift-A-Loft.

Hy-Tek operates under an employee stock ownership plan, currently employs more than 115 persons and projects 2013 sales of USD80 million from its industrial equipment, integrated systems, lighting solutions and storage and handling business lines. In addition to Columbus, Hy-Tek has offices in Cincinnati, Cleveland, Indianapolis, Philadelphia and, recently, Morganville, New Jersey.

Parent firm J C Bamford of Rocester, England manufactures construction equipment that is sold through 2,000 dealer locations in 150 countries.

The addition of JCB coincides with Hy-Tek's 50th anniversary in business.