Fraco and De Jong sign American deal

Canadian mast climbing platform manufacturer Fraco has signed an agreement to distribute De Jong hoists in North America and has also established a new sales/rental subsidiary in the UK.

The agreement with Netherlands hoist manufacturer De Jong's Liften will see Fraco import materials and passenger hoists including the large MP1500 transport platform and the smaller AT50 and AT75 hoists.

Armand Rainville, Fraco's president (pictured, right, with Frans Scheepers, De Jong director), told AI that 10 De Jong units were already in North America and that Fraco would be selling the hoists as well as adding them to its own rental fleet.

Meanwhile, the new UK subsidiary, Fraco UK, has been established under managing director Ken Beesley. Mr Beesley, who comes from the UK crane industry, owns 40% of the company with another partner, with Fraco having a 60% share.

Mr Rainville said the company's first priority would be to provide service support for Fraco customers, including Brogan Scaffolding and Universal Sky–Platforms (USP), but it will also establish a rental division.