Southern States Toyotalift, the new owner of Handling Systems Engineering, has joined Toyota Material Handling USA Inc's (TMHU) dealer network.

The dealership is based in Jacksonville, Florida, USA, and has a Florida branch in Ocala and three Georgia branches in Valdosta, Columbus and Macon.

Southern States was formed on May 1 and acquired Handling Systems on May 3 through an asset purchase transaction. Terms were not disclosed.

Southern States dealer principal Jeff Fischer also owns Florida Lift Systems Inc (FLS) and its three Toyota dealer locations in Orlando, Tampa and Winter Haven, Florida. FLS joined the TMHU dealer network in 2000. Handling Systems had been part of the same network since 1989.

"Jeff Fischer and his team at Florida Lift Systems are consistently strong performers, and we are proud to see him extend his operations to serve additional customers in Florida and Georgia," said Shankar Basu, TMHU president and chief executive officer.

The ownership transition in Jacksonville does not appear to have an impact on pending Crown Equipment Corporation lawsuits relating to breach-of-agreement issues in Tampa, against FLS and TMHU.

Crown sued FLS on January 13 and TMHU on February 4 (Forkliftaction.com News #144). FLS counter sued on March 8 (Forkliftaction.com News #149). Crown has sought to terminate FLS as a Crown dealer in the central Florida market.

Southern States is the trading-as identity of a separate, distinct corporate entity with no relationship to Crown.