Representatives of Britain’s 24-strong network of authorised Mitsubishi Forklift Trucks dealers have received a ringing endorsement from the international manufacturer at this year’s UK Dealer Meeting and Awards event. As ever, the aim of the annual gathering was to reward and encourage the maintenance of high standards, to review the year gone by and plan for further success in the future, to discuss the latest products and support available from Mitsubishi, and to build in strength as a team. For the second year running, Aberdeen-based Gray Forklift Services Ltd took the prestigious Dealer of the Year Award. The special Aftersales Dealer of the Year Award went to one of the Midlands dealers, Jofson Ltd, while MH Industrial from East Yorkshire won the Award for Outstanding Achievement.
Another two-time winner was Salesman of the Year Chris Slater of Bronze Mechanical Handling Ltd, based in West Thurrock, who scooped the same Award last year. It was a proud evening for his employer, Alan Bronze, who is celebrating 30 years selling Mitsubishi forklift trucks. Alan started out as a ‘digger’, spending his days calling up prospects to generate leads for the salesmen, and he has clearly passed on some of the expertise he gained along the way.
Mitsubishi Gold Awards were presented to the following dealers, in acknowledgement of their continuing high standards: A1 Industrial Trucks Ltd, Andover Fork Trucks, Bronze Mechanical Handling Ltd, Douglas Gillespie Plant, GB Lift Trucks Ltd, Gray Forklift Services Ltd, Jofson Ltd, Kin Ltd, MH Industrial Ltd, Milton Keynes Ltd, Newbury Fork Truck Centre Ltd and PLP Lift Trucks Ltd
Earlier in the day, the dealers met to reflect on the company’s performance in 2007 and to review its plans, programmes and initiatives for 2008 and beyond. There were sessions looking at the marketing and support programmes, upcoming new products and various technical developments. Summing up the importance of the ‘global-local’ partnership on which the dealers’ success has been built, Terry Foreman, General Manager of Mitsubishi Forklift Trucks UK, said: “There is no doubt that our local dealers and their customers benefit greatly from being backed by the global Mitsubishi organisation, with its huge resources and technological excellence. As a forklift maker, Mitsubishi ranks as the fifth biggest in the world – or higher if you only compare lift truck sales volumes, and eliminate the retail element from those companies that own their distribution networks. As a worldwide corporation, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries is at the forefront of every kind of engineering project – from medical equipment to spacecraft.
“But what makes Mitsubishi Forklift Trucks unique is its strong belief in – and encouragement of – local dealer networks. That close connection is all-important. I could name some large manufacturers whose customers feel like they are dealing with a very remote supplier who doesn’t really know them or understand their needs.
“With Mitsubishi, every customer has a friendly local dealer who knows the area and the forklift business inside out, who wants to get to know the customer, and who will respond quickly whenever a customer needs help. What’s more, the strength of our network means that this same high level of local service can be delivered to everyone from the owner of a single truck to a company with depots spread across the UK.”
Mitsubishi Forklift Trucks
Tel: 0118 988 0221
www.mitsubishi-forklift.co.uk
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