Clarklift Nederland BV and Totalservice Nederland BV have filed for bankruptcy as both businesses were badly impacted by the recession in Europe.

Clarklift managing director Don Vernooy tells Forkliftaction.com News that about three-quarters of employees from Clarklift Nederland BV and Totalservice Nederland BV have been transferred to Heli Lifttrucks Nederland BV. All three companies belong to the same group.

"Due to the recession and some other reasons, we asked for bankruptcy for Clarklift, which provides new and short-term rental Clark forklifts, and Totalservice, our service organisation," Vernooy says.

He adds that the companies saw business reduce by more than half in the Netherlands.

"We [have] agreed with the administrator and reorganised, and all the activities [of Clarklift and Totalservice] will be carried out now by Heli Lifttrucks Nederland BV," Vernooy explains.

Rolf Eiten, director of sales and marketing for Clark Europe GmbH, says he met with one of the owners of the former Clarklift Nederland last Friday and was informed of the new arrangements.

"Currently, we are checking the conditions and plans. No final decision can be made yet," Eiten said, when asked if Clark Europe will look for a new dealer.