Nissan acquires Atlet
September 24th 2007 Nissan Forklift cemented its relationship with Atlet by buying the Swedish warehouse truck manufacturer this month. Although subject to EU approval, the firm is confident the deal will be formalised by the year end.
Atlet has been making warehouse trucks for Nissan since 2002, and at the sharp end, the acquisition will have little impact upon the businesses, which will operate independently of each other. Both parties will benefit from combined R&D and buying power.
Brendon Sparks, Nissan’s director for Industrial Machinery in the UK, says the move is a “statement of Nissan’s intention to continue the expansion of its materials handling business”.
Paul Forster, UK md of Atlet, says “the synergies will be very positive”, and that there was an “inevitability” that the Swedish firm, formed just after Nissan’s forklift business some 49 years ago, would become incorporated. “It’s a fantastic achievement for Knut Jacobsson to remain owner of the company for so long, but it was a question of when and with whom rather than if. It’s a very good outcome for Atlet, Nissan and our customers.”
Forster says Atlet is currently in line for 10-12% growth on last year.
Combined, the companies produce more than 36,500 units worldwide a year with an annual turnover of 858 million euros.
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