Clark Europe GmbH can look back over a successful business year in 2010. After the record figures from 2008 and the drastic collapse during the recession of 2009, “The forklift” is back on track to success.

"In 2010 we were able to regain around half the decline in orders characterising 2009”, confirms Clark Managing Director Egon Strehl.

Financial year 2010

The incoming order levels were 52 percent higher in 2010 than the previous year. Clark Europe GmbH also experienced a 36 percent rise in turnover. Clark Europe GmbH estimates an EBIT (earnings before interest and tax) of + 565,000 Euros for the financial year 2010. A promising aspect is the fact that Clark Europe GmbH was able to win market shares again in 2010. Although the delivery rate in Europe remained constant in comparison to 2009, when Clark Europe was still benefitting from the orders received in the boom year of 2008, the company from Mülheim an der Ruhr was able to boost its new machinery business in the Middle East almost tenfold. The strategy of recruiting new dealers in Eastern Europe also paid off with sales of new forklifts rising dramatically in 2010.

Selective purchasing: Plus points for Clark

Commenting on the return to a path of growth, Egon Strehl, Managing Director of Clark Europe GmbH states: “Of course, we've also benefitted from the boom in the market for counterbalanced lift trucks in 2010, demand for which admittedly fell more than the warehouse technology segment during the crisis of 2009, but which has now been undergoing a strong recovery phase. On the other hand, we’re able to win market shares, as customers are more selective in how they buy compared with previous years. When buyers decide to order in uncertain times, a great deal of attention is paid to the total cost of ownership. That’s where Clark enjoys a tremendous reputation in the market.”

140 Clark dealers in 47 countries

Furthermore, Clark Europe GmbH created ten new jobs at Clark’s European headquarters in Mülheim an der Ruhr in 2010, thereby completing the organisation of the four business management divisions. Rolf Eiten is Director of Sales & Marketing, Andreas Krause is Technical Director, Marcus Ebinghaus is Director of Accounts, Controlling, IT and HR and Markus Jöckel is Director of the Parts & Distribution division. Clark intensified its focus on training the Clark dealers in 2010, this figure now totalling 140 dealers in 47 countries throughout Europe, the Middle East and Africa. In 2011 Clark aims to win over new dealers especially in the regions Middle East, Scandinavia and Eastern Europe.

Financial year 2011

Clark Europe GmbH estimates an increase in the sale of new machines amounting to 32.5 percent for the financial year 2011. Turnover should be above the level of 2008 again and notch up a plus of 51 percent in comparison to 2010. Moreover, the company estimates an EBIT of + 1.3 million Euros. “Clark’s exceptional creativity when it comes to innovation”, states Egon Strehl, “will continue as a firm foundation underpinning sustained growth. We intend to gain ground in both the traditional forklift market as well as the warehouse technology segment.” The new CTX40/70 electric towtractor, extensions to existing forklift series, for example the diesel and LPG forklifts C40-55s and a 4-5 t 80 V electric forklift and practical optimisations to the current Clark portfolio are among the potential sales boosters in 2011. The Clark innovations are set to come to public attention in 2011, above all thanks to a prominent profile at international trade fairs (LogiMAT 2011, CeMAT 2011).