In 1992, Mitsubishi Caterpillar Forklift Europe (MCFE) was formed as a joint venture between Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd and Caterpillar Inc. The collaboration brought together the technological, marketing and financial strengths of both companies, resulting in the creation of an industry powerhouse. MCFE produces electric-powered and internal combustion engine (gas- and diesel-powered) forklift trucks, as well as warehouse equipment which is marketed through an independent network of dealers in Europe, the Commonwealth of Independent States, Africa and the Middle East.
The business is dedicated to manufacturing superior equipment predominantly under the Cat Lift Trucks and Mitsubishi Forklift Trucks brands and is responsible for design engineering, manufacturing, marketing product lines and handling parts distribution in the European region. It aims to be a leader in counterbalance and warehouse products, and to provide customers with the highest level of service and responsiveness.
MCFE is based in Almere in the Netherlands and has a separate manufacturing facility in Järvenpää, Finland. It also has a central European parts centre which is headquartered in Puurs, Belgium a warehouse with highly efficient parts availability of up to 97 per cent. The company is part of the global MCF group of companies which includes MCFA in Houston, USA; MCFS in Singapore; MSFC in China; and MHI in Sagamihara, Japan. This is an asset and enables MCFE to access an extensive online stock catalogue and subsequently order products from other parts of the world.
Yuichi Mano has been leading MCFE as president since mid 2014. He completed his Master of Business Administration at Carnegie Mellon University in the US before starting his career, and also graduated with a social studies degree from Hitotsubashi University in Japan. Yuichi brings a great level of experience to his current role, having worked at the affiliated business Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd as group manager of the corporate planning and material handling equipment business department in the general machinery and special vehicle headquarters, which is based in Tokyo, Japan, for many years.
