This is issue #59 - 30 May 2002 of your personal newsletter.
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FORKLIFTACTION.COM
The independent, global newsletter for industry professionals.
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IN THIS ISSUE:
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INSIDE FORKLIFTACTION
1. BT: DON'T BUY TRUCKS
2. JLG REPORTS GOOD Q3 GROWTH
3. DARR LIFT AND FMH MATERIAL HANDLING MERGE
4. ROLF SLOBOTZKY: SOUTH OF THE BORDER
5. FMC, AUTO-TRADE PARTS STRIKE DISTRIBUTION DEAL
6. BIG AC FORKLIFT RELEASED BY SHINKO
7. MOFFETT BOOSTS ITS RANKS
8. FORKLIFT DRIVER IS SCOTLAND'S WORLD CUP HOPE
9. POSITIONS VACANT > FORKLIFT SALES NEW AND AFTERMARKET - FULL TIME
INSIDE FORKLIFTACTION
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1.BT: DON'T BUY TRUCKS
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MJOLBY, Sweden "Don't buy trucks" was BT Industries' advice at CeMAT in Hannover last month, and BT's first quarter results show customers have taken heed.
The manufacturer's goal is to encourage customers to rent rather than buy.
The 2002 first quarter orders were virtually unchanged from the 2001 first quarter, but sales declined 8 percent, from SEK3.2 billion (USD324.6 million) to SEK2.9 billion (USD297.8 million), and net income fell 23 percent, from SEK226 million (USD22.9 million) to SEK174 million (USD17.6 million).
Forklift division sales, which were 64 percent of BT's total first quarter net sales, fell 14 percent to SEK1.9 billion (USD194.1 million), from SEK2.2 billion (USD224.8 million) in March 2001.
Warehouse trucks, commanding almost three quarters of forklift sales, fell 18 percent, from SEK1.7 billion (USD173.8 million) to SEK1.4 billion (USD143.1 million), but the service division's results improved three percent. Income from long-term rentals and leasing rose from SEK38 million (USD3.9 million) to SEK62 million (USD6.3 million).
BT chief executive Carl-Erik Ridderstrale said the US market appeared to have stopped declining. The West European market was characterised by a "clearly hesitant attitude". In other markets, development had been optimistic, but sales volumes were largely unchanged.
"For BT, the downturn is most obvious and tangible in warehouse trucks. However, this is where we have the greatest potential for the future," he said. "We have modern plants at several sites around the world. We have built capacity to be quickly able to use an upswing in demand. In other words, we are well equipped for the future."
The European market was down, selling 19 percent less warehouse trucks compared to the first quarter of 2001, but BT held its 18 percent market share. In the USA orders received dropped from SEK1.223 billion (USD124.9 million) in 2001 to SEK1.191 billion (USD121.7 million), and net sales declined from SEK1.434 billion (USD146.3 million) to SEK1.099 billion (USD112.1 million).
"The sustained growth that has characterised the industry for a long time has been temporarily interrupted. However, there are already signs of a certain recovery in the USA. I am convinced the downturn is only temporary," Mr Ridderstrale said.
"At the same time, it is extremely important for BT to meet these fluctuations. We must adapt our costs and organisation (to) maintain good profitability through quickly (exploiting) an upswing in the market."
Website: http://www.bt-industries.com
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2.JLG REPORTS GOOD Q3 GROWTH
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McCONNELLSBURG, United States JLG Industries Inc has shown quarter-to-quarter improvement in telehandler sales and is confident of the potential for its new products, according to the company's latest financial report.
Telehandler sales for JLG's third quarter, which ended on April 30, were USD21 million, an 11 percent improvement on the second quarter. But the result was 13 percent lower than telehandler sales for last year's third quarter.
In March, JLG debuted 23 new products and accessories, including a 135-foot (50 metres) boom lift, the Transformer machine, all-wheel-steer telehandler product lines and "Workstation in the Sky accessory packages" at the ConExpo-Con/Agg 2002 trade show in Las Vegas, said Bill Lasky, JLG chairman.
"Our customers at the show received these products enthusiastically, and we are particularly encouraged by the acceptance of our new European telehandler product family," Mr Lasky said.
The TF6-42 Transformer is "the world's first and only two-in-one machine that functions as both a telehandler and a true aerial work platform," the financial report said. The model has a capacity of 6600 pounds (two tonnes), can accept a range of attachments, and can be converted quickly into an aerial work platform.
The G9-43A telehandler, second in JLG's King Crab series, has a capacity of 9,000 pounds (four tonnes), a maximum lift height of 43 feet (14.5 metres) and a reach of 30 feet (10 metres). The operator can choose between all-wheel, front-wheel or crab (sideways) steering.
The model has a backbone frame, offset from the operator cab, which brings the mid-mounted engine close to the machine's centre and provides better left-right weight distribution. JLG says the frame is "unlike any other in the industry". The G Series operator cab has 22 percent more room than earlier models, improved visibility and a wrap-around instrument panel.
The JLG group reported a USD836,000 profit on third quarter sales of almost USD208.7 million.
JLG manufactures mobile aerial work platforms, variable-reach materials handlers and telescopic hydraulic excavators. The firm has manufacturing facilities in the USA and Belgium, and markets products globally under the JLG and Gradall trademarks.
Website: http://www.jlg.com
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3.DARR LIFT AND FMH MATERIAL HANDLING MERGE
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WESTMINSTER, United States Darr Lift, the materials handling division of Darr Equipment Co, a Caterpillar dealer founded in 1953, has merged with FMH Material Handling Solutions, Inc.
The new company, based in Westminster, Colorado, will be known as Darr FMH.
Darr Lift chairman Randy Engstrom, a third-generation principal shareholder of Darr Equipment, and FMH Material Handling Solutions president John Faulkner, who has owned and operated FMH since 1977, will lead the new company.
Mr Faulkner will be president of the new company and Pat Faulkner and Steve Brooks will be vice-presidents. Financial details of the merger were not revealed, but Forkliftaction.com News understands the new company is already trading.
Darr FMH will employ 480 workers at nine locations in Albuquerque, Colorado Springs, Dallas, Denver, El Paso, Salt Lake City, Oklahoma City, Seattle and Tulsa. The company's territory covers three times zones, 11 western states, and part of Mexico.
A multi-line dealership, DARR FMH now represents diverse manufacturers, including Caterpillar, Clark, Crown, and Daewoo. Forecast sales for 2002 are expected to exceed USD100 million.
Website: http://www.fmhsolutions.com
http://www.forkliftaction.com/news/newsdisplay.asp?nwid=424
4.ROLF SLOBOTZKY: SOUTH OF THE BORDER
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, Mexico The theft of forklifts and construction machinery continues in Mexico, and it is obviously organised crime, or theft by request, as nobody would steal such equipment without having a buyer waiting. In the past 12 months, 14 forklifts and 12 backhoes have been stolen by organised gangs.
Forklift theft occurs in four different ways in Mexico. One is stealing machines from trailers as they go from the border to their destinations; another is by holding up trailers on their way from dealerships to customers; the third is stealing direct from dealerships; and the fourth is by "buying" units with false bank cheques. These thefts usually occur on a Friday, giving the thieves time to disappear.
Consequently, insurance companies have raised deductibles (up to 35%, in one case) and premiums sharply, which is a big issue for carriers, dealers and the industry as a whole.
http://www.forkliftaction.com/news/newsdisplay.asp?nwid=425
5.FMC, AUTO-TRADE PARTS STRIKE DISTRIBUTION DEAL
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London, United Kingdom Friction Marketing Company Ltd, a London-based manufacturer for friction discs and plates used on automatic and power shift transmissions; signed an agreement on 10th May 2002 with Auto-Trade Parts Pte Ltd, a Singapore company, appointing it to be sole distributor of the FMC range of forklift friction discs and plates in the territories of SINGAPORE, INDONESIA, THAILAND and The PHILIPPINES.
FMC ranges of friction discd and plates are well established in markets in Europe, USA, Africa, Middle East and Australia, for their superb quality and competitive prices. All production processes strictly comply to OEM standards and stringent, in-house quality control enables products to be defect free before shipment.
Auto-Trade Parts Pte Ltd, (formerly operating under Auto-Trade Engineering) is the owner for the registered trademark of TLG Forklift Parts in SINGAPORE. Being one of the leading importers and exporters, they stock for a wide range of forklift parts covering most parts of Asia with good quality replacement parts at affordable price.
FMC's wide range of friction discs and plates are suitable for use on equipments including forklifts, loaders, dumpers, graders, back hoe loaders, tractors, dozers, excavators, crawler cranes, buses, as well as marine transmissions.
Mr. Allan Mackintosh, Sales Director of Friction Marketing Company Ltd, commented: We at FMC and Auto-Trade Parts Pte Ltd are both very optimistic and confident on the prospect of the Asia market for friction discs and plates. Customers need good quality products to sustain long term business perspectives."
Mr. Teo Luan Goon, Managing Director of Auto-Trade Parts Pte Ltd said: Backed with technical and commercial support as well as commitment to high quality products from FMC, we are confident of giving value-for-money competition in ranges of friction discs and plates in Asian markets which are long flooded with low quality products.
The sole-distributor appointment certificate was handed over to Mr. Teo during a simple ceremony at the FMC premises.
AUTO-TRADE PARTS PTE LTD
Blk. 1 Pasir Panjang Road #04-10
Alexandra Distripark
Singapore 118478
Email : atelg@pacific.net.sg
Tel : (65) 6276-1450
Fax : (65) 6276-1452
http://www.forkliftaction.com/news/newsdisplay.asp?nwid=419
6.BIG AC FORKLIFT RELEASED BY SHINKO
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TOKYO, Japan Shinko Electric has developed a large electric forklift that can operate in the rain.
The motor is shielded to prevent water from leaking in. The as-yet-unnamed forklift has a new type of AC motor with a permanent magnet instead of a coil, thus generating little heat, according to a report by Asia Pulse.
Battery capacity has been increased, enabling up to eight hours of continuous operation on a single charge. Shinko has also developed an automated system that centralises battery charging control for dozens of large forklifts.
The charging system, sold with the new forklift, could halve power usage. Shinko is targeting annual sales of 15 units, and has already delivered nine this year to Asahi Breweries Ltd's Kanagawa plant.
Website: http://www.shinko-elec.co.jp/eng/index_a.htm
http://www.forkliftaction.com/news/newsdisplay.asp?nwid=426
7.MOFFETT BOOSTS ITS RANKS
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DUNDALK, Ireland Moffett Engineering is increasing staff to capitalise on its engineering flair, which has seen it lead the truck-mounted forklifts segment since being sold by Terex to Partek in 2000.
Barry McGrane, a Dundalk native, has rejoined Moffett to lead its research & development department, according to The Argus. Mr McGrane spent five years with the company in the 1990s, spearheading development of the M2003 E and M4000 range of truck-mounted forklifts. He said he was one of "several" ex-employees to return to the company.
Terex sold Moffett and Princeton/Kooi, both of which it acquired in 1999, to Partek Cargotek, which also owns Hiab and Multilift, in August 2000.
Website: http://www.moffett-mounty.com
http://www.forkliftaction.com/news/newsdisplay.asp?nwid=427
8.FORKLIFT DRIVER IS SCOTLAND'S WORLD CUP HOPE
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ABERDEEN, United Kingdom Scotland's hopes of World Cup glory are pinned on a forklift driver.
Striker John McBain, 23, aims to make history by shooting Scotland into the second stage of the "World Cup Finals" for the first time ever, said the Daily Record.
He is part of a pub team which won a competition to represent Scotland in a six-a-side mini world cup, sponsored by a beer company, played at one of the FIFA World Cup venues in South Korea.
"We're hoping to do well and get through to the second phase. That would be a great achievement as no Scotland team has done that before," Mr McBain said. "Just being part of the World Cup is amazing." It will be Mr McBain's first plane trip.
(Pic courtesy of http://fifaworldcup.yahoo.com)
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9.POSITIONS VACANT: FORKLIFT SALES NEW AND AFTERMARKET - FULL TIME
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