Under the terms of the agreement, MCFA will be the exclusive distributor of Jungheinrich-branded warehouse products in the U.S., Canada and Mexico beginning in 2010. Jungheinrich will design products for the North American market that will be manufactured by MCFA.
Additionally, Jungheinrich will supply Class 1 products for sale under the Cat lift truck brand and Class 3 products for sale under the Mitsubishi brand.
“Sales of Jungheinrich products through the MCFA distribution network opens up wonderful opportunities to the Jungheinrich brand in North America and strengthens our competitive position, with MCFA benefiting from our warehousing expertise in exchange," says Hans-Georg Frey, chairman of the board of management of Jungheinrich AG.
The Cat lift trucks line will focus on Class 1, 4 and 5 counterbalanced lift trucks. The Jungheinrich line will be offered for Class 2 and 3 lift trucks as well as select Class 1 models for warehousing and distribution applications. The Mitsubishi trucks offered through North American dealers will not change.
As part of the agreement, Jungheinrich will establish a Houston Design Center (HDC) on MCFA’s campus. Staffed by Jungheinrich personnel, the HDC will develop a new range of warehouse products that will be manufactured in North America.
Current Jungheinrich sales and service operations will cease on Dec. 31, 2009. The Jungheinrich facility in Richmond, Va., will close in 2010.
MCFA’s exclusive distribution of Jungheinrich products, including sales and service support from its Houston headquarters, will begin in January 2010.