AB Equipment Secures PPCS Contract

News Release, 8 May 2008

AB Equipment Secures PPCS Contract

Hellaby Holdings subsidiary and materials handling and equipment company, AB Equipment, has been awarded a multi-million dollar contract from PPCS to supply, service and manage its forklift truck fleet.

This is a significant achievement for AB Equipment with the contract encompassing a total fleet of 267 forklift trucks.

AB Equipment chief executive Stephen Antunovich says it will supply Toyota forklifts and all the required forklift truck parts to PPCS’s 20 production and warehousing sites across the country. AB Equipment will also provide all forklift fleet servicing for PPCS and its short-term rental requirements when they experience increased demand during seasonal peaks.

AB Equipment is a market leader in materials handling and construction equipment in New Zealand and has an extensive network of 15 branches across the country from Whangarei to Invercargill. AB Equipment’s size and demographic scope means it is capable of handling a contract of this magnitude.

“The high productivity, safety features and ergonomics of the Toyota forklifts coupled with our nationwide branch network and highly skilled technicians has given PPCS confidence that AB Equipment will significantly lower the life cycle cost of the PPCS forklift fleet,” Mr Antunovich says.

PPCS is a large New Zealand meat-marketing company which exports sheep meat, beef, venison and associated products to about 60 countries. Until now, PPCS sourced forklifts from multiple suppliers across the country.

Mr Antunovich says, “PPCS’s Group Purchasing Manager, Tim Woods, headed the negotiations for PPCS in a professional and timely manner, which resulted in a Service Level Agreement that is mutually beneficial for both companies.”

Toyota forklifts were introduced into New Zealand in 1982 by Andrews and Beaven - the company from which AB Equipment was born. Since this time, Toyota has enjoyed the market leadership position in forklifts, and with the BT, Raymond and Kalmar products, AB Equipment are able to provide solutions for all of their customers materials handling requirements from hand pallet trucks right through to full container handling forklifts.

The scale of the PPCS service contract will necessitate the employment of additional service technicians and AB Equipment will benefit significantly from the contract.

Hellaby Holdings chief executive John Williamson says securing the new contract demonstrates the strength of AB Equipment and reflects positively on the overall group.

ENDS

About Hellaby Holdings

Hellaby Holdings is an NZX listed company with investments in automotive, materials handling, industrial and retail businesses in New Zealand and Australia.

About AB Equipment

Established in 1983 to service the needs of the Materials Handling and Construction Equipment markets, AB Equipment has become a respected leader in both markets

With its head office in Manukau City, AB Equipment employs 247 staff and has over 65% involved in the Customer Support function (Service, Parts and Driver Training).

AB Rental operate a fleet of over 2500 forklifts, offering both Long and Short term rental options from all of the national 15 Branch network.

© Scoop Media