The agreement was signed at Clark Europe’s headquarters in Duisburg

Clark Europe has struck a new deal in Slovenia as it pushes to strengthen its footprint across the European industrial truck market.

The company has announced a strategic partnership with Arko d.o.o., which will become Clark’s official and exclusive distribution partner in Slovenia.

The agreement was signed at Clark Europe’s headquarters in Duisburg and marks a further step in the manufacturer’s European expansion plans.

Clark said the partnership would allow it to deliver its full product and service offering to Slovenian customers through an established local specialist.

Stefan Budweit, President and CEO of Clark Europe GmbH, said: “We are delighted about the partnership with Arko. The company has many years of experience in the logistics sector and enjoys an excellent reputation in the industry.”

He said the collaboration would help ensure “the highest standards in consulting and service” for customers in Slovenia.

Arko d.o.o. is a family-owned business founded in 1990 by Damijan Barat in Ljutomer, in eastern Slovenia near the Hungarian border. The company is now jointly run by Mr Barat and his sons.

With more than three decades of experience in truck retrofitting, Arko’s operations today span the sale and servicing of loading cranes, tippers and forklift trucks.

The business also designs and manufactures a wide range of specialist superstructures, including swap body systems, tow trucks, trailers, agricultural transport bodies, tail lifts and aerial work platforms.

Clark said Arko’s background in engineering, production and servicing equipment from global manufacturers underpins strong levels of customer satisfaction.

The company is headquartered in Ljutomer and expanded its presence in January 2025 with the opening of a new branch in the capital, Ljubljana.

Arko employs 38 people across administration, sales and service roles, providing sales support, technical advice and aftersales service.

Under the agreement, Arko will distribute Clark’s entire product range in Slovenia, covering all classes of forklift trucks and warehouse equipment.

The partnership also includes accessories, spare parts and a full suite of services such as rental, financing and servicing for new and used Clark industrial trucks.

Arko sales director Jure Barat said the deal strengthens the company’s offering. “With this addition, we are becoming a ‘full-range supplier’ in the field of forklifts,” he said.

He added that the partnership would allow Arko to deliver “a comprehensive internal logistics solution from a single supplier”.

The way Clark has made is the history of forklift

Clark who started its business as automobile parts manufacturer in 1903 invented the world’s first forklift in 1917, which brought innovative change to the concept of distribution.  Clark set a standard of modern forklift in 1920s and has been at the forefront of every major echnological advancement in the world’s forklift industry for over 80 years.  Clark  opened its various patent to the industry, which has been freely adopted by every forklift manufacturer as an industry’s standard technology.

Over one million Clark forklift have been produced, among which 700,000 are still in operation around the world. 

Clark is the forklift.