Mitsubishi forklift trucks has named Tri-Lift Inc as its authorised dealer for six counties in New York State.

"We are excited to offer the Mitsubishi forklift trucks product line as a new materials handling solution for our customers," says Paul Murgo, president and owner since 2008 of New Haven, Connecticut-based Tri-Lift. Mitsubishi's reputation "mirrors our philosophy of providing our customers with the highest quality product for the best value".

The Mitsubishi appointment covers the counties of Suffolk, Nassau, Queens, Kings, Bronx and New York with Tri-Lift facilities in Farmingdale and New Haven serving portions of the region.

Opened in 2009 and enlarged recently to 7,800 sqft. (702 sqm), the Farmingdale site also covers market needs for other forklift brands in the nearby New York State counties of Westchester, Putnam and Dutchess.

Tri-Lift has another facility in Albany in upstate New York State and a sales and service depot in Enfield, Connecticut primarily serving four counties in western Massachusetts.

"With (Tri-Lift's) vast knowledge of the materials handling industry, their dedicated team of professionals has the expertise and know-how to provide the best forklift truck solutions, customer service and support," says Kent Eudy, vice president of dealer sales for Mitsubishi forklifts.

Joint venture Mitsubishi Caterpillar Forklift America Inc of Houston, Texas manufactures and distributes Caterpillar, Mitsubishi and Jungheinrich forklifts.

Tri-Lift says it is one of the largest distributors in the US north-east for materials handling equipment, representing the Caterpillar and Jungheinrich brands in all of its markets and the Linde and Doosan brands in several territories. Tri-Lift also distributes Genie aerial platforms, Terex telehandlers, Wacker portable generators and lighting and other materials handling products and systems.

Murgo says Tri-Lift employs about 105 staff - including 14 in Farmingdale - and projects 2011 sales of approximately USD19 million. Sales which exceeded USD20 million in both 2008 and 2009 dropped to about USD18 million in 2010, he notes.

"We keep each facility as lean as we can and handle the accounting functions for all locations in New Haven," Murgo says.

Sal and Jim Murgo founded Tri-Lift in 1968 as an independent materials handling equipment service company. Paul is the son of Sal Murgo and the nephew of Jim Murgo.