UK fork-lift truck firm announces £16m expansion

A fork lift truck maker is set to boost jobs “substantially” with a £16m (€22.8m) expansion at one of the worst unemployment blackspots in the UK.

A manufacturing plant in Wales, is to become its German owner’s centre for heavy truck making.

Linde Material Handling already employs around 400 workers at its 20,200 sq metre site in Wales.

Company bosses announced today its Merthyr Tydfil plant is to become the base for four completely new trucks.

The expansion of the product range is part of a plan to double the number of heavy truck sales by 2011.

A company spokeswoman said it was too early to put a figure on the number of jobs it will create “but it will be substantial.”

She added: “Investment will be focused on the development of new trucks, extending the infrastructure, modernising machinery at the plant, and staff training.

“The initiative of Linde Material Handling aims at further increasing the share of Linde Heavy Trucks in a rapidly growing market, driven by the increase of world trade.

“By 2011 four completely new heavy forklift and container trucks will be introduced extending the existing range of heavy trucks.

“The newly developed heavy trucks will go into series production from 2009 onwards.

“The senior management of Linde Material Handling is in discussions with the trade unions in order to best manage the period between the end of production of an older small forklift model in 2008 and introducing the new heavy truck models between 2009 and 2010.

“By the end of 2011 heavy truck production is expected to be fully loaded and, subject to market conditions, there will be opportunities to further increase the workforce at the Merthyr Tydfil plant.”