15.10.2010

Skyjack sells mast type fork truck line

Skyjack has sold the rights to manufacture and sell service and replacement parts for all models of its straight mast rough terrain fork truck line to MinnPar, a subsidiary of PartsZone.

The deal includes the transfer of all engineering drawings, parts inventories, customer and supplier lists, and transactional records for the straight mast models. None of Skyjack’s telehandler models are included in the transaction.
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An Ingersoll Rand Rough Terrain Forklift

MinnPar has been offering manufacturers an aftermarket parts management service for non-core and discontinued product lines since 1982. It purchased the Grove Manlift parts business from Manitowoc in 2007.

Skyjack acquired the mast type rough terrain fork truck business, along with its VR telehandler range, from Volvo in 20089, which had acquired a year earlier it as part of its purchase of the Ingersoll Rand Road products division.

PartsZone chief executive Shirish Pareek said: "Our value proposition is a true win-win for straight mast rough terrain lift truck customers and for Skyjack. Our main business is to cost-effectively manage the end-of-life service parts business for industry leading products, allowing OEM's to focus their attention on improved performance and customer service for current and core product lines. We provide exceptional technical and parts support to our dealers worldwide."

Chuck Berls, director of customer support for Skyjack added: "We chose to partner with MinnPar because of their proven track record for customer service. Their technical and customer support expertise ensures that current or future generation owners of Straight Mast Rough Terrain Lift Trucks will have continued availability of genuine OEM replacement parts."

Vertikal Comment

This is just some cleaning up on Skyjack’s part. The mast type fork trucks came as part of the package with the Ingersoll Rand VR range and it was always unlikely that Skyjack would produce or continue to offer them. The replacement parts business would also by now be beginning to wind down to the point where it was becoming a distraction or even a nuisance.

Far better to sell the rights and clear out the inventory, possibly raising a little cash in the process, while freeing up any resources involved with the business. For Minnpar- this is what it does and it can easily add these line items to its operation with minimal cost, adding some new customers and turning a nice profit while the business lasts.