Forkway Group News

1.    We are pleased to announce the marriage of Richard Greaves and Karen Chapman. Richard is Forkway Group Sales Director

2.   CUSTOMER ANNOUNCEMENT (See also Press Release below)

I am pleased to be able to share with you some important news from the Forkway Group. From the 1st September, we will become an authorised dealer for Yale Europe, selling and supporting the entire range of Yale counterbalance and warehouse trucks.

The decision to move from Nissan after 29 years as a dealer comes as a result of their change in distribution strategy and as many but by no means all of our customers operate Nissan trucks I would like to emphasise that this will not alter our commitment to these or indeed any of our customers or the service levels we provide.

We will continue to have access to Nissan trucks and spare parts to support our existing customers and I want to assure you that we will always provide you with the highest possible service levels. In the future though, we will focus our attention on marketing and supporting the range of Yale trucks across all our sales areas and I hope that we may have the opportunity of demonstrating to you the massive benefits of this world class brand.

Yale Europe is part of the global Yale Materials Handling organisation, with over 350 dealers in 62 countries, making Yale one of the world's most popular brands for lift trucks and materials handling equipment. As part of the NACCO Materials Handling Group (NMHG), we will benefit from continuous investment in research and development into new technology and products. Yale has one of the most advanced product ranges available, manufactured for Europe in the UK , Italy and the Netherlands .

We see the transition to Yale as extremely positive for our customers and for the Forkway Group. The products are ranked as excellent for specification and for performance. They are price competitive and have good availability, with excellent sales and technical support from Yale at its UK headquarters and factories.

I will have more news about the changes and how this may affect you over the next few weeks but wanted to share this news with you at the earliest opportunity. If you have any questions or concerns, please speak to your normal contact or email me at mfletcher@forkway.co.uk

Martyn Fletcher
Managing Director
FORKWAY GROUP

3.    Press release - Yale appoints the Forkway Group as an authorised Dealer in the UK

In a major change in its distribution strategy in the UK, Yale Europe has appointed the Forkway Group as an authorised dealer to work alongside the existing Yale UK operation, supporting the sale of its counterbalance and warehouse equipment products.

"With well established operations in Yorkshire, the Home Counties and on the South Coast, the Forkway Group, including Solent Forklift Trucks, will compliment the existing Yale UK Dealer network and increase our ability to provide the highest service levels throughout the UK for existing and new customers" said David Bunting, Area Business Director for Yale Europe.

Founded in 1961, Forkway is an established name in the lift truck industry. Operating from support centres in Dewsbury, Amersham and Southampton, the Forkway Group has over 80 staff dedicated to supporting a customer base of over 2,000 users of materials handling equipment with its individual style of personalised service.

Managing Director of the Forkway Group, Martyn Fletcher said: "After a thorough evaluation of the market, we selected Yale as our preferred partner to replace Nissan, who we have represented for 29 years. This was not a decision that was taken lightly but with Yale being a truly global brand, we are moving into the top league of lift truck suppliers with a complete range of products from one manufacturer."

“We are pleased to have received the support of customers, suppliers and staff, who have all welcomed this change. They are assured of our continued high level of customer service and support”, continued Martyn Fletcher, a high profile figure in the lift truck industry who has been the Managing Director at Forkway for 15 years and is currently Vice Chairman of the FLTA.

Welcoming the Forkway Group to the Yale network of Dealers in Europe, Africa and the Middle East Ralf Mock, NACCO Materials Handling Group EMEA Managing Director said: "With an excellent reputation for high standards of customer service, the Forkway Group will bring the level of knowledge and expertise we have been searching for to compliment our own Yale UK operation. Their appointment will increase Yale's presence in the UK lift truck market and we look forward to joining forces with Martyn Fletcher and Richard Greaves at Forkway to Increase our business in the UK ."