Materials handling equipment dealership Valley Industrial Trucks (VIT) Inc is riding a crest of recognition from manufacturer Clark Material Handling Co.

"We are honoured to be named Clark's North American dealer of the year," says James E Hammond, president of Valley Industrial Trucks. "This honour would not be possible without the hard work and dedication of our employees as well as the loyalty of our long-term customers. It is an excellent accomplishment for our company and a true testament to the way we do business every day. We greatly appreciate the recognition for our hard work."

Hammond reports that a Clark team presented three awards at a 23 February dinner for employees, customers andguests at the Holiday Inn in nearby Boardman, Ohio.

Dennis Lawrence, president and chief executive officer of Lexington, Kentucky-based Clark, presented Valley with the 2011 dealer of the year award for North America. Clark has 216 North American dealer locations, of which 173 are in the US.

"The long-standing relationship that Clark and Valley benefit from is borne out of our mutual commitment to perform to our best for each other," Lawrence says. "We are both stewards of the Clark brand, a task we do not take lightly, and it is our joint understanding of that responsibility that ensures we continue to do what is right for each other and for our end-users."

Rick Dahlke, Clark regional sales representative, presented Valley with its latest Clark dealer of excellence award, and Steve Welch, Clark national aftermarket parts representative, recognised VIT's Jim Pizzola as the Clark parts manager of the year for the north-east US region.

Valley is experiencing business rejuvenation, according to a 21 February article in The Vindicator newspaper in Youngstown.

Hammond tells Forkliftaction.com News: "We hope that the economy continues to improve and that our business continues to increase this year."

In addition to Clark, VIT represents the Doosan, Sellick and Omega forklift lines, JLG aerial work platforms, Cascade materials handling products and Columbia ParCar vehicles.

Founded in 1956, VIT is based in a 30,000 sqft. (2,700 sqm) facility in Youngstown and has a 25,000 sqft. (2,250 sqm) structure in Akron, Ohio. Valley Industrial Trucks' 40 employees provide sales, service and support to customers in 14 counties in north-east Ohio and two counties in western Pennsylvania.