Dutch forklift dealer Mageon and Caterpillar have ended a 49-year exclusivity arrangement, according to an article published in the Dutch Logistiek magazine.

Mageon director John de Vaan told the magazine the exclusivity deal had effectively finished several years ago when other dealers began offering Caterpillar forklifts.

He said the current market required a more holistic approach, with one dealer able to offer forklifts to meet a variety of customer needs. Mageon wanted to remain brand independent as no one brand could meet all customers' requirements. He said Mageon would continue to service customers to whom it had sold Caterpillar forklifts.

De Vaan said electric forklifts were gaining market share, especially in the heavy lifting sector. For the past few years Mageon had supplied Carer electric forklifts up to 16 tonnes.

Mageon has supplied Eindhoven Handling Cargo with a 12-tonne Carer electric forklift to replace a diesel heavy forklift. No information was available on the cost.