Yale Dealer to Take on Founder’s Name

March 28, 2012
Yale Lift Trucks of Florida and Georgia, a 30-year veteran forklift dealer will be rebranded as MacKinnon Equipment & Services effective April 1.

Yale Lift Trucks of Florida and Georgia, a 30-year veteran forklift dealer will be rebranded as MacKinnon Equipment & Services effective April 1. The new name, named for the founder of the company, does not mean there will be any changes in the company’s product line coverage, policies, employees or ownership, which remains family-owned and independent, the company said.

Company founder and CEO, A.D. “Sandy” MacKinnon purchased the Tampa, Fla., dealership formerly known as Yale Gulf Atlantic in 1982 and maintained the Yale name as part of the brand after the acquisition. MacKinnon has promoted the Yale brand as salesman and national sales manager for Yale Material Handling and continued to do so as owner of the dealership. The dealership has over the years added other product lines, most recently taking on the JCB Construction Equipment line.

MacKinnon said he believes the dealership has a stronger future as an equipment solutions provider rather than being known as a manufacturers’ representative.

“While my name has been absent from the marquee, I have been a part of the daily operation of the dealership for 30 years,” MacKinnon said. “With the new name, I promise a renewed commitment to providing the highest level of service to our valued customers.”

The company was named JCB New Dealer of the Year for 2010.