05.06.2007

Milcon goes to Pon

Milcon, the Dutch based access, telehandler and forklift rental company has been sold to Pon, owner of Gunco, HDW and a number of Caterpillar distributors. Milcon employees were informed today, and an official announcement is expected on Thursday.

The van Mil family has been looking to sell its rental business for around six months and was in discussions with a number of possible suitors and finally elected to go with Pon on Friday,

The van Mil’s have other interests but will stay with the business. We understand that Pon will operate Milcon as a separate brand and business within the Gunco group and that Paul van Beerendonck, managing director of Gunco will also be the MD of Milcon.

Milcon has a mixed fleet of aerial lifts, which includes Haulotte and Snorkel, for which it has had open sales rights for some central European markets and it also operates a fleet of Manitou telescopic handlers and a number of compact cranes. It is also an IPAF training centre operating under the Omni-Talent name.

The company has started renting in China and began importing low cost counterbalance fork trucks from there last year. It is not clear if this business will remain with the Van Mil brothers, Gilbert and Michel or be included with the sale to Pon.
Please register to see all images

Gilbert (left) and Michel van Mil of Milcon with one of their Valla cranes

HDW, the Genie distributor for Holland is also part of the Gunco group within Pon.

An official press release from Pon is expected on Thursday.