MHE-Demag acquires sister company and expands Asia-Pacific footprint

The companies have an existing relationship through the Terex Group, the former owners of DCC Australia and the joint venture partner for MHE-Demag.

Per Magnusson, regional managing director of MHE-Demag, explained: "We are very pleased to welcome our new colleagues into the family. This is naturally an interesting step forward as it adds a sizeable business volume to our group as well as a new market to our portfolio.

"It opens up for interesting and competitive business set-ups and also adds a highly competent organisation into our fold, from which we can learn many good practices."

DCC Australia, which has an established position in the Australian market for industrial cranes and related services will make a "significant contribution" to the Group's projected sales through its new MHE-Demag Australia branding.

In addition, more than 130 employees will join the group's 1,500 strong workforce, serving customers across more than 60 locations in the Asia-Pacific region.

Manufacturing facilities in Sydney, Perth and Brisbane add to the total of 11 factories in eight countries - from Australia over Indonesia, Singapore and Malaysia, through Thailand, Vietnam and the Philippines as well as north to Taiwan.

MHE-Demag Australia will continue to serve the Australian market with overhead cranes, chain hoists, light rail crane systems, drives and crane components from Terex MHPS.

According to Rowland Hudd, national sales and marketing manager of MHE-Demag Australia, the wealth of products from MHE Demag opens up new market opportunities for the business.

He said: "We are looking forward to the high quality ranges of lift trucks and loading bay equipment for warehouses, equipment for safe working at height and even automated car parking systems. The addition of these products for such applications means we can now greatly improve our offering to the domestic market.

"Whilst recent years have seen a stabilising of the domestic economy in some areas, particularly manufacturing, the IPD products in the MHE-Demag range allow us to support the projected growth in the construction and logistic sectors. This is a win-win situation for MHE-Demag Australia and the Australian market."

Key components of the industrial crane ranges will continue to be imported from Germany, while the main manufacturing facilities for the Australian market will remain in Sydney, Perth and Brisbane.

Klaus Schilling, the new managing director of MHE-Demag Australia, explained: "We will not depart from any proven ways here. In fact, we are determined to continue to invest to improve our Australian manufacturing facilities even further.

"At MHE-Demag we always try to be as close as possible to the customer. Our strong presence on the ground is a big part of our success here."

Elsewhere, MHE-Demag will now place an even greater emphasis on after sales support in the Australian market.

"The strength of our recertification and refurbishment offering is already known to the local market. Now with extended resources of the greater MHE-Demag group we will significantly increase our capabilities for large scale recertification and refurbishment of material handling equipment," said Vince Di Costanzo, national service manager of MHE-Demag Australia: