CLARK Europe GmbH is the European central headquarters of Clark Material Handling Company, a manufacturer of material handling equipment and logistics systems. The company services the markets in Europe, Africa and the Middle East through nationwide networks of distribution partners. The product portfolio includes electric three- and four-wheel lift trucks (1.3 – 5 t), diesel- and gas-powered forklift trucks with air, SE or cushion tires (1.5 – 8 t capacity) and warehouse trucks. Clark Material Handling Company, based in the USA, is considered the inventor of the forklift truck and looks back on a more than 100-year history. Clark machines offer robustness, numerous possibilities of use and low total cost of ownership. In a study by the US trade journal Modern Materials Handling, which surveyed 1,300 logistics experts, CLARK came in number one in the category price-performance ratio. CLARK (“Built to last”) produced its 1,000,000th forklift back in 1997.
CLARK Europe GmbH, Rolf Eiten (CEO & President) and Kevin Tims (Dealer Manager UK and Scandinavia) spoke to Warehouse & Logistics News.
WLN – As the Counter Balance Fork Truck category experts, how has the category been performing in the last 12 months? What are the major trends and developments?
Overall our CLARK Europe sales territory which is consisting of all Europe incl. Russia, Africa and Middle East we can recognize a market growth compared to last year. Also UK is a strong market and for us as CLARK with a lot of potential for further growth. We have a good and strong dealer network in the UK and our market shares are growing. In IC we expect more sales on the LPG driven units. As a European trend we can recognize the Electric RCB market is further growing. As a matter of fact also the warehousing market is growing further. From the customer’s point of view TCO is a main focus as well as getting value for the money is a main topic.
WLN – What are your core products and services: what are you best known for providing?
Our core product portfolio includes electric three- and four-wheel lift trucks (1.3 – 5 t), diesel- and gas-powered forklift trucks with air, SE or cushion tires (1.5 – 8 t capacity) and warehouse trucks.
Our trucks are especially well known for low total cost of ownership, robustness and “Built to Last” quality.
WLN – What developments or upgrades have you made to your core products and services in the last 12 months?
We have done many upgrades on the ergonomic and performance of our trucks during the last months.
The CLARK 2 to 3,5 ton LPG trucks have now a more powerful engine with 51.6 kW power. As a result, customers have more and more the possibility to choose LPG trucks as powerful as Diesel engine trucks.
Additionally, we have upgraded our cabins for the 2 to 3,5 ton trucks. To enhance comfort and ergonomics, CLARK customers can choose between 4 different cabin levels starting with a weather protection up to a full steel cabin.
New interior upgrades allow it to individualise these cabins even further.
On the 4 ton to 5 ton range the CLARK cabins have also been upgraded to offer more convenience and comfort.
Together with a very new maintenance friendly Deutz diesel engine (Emission stage 3b) and new dual lift cylinders for better visibility this CLARK range has upgraded a lot.
WLN – What makes you the ‘go to’ supplier in your area of expertise?
As the inventor of the forklift, we look back to nearly 100 years of experience in the forklift sector. Therefore, CLARK stands for experience and the CLARK brand name is well known in all industry sectors. Our trucks stand for a very low total cost of ownership and “Built to Last” quality. Through our dense network of dealers in Europe, Africa and the Middle East we are able to offer fast service and support.
WLN – Have you launched any new products and services in the past year? How are they performing?
After having developed important core products in the warehouse technology range with our low-lift pallet trucks and high-lift stackers of the PX and SX series, we are now venturing into the ultimate field of warehousing technology with the introduction of a new reach truck. The CLARK reach trucks SRX14 and SRX16 with load capacities from 1.4 to 1.6 tonnes and lifting heights up to 10.5 metres are poised to cover the important core area of warehouse and internal transport applications. After having been put through their paces in field tests, the first prototypes passed with nothing but positive feedback. The reach trucks have been incorporated seamlessly into CLARK’s proven “Built to Last©” concept. It stands for robust and functional designs following the principle “as much solid steel as possible and only as much plastic as needed”
Additionally, with the launch of our burden (utility) carriers, we entered in the totally new market segment. We have received a very good feedback and already sold the first trucks in the Middle East and Europe.
Since November 2013, passenger transport and electric commercial vehicles have been manufactured at the CLARK Lexington (USA) site; initially, there are three models to choose from. The majority of machines include 48 Volt AC motors, 10-inch wheels, disc brakes and hour recording meters.
WLN – Which industry sectors are your customers in?
Everywhere! Forklifts are needed in nearly every industry sector, from single applications in small shops to fleet operators e.g. in big warehouses or distribution centres.
WLN – Can you name some of your major customers and tell us about the work you do for them?
Of course, we will not give detailled customer information to the public. But just for reference please be informed that CLARK is a supplier to big customers like Coca Cola or Pilkington. These kind of customers usually look for rental and full service which we do offer via our dealer networks.
WLN – Can you tell us about your latest major projects, and what they involve?
Please kindly accept we are especially not giving information to the public on pending projects.
WLN – Have you made any big moves recently in terms of investment in the business, recruitment and so on?
Yes, we continuously invest in our future. In 2014 we moved to our new premises in Duisburg. This was the biggest investment in 2014. Additionally, we hired new employees to support our workshop and engineering team. This results in better service to our dealers and customers. We are more flexible and able to offer customer specific modifications etc. With our R&D team we highly focus on existing product development, new options for our European markets and new product development.
WLN – What was your company’s single biggest achievement in the last year?
Our biggest achievement was the move to our new premises in Duisburg. The relocation from the traditional site in Mülheim an der Ruhr to our own, larger property in Duisburg emphasizes our continuous growth and success. The relocation of our head office was necessary to create new and extensive infrastructural opportunities for employees, workshop, assembly plant, training centre, new machine and spare parts storage. The new site also holds ready numerous improvements and significant potential for expansion and perfectly matches the requirement profile of CLARK Europe GmbH. The best conditions are hence created in order to further promote and develop the business in Europe, Africa and the Middle East.
WLN – What are your plans for 2015? Are you planning to bring out any more products or services, move into new markets or enter new countries?
On the one hand we will focus and prepare everything for our own CKD assembly line (for 48volt electric trucks) here in Duisburg. This will be one of our main projects in 2015.
On the other hand, we will focus on forklift and spare parts business development. This means product development of existing trucks, extension of our spare parts program but also development of our dealer network.
Additionally, we will focus on the promotion of our new products burden carriers, electric low-lift pallet truck PX 20 and the pedestrian operated electric high-lift truck SX 12/16, as well as our new reach trucks SRX14 and SRX16
WLN – Are you exhibiting at any major trade shows this year?
We exhibited at the CeMAT 2014 in Hannover. This was the biggest event this year. Additionally, we had our annual press conference and a dealer opening event for our new premises. All events were very successful.
In 2015 we will exhibit at the LogiMAT exhibition on Stuttgart.
WLN – What are your predictions for the industry in 2015?
Overall we are expecting a growth especially in the European countries. European economics were suffering over a long period of time but we think we can expect a recovery in 2015 with a better GDP growth than in 2014.
WLN – What other headline news from your company can our readers look forward to reading about in Warehouse & Logistics News in 2015?
As you know we have moved into our new premises for our HQ in Europe in February 2014. Already now we are deeply investigating into our plan to start also a CKD assembly line in this place. Of course, this kind of a step forward requires a certain period of time for proper preparation. We will keep you updated on the further progress on this subject.
Furthermore, you can expect CLARK to further extend it`s range of products on RCB units as well as on warehousing units. We will bring a couple of new products to the market in 2015.
WLN will get corresponding press releases when we are ready with them. As far as our plan to increase the CLARK presence in the UK market is concerned you will receive updated information early 2015.
Phone: 07799 665023
Email: kevintims@clarkmheu.com
Web: www.clarkmheu.com
Facebook: CLARKMHCEU
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