Forklift dealers the Blackwood brothers have nearly tripled the size of their business with the November 16 acquisition of Fraza/Forklifts of Detroit from owners Rick Frizzell and Terry Fraza.

Terms were not disclosed.

The deal combines two Michigan organisations under the names Fraza Forklifts for four locations and Clarklift for one location.

Annual sales are now USD44 million. There are 200 employees, including 100 technicians, and a parts inventory and infrastructure valued at about USD2 million.

"This acquisition strengthens our competitive position in this mature market and allows us to increase our product offering to businesses throughout southeastern Michigan," Gregory Blackwood, president of Plymouth-based Fraza Forklifts, said in a statement. "Our management and service capabilities remain the same."

The Blackwoods' businesses, GB Sales & Service Inc, of Plymouth, and Blackwood Equipment Co, of Warren, had 60 employees and annual sales of USD15 million. Roseville-based Fraza/Forklifts of Detroit had 140 employees and annual sales of USD29 million, said Roger Runyan, vice president and chief financial officer of both Blackwood Holdings Co, a newly created ownership entity for the brothers' businesses, and Fraza Forklifts.

Fraza Forklifts is the new trading name for GB's Plymouth facility and Fraza/Forklifts of Detroit's sites in Roseville, Romulus and Bridgeport. The new business entity, Fraza Forklifts, represents Mitsubishi, Caterpillar, Linde, Sellick and Royal forklift lines and JLG aerial lifts.

The Clarklift site, in Warren, formerly known as Blackwood Equipment, is an exclusive regional dealer for Clark forklifts. Clarklift also distributes Linde, Sellick and Royal forklifts.

The Blackwoods' business began in a garage in 1976 as a forklift maintenance company. The founders, brothers Gregory and Timothy Blackwood, continue operating full-service dealerships.

"It was tough for Greg and Tim to change the name" from GB Sales & Service, but the higher Fraza market visibility was the determining factor, Runyan said. "Fraza has been stronger in sales" than the GB and Blackwood dealerships. Runyan said discussions about the deal occurred over two years.

Fraza Equipment Inc was established in 1936 and merged with Rick Frizzell's Forklifts of Detroit in May 2001 to become Fraza/Forklifts of Detroit.