Materials handling equipment supplier Goscor Lift Truck Company (GLTC), part of JSE-listed Imperial Group, has been appointed the sole distributor of commercial and industrial vehicle manufacturer Taylor-Dunn’s products in South Africa.

US-based Taylor-Dunn builds tough, rugged, dependable vehicles to move personnel, equipment and materials. For more than 65 years, its range of products – burden carriers, personnel carriers, stock-chasers, electric carts and tow tractors – has been one of the leading solutions for customers in a broad range of industrial, commercial and ground-support markets.

MD Darryl Shafto believes this new development supports GLTC as one of the most complete materials handling equipment suppliers in the country.

“We now have a range of equip- ment for applications across the gamut of the materials handling equipment industry, including the warehousing and distribution, logistics, timber, automotive, manufacturing and aviation industries and the military, where Taylor-Dunn has had success with many products,” Shafto says.

GLTC will initially focus on the Taylor-Dunn range of vehicles with a tow function, specifically the new generation Huskey II AC, which combines high-power towing in a compact, manoeuvrable tow tractor with its renowned operator comfort and safety.

For most trailer systems, the Huskey II AC can tow up to 13.5 t gross towed load.

“This is impressive for a tractor only 99 cm wide and 236 cm long, which includes the hitch,” says Shafto.

He adds that the towing power comes from an enclosed 17 hp alternative current motor coupled to the Taylor-Dunn GT drive.

“Apart from its power, this tractor is easy to manoeuvre with its cushion grip steering wheel and 1.89 m turning radius, which also makes it ideal for operation in places where space is at a premium,” he reasons.

Shafto adds that one of the important advantages of working with Taylor-Dunn is that the company will factory modify vehicles to meet customers’ specific requirements.

Taylor-Dunn international sales director Thomas Deredec says he is optimistic about the future of Taylor-Dunn’s products in the Southern Africa region, since GLTC has taken over the distributorship.

“There are many market opportunities in this part of the world with our unique products, and, given Goscor’s track record, we have no doubt that they will make the most of this opportunity,” he says.

GLTC has been providing best practice industrial warehousing equipment solutions to the market for the past 26 years. Its range of market-leading products include Crown, Doosan and Bendi forklifts and materials handling equipment.

The company operates through a head office in Johannesburg and has fully equipped branches strategically situated in major centres.