Duncan Murphy

Riekes Equipment and Bublitz Material Handling have officially announced their merger, fully combining business operations under the Riekes Equipment name and headquartered in Omaha, Nebraska.

Riekes Equipment originally purchased Bublitz in 2010, but the dealerships operated independently.

"This merger will build value for our customers and our employees," says Duncan Murphy, president of the merged entity. "Bublitz employees will bring a wealth of experience to the combined organisation, while they will benefit from other resources and have greater opportunities for career development within the larger company. We expect this to boost both our financial performance and customer-facing operations.

"With the strong leadership of the Riekes management team, working with our experienced Bublitz team, we are poised to remain the market leader in our industry."

"It is a very exciting time for our organisation as we evolve and grow," says Jeff Bublitz, CEO of Bublitz Material Handling. "We are thrilled to officially be one organisation and I am energised by the opportunities we have ahead."

The merger allows for advanced technology investments, with the introduction of new business operations software which will provide both relationship management and automated field services.

There will also be a new leadership structure to provide strategic direction and ensure a quality experience for clients and employees.

Together, the companies have more than 200 employees and more than 15,000 customers and all existing sites and staff will remain in place.

Founded in 1936, Riekes Equipment is an authorised Yale forklift dealer with locations throughout Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota and South Dakota.

Bublitz Material Handling, established in 1927, is a third-generation industry leader in materials handling and warehouse solutions and an authorised dealer for Hyster, Yale and Utilev equipment.