Briggs Equipment set to buy Yale UK

Briggs Equipment UK has reached an agreement to buy Yale UK from NACCO Materials Handling Group.

Representing a very significant consolidation of the lift truck market, the deal will initially see Briggs becoming Yale's sole national distributor in the UK market (excluding Northern Ireland).

Briggs said it had started a “new working partnership” with Yale Materials Handling and is considering the full alignment of its dealership with the on-going global growth strategy of its parent company - Briggs International.

Briggs International is part of the Sammons Enterprises equipment distribution division. Companies within the equipment distribution division include: Briggs Equipment Mexico and Briggs Equipment US, who are already distributors of Yale Materials Handling products.

“Having grown the Briggs Equipment brand into a UK success story, it is only right and proper, that we now consider strategically aligning ourselves with the other members of the Sammons equipment distribution division by becoming the distributor of Yale Materials Handling in Great Britain.

“In these difficult times, it is now particularly necessary for our organisation to review our growth strategy,” said Briggs UK CEO Richard Close.

Briggs Equipment will continue to support customers throughout this period of realignment.

“We are confident that all our customers will experience a totally seamless and smooth transition throughout this period, as our ultimate objective is to benefit our customers both now and in the future,” added Close.

In a statement Yale said: "Yale Europe will continue to support all of its customers throughout any period of change and looks forward to delivering outstanding levels of service under this new partnership.

"It is expected that Forkway and Lloyd will continue their valuable contribution to the success of Yale and the satisfaction of their customers, working closely together with Briggs Equipment UK."