European forklift truck manufacturer Cesab targets UK market

The business – part of the Toyota/BT group – has had a small UK presence for many years, but UK general manager Terry Stephens says it will now make significant headway thanks to new products and several dealers who have moved from other forklift brands. Exclusive dealers now include Access in Glasgow, Babbis in Norfolk, Brindley in Leicester, Global in St Helens, Hitec in Wellingborough, Northern in Stockton on Tees, PLP in Sheffield, Rack n Stack in Preston and Spartan in Bradford – and others are soon to be signed up, according to Stephens. "We are well on our way to fulfilling our strategy of signing high quality dealers to an exclusive agreement with Cesab, selling our expanded range of products throughout the whole of the UK. We are really excited about the quality of the dealers that we have attracted so far, many of whom have been prepared to move from other well known forklift brands," he said. The attraction, he says, is the firm's management style and culture, "backed by a product range manufactured in Europe using the Toyota Production System". "We've recognised a demand for a return to more local service. People still buy from people and many customers want to deal with someone they know and trust and who is able to supply products with the highest quality standards." The range of products meets most market requirements, he says. "The range now covers nearly 100% of the counterbalanced market with our hydrostatic and torque converter ranges, with the new M300 a very significant and powerful part of our upgraded product offering. The new 48-volt B300/B400 electric range offers a cleaner and more environmentally friendly option and, as it performs as well as gas and diesel, is proving a productive and cost-effective option for customers. "A number of our new dealers based their decision to join Cesab on the quality of the product, knowing that less maintenance would mean less costs for the end user. This is the right approach in a climate of increased budgetary pressures." Pictured are UK general manager Terry Stephens (left) with technical services manager Paul Wilkinson.