Alimak Hek buys Champion Hoists

Champion manufactured approximately US$20 million (€16 million) worth of construction hoists in 2005. Alimak Hek said that it would keep the Champion brand separate and would “leave all major products largely unchanged.” Alimak Hek's US headquarters will be re-located from Bridgeport, Connecticut, to Champion's Houston office, and a joint sales team will market the three brands.

Alimak Hek president and chief executive officer, Petter Arvidson, said the company had “no plans at this time to manufacture Alimak or Hek products at the Houston facility.” Dale L. Stoddard, president of Alimak Hek Inc in the US will head the new combined organization.

Meanwhile, German hoist manufacturer Geda, which was represented in the US by Champion, is now looking for new representation in the country. Johann Sailer, Geda's managing director, told AI he would visit the US in early March to organise dealers. McDonough Construction Rentals will not be representing Geda.