NIAGARA FALLS, ONTARIO - The PALFINGER North America Group announced the formation of Paltec Truck Equipment Company, which will began business Jan. 1. The new company will be formed by integrating the Group's Tiffin Loader Crane Co. and Omaha Standard Distribution companies.

Paltec will maintain existing branches in Fort Lauderdale, Charlotte, Atlanta, Birmingham, Nashville, Louisville, Indianapolis and Dallas as well as its Council Bluffs, Iowa and Tiffin, Ohio locations.

"PALFINGER strongly believes in independent distribution" said Mark Woody - President of PALFINGER North America. Woody continued, "The Paltec name gives our distribution company a unique identity, distinct from PALFINGER's manufacturing companies, reflecting its independent management and operations."

Omaha Standard Distribution has been part of the PALFINGER family since the 2008 acquisition of Omaha Standard Inc., a leading US manufacturer of commercial truck bodies and equipment. The company operated for decades as Fontaine Truck Equipment Company and developed a strong reputation as a leading truck equipment distributor in the southeast. Ed Clowdus, a Fontaine veteran, observed, "Paltec has a bright future combining the strength of the PALFINGER North America Group product lines with the experience and dedication of our people."

Clowdus will be Paltec's southeast regional Vice President of Operations.

Tiffin Loader Crane has been owned by PALFINGER since 2001, and is one of the company's largest articulating crane dealers. "We are excited about Paltec Truck Equipment" said Ed Gerken, Tiffin's former General Manager and Clowdus's counterpart in the Midwest. "The new company combines the best of two great distribution companies with decades of success and experience."

The PALFINGER North America Group was formed following PALFINGER North America's acquisitions of MBB - Interlift and Omaha Standard Inc. More recently the Group added Automated Waste Equipment making PALFINGER a key provider of a wide range of truck-mounted lifting, handling and service equipment that meets the demands of key industries throughout North and Latin America.

For more information, visit www.palfinger-northamerica.com.