Haulotte appoints UK subsidiary manager

Philip James has joined the Haulotte Group as UK subsidiary manager. Previously working as strategic sales director Europe for Akzo Nobel – a coatings company – James’s expertise is in managing sales, marketing and service oriented businesses. He has managed businesses in Europe and North America and has been involved in number of acquisitions, in both manufacturing and distribution. In his new role he will report to Pierrick Lourdain, western area manager. James’ assignment is to define the sales strategy and implement the complete Haulotte product and service package in the UK and Ireland, which includes a complete range of aerial work platforms (over 50 models); The HTL range of telehandlers; and the Multijob range, full-rotating backhoe loader.

IMT launches certified used equipment initiative

Iowa Mold Tooling Co., Inc. (IMT) has established a certified used equipment initiative to meet customer demand for pre-owned equipment. IMT Certified Used Equipment is an extension of the IMT line of service vehicles that provides a level of certified used equipment not offered on the market today.

Each vehicle will be reconditioned to a defined set of criteria within a 90-point checklist. IMT will inspect every aspect of each vehicle, including overall appearance, cab interior, condition of underhood and under-vehicle components, service body, crane, compressed air system and optional components.

“IMT equipment is known industrywide for its durability and reliability, and it has always held its value very well,” says Mark Zipse, strategic accounts manager for IMT. “And demand for pre-owned service vehicles is particularly high right now.”

Customers who purchase IMT Certified Used Equipment and register their warranty online will receive a copy of the 90-point checklist, as well as a 6- month limited warranty for the IMT equipment and a one-month limited warranty on the chassis.

“Now that we’re putting our preowned equipment through the rigorous IMT Certified 90-point checklist, customers can rest assured that their premium used vehicle comes with the IMT stamp of the highest durability and reliability,” Zipse said.

IMT Certified Used Equipment will be sold through the extensive IMT distributor network, which consists of more than 80 distributors. And the distributor network will also participate by working with customers to supply IMT with used equipment for continued growth.

“We have so many customers who want to maximize the value of their money,” Zipse said, “and now we’ll not only be able to help them do that through premium IMT Certified vehicles, but we’ll also be able to help them realize the best replacement cycles on their current IMT products.”

Safety Vision appoints new controller

Safety Vision, a provider of mobile digital video solutions announced that Mark Kerr has joined the company as controller. Kerr has had many challenging financial roles over the past 26 years bringing a wealth of financial experience and acumen to his new role at Safety Vision.

In this position, Kerr will oversee the accounting department and is responsible for the financial accounting and administrative functions. Prior to joining Safety Vision, Kerr used his extensive knowledge of accounting, internal controls and risk management to develop and implement the financial infrastructure for Capital 4, Inc. A graduate of the Arizona State University, Kerr served as chief financial officer, vice-president finance, and business development manager for several companies in the Houston area.

“We are excited to have Kerr join us here at Safety Vision,” said Bruce Smith, president of Safety Vision.

Toyota Material Handling unveils fleet management program

Toyota Material Handling, U.S.A., Inc. (TMHU) announced July 2 the launch of the Toyota Fleet Solution program, its lift truck fleet management program. Designed to anticipate and meet customers’ lift truck needs, the Toyota Fleet Solution provides an enterprisewide view of lift truck procurement, use and service.

“We want to provide our customers with the best possible fleet management program so that they can better run their businesses,” said Shankar Basu, president and CEO of TMHU.

The Toyota Fleet Solution is a datadriven, comprehensive approach to fleet management designed to create longterm partnerships, not just short-term gains—and to deliver better bottom-line business performance for Toyota’s customers. With its robust, SAP-driven Toyota Fleet Metrics system, the Toyota Fleet Solution goes beyond simply data reporting to actually analyzing customer’s fleet and making personalized recommendations to deliver a lean fleet, year after year.

The Toyota Fleet Solution centers around five major components – fleet analysis, consolidated billing, fleet metrics system, a 24/7 toll-free call center and Toyota TotalFleet, a customizable program. Each is available individually or as part of the company’s flagship product, TotalFleet. The proprietary TotalFleet offers a new model of cutting-edge fleet management with an extensive menu of offerings plus customizable components including finance, maintenance and rental support.

By conducting fleet inventory, application, operation, and maintenance expense surveys with a customer, Toyota dealers can make fleet optimization recommendations, allowing customers to see where they can gain efficiencies and leverage existing ones. Some of these recommendations may include suggestions as to financing options, maintenance schedules, short-term rental choices and disposal of obsolete or underperforming lift trucks.

Utilizing its Toyota Fleet Metrics tracking and reporting functions, the Toyota Fleet Solution program provides its customers with the ability to track their fleet’s performance over time and establishing performance benchmarks. Unlike other lift truck fleet programs, the Toyota Fleet Solution provides customers with customer support 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Wells Fargo acquires CIT Construction

Wells Fargo & Company has completed the acquisition of CIT Construction, the U.S. construction lending business unit of CIT Group Inc. Terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

CIT Construction’s name will be Wells Fargo Construction, part of Wells Fargo Equipment Finance, Inc. Its main office remains in Tempe, AZ. Ron Riecks, the former president of CIT Construction, will head Wells Fargo Construction.

With more than $5 billion in managed receivables and 250-plus team members, Wells Fargo Construction provides commercial financing to the construction industry. It serves contractors who build and repair infrastructure, manufacturers of construction equipment, as well as distributors and dealers that sell and rent construction equipment nationwide.

Wells Fargo Equipment Finance, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., has a managed asset portfolio of $12.6 billion and serves more than 38,000 customers in the U.S. and Canada.

The Papé Group acquires Central California Kenworth

The Papé Group has announced July 2 that it purchased the assets of Central California Kenworth (CCKW), including all five of its locations in Bakersfield, Fresno, Stockton, Paso Robles and Madera, CA. The new company will be called Papé Trucks.

“We are pleased with this acquisition because it offers a tremendous opportunity for us to serve the needs of more customers throughout the West,” said Chris Wetle, president of Papé Trucks, Inc.“Kenworth heavy- and medium-duty truck customers throughout Central California will experience Papé’s outstanding sales, service and support as we will further our mission to provide superior products that offer exceptional value backed by consistent, high-quality customer service.”

“Papé Trucks further strengthens the Papé presence in markets where we already serve the capital equipment needs of customers,” said Randy Papé, president and CEO of The Papé Group. “We’re looking forward to representing the high quality Kenworth line of trucks, and we’re confident our commitment to service and support will make the transition seamless.”