There's nothing like an acquisition to get things moving. So, expect some significant implications from Hyster-Yale's purchase of a controlling interest in China's Maximal.
Maximal is a large Chinese forklift manufacturer which produces equipment under the Maximal and SAMUK brands. It also designs and produces specialised port equipment and rough-terrain forklifts.
The buy-in gives Hyster-Yale, a top 10 supplier, access to Maximal's manufacturing capability and to China's growing forklift market.
It's a marriage of East and West, of high-end and mass market, that is becoming more common in the forklift world. No doubt, both parties will benefit from the union, and the move will increase competition globally.