MLA Holdings Pty Ltd will supply 160 forklifts and sideloaders to BHP Steel, Australia's largest steel company, in a five-year, AUD25 million (USD13.78 million) supply and service contract announced this week.

Details are still being finalised, but Forkliftaction.com News has learned that the contract could expand to 200 machines, as other supply contracts terminating in coming months could be joined to the MLA deal.

MLA managing director Ken Rathgen said the contract included 110 Mitsubishi internal combustion forklifts, starting at 1.5-tonne capacities, and "at least" 29 Fantuzzi forklifts and side loaders, from 16-tonne to 45-tonne capacities.

MLA won three-quarters of the total tender, which BHP divided into New Zealand, Port Kembla, Western Port and Rest of Australia. Brambles Industrial Services retained the Port Kembla supply contract, but MLA won the other Australian contracts from Red Australia Equipment Pty Ltd, and the New Zealand contract from Cesco Forklifts.

"MLA's reputable, quality product range, proven stability and excellent national service network were key factors for winning this deal," Mr Rathgen said.

Other tenderers were Linde, Nissan, Toyota, Red Australia, Brambles, Cesco and several other major rental firms.

Neither BHP nor Brambles would comment.