MABO Lifting takes on Hyundai Material Handling
Hyundai Construction Equipment has appointed Mabo Lifting as its exclusive distribution partner for materials handling equipment throughout Belgium and Luxembourg. With more than 35 years’ experience and expertise in the materials handling and logistics industries, Mabo Lifting is a family business that prioritises customer service.
“Mabo Lifting is a forklift and automation specialist that works together with the customer to implement the best logistic solutions for their applications, whether that is sideloaders, truck-mounted forklifts, narrow aisle forklifts or automated forklifts,” said CEO Maarten Mariën-Bouwens.
“Our customers have been asking for a long time whether Mabo Lifting could provide standard forklifts. With the philosophy and strong product of Hyundai, we are convinced that this will fulfil our forklift requirement and create a wide market for Hyundai in the BeLux market."
“Hyundai is a very strong brand and we would not add just any forklift to our line-up. Hyundai has enormous expertise in designing equipment, you can also find this in its construction equipment and cars. If you look at the current forklift range, you can see how well thought out these Hyundai forklifts are. You can see that investment is being made to continuously improve the equipment and it is this philosophy that motivated Mabo to become a dealer of Hyundai.”
MABO Lifting
Mabo Lifting was originally formed as a standard forklift company, so the agreement with Hyundai is taking the business back to its roots. The company was founded by Luc Mariën-Bouwens in 1987 and his sons, Maarten and Bram joined the company 12 years ago, having qualified as civil and commercial engineers. The two brothers have been running the company for the last 10 years.
Mabo Lifting has two depots in Lier and one in Zulte, in Belgium, along with one in Weiswampach, Luxembourg. These four sites will offer Hyundai sales, after-sales service and equipment rental. The company has two additional depots, in Vianen and Enkhuizen in the Netherlands, but these outlets will not be included in the Hyundai agreement.
The business employs more than 110 people, or ‘Mabos’ as the firm calls them, including more than 80 technicians, ensuring the highest levels of customer service. The business is active in the warehousing, building materials, transport, chemicals and logistics sectors.
The Mabo Academy
Alongside the equipment, customers can also make use of the Mabo Academy, an extensive training facility for forklift operators.
“The Mabo Academy was started at the request of our customers,” said Mr Mariën-Bouwens.
“There are many general forklift trainers, but our customers wanted more than just driving skill and certification. Mabo Lifting provides training for more than 500 operators, for all of the machinery within our product range, offering more than just driving skills. We want drivers to really know their machines and focus on the technical aspects.
“The driver not only gains in-depth operator training, but also good technical knowledge of their machine. We believe it is a crucial part of our partnership model with our customers. They can not only count on the highest quality machinery and efficient technical service, but also on support in proper training for their employees. In this way we know that our customers can get the maximum out of their logistics equipment and that is what Mabo stands for.”
The company also uses the Academy to deliver in-house training, to ensure that its own employees enjoy continuous learning and remain up to date with the latest technologies. This is also a strong component of the Mabo business model.
Into the future
Despite the global upheaval caused by the pandemic, 2021 remained a strong year for Mabo Lifting and the company has made an equally impressive start to 2022. With the addition of Hyundai to the line-up, the business is looking forward to an even more positive year going forwards.
“Being a family-run company makes the difference for Mabo Lifting, as we have short lines of communication and can make decisions quickly,” said Mr Mariën-Bouwens. “This means that we can react quickly to our customers’ needs, whatever the topic, from logistics advice to after-sales service, new or rental machines, we are there for our customers. Our philosophy of being a long-term partner for our customers is the key to Mabo Lifting’s success.”
“Mabo Lifting and Hyundai Material Handling share a mutual positive drive and hands-on mentality, which are essential in any successful collaboration,” said Gino Van der Auwera, dealer development manager, Europe, at Hyundai Material Handling.
“It goes without saying that the long experience and technical excellence of Mabo Lifting will contribute significantly to the growth of Hyundai Material Handling in the BeLux. We are convinced that Mabo Lifting is the right strategic partner to move the Hyundai brand forward for the long term. It is a great pleasure to have Mabo Lifting on board with us and we are looking forward to a prosperous collaboration together.”
“Hyundai means new thinking, new possibilities,” said Mr Mariën-Bouwens. “I think Mabo Lifting and Hyundai have found the right partnership going forwards.”
Go to MABO Lifting's website:
https://www.mabo-lifting.be/
