New partnership boosts heavy handling in the UK

In keeping with its vision of being the UK's leading provider of specialist heavy handling solutions, Cooper Specialised Handling Ltd, has announced an exclusive partnership with MAFI, the manufacturer of in-plant transport systems, to distribute terminal and RoRo tractors to the UK ports and terminals market.

The move is driven by customer demand for a specialised and single source supply of handling solutions in the heavy lifting market. The MAFI brand, which is synonymous with rugged and reliable tractors in seaports and related markets, complements Cooper SH's existing brands which include SMV/Konecranes, Baumann and Dantruck. Customers in these markets can now source all ports and terminal equipment from a single source.

David Cooper, managing director of Cooper SH, says, “This is reputable brand that shares the same business concepts and ideas as our already established brands. MAFI has an extensive range of standard equipment and also has the engineering expertise to customise machines to meet customers specific requirements. The partnership is a perfect fit for our established business model of supply of specialised handling products.”

MAFI first introduced the cargo trailer system in the 1960s incorporating tractors used in conjunction with goose necks and roll trailers. It is testament to the strength of the MAFI brand that these types of tractors have become referred to generically as a 'MAFI' trailer. Whilst this system has been copied and produced in low-cost countries, the MAFI tractors continue to be manufactured to rigorous engineering standards in Tauberbischofsheim in Germany. The company has targeted growth in the global ports market sector and the appointment of Cooper SH is central to its market penetration strategy.

Edwin Konopatsch, sales manager at MAFI explains, “The importance of finding a company used to handling specialised handling solutions was central in the appointment of Cooper SH. The machines are very much 'solution-driven' so the ability to be able to discuss applications with customers with a high degree of technical content at a local level is important.”

The MAFI range available from Cooper SH will encompass the Terminal and Distribution Tractor model MT25 (25 tonnes on fifth wheel), RoRo tractor model MT32 and MT36 (32 and 36 tonnes on fifth wheel) and MT45 heavy duty tractor for industrial applications (45 tonnes on fifth wheel). The 'one-stop' shop is completed with a full and complimentary range of container and industrial trailers.

Apart from the Ports and Terminal equipment, the agreement also encompasses the MAFI industrial range of tractors and trailers to support Cooper SHs involvement with heavy industry in the UK.