Pon North America Acquires Forklifts, Inc.

February 21, 2008 • Forklifts, Inc. recently became an official member of the Cincinnati, Ohio-based Pon North America group of material handling and aerial lift equipment firms. The $82 million forklift and aerial lift distributor, headquartered in Mechanicsburg, Pa., will extend its territory under Pon North America.

Forklifts was founded in 1955 with one facility in Harrisburg, Pa. The company grew through acquisitions and the addition of equipment lines, such as aerial equipment. Today, the company represents multiple product lines from Genie, Grove, Skyjack and Lull manlift and rough terrain vehicles to Cat and Linde lift trucks. The company has 370 professionals in six facilities across central and eastern Pennsylvania and services southern New Jersey and a portion of Delaware.

 

Pon North America now represents five material handling/aerial lift companies in the United States. The companies retain autonomy in their regions, but also benefit by sharing talent, best practices, equipment resources, and a single strategic vision.

 

Pon North America was founded in 1987 by Pon Holdings, a $7 billion family-owned business in The Netherlands. With the addition of Forklifts, Pon North America companies have more than 2,000 employees, over 30 equipment lines and coverage in 12 states. The combined sales of Pon North America operating companies now exceed $500 million annually.