Leading forklift manufacturer, Doosan, has made a major capital investment in its top regional distributor, Fork Truck Direct.
The Essex-based dealer sells over 100 new Doosan forklifts each year and aims to increase its annual turnover, currently in excess of £3.5m, by 30 to 35 percent within the next 3 years. The move follows Doosan’s recent decision to create a new standalone business, Doosan Industrial Vehicles.
DIV UK director and general manager, Tim Waples, believes the six figure investment will enable FTD to expand their coverage, as well as recruit additional sales and service personnel, and help Doosan to become the UK’s dominant player.
Said Tim: “Fork Truck Direct has always delivered, both in terms of being a successful Doosan dealer and in offering a superb regional service. We believe the company has massive growth potential and our investment demonstrates our commitment to the company and our own long-term growth plans.”
FTD managing director, Mike Dixon, sees the investment opening new doors to many business opportunities throughout their Essex, Suffolk, Hertfordshire and London territories.
Said Mike: “We have a long history with Doosan and are delighted to enter into this new partnership with them. The company has always been very flexible and responsive in regards to both ours and our customers’ needs. This investment will help to improve the efficiency of our business too, with the purchase of new IT systems, workshop equipment, additional service staff recruitment and training programmes.”
Doosan Plans
Doosan’s ambitious plans to continue growing their brand in the UK have been further boosted by being given greater autonomy following the creation of DIV. Removing some of Doosan’s non-forklift-related cost burdens and allowing further independence has stimulated greater focus on new opportunities, including closer ties with dealers. The company recently announced it has purchased a majority stake in Huntingdon-based Genesis Fork Trucks Ltd.
Fork Truck Direct’s senior management team remains unchanged, a significant achievement for the business which has been established for over 15 years.
What began as a predominantly service based operation has grown into a highly regarded modern materials handling business. Working with leading businesses in London and the Southeast, the company has an extensive hire fleet which will be boosted thanks to the latest investment.
“We have recently appointed additional experienced area sales managers to further promote and develop our business. Our aim is to create a more efficient and dynamic working environment,” concludes Mike Dixon. “Doosan’s confidence and support to a UK company like ours is a great boost, helping us to grow our short term hire fleet by over a third and sending us well on the way to achieving our overall growth plans.”