Kent-based Britannia Materials Handling has merged with Bronze Mechanical Handling in Essex to form one of the largest forklift truck organisations in the South East.
Britannia Forklifts director Chris Slater said: “This is the culmination of an ongoing co-ownership process which has seen both companies working ever-more closely together to create a single entity.
“We have a great deal in common. Between us, our two businesses share more than 50 years experience in specifying, selling, hiring and maintaining every make and model of materials handling equipment.”
Taking up the story, Joe Bronze of Bronze Mechanical Handling said: “Joining forces is going to deliver significant benefits to customers throughout Kent, Essex, Hertfordshire and London.
“As well as the accumulated expertise of both sales and service teams, truck users will have access to an exceptionally large pool of rental trucks for short or long-term hire, along with top-class maintenance, repairs and inspections from a factory-trained field service team.”
The fact that both companies are authorised dealers for Mitsubishi Forklift Trucks was a key factor in facilitating the move. The trucks have long been recognised for their legendary reliability, but over the past two decades, the Mitsubishi forklifts and warehouse equipment have scooped a host of international awards for their design innovation, operator-focused ergonomics and safety features.
Chris added: “I’m delighted to say the proposed move has been warmly welcomed by the Britannia staff. They feel motivated to see us taking these two great businesses to the next level, with the security and opportunities for career development that it will bring.”
Commenting on the merger, Stewart Gosling of Red Diamond Distribution, a distributor for Mitsubishi Forklift Trucks UK, said: “This is a really positive move by two of our strongest and most successful dealerships.
“Having these two award-winning businesses join forces will provide a powerful presence for Mitsubishi Forklift Trucks throughout the whole of the South East.
“Importantly, the merger maintains the philosophy of local support with world-leading technology that has made the Mitsubishi Forklift Trucks UK network such a stand-out success.”
Pictured (left to right): Stewart Gosling of RDD, a distributor for Mitsubishi Forklift Trucks UK; Bronze sales executive James Hunter; Bronze founder Alan Bronze; Bronze managing director Joe Bronze; and Britannia Forklifts director Chris Slater
