06.08.2004

Filipov joins Airtrax board

Airtrax, Inc. the American based developer of the omni-directional technology used on the MEC Phoenix scissor lift, which was shown at this years ARA show, (See page 12, Cranes&Access 6.2 Feb/March 2004) and the Sidewinder forklift has announced that Fil Filipov will serve on its Board of Directors and that it has acquired a controlling interest in Filco GmbH the German based fork lift company owned by Filipov. Filco manufactures the Sidewinder product fror Airtrax.

Filipov best known for his role at Terex cranes has a three year consulting agreement with the Terex group which, commits him to 26 weeks a year and is Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Terex Tatra, a Czech company producing off-highway trucks.

Filipov acquired Filco GmbH, a forklift manufacturer located in Mulheim a.d. Ruhr, Germany, from the administrators of Clark material handling, originally part of the Clarklift group while still working full time at Terex.

Peter Amico, President of Airtrax, said, "Having someone with Mr. Filipov's qualifications serve as a Director exemplifies the industry's view of our products and the omni-technology we've developed. We are thrilled he'll be part of our board of directors."

"I am really excited to be working with Airtrax and their innovative technology," said Fil Filipov. "I believe this technology will have a significant impact in the material handling industry."

The appointment is linked to “an agreement” that Airtrax has entered into to acquire a controlling interest in Filco GmbH, Airtrax do not say if or when this deal will be completed, it follows on from an earlier agreement which fell through in August 2003 when Airtrax failed to secure the required funding to complete the deal. (See Vertikal.net archive, November 14th 2003)

The Sidewinder Omni-Directional Lift Truck and the Airtrax Phoenix aerial work platform are the first commercially produced omni-directional vehicles using the Airtrax wheel. The omni-directional wheel is manufactured by Timken Corporation under exclusive production rights to Airtrax.