30.11.2005

MEC buy Telehandler business from Volvo

MEC aerial platform sales Inc, the company headed by Jim Tolle and Craig Braun, produces the new MEC scissor lifts, has purchased the assets and business rights to the telehandler range that Volvo has been working on for almost four years.

While details have not yet been disclosed, we can reveal that Volvo, having decided against entering the telehandler business, 18 months ago, has sold its telehandler assets to MEC. The assets include at least 8 to 10 finished units, enough complete kits to build between 20 and 30 units, with a further 20 to 30 partial kits.

Volvo purchased its telehandler designs from UpRight, which had engineered them from scratch with both high and low, boom configurations. Since the purchase in 2002, Volvo has completely redesigned the product, maintaining the basic structure and features, but converting the designs to metric and adding European componentry. Volvo also spent a great deal of attention on the cab and engine areas as well as “fit and finish”.

The deal also includes all production fixtures and tooling. Jim Tolle told Vertikal.net that, “essentially the telehandlers are now a European product that will work for the American market”.

Models will be on display at the ARA/rental show in Orlando this February and the range will initially include the TH60 and 80 with 6 and 8,000 lbs lift capacity and 41.75ft /12.7 metre lift heights. A 10,000lbs TH 100 will follow shortly afterwards with a smaller TH40 and 50 further down the road if demand justifies it.

The telehandlers will be assembled in the MEC plant in Selma, part of the original plant owned by UpRight.