Cooper Specialised Handling is restructuring its materials handling business to boost its presence in both the forklift and specialised handling markets.
                                                                      
Group managing director David Cooper says the Cooper name has long been associated with its role as the UK distributor of Konecranes and Mantsinen heavy handling equipment. "But the business has evolved a great deal in recent years and our aim now is to grow by making best use of our experience and expertise in the general materials handing sector and rental marketplace and by utilising our skills in servicing, maintenance and parts to full advantage."

Cooper Handling Group Ltd is the holding company that will incorporate three newly created business units – Cooper Specialised Handling Ltd, Cooper Materials Handling Ltd and Cooper Handling Solutions Ltd.

Cooper Specialised Handling Ltd will continue to focus on developing sales of Konecranes and Mantsinen equipment to end-users and independent dealers in the specialised handling sector. It will deliver a "total solution" for industrial and port equipment, comprising forklifts from 6 to 70 T, laden and unladen container handlers, reach stackers and hydraulic cranes.

The general materials handling side of the business, formally Samuk Lift Trucks, will now be called Cooper Materials Handling Ltd. The business will operate as a sales company of the Maximal brand and represent the distribution link between the factory and the UK dealer network.

Cooper Handling Solutions Ltd will be responsible for delivery and execution of parts supply, rentals, maintenance and servicing for all brands represented by the Cooper Group products. The unit will also service other competitive brands, thus broadening the group's scope and reach. It will have access to over GBP1 million (USD1.7 million) of spare parts stock located in the newly acquired premises in Trafford Park, Manchester.

Cooper Handling Solutions will also set up its own dealer business to supply product to end-users in the North West of England.

Director Tony Rooney says the company’s dealers do not compete with one another, so establishing the forklift dealership, which will purchase equipment from Cooper Materials Handling, will not impact on the other 26 Maximal dealers.

"In fact, we expect it to boost confidence, as dealers reap the benefits of our substantial investment, and in developing a greater understanding of the volume materials handling marketplace. At the same time, this move will help to cement our strategic partnership with our manufacturing partner, Maximal."

Rooney adds that the Samuk business "continues to achieve similar volumes as per recent years but we have growth plans connected to our new base and new structure".

Three new employees have joined the Manchester facility, with another three expected to join in 2014. The restructure resulted in one employee lost in Peterborough.

All three business units will operate out of Cooper’s established base in Honiley, Warwickshire and a new GBP600,000 (USD987,000) facility in Greater Manchester.