| 29 Manawatu: Central Group Forklifts and Trucks REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT T T Rosa Watson Merger streamlines services A helpful team member explains the workings of a new forklift. Proudly Supporting Central Group Forklifts & Trucks • Truck Parts • Trailer Parts • European & Japanese • American Parts • Jaltest Diagnostic Equipment Contact us on 0800 404 100 for your parts requirements. Proudly supporting Central Group Forklifts & Trucks Customers of Central Group Forklifts and Trucks will have noticed a few changes at the company this year as it merged its interests into the larger Central Group. But the friendly team, great service and wide range of products remain the same. Recently the company announced that Central Group Forklifts and Trucks would be amalgamating NZ Equipment Group (NZEG) into Central Group from April 1 this year. This follows Fowlers Machinery Limited starting to trade as Central Group throughout the Waikato, Auckland, and Northland regions. Chief executive officer and director Des Walsh the amalgamation was designed to streamline the company’s offerings and create more efficiencies across the group. A new branch that has opened in Whangarei has also extended its footprint. He said Heli products in particular had been hugely popular in the market. “With the Lithium product we are providing to the market offers great cost savings and is a cleaner, greener image everyone’s looking for.” They now have one footprint for their clients throughout the country. There were also branches in Whangarei, Auckland, Hamilton, Napier, Palmerston North, Wellington and Christchurch., plus dealers located throughout the rest of the country. “That completes our national footprint.” Following the merger, owners and operators have remained the same, but customers may have noticed some changes in the appearance and a few changes in the background that would improve operations to serve customers better. “We’ve got new improved technology … and sales teams, it’s just a lot more efficient,” Des said. Central Group continued to represent Heli Forklifts, SVE Truck, Flexi, Takeuchi, Wacker Neuson, UD Trucks and Hyundai truck product ranges, with a continued focus on delivering the reliable parts, servicing, and support to match these quality machines. The merger had grown the team, but had also streamlined things to work more efficiently. It had been two years in the making and was still in the process of being rolled out, including working through signage across the group. There was also a new website developed. It had also been a good chance to really look at the company, which had grown “quite big, quite quick” “Customers are our number one thing. It’s about the customers knowing all our products across our range. “It’s just about streamlining it and getting the message out in the market in the strongest way.” Into the future, Des said they were looking to grow their product line even further. “That’s the vision for over the next 12 months. “Customers will notice a cleaner, tidier image and also, it’ll give clarity with who they’re dealing with. If they take one part of the business, that’s all of us.” The goal is to continue building on and improving with each step in the process to ensure customers get better services and communication to keep your gear working. Started in 1996, Central Group now employs over 135 staff delivering Materials Handling, Equipment & Trucks, nationwide service and support, operator training, fleet management systems, operational lease and finance, short and long term rental, fleet electrification support, application surveys and recommendations.
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