Big Lift recently announced that it completed the acquisition of ePicker, a fast-growing material-handling equipment provider based in Fort Worth, Texas. Since its launch in 2021, ePicker has built an impressive network of industry-leading material handling distributors that market its portfolio of electric pallet jacks, stackers, access vehicles, and lithium-ion-powered forklifts to customers across North America.
Big Lift is the North American subsidiary of EP Equipment, which is one of the fastest-growing and most innovative material-handling equipment companies in the world. And EP Equipment specializes in designing and manufacturing lithium-powered forklifts, warehouse equipment and autonomous material handling solutions.
Big Lift currently distributes Big Joe Forklifts, which is a leading North American material handling brand founded in 1951 and is well known for its innovative products and exemplary aftermarket support. Big Joe pioneered the Class III “walk-behind” lift truck market segment and it continues to have the broadest portfolio of powered walk-behind lift trucks in North America.
Following the acquisition of ePicker, Big Lift will re-brand ePicker as EP to capitalize on its parent company’s strong global brand reputation. And the North American EP brand will utilize the former ePicker leadership team that joined the company through the acquisition.
The Big Joe and EP brands will be distributed through their current sales channels while also focusing on different product segments. And the Big Joe channel will continue to focus on innovative niche products and in-between-handling applications while the EP channel will primarily focus on purpose-built lithium-ion forklifts. Both of these brands will offer market-leading autonomous solutions.
EP North America is based in Fort Worth, Texas. It provides a range of material handling solutions from lithium-ion Class 1 forklifts to lithium battery solutions, stackers, pallet jacks and access vehicles. And EP brings specialized products to the North American market to maximize efficiency in various applications and environments. As part of Big Lift, EP North America will have additional resources available to its dealer network as well as the end-user, including increased engineering capabilities, marketing support, customer service, aftermarket parts and warranty support.
KEY QUOTES:
“This acquisition is an important part of Big Lift’s strategy to become the market leader in lithium-powered material handling solutions and, specifically, the industry leader in lithium forklifts in North America. The addition of the ePicker team and ePicker forklift distributors will benefit both channels as it will enable Big Lift to dramatically increase our resource base, significantly strengthen our aftermarket support capabilities, and ensure we continue to launch high-quality, innovative products.”
– Dan Rosskamm, President of Big Lift
“Building off the success of ePicker, EP North America will hit the ground running, bringing best-in-class lithium-powered forklifts to retailers, warehouses and DCs. As demand for new energy forklifts is increasing, I am excited to be part of a larger global team that shares the vision of what North America needs for material handling solutions.”
– Jason Bratton, General Manager for EP North America
