ReachMaster takes over assets and activities of Skako Lift

ReachMaster, Inc., has taken over the assets and activities of Skako Lift, Inc., which include the representation of ReachMaster Falcon, Bluelift and Denka compact aerial lift product lines.

After 11 years of operation in the U.S., Skako Lift, Inc, in Houston has agreed to a MBO with its now former president and chief exeuctive officer Ebbe H. Christensen, who has formed a new company operating as ReachMaster, Inc.

The management buyout is a natural conclusion of the Skako Group's decision in 2011 to divest all its interests in the global lift manufacturing industry and focus on its core businesses within the concrete production equipment industry. Last year, Skako completed a management buyout for their Falcon Division in Denmark, and also sold off the Denka production.

ReachMaster started its operation in Houston in 2001 as a subsidiary of then Danish compact lift pioneer E. Falck Schmidt A/S, which in 2005 merged with the other Danish compact lift manufacturer Denka Lift, and eventually became Skako Lift.

"We're very pleased with this agreement and the opportunities it represents, including going back to our well-known ReachMaster name. It provides us with a new platform, where we can renew our focus as a company that again has compact lift sales and service as its primary business," Christensen said.

"Since we pioneered the compact lift segment in the U.S. more than 10 years ago we've seen a positive and growing interest for the segment in the market. We believe this new setup will allow us to better utilize our extensive experience while taking advantage of these new opportunities.

"While the MBO efforts obviously have been ongoing for some time, it was paramount for us to both secure our American operation as well as the manufacturer support needed to make the change completely seamless from a customer perspective.

"This includes both technical service and warranty, which will remain unchanged, and the support from our manufacturers has been absolutely fantastic. With several new product releases coming up this fall, this was the perfect timing for us, so we're quite excited."