WE Johnson added Komatsu to its range in 1995

At a time when many companies are struggling financially and closing their doors, a privately owned US-based materials handling supplier will celebrate 50 years in business.

W.E. Johnson began as a Clark forklifts distributor in 1958. Since then, the company has grown to include multiple material handling, construction and marine equipment lines and four full-service locations in South Florida, including Miami (Doral), West Palm Beach, Fort Myers and Naples.

Gary Work, president of W.E. Johnson, says the company's golden anniversary is a reminder of the many friends the company has and of the great people it has worked with.

"As we reach this significant anniversary milestone and look back over the past 50 years, it is easy to see that W.E. Johnson would not have made it this far without the support and loyalty of customers who have stood behind the company year after year," Work says. "As we look forward to the next 50 years, we are already finding new ways to improve operations and be the dealership customers turn to."

The company expanded in 1975 when it opened the office in Fort Myers. The current management team purchased the company in 1986.

In 1987, W.E. Johnson added the Bobcat Equipment brand to its stable of products, the Marine Travelift was added in 1992, followed in 1995 by the Komatsu brand. In 2007, the company moved into new facilities in Naples and Miami.