SYRACUSE, N.Y. — Volvo Construction Equipment announced the sale of its LB Smith dealership in New York state to Vantage Equipment, LLC, Syracuse, N.Y.

The appointment of Vantage Equipment as an authorized Volvo CE dealer was effective Aug. 27. The new dealership will serve its market area from current LB Smith branch facilities in Buffalo, Latham (Albany), and Syracuse. The New York City metropolitan area is not included in the sale and will continue to be served by Malvese Equipment Co., Hicksville, N.Y.

Volvo CE purchased the assets associated with the Volvo construction equipment distribution business of LB Smith, its distributor for a majority of the East Coast, in May 2003. Volvo CE has, since that acquisition, continued the operations of the former dealer at existing locations under the name LB Smith while initiating the process of divestment of its LB Smith territories.

“I know customers may have had some questions about LB Smith's future ownership and we want to assure them that Vantage Equipment is committed to giving them outstanding product support,” said John Hession, CEO and dealer principal at Vantage Equipment. “We are fortunate to be joined at Vantage by the former LB Smith staff members in New York who will work with us to grow the company.”