A North Wales company has held a series of roadshows to officially unveil its new partnership with CAT Lift Trucks.

Deeside-based Hannaman Material Handling showcased a range of forklift trucks, access platforms and other equipment at events in Deeside, Wrexham and Knowsley.

The company is also currently busy helping to set up the Welsh Rally, which begins next week. Hannaman trucks and platforms are currently being used to set up the giant service park in Deeside.

Hannaman became a CAT Lift Truck dealership at the beginning of August, having previously been a Mitsubishi dealer.

Stacey Downey-Jones, Hannaman’s Commercial Director, said:

“We are delighted with the launch of the new CAT dealership. We have already had a number of enquiries as a result of the roadshows we have held during September.

“The Welsh Rally provides us with an additional prestigious opportunity to demonstrate our capability as a business. It is the fifth year we have supported the Rally and is an event all of the Hannaman team look forward to getting involved with.”

The CAT dealership gives Hannaman exclusivity across North Wales, Cheshire and Liverpool for new vehicle sales. The agreement was negotiated with Impact Handling, the sole distributor for CAT Lift Trucks into the UK market.

Existing customers will continue to receive the same level of service and maintenance for their Mitsubishi forklift trucks.

The move to CAT coincides with continued growth for the business, which employs 25 people at its 10,000 sq. ft. base in the Deeside Enterprise Zone.

Sales are on course to hit £3million in the current financial year, up from the current £2.4million.

The firm sells, hires, repairs and services forklift trucks, access platforms, floor cleaning machinery and various other material handling equipment.

It has also launched a new catalogue offering customers a comprehensive range of additional material handling products including storage lockers, warehouse racking, lifting tables and health and safety signage.

Steve Downey completed a management buy-in of the 40-year-old business in December 2013. Steve served nearly 25 years in the British Army’s Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers and 10 years in senior management roles before joining Hannaman.

Hannaman has been selected to be part of the Welsh Government’s Accelerated Growth Programme aimed at businesses with plans for fast growth.