WPPS's Walters with operators Richard Kgala and Nako Tolo in the two refurbished Kipors.

South Africa's Smith Power Equipment (SPE) is finding a growing market for refurbished, second-hand forklifts in tough economic times when cash can be a rare commodity.

The business recently sold two Kipor 2.5 T diesel forklifts, with 4,000 and 8,000 hours, respectively, to project management and fabrication company WPPS.

WPPS managing director Dewald Walters explains that the SPE team refurbished the forklifts in just a week but provided him with a free rental forklift while they were doing so, "which enabled us to carry on with our existing jobs".

WPPS has already put another 1,000 hours on each machine, which Walters says is "testament to the excellent job of refurbishment that SPE did, as well as to the overall quality of the Kipor product".

WPPS, established in 2013, consists of two divisions - a project management and control division and a fabrication, supply and erection division, which meets the highest international standards in fabrication and execution capabilities and prides itself on its exceptional people, high environmental standards and superior welding capabilities.

Chinese-made Kipor forklifts are sold in more than 130 countries worldwide and have enjoyed significant product acceptance and market development in South Africa, where SPE is the sole importer and distributor.