Dear reader, WELCOME TO FORKLIFTACTION.COM, MATERIALS HANDLING ONLINE. This is issue #160 - 04 June 2004 of the weekly newsletter for industry professionals. Jungheinrich chairman Dr Cletus von Pichler says the company must extend its sales efforts.     INSIDE FORKLIFTACTION.COM NEWS 1. An overview of the spare parts industry 2. Judge orders arbitration for Crown, FLS 3. Delta sues Hoist Liftruck over contract dispute 4. EXPOMANEJO 2005 - Get involved! ADVERT 5. New JCB Loadalls sent to the tower 6. Jungheinrich positioned for growth 7. Matex 2004 - Australia on display 8. Service & operations manager wanted ADVERT 9. Wandalex wins USD150,000 Austrian contract 10. Railway defends forklift use 11. Discussion Forums popular after launch MEDIA RELEASES 1. RAVAS introduces RWV Autonome RF weighing system for forklifts 2. EMC Forklift Parts release new replacement parts catalogue - Edition 5   This very special issue of Forkliftaction.com News marks our fourth birthday, and a new look for the weekly email bulletin. Four years of providing you, our members, the most cutting-edge news service in world materials handling. >From humble beginnings in 2000, when we delivered our first issue to 50 members, the readership is now estimated conservatively at about 40,000 readers in every continent on the globe. Thanks to everyone for your support over the years. We look forward to providing more of the same for many years to come. This new-look issue has been developed in response to feedback from the membership, and you'll notice some new additions to the format. We now include snippets from the Discussion Forums and "Fast Facts". Please let us know what you think of the new-look Forkliftaction.com News!   1. An overview of the spare parts industry GULLEGEM, Belgium The world market for forklift and materials handling spare parts has grown exponentially in recent years. Giants have emerged, small players have broken in, and the growth of the internet as a business tool has broken down international borders and created a truly global business. Forkliftaction.com News chief reporter Damien Tomlinson spoke to TVH Group, the Belgian family company that is the world leader in the forklift parts industry with an annual turnover of USD200 million. A second feature on June 17 will include market developments and interviews with the other truly global company, IMC Holdings, or Intrupa, another family business based in the USA.  Read more - TVH website - 2. Judge orders arbitration for Crown, FLS DAYTON, OH, United States Crown Equipment Corporation's litigation against dealer Florida Lift Systems Inc (FLS) is working its way through arbitration en route to a possible US District Court trial in Dayton. Judge Walter Herbert Rice directed Crown and FLS to arbitrate their differences and jointly report on the status by June 25. Crown is seeking to terminate FLS as a Crown dealer (Forkliftaction.com News #144), and FLS has sued Crown (Forkliftaction.com News #149). Earlier, Crown had declared unilaterally that it would terminate FLS on June 1. Judge Rice granted an FLS request for a temporary order against Crown implementing the termination. "The court agreed with Crown's position and enforced the arbitration provision of the dealer agreement and compelled the parties to arbitrate their differences," said John Maxa, Crown vice-president and general counsel, in a letter to Crown dealers. The court directed that "Crown cannot effect a termination prior to June 25," Mr Maxa acknowledged. FLS attorney Hugh Bode, of Reminger & Reminger Co LPA, in Cleveland, Ohio, had strong views. "The court's decision requiring FLS and Crown to arbitrate their dispute recognised the inconsistency of the aggressive litigation strategy Crown has employed against FLS," he said. "The court chastised Crown for claiming the right to unilaterally terminate FLS after Crown had commenced litigation and requested arbitration to determine the 'lawfulness' of termination." Mr Bode also represents Toyota Material Handling USA Inc (TMHU), of Irvine, California, in separate but related litigation in a Toledo, Ohio, federal court. Crown's lawsuit says TMHU caused FLS to breach its Crown dealer agreement. In April, TMHU filed a counterclaim against Crown, alleging intentional interference with a contract, interference with a business relationship, abuse of process and anti-trust violations. On the Crown versus FLS case, Mr Bode said "fair, unbiased arbitration gives FLS the opportunity to be heard. The issues to be addressed in arbitration are the same as the issues that would be heard in a court of law. We are certain that a fair arbitration proceeding will reflect positively on FLS." FLS has been a Crown distributor for 18 years and, for the past five years, says it has produced a 40%-plus market share for Crown in its territory. FLS has annual sales of more than USD40 million. "Crown's behaviour is totally out of character from the Crown I thought I knew," Jeff Fischer, FLS chief executive officer, said. "With Crown's total sales of USD1 billion, I can't understand how our effort to become a stronger dealer in the IC classes that Crown does not make poses any threat to Crown." FLS began representing TMHU in Orlando in September 2002 and became a TMHU dealer in Tampa in January 2004. 3. Delta sues Hoist Liftruck over contract dispute MEMPHIS, TN, United States Forklift dealer Delta Materials Handling Inc has sued Hoist Liftruck Manufacturing Inc for breach of contract. Delta seeks a judgement of USD32,777 plus interest and legal fees. In the suit, filed in the Shelby County Circuit Court in Memphis on May 14, Delta alleges Hoist has refused to reimburse Delta for warranty work on Hoist products. The suit says Delta performed, but was not compensated for, USD9,980 in work that Hoist authorised. Also, Delta said it submitted other warranty claims for USD22,799 that Hoist denied. "It is unfortunate when the supplier-dealer relationship breaks down, and a lawsuit must be filed," said Robert Uhlmann, a Memphis attorney representing Delta. "We attempted to find a mutually-agreeable solution with Hoist, but they left us with little hope of finding a solution. Our position is correct and legitimate, and we are confident the court will agree." Based in Bedford Park, Illinois, USA, Hoist manufactures heavy-duty forklifts. Hoist's attorney, Edward D Shapiro, a principal with a Chicago law firm, was not available for comment, and Hoist management did not respond to Forkliftaction.com News's requests for comment. Memphis-based Delta has mid-south branches in Jackson, Tennessee; Tupelo, Mississippi; and Jonesboro, Arkansas. Among others, Delta represents Clark, Daewoo Lift Trucks, Linde, Mitsubishi Forklift Trucks, Drexel and Prime Mover. - Court website - 4. EXPOMANEJO 2005 - Get involved! ADVERTISEMENT Here is YOUR opportunity to participate in THE materials handling show of MEXICO in March 2005.The event will take place in Mexico City's brand new Santa Fe Exhibition Hall, covering 116,000 sq.ft (10,800sqm), of which 36,464 sq.ft. (3,392sqm) will be dedicated exclusively to exhibition booths. For more info, visit our WEBsite - www.expomanejo.org.mx or email jpvazquez@expomanejp.org.mx. 5. New JCB Loadalls sent to the tower LONDON, United Kingdom One Call Hire Ltd has bought more than GBP1 million (USD1.8 million) worth of new JCB Loadall reach trucks. Working out of its three depots at Enfield, Rochester and Chichester, the new machines are already being deployed to One Call sites across the UK, including a job at the Tower of London. One Call Hire's latest buy adds six JCB 520-40s, one JCB 520-50, four JCB 530-70s, four JCB 533-105s, 16 JCB 532-120s and four JCB 540-170s to the fleet. - JCB website - 6. Jungheinrich positioned for growth HAMBURG, Germany Jungheinrich chairman Dr Cletus von Pichler says the company must extend sales efforts to new countries if it wants to participate in global economic growth. Dr von Pichler, speaking before Jungheinrich's annual general meeting on June 2, said the company had positioned itself to take advantage of a recovering economic environment. "A company that wishes to build a powerful sales organisation outside Europe is dependent on having a complete product range," he said. "In 2003, we therefore expanded the counterbalanced trucks division further and ploughed high capital expenditure into R&D." The world materials handling market developed better than expected in 2003, with Asia and North America achieving above-average growth, he said. In the USA and Asia, counterbalanced trucks - primarily IC engine powered trucks - dominated. Dr von Pilcher said Jungheinrich would introduce a new series of diesel counterbalanced trucks this year, and a new battery-powered counterbalance truck would follow. In 2003, the foreign ratio in group sales increased to 72.3%, with exports mainly to Europe. "From now on, we plan to work the markets of Asia and America more intensely," Dr von Pichler said. Capital expenditure rose to EUR61 million (USD74.7 million), and R&D grew to EUR33 million (USD40.4 million) or 5.7% of net sales in 2003. That resulted in the launch of new products in all sectors, from hand pallet trucks to large warehouse system trucks. In February 2003 Jungheinrich decided to close its Leighton Buzzard (UK) plant by the end of June this year. The company now concentrates on Moosburg, where two product lines started at the beginning of the year and a third will come on line on July 1. In December the company also decided to discontinue its subsidiary MIC SA. Production of hand pallet trucks at the French company's Argentan plant ended on May 14. Production of battery-powered pedestrian trucks was transferred from Argentan to the company's Norderstedt plant. Jungheinrich also concluded a delivery contract for hand pallet trucks with Chinese company Ningbo Ruyi. It will acquire a 25% stake in the company before the end of this year. Dr von Pichler warned that productivity at Norderstedt, which produces pedestrian low-lift and high-lift trucks, would be reviewed and said it may not be possible to maintain the current workforce. He said there would be a reduction of Jungheinrich's global 9200-strong workforce to less than 9,000 employees this year. In comparison to 2002, incoming orders and net sales were barely maintained in 2003. Net sales did not increase, but operating income grew 5.3%. Market share was maintained in 2003 but Jungheinrich is still struggling to return to the share it held in 2001. Group net income was halved to EUR21.1 million (USD25.8 million). Dr von Pichler said Jungheinrich had the necessary "bite" to maintain its position in the market, but warned that "improvement in the productivity of our plants is absolutely indispensable". This year began moderately but, since March, market volume - mainly in counterbalanced trucks - grew significantly in non-European markets. Compared to the first quarter of 2003, the growth rate of incoming orders has doubled from 2% to 4% and a decline in net sales of minus 4% was cut to minus 1%. - Jungheinrich website - 7. Matex 2004 - Australia on display SYDNEY, Australia Matex 2004 opened on Tuesday, June 1, at Sydney's Convention & Exhibition Centre. Forkliftaction.com was there on June 2, speaking to exhibitors and experiencing the atmosphere of the show, which highlighted Australia's materials handling market. There were a few large forklift manufacturers missing from the exhibitors list, but the general feeling from those present was that the show was meeting expectations. Matex closes on Friday, June 4, so members in Sydney should make the effort to see it. From scantily-clad promotions staff to wily old industry veterans, product demonstrations and free beer, there's something for everyone at Matex. Forkliftaction.com News's review, detailing the opinions of exhibitors and news from the four-day show, will be in next week's newsletter. - Matex 2004 website - 8. Service & operations manager wanted ADVERTISEMENT • Service & operations manager wanted • Forklift/Container Handling Distributor Top Level Advancement Opportunity An opportunity exists for an energetic & ambitious manager to join a world leader in materials handling technology. The role will be managing service & operational aspects of the Victorian (Australia) operation via the leadership of a team of service & spare parts specialists. Applicants should be suitably experienced, ideally with an engineering background & involved in the forklift or related field. A suitable package is offered to attract the right applicants & there is definite potential for career advancement. Initial enquiries should be made to TIM BAGOT on (02) 9923 1528, or forward your resume to BAGOT INTERNATIONAL @ bagotint@ozemail.com.au 9. Wandalex wins USD150,000 Austrian contract WARSAW, Poland Wandalex has been awarded a PLN580,000 (USD153,000) contract by an unnamed Austrian company. Under the contract, Wandalex would provide services and products to the Austrian company in the third quarter of 2004, according to the Polish News Digest. The company posted a net profit of PLN2.5 million (USD637,000) from revenue of PLN20 million (USD5.1 million) for the first four months of 2004. Besides forklifts, Wandalex manufactures warehouse shelves, conveyors and logistics systems. Wandalex cooperates with companies such as Combilift, CVS Ferrari and Yale. - Wandalex website - 10. Railway defends forklift use ADELAIDE, Australia The company that operates the Ghan railway has hit back at criticism for loading and unloading disabled passengers by forklift. The Ghan crosses the Australian continent from Adelaide, in the south, travelling through the Simpson Desert and the red centre town of Alice Springs, to Darwin in the north. Horrified passengers had complained after seeing disabled passengers hoisted in and out of the trains by forklift. Great Southern Railway's David Campbell told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation that assisting disabled passengers on and off the train with a forklift was 100% safe. "We've been loading passengers using that method at Alice Springs and other locations of our business for 50 years," he said. 11. Discussion Forums popular after launch Forkliftaction.com's Discussion Forums have taken off with some very interesting discussions. Have a look and join in! Meet other members, share ideas and find answers to your questions with our forums - www.forkliftaction.com/forum. The forums are the place for discussion; we all know we can do better business with help from colleagues. To participate, all you need is your registered email address and password. Not registered? Become a member. For assistance or a password reminder contact Lyn on info@forkliftaction.com. 1. RAVAS introduces RWV Autonome RF weighing system for forklifts RAVAS Europe has introduced the RWV Autonome RF weighing system, featuring forks-to-indicator radio communication. No cables means the system is easily installed, and loads are weighed instantly. The RWV Autonome RF is a variant of the RWV Autonome. The RF combines these advantages with an indicator within reach of the driver. The signal from the forks is communicated by radio, and each indicator has its own address, ensuring each system communicates only with its own indicator. MORE INFORMATION? Contact RAVAS Europe BV, The Netherlands. See www.ravas.com or email jacob.blom@ravas.com. Click here for the full text of this release, including pictures. 2. EMC Forklift Parts release new replacement parts catalogue - Edition 5 EMC Forklift Parts offer the most informative and comprehensive parts catalogue for Japanese 1.5 to 3 tonne capacity forklifts in the south pacific region. With over 25 years experience in spare parts, EMC designs, manufactures and distributes quality replacement parts and accessories for the Southeast Asian region. Located at the doorstep of Asia's large manufacturing network, EMC works with quality manufacturers to offer the most cost-effective replacement products for your forklift needs. For your copy of the new EMC catalogue email info@emcgateway.com or log onto www.emcgateway.com. Click here for the full text of this release, including pictures. Click here for the full text of this release, including pictures. IN THE DISCUSSION FORUMS UPCOMING EVENTS TENDERS JOB VACANCIES RESUMES FAST FACTS In the Discussion Forums This is an interesting question! Can you help? Does anyone know whats going on with Toyota and the dealers in central Florida? I'm having a very difficult time getting parts for my fleet. Anybody have any ideas? Bassfisherman, United States A valid question about an important issue. How are you dealing with the high cost of medical insurances, workers comp, etc? Are your employees paying for a portion of their cost? carol_r, United States Can you add to this discussion? The biggest events I have visited are CeMAT in Hannover and IMHX in Birmingham. Can you advise me on trade shows of the same international significance in the Americas, Asia or anywhere else? Karina_H, Australia The Discussion Forums have drawn many positive responses since their launch last week. As a first time visitor to your forum I find it very informative. Jackie, Germany FORKLIFTACTION.COM Discussion Forums >> Upcoming Events 1. 2nd Trans Pan Pacific 2004 Busan, Korea, South 29th and 30th June 2004 2. Logistics Europe 2004 - change of location notified Gdynia, Poland 25th and 26th November 2004 3. Safety in Action/Materials & Manual Handling 2005 Melbourne, Australia 21st to 23rd March 2005 FORKLIFTACTION.COM Events >> Tenders 1. Pick, pack, ship incl conveyor system Richmond, KY, United States Closing: 24 June 2004 Contract: W22G1F-04-R-0003 FORKLIFTACTION.COM Tenders >> Jobs 1. Service & Operations Manager - Full time Victoria, Australia 2. Material Handling Equipment Sales - Full time Minneapolis/St. Paul/Minnesota & Wisconsin, United States FORKLIFTACTION.COM Jobs >> Resumes 1. SALES MANAGER - Full time Anywhere in UK, United Kingdom FORKLIFTACTION.COM Resumes >> Fast Facts 1. RAVAS introduces RWV Autonome RF weighing system for forklifts 2. Birmingham forklift distributor M&W Toyota Handling has won a contract to supply LDV with 67 Toyota forklifts. 3. EMC Forklift Parts release new replacement parts catalogue - Edition 5 4. The 500th Combilift forklift sold in Britain has been delivered to the Bristol branch of timber and panel supplier James Latham. 5. Airtrax will outfit its Sdewinder forklift with omni-directional wheels supplied by the Timken Company. 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