Doosan Names New Forklift Affiliate Company

Doosan has announced the formation of a new affiliate company, tentatively named Doosan Industrial Vehicle Co., Ltd. The new business will oversee all Doosan’s global forklift activities, while the existing forklift management teams, dealerships and sales networks currently structured within Doosan Infracore (DI), Warrensville Heights, Ohio, will be absorbed by the new company from July 1, 2011.

The move effectively separates the forklift business from the construction, engines and machine tools operations and comes as the company looks to focus closely on recent successes in forklifts, including an increased market share, a growing distributor network and the expansion of the product range.

Removing some of DI’s non-forklift related cost burdens and allowing the business greater independence is also expected to have a beneficial effect on the company’s bottom line, with profits ploughed directly back into product research and development.

Managing director of the new company, Kun H Lee, said the move would also allow the business to react quickly to market requirements. "As our business has matured, we believe that the challenges we have faced have also changed. And whilst we feel our approach is one of the most flexible and responsive around, we believe that by setting up a company focused solely on materials handling, we will be able to respond even quicker."

With the new ownership structure, Doosan expects to provide more targeted investment into the new company, as well as increase efficiency and develop a stronger sense of purpose. "We have a very successful business model that has made great gains in recent years," said Kun H Lee. "Our dealer network and sales staff are second to none and we are very proud of the achievements we’ve made so far. This move is a testament to their hard work in growing the operation from a relatively minor business group within the Doosan Group to a global success."

Over 100 Doosan models are available from 1.3 to 5.0 tons, electric models and 1.5 to 18.0 tons for IC models.