NEIT facility in Massachusetts

Manufacturer UniCarriers Americas Corp has diversified into the retail market by acquired New England Industrial Truck Inc (NEIT), of Woburn, Massachusetts.

NEIT has branches in Wallingford, Connecticut, and Saco, Maine.

Anthony Salgado, president of Marengo-based UniCarriers Americas, says: "Adding factory-owned dealerships is a growth strategy for UniCarriers Americas in 2014 and beyond. . This initiative is a component of our goals to strengthen and broaden our distribution network and support our existing dealer partners by growing awareness and increasing the value of the UniCarriers brand."

The transaction was completed on 1 August. Terms were not disclosed.

NEIT has 84 employees and led by Dick Rossi, who has been with the company since 1972 and has managed daily operations for 15 years. He reports to James J Radous III, executive vice president of sales for UniCarriers Americas.

UniCarriers says the new factory-owned dealership covers Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine, Connecticut, and Rhode Island. NEIT's principal facility in Woburn occupies 55,000 sqft. (4,645 sqm).

In addition to the Nissan and UniCarriers brands, NEIT's website says it also represents Caterpillar, Mitsubishi, Jungheinrich and Big Joe forklifts; Ottawa and Magnum trailer movers; and Princeton delivery systems.

Robert E Krueger founded the business in 1952 as a forklift repair shop and aligned with the Nissan forklift brand as an authorised dealer in 1978. He died in 2001.

The dealership has received Nissan and UniCarriers gold level service excellence program awards for 20 consecutive years and distinction as a Nissan Forklift Nine winner 21 times. NEIT has also been a frequent member of the original equipment manufacturers' dealer advisory group.

UniCarriers Americas was formed in 2013 when Nissan Forklift Corp North America joined forces with TCM America. UniCarriers Americas has a network of 169 authorised dealerships with nearly 300 locations across North, Central and South America. UniCarriers Americas is a division of UniCarriers Corp, of Tokyo.