Briggs Equipment Blog

DALLAS (January 25, 2012) – Briggs International, Inc., a Sammons Enterprises, Inc. company, announced today that its subsidiary Briggs Equipment has executed a letter of interest to acquire a portion of Barloworld Handling’s assets.  With this acquisition, Hyster Company will appoint Briggs as an authorized dealer for the sales and service of Hyster brand lift trucks in a portion of Barloworld’s territory.  Barloworld Handling has accepted Briggs’ letter of interest.  Briggs is conducting due diligence of Barloworld’s US materials handling operations. Completing the transaction is subject to execution of a definitive and binding agreement.

Once completed, this transaction will position Briggs as one of the largest Hyster dealers in the United States, with responsibility for a large portion of the Southern United States.  Briggs will sell and service Hyster brand lift trucks in Florida, Arkansas and Atlanta, and portions of North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, and Tennessee. Briggs will assume dealer responsibilities in these territories.

Briggs is currently one of the largest dealers of Yale brand lift trucks, with branches servicing Yale products and customers in portions of Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Georgia. Briggs International subsidiaries are also the Yale dealers for the United Kingdom and the Hyster and Yale dealer for most of Mexico. Both Hyster Company and Yale Materials Handling Corporation are operating divisions of NACCO Materials Handling Group.

“Briggs is excited by the potential to expand both its footprint and product offering in the United States with the addition of the Hyster brand,” said Dave Bratton, CEO of Sammons Enterprises.  “The growth of our materials handing business brings more opportunities to our employees and better service to our customers. This acquisition provides our customers with more product options and quicker response times.”

“We are confident Hyster products combined with Briggs Equipment sales, service and material handling expertise will deliver excellent customer satisfaction,” said Jonathan Dawley, President of Hyster Distribution.  “We look forward to continuing our deep relationships with current Hyster customers, as well as developing a solid relationship with new customers through Briggs’ efforts.”

About Briggs International, Inc.

Headquartered in Dallas, Briggs International, Inc. and its subsidiaries are leading providers and renter of premium, materials handling equipment, currently with locations in the United States, the United Kingdom and Mexico.   In addition to providing Yale brand lift truck and fleet management services, Briggs also represents a variety of other materials handling equipment manufacturers.  Offering full-service solutions to customers, Briggs supports its customers with financing, safety training, a market-leading parts inventory and 24-hours-a-day, 7-days-a-week service programs. The company’s 1,000 service technicians are situated at 31 locations.

More information at www.briggsequipment.com. Briggs International, Inc. is a Sammons Enterprises, Inc. company. Briggs employs approximately 1,700 people.

About Hyster Company

Based in Greenville, N.C., Hyster Company (www.hyster.com) is a leading worldwide lift truck designer and manufacturer. Hyster Company offers 130 models configured for gasoline, LPG, diesel and electric power, with the widest capacity range in the industry — from 2,000 to 115,000 lbs. Supported by one of the industry’s largest and most experienced dealer network, Hyster Company builds tough, durable lift trucks that deliver high productivity, low total cost of ownership, easy serviceability and advanced ergonomic features; accompanied by outstanding parts, service and training support.

Hyster Company is an operating division of NACCO Materials Handling Group, Inc. (NMHG), which employs approximately 5,000 people worldwide. NMHG is headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio, and is a wholly owned subsidiary of NACCO Industries, Inc. (NYSE:NC).

Briggs, Hyster and Yale are registered trademarks of the respective owners.

Briggs Equipment employees in San Antonio were joined by customers, vendors and friends in the spirit of giving during the holidays, raising money to buy gifts for children in families affected by sarcoma cancer and collecting food to fight hunger.

Working with the Nick and Friends program of the Fight Sarcoma Foundation, Briggs sponsored an Angel Tree and shattered its goal of collecting 25 gift cards of $25 each by raising $1,075 to purchase 43 cards for sarcoma patients or for the children of patients. The San Antonio branch also sponsored a single mother, a sarcoma patient, by purchasing bicycles for her twin son and daughter.

In support of the San Antonio Food Bank, Briggs employees and associates collected 316 pounds of food. Briggs corporate provided participating employees with “Stomp Out Hunger” T-shirts.

“Everyone felt the need to do more during the holiday season, so we kicked off our giving projects at our Thanksgiving luncheon,” said Shannon Scheibe, Inside Sales in San Antonio. “The San Antonio Food Bank and Fight Sarcoma Foundation are very important to us. The food bank is a valued customer, and we know how important they are to our community. Our work with the Fight Sarcoma Foundation began last year when we looked for a way to support one of our own employees whose son was fighting sarcoma.”

Scheibe said the giving program took on a life of its own soon after it was launched. A customer sponsored the first four angels with four gift cards and, when 25 cards were collected the effort continued to help even more children.

“We all received a nice gift of our own,” said Scheibe, “when we learned the mother of twins went into remission. I’m so proud of our employees, customers, vendors and friends and our corporate support that helped us help others in our community.”

Nick and Friends:

Founded in March 2009, Nick and Friends was created in honor of Nick Shifflet and the growing number of people affected by sarcoma. The nonprofit organization works to raise awareness of sarcoma, support families of sarcoma patients and raise funds for research in hopes of finding a cure.

San Antonio Food Bank:

Founded in 1980, the San Antonio Food Bank is the 14^th largest food bank in the US and is the oldest of Texas’ 19 Feeding America Food Banks. The organization serves as a clearinghouse by receiving and storing truckloads of donated food, produce and other grocery products, which is then distributed to more than 500 service agencies located in 16 of San Antonio’s surrounding counties. Through the service agencies the San Antonio Food bank is able to provide emergency food assistance to more than 58,000 people in Southwest Texas.

About Briggs Equipment

Headquartered in Dallas, Briggs Equipment is one of the largest equipment distributors in North America.  For more information about Briggs Equipment and its full range of material handling products and services, visit www.briggsequipment.com or find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/briggsequipment.

Briggs Equipment has operated a branch in Mobile, Alabama since 1989. Although one of the smaller branches, with 14 employees, Briggs Mobile maintains a widely diversified customer base, from hospitals and petrochemical companies to lumber yards and port businesses. And like all Briggs branches, large or small, Briggs Mobile has the experienced team members to support those customers’ equipment needs. In fact, many of the Mobile team have been with Briggs for more than 23 years.

“As an employee-owned company, we are committed to our work and our customers. We take ownership and pride in what we do on a daily basis,” said Jason Burce, operations manager for Briggs Mobile, who has been with the company for nine years.

Briggs Mobile sees many of the industry trends common to the gulf region such as the intensified focus on domestic resources for oil and gas and the need for equipment to meet new mandated drilling regulations. With the prime location of Mobile’s ports and easy shipping channels, Briggs Mobile is expecting to see large growth in Mobile and the surrounding area.

“Mobile is unique in the fact that it has five class 1 railways, two interstates and easy-access ports,” said Burce. “It is a city set-up for expansion, and we look forward to meeting its businesses’ needs.”

Community involvement also is important to Briggs Mobile, not just on a business level, but on a personal level. As such, Briggs is active in many local events. Briggs Mobile sponsored a Habitat for Humanity house this year, and for the holiday season, the Mobile Team worked with the Children’s Advocacy Center to collect toys and had float in Mobile’s annual Christmas parade.

“We value our relationships with the community,” said Burce. “When we have the opportunity to make a difference in other’s lives, we feel good about ourselves.  This confidence carries over into our daily work. We are proud of our team and of the work they do.”

Briggs International Chief Executive Officer David C. Bratton, announces the promotion of Mike Winemiller to the position of President of Briggs International, effective immediately. With Bratton’s new role as Chief Executive Officer of Sammons Enterprises, Winemiller will take on ever‐increasing responsibilities for the growth of the Briggs organization.

“Mike’s 28‐year tenure speaks to his positions of ever‐increasing responsibility within the Briggs organization,” Bratton said. “He has served in a variety of operational and management roles, consistently making contributions. After 28 years, you can rest assured that he aligns with our culture and lives our values. It was Winemiller’s experience and management skills that enabled him to successfully navigate Briggs through one of the most difficult economic climates since the Great Depression.”

Winemiller joined the Briggs Weaver’s Equipment Group in June of 1983, which subsequently became Briggs Equipment in 1996. Winemiller’s extensive operational experience includes serving as Briggs’ West Coast Regional Manager, responsible for Phoenix, Tucson, San Diego and Las Vegas, as well as North Texas Regional Manager responsible for Dallas operations. In 2006, Winemiller was promoted to Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, and in 2007 was promoted to his current position as President of Briggs Equipment’s US operations.

About Sammons Enterprises, Inc. and Briggs International
Founded in 1938, Sammons Enterprises, Inc., is a diverse holding corporation that owns and operates companies in three core business sectors – financial services, equipment distribution, and hospitality and real estate – and is dedicated to building the world’s premier ESOP‐owned company through a commitment to high ethical standards, industry‐leading businesses, solid financial performance and a true values‐based culture, where every person makes a difference. The company also pursues a broad class of investments.

Headquartered in Dallas, Texas, with assets approaching $50 billion, Sammons Enterprises consistently ranks in the top 150 on Forbes’ “American’s Largest Private Companies” list and was ranked number five on the “Largest North‐Texas Headquartered Private Companies” ranked by 2010 total revenue published by the Dallas Business Journal.

Briggs International, the equipment distribution sector of Sammons Enterprises, Inc., is comprised of Briggs Equipment, US operations headquartered in Dallas; Briggs Equipment, Mexico operations headquartered in Mexico City; and Briggs Equipment UK, headquartered in Cannock, England. The companies employ almost 1,700 passionate people with powerful solutions in the US, UK and Mexico.

For more information, visit www.briggsequipment.com

The Board of Directors of Sammons Enterprises, Inc. announces that:

• Board member Thomas Corcoran has been named Chairman of the Board;
• Michael M. Masterson has retired as Chief Executive Officer; and
• Sammons Enterprises Board member David C. Bratton has been named Chief Executive Officer for Sammons Enterprises.

Corcoran joined the Sammons Enterprises, Inc. Board of Directors in December 2010, with an impressive entrepreneurial track record in the hospitality industry. Corcoran serves as Chairman of FelCor Lodging Trust, a business he and Hervey Feldman established in 1991. FelCor, a real estate investment trust, is the nation’s largest owner of upscale, all‐suite hotels committed to enhancing stockholder value and delivering superior returns on invested capital by assembling a diversified portfolio of high‐quality hotels located in major markets and resort locations that have dynamic demand generators and high barriers to entry. Corcoran’s service on hospitality boards includes: the American Hotel Foundation; past Chairman of the American Hotel & Lodging Association, (AH&LA), Chairman of the AH&LA Governmental Affairs committee; and immediate past chairman of the International Association of Holiday Inns.

Masterson joined Midland National Life Insurance Company in Sioux Falls in 1995, becoming President and CEO in 1996. He was promoted to Chairman, CEO and President of Midland National and North American Company for Life and Health Insurance in 1999, and President and CEO of the Sammons Financial Group in January 2002. In 2003, Masterson was appointed Chairman and CEO of the Sammons Financial Group, and in 2009, he was named Chief Executive Officer of Sammons Enterprises, and retained his responsibilities as Chairman of Sammons Financial Group.

In addition to serving as Sammons’ Chief Executive Officer, Bratton will retain his responsibilities as CEO of Briggs International. A 24‐year veteran of Sammons’ materials handling sector, Bratton was appointed President and CEO of the newly‐created Briggs International in 2007, with responsibility for the profitability of the materials handling operation in the U.S., Mexico and UK and Sammons’ equipment distribution sector’s global growth strategy. Bratton has served on the Sammons Board since 2008.

About Sammons Enterprises, Inc. Founded in 1938, Sammons Enterprises, Inc. is a diverse holding corporation that owns and operates companies in three core business sectors – financial services, equipment distribution, and hospitality and real estate – and is dedicated to building the world’s premier ESOP‐owned company through a commitment to high ethical standards, industry‐leading businesses, solid financial performance and a true values‐based culture, where every person makes a difference. The company also pursues a broad class of investments.

Headquartered in Dallas, Texas, with assets approaching $50 billion, Sammons Enterprises consistently ranks in the top 150 on Forbes’ “American’s Largest Private Companies” list and was ranked number 5 on the “Largest North‐Texas Headquartered Private Companies,” ranked by 2010 total revenue published by the Dallas Business Journal.

The companies of Sammons Enterprises include: Briggs International, Briggs Equipment – Mexico, Briggs Equipment – UK, Briggs Equipment – US, Sammons Financial Group, Midland National Life Insurance Company, North American Company for Life and Health Insurance, Sammons Annuity Group, Sammons Corporate Markets Group, Sammons Corporation, Sammons Retirement Solutions, Sammons Securities Companies, Sammons Equity Alliance, Compatriot Capital and The Grove Park Inn Resort and Spa.

For more information, visit www.sammonsenterprises.com.

In the 1980s and 90s, Briggs Houston was known as “the house of service.” Today as Briggs Equipment’s largest branch, it is continuing to live up to that name as South Texas’ premier equipment distributor. The branch, comprised of 90 employees, 51 of which are service technicians, maintains two divisions from its location, the materials handling division and the contractor rentals division.

“Briggs Houston, as well as the other Briggs branches, represents the best manufacturers in the industry, including Yale, Taylor, Trackmobile, Ottawa, Sellick, Genie, Terex and Broderson,” said Chuck Mathews, regional manager of Briggs Houston and an employee of more than 13 years. “One of the unique aspects that set us apart from other equipment distributors is that we have the ability to both rent and service large equipment. As the largest Taylor dealer in the world, we are staffed with experienced sales and service professionals who are focused on making the customer experience one that meets and exceeds their expectations.”

Briggs Equipment is focused on reducing customer downtime due to equipment failure. Maintaining a large service area that extends far beyond the city limits, Briggs Houston accomplishes this by utilizing the latest technology, such as GPS Tracking which allows dispatchers to locate the closest technician to a customer’s location. Always focused on operational efficiency, this technology allows Briggs Equipment to spend less time driving and more time at customer locations addressing service requirements. Rob Anatra, Briggs Houston’s service manager, attributes the efficiency success of the Houston service department to the proactive communication of his team.
“Our service department has a phenomenal support staff,” Anatra said. “Through teamwork and communication with the different departments, we are able to serve a wide area and efficiently manage time and resources.”

Houston, over the past year, has seen many changes in the equipment industry. Briggs, which has a large customer base in the oil and gas industry, saw an increase in rental business as oil companies intensified focus on domestic resources for oil and gas. Briggs expects to see more growth in the next few years with the expansion of the Panama Canal. When completed, ships that are three times larger will gain access to the Gulf of Mexico. As a result, it is expected that the traditional shipping routes that had these larger vessels going to either the West or East Coast will transition to the Gulf of Mexico, where Houston has invested heavily in the infrastructure to handle the additional volume of goods. The Panama Canal expansion project is expected to be completed in 2014.
There are seven port locations in Houston, all of which require material handling equipment on a daily basis. While Briggs already provides parts and service for many of the port operators, the need will only grow with the anticipated 30 to 40 percent increase of freight movement due to the canal expansion.

According to Mathews, Briggs Houston has the experienced employees to meet the industry growth. They are intensely focused on meeting the needs of their clients, which Mathews attributes to the Briggs team taking the time to uncover the customer needs and successfully strategizing and allocating the available resources to meet those needs.

“The people make Briggs unique, and Briggs has always done an exceptional job of providing our employees with the tools and resources to perform effectively and achieve their goals,” Mathews said. “At Briggs, the people truly make the difference. The environment in our Houston facility is focused and fun. Great people typically produce great results. These folks are great, and I am especially proud to be associated with this outstanding team.”

Briggs Equipment, A Sammons Enterprises Company, and one of the world’s largest equipment distributors, recently supported George W. Bush’s 2011 Warrior Open Golf Tournament with a $100,000 sponsorship. The two-day event, hosted by the George W. Bush Presidential Center Military Service
Initiative was held on October 10 and 11 at the Las Colinas Country Club in Irving, Texas, and featured members of the United States Armed Forces who have endured severe physical injuries in the global war on terror.

“We were honored to have been part of such a worthy cause that plays an important role in the rehabilitation process for many servicemen and women seriously injured on the front lines,” said Dave Bratton, president and chief executive officer, Briggs International. “These American heroes have sacrificed so much and have made it possible for us to be able to live freely. As a company, we are committed to giving back to the communities where we live and work, and this sponsorship was another example of how we can make a difference in the lives of others.”

Guided by the vision of President and Mrs. Bush, the Bush Institute at the George W. Bush Presidential Center created the Military Service Initiative to highlight the service and sacrifices of the military community. The Warrior Open is one of two events organized by the Military Service Initiative to honor the brave servicemen and women and their families. In April 2011, 14 U.S. Armed Forces members wounded in Iraq or Afghanistan joined President Bush for the Warrior 100K Rider, a 100 kilometer mountain bike ride in Big Bend State Park.

“We were thrilled to have such a generous contribution from a stalwart organization like Briggs Equipment, A Sammons Enterprises Company,” said Mark Langdale, president of the George W. Bush Foundation. “We were grateful that they provided time, talent and resources to support the men and women of the United States military and their families.”

In addition to the corporate sponsorship, Briggs Equipment and Sammons Enterprises sent 40 employees to volunteer at The Warrior Open.

Opening in 2006, Corpus Christi is Briggs’ newest branch. Managed by Dago Magallan, Briggs Corpus Christi serves multiple industries prominent in the South Texas costal region, including construction, industrial, oil field service and petrochemical. With eight employees, four being service technicians, the branch places a high priority on providing excellent service to its customers.

Briggs Equipment - Corpus Christi

“Briggs Corpus Christi is proud to have an amazing service department that helps retain customers and develop new business,” said Magallan. “We have had a great five years, and we are excited to see what the future has in store for our branch.”

Briggs Equipment employees recently donated more than 65 volunteer hours to the Irving Cares Food Pantry. More than 22 employees came together with the employees of Sammons, Briggs’ parent company, to work in the food bank’s salvage area and sort through donations. Together the group salvaged 11,122 lbs. of food, which was packed on to 11 pallets to provide 10,819 meals to the Irving community.

“At Briggs, we are committed to giving back whenever possible,” said Mike Winemiller, president of Briggs Equipment. “Through the volunteer work at the food bank, as well as with other worthy local organizations, we try to create a culture that encourages and enables our employees to support the communities where they live, work and play.”

This is the third time Briggs has worked with the Irving Cares Food Bank, and volunteers will be back on October 1

“Irving Cares is an exceptional organization with a remarkable cause,” said Winemiller. “The organization has truly made a difference in the Irving community over the years, and Briggs is proud to be part of their efforts.”

Other organizations Briggs works with include the Make a Wish Foundation, Captain Hope’s Kids, Adopt a Block and the Light the Night Walk

Irving Cares:
Founded in 1957, Irving Cares has offered a hand up, not a handout, for Irving families in crisis. Irving Cares promotes client self-sufficiency providing a food pantry, limited financial assistance for rent, mortgage, utilities, and prescriptions; employment services; transportation to medical facilities and prescription deliveries. Last year, Irving Cares served more than 37,000 individuals.