The North American operation of Palfinger AG is opening training facilities in Trenton, New Jersey and Cerritos, California to complement its initial US Tiffin, Ohio training site that opened in 2005.

The business calls the educational arm Palfinger University and utilises seven instructors who are experts from the North American sales and service teams and incorporate electronic display boards, simulators, computer software and automated models in product explanations and trouble-shooting exercises.

Based in Niagara Falls since 1989, Palfinger North America says the facilities in New Jersey and California "offer students the convenience of a closer location and enable the university to conduct classes simultaneously in multiple locations. At this point in time, the school boasts a combined schedule of nearly 40 classes for the 2011 calendar year."

While focusing on the crane market, the Palfinger product lines include Crayler mounted forklifts, the Palgate tail-lift, the Mobiler container transfer system and the Bison truck-mounted aerial work platform.

Separately, Palfinger North America says it added seven crane models and product line extensions including the PK 19502, PK 22022-EH, PK 30002, PK 30002-EH, PK 34002-SH, PK 37002 and PK 46002.

Palfinger AG was established in 1932 and is based in Salzburg, Austria.