Samuk changes ownership
The Samuk fork lift truck brand is set to live on thanks to its purchase by a new company headed by David Cooper and Tony Rooney.
Cooper, whose materials handling credentials are proven at the helm of Cooper Specialised Vehicles, and Rooney – former sales & marketing director at Briggs Equipment UK – have purchased ownership of the company from Sir Neville Bowman-Shaw, who announced his retirement earlier this year.
The purchase of the Samuk brand coincides with a change of manufacturing partner. Previously, Samuk trucks were manufactured in China by Hangcha; henceforth, they will be built by another large Chinese manufacturer, Maximal (Sino-American Zhejiang Maximal Forklift Co Ltd). However, they will remain branded as Samuk trucks in the UK as before.
David Cooper, speaking exclusively with SHD last week about the relaunch of the business, confirmed the first trucks have left the Maximal plant and are currently in transit to the UK, adding: “After taking ownership of Samuk, we reviewed our manufacturing partner and have chosen Maximal. We are very excited about the quality of the product, and we will be looking to take a more personal approach in the UK rather than chasing volume sales.
“Our focus will be on delivering exceptional service levels to our customers. We also aim to hold on to the best of Samuk’s existing dealers, as well as recruiting new ones to build on our geographic coverage.”
The new holding company, co-owned by Rooney and Cooper, will be operationally independent from Cooper SH, and will initially keep Samuk’s base at Peterborough. “Sir Neville has retained a small shareholding in the new company,” confirmed Rooney, “and will be retained as a consultant in a technical capacity.”
The new range of IC and electric Samuk trucks will be launched to its dealers in late November, and cover power pallet trucks up to 5t counterbalance vehicles.
The company will retain its significant presence in Hall 20 of IMHX 2013 – which takes place on March 19th – 22nd – where it will be launching its new trucks to customers, as well as looking to bolster its dealer network.
