LM    Topics 

Nissan Forklift Corporation joins forces with TCM America to form UniCarriers Americas Corporation

After announcing the merger in August, 2012, April 1 marked the first day of business for UniCarriers Americas


Nissan Forklift Corporation, North America announced that it has joined forces with TCM America under a new name, UniCarriers Americas Corporation effective April 1, 2013, with head offices in Marengo, Ill. UniCarriers Americas Corporation is a division of UniCarriers Corporation headquartered in Tokyo, Japan. UniCarriers Holdings is the parent company of UniCarriers.

According to Modern Materials Handling‘s (LM’s sister publication) 2012 Top 20 Lift Truck Suppliers, published shortly after the merger was initially announced in August 2012, Nissan Forklift was ranked 8th in the world with $1 billion in 2011 revenues, and TCM was ranked 11th with $746 million in 2011 revenues.

“We are excited to combine the strengths of these two companies to form a stronger market presence,” said Peter Kruse, president, UniCarriers Americas Corporation, in a recent interview. Kruse is leading the management team of the new entity, which will serve North and South America. Kruse said extensive research into customer demands are informing a suite of new products, one of which is already in development. “We’re looking to understand and anticipate the needs of customers, from the smallest operations all the way to major accounts,” said Kruse. “We’re going to go after those customers by getting more new products out faster.”

Amid ongoing market studies and research of customers in the eastern hemisphere, Kruse said they have expressed a consistent emphasis on quality and durability of both products and processes. UniCarriers Americas has a network of more than 235 authorized dealerships with over 350 locations across North, Central and South America, as well as additional worldwide locations. Those locations will help bring TCM’s strength and significant Japanese market in large equipment such as container handlers to North America, said Kruse.

Kruse said the union of TCM and Nissan was a merger of equals. “Because the market is mature, there’s not as much growth potential, so we need to be stronger on a global basis to be able to take advantage of emerging markets,” said Kruse. “We looked at the combination as being necessary to compete on a global level.”

In particular, Kruse noted potential in South America, particularly in Brazil in light of the World Cup, Olympics and Panama Canal. “In Canada, the U.S. and even to some extent Mexico are on the mature market side,” Said Kruse. “The combined effect presents significant opportunities for us there.”

UniCarriers will encompass five brands: Nissan Forklift, TCM, Atlet, Barrett and UniCarriers. To transition the brand equity of the non-UniCarriers brands to UniCarriers, all trucks will display a “by UniCarriers” endorsement beginning June 1, 2013.

Material handling equipment will be the sole business of UniCarriers, rather than a peripheral business unit. Separately, the global rankings of Nissan Forklift Corporation and TCM Corporation were 11th and 15th respectively, according to the Weltrangliste 2011/2012 list of the top global manufacturers. United, UniCarriers has jumped to number seven on the list. The company will continue its pledge to protect the environment, and operate as a green company.


Article Topics

News
Fork Lifts
Materials Handling
   All topics

Latest in Logistics

FTR Shippers Conditions Index remains on a growth track despite sequential decline
Descartes acquires Melbourne-based Localz as part of final-mile expansion
Trinet’s Managed Services: Streamlining Logistics Operations for Enhanced Efficiency
LM Podcast Series: Examining the global trade market with Chris Rogers, Head of Supply Chain Research for S&P Global Market Intelligence
U.S. rail carload and intermodal volumes are down, for week ending May 20, reports AAR
New FedEx offering aids U.S. customers with emissions-tracking efforts
Teamsters union overwhelmingly OKs strike vote against ArcBest LTL unit
More Logistics

About the Author

Josh Bond
Josh Bond was Senior Editor for Modern through July 2020, and was formerly Modern’s lift truck columnist and associate editor. He has a degree in Journalism from Keene State College and has studied business management at Franklin Pierce University.
Follow Modern Materials Handling on FaceBook

About the Author

Josh Bond
Josh Bond was Senior Editor for Modern through July 2020, and was formerly Modern’s lift truck columnist and associate editor. He has a degree in Journalism from Keene State College and has studied business management at Franklin Pierce University.
Follow Modern Materials Handling on FaceBook

Subscribe to Logistics Management Magazine

Subscribe today!
Not a subscriber? Sign up today!
Subscribe today. It's FREE.
Find out what the world's most innovative companies are doing to improve productivity in their plants and distribution centers.
Start your FREE subscription today.

May 2023 Logistics Management

May 8, 2023 · Here are some of the top digital supply chain trends that shippers need to understand and leverage as they continue along the path of transformation.

Latest Resources

Your Road Guide to Worry-Free Shipping Between the U.S. and Canada
Your Road Guide to Worry-Free Shipping Between the U.S. and Canada
Get expert guidance and best practices to help you navigate the cross-border shipping process with ease. Download our free white paper today!
Warehouse/DC Automation & Technology: It’s “go time” for investment
Warehouse/DC Automation & Technology: It’s “go time” for investment
In our latest Special Digital Issue, Logistics Management has curated several feature stories that neatly encapsulate the rise of automated systems and...

Why accurate, real-time location data is a must for efficient operations
Why accurate, real-time location data is a must for efficient operations
Find out how next-generation workforce management apps use accurate, real-time location data to power successful operations in this webinar with Radar CEO...
Should you lease or buy your lift truck fleet?
Should you lease or buy your lift truck fleet?
Leasing critical equipment like lift trucks can offer flexibility, but some lease terms can be complex and costly if you’re not...
2023 State of the Third-Party Logistics (3PL) Industry Report
2023 State of the Third-Party Logistics (3PL) Industry Report
In this year’s Third-Party Logistics State of the Industry Report, you’ll learn about our top trends for the year and...