Hire and Rental News - February 2017

12 / 68

LiftRite was founded in 1983 to provide
materials handling solutions to the
construction, mining and agricultural
industries and also operate in the
compact construction equipment market.
“The Kobelco franchise complements
our existing business. With our size
and reputation, we have been offered
other franchises over the years, but have
rejected them because they do not fit
into our business model," LiftRite Sales
Director, Jack Przytula said.
“Our research showed Kobelco has an
excellent reputation and Glenn Alderton
is returning to handle Kobelco sales at
LiftRite after managing excavator sales
for our previous franchise. Glenn has been
singing the praises of Kobelco,” Jack said.
While LiftRite has handled compact
equipment, it is no stranger to large
equipment, with some of the materials
handling equipment it carries having
capacities of over 50 tonnes.
“With the size of our workshop and the
three overhead cranes, we could handle
12 of the largest excavators Kobelco
makes at one time,” Jack said.
Liftrite takes on Kobelco distributorship in Western Australia
From 1 October 2016, LiftRite Hire & Sales became the Kobelco dealer for Western
Australia, with Loadex withdrawing from this market.
About around 60% of the
LiftRite staff is involved in
service and support and there
are 12 service vehicles in the
fleet.
There were preparations for
a smooth transition of the
Kobelco agency. Technicians
and sales staff underwent
training in Kobelco equipment,
including the new Kobelco
Generation 10 excavators and
information from Kobelco on
sales patterns and the existing
machine population was
invaluable when setting up
parts and service inventories.
General Manager – Sales & Service for
Kobelco, Doug McQuinn, said the Western
Australian market is bouncing back.
“Kobelco is proud to be partnering with
LiftRite as it build its presence in the
excavator market. With a reputation in
Western Australia for outstanding service
and reliability, it's a natural partnership fit
for both Kobelco and LiftRite,” Doug said.
Jack has high expectations for the
partnership of LiftRite and Kobelco,
believing the combination of the quality
and advanced features of the Kobelco
excavator range and LiftRite's focus on
service and support will see Kobelco
reach around 30% of LiftRite’s turnover.
With LiftRite’s directors working in
the business, Jack sees advantages for
customers compared to larger corporate
distributors.
Contact: 0427 004 447 or visit website:
Cliff Chadwick started Chadwick Forklifts
‘from scratch’ in 2003 as a used forklift
supplier. The business moved into its
previous premises in 2004 (at
90 Levanswell Rd, Moorabbin). According
to Cliff the businesses’ biggest change
came in 2011 when Cliff’s wife to be,
Melissa joined the business after 15
years in the industry. The business then
became focused on rentals.
“With the growth of the rental business
came the development of a service team
to support the rental fleet,” Cliff said.
“With a service division of six workshop
techs and vans, combined with an ever
expanding rental division, Chadwick
Forklifts outgrew Moorabbin.
“On 1 December last year, Chadwick
Forklifts relocated to much bigger
premises at 9
Wyman Place,
Braeside. In
the industry,
Chadwick Forklifts
is colloquially
referred to as
Chadwick’s, and
our new signage
has reflected this,”
Cliff said.
“The new premises are only five years
old and have excellent truck access,
something Moorabbin was sadly lacking.
Braeside also has a filtered wash bay and
modern office facilities, including meeting
and training rooms.”
According to Cliff, after a significant
capital commitment to rental equipment
over the past 12 months, including
12 new 2500kg forklifts, six new Manitou
buggies and three new Manitou
telehandlers, targeted growth over the
next 12 months will be retail service.
Paul Piccinini (Service Manager) and
Hasan Salih (Operations Manager) have
been charged with targeting the service
of the thousands of forklifts sold by Cliff
over the past 13 years.
Contact: 03 9587 2777 or visit website:
Chadwick Forklifts relocates to bigger premises in Victoria
Family owned and operated Chadwick Forklifts, based in Victoria, has relocated to bigger
premises in Braeside after a period of growth.
LiftRite Hire & Sales is the new Kobelco distributor in WA
INDUSTRY in FOCUS
12 HIRE AND RENTAL NEWS • FEBRUARY 2017
Chadwick Forklifts has relocated to bigger premises in Braeside, Victoria