19th June 2008 - Clark Equipment to open operations in Townsville

As a significant step in a major expansion programme in Queensland, Clark Equipment Sales Pty Ltd are pleased to announce that they have concluded negotiations to purchase the trading assets of Lift & Shift Machinery Sales Pty Ltd's Townsville operations to facilitate the business trading as a branch of Clark Equipment Sales affective from 23 June 2008.

The Cairns operation of Lift & Shift is not effected by this change and will continue to aggressively grow their business in the region.

Robert Hammond, Managing Director of Clark Equipment stated, "We are excited by the opportunity to further grow our business in North Queensland. With a branch operation we can assist our customers and dealers such as Lift & Shift Cairns with more product support, resources and local inventory."

"We appreciate the co-operation of Andrew Sands and his Lift & Shift team. They have done a tremendous job and shown great commitment to our products with the establishment of the business and we look forward to working with them in Cairns."

"Our goal is for Townsville to become a hub servicing the region and facilitate higher service levels to our customers. Already, the Townsville region is one of the fastest growing in Australia. Townsville's economy has more than doubled in 10 years."

"We see Townsville as a great place to invest. Townsville is the administrative hub of North Queensland, home to numerous Commonwealth and State Government departments. It is the site of large army and air force bases, the largest contingent of defence personnel in Australia; an internationally recognised university; and a major port facility and service centre for mining and the agricultural industries of the hinterland."

"The Townsville team will continue to be headed by Colin Bussell. The Lift & Shift team have been great performers and with more resources will be able to further develop the opportunities."

Managing Director of Lift & Shift, Andrew Sands stated, "We want to thank our customers in the Townsville region for their support and are excited by the resources that Clark can bring to the region to enhance our Cairns Dealership."

The Clark Equipment branch in Townsville will be responsible for the sales and/or support of:

• Bobcat Loaders and Excavators
• Bobcat Tractors, Telehandlers, Toolcat and Utility Vehicles
• IR Portable Power
• Terex Road Building Equipment
• LeeBoy Pavers
• Dynapac Compaction Equipment
• Champion Graders
• Clark Forklift Trucks
• Omega Heavy Equipment
• Ausa Forklift Trucks & Dumpers
• Dakenag Equipment
• IPC Sweepers & Scrubbers

The Townsville branch will bring not only the latest product, backed by the huge resources of the Clark Equipment Group in sales, finance, parts and aftermarket service but also a unique way of serving customers to country Queensland. Service combined with a strong sense of community involvement.

Headquartered in Sydney, Clark Equipment is 100% Australian owned and with its long, 60-year history and unique background as both an equipment manufacturer and distributor, Clark Equipment has grown to be leader in the sales and support of industrial, construction and rural equipment. Clark Equipment will offer a complete line of financial products and services to assist in the acquisition of equipment through its CEFIT financing division.