Hitachi Capital opens Canadian branch

BURLINGTON, Ont. -- Hitachi Capital America (HCA) has created a Canadian branch of the company called Hitachi Capital Canada (HCC). The Burlington, Ont.-based firm will initially target the truck transportation market in Canada, building on its US relationships with several major truck manufacturers, according to officials.  Hitachi Capital Canada will provide dealer-focused retail and floor plan financing, the company announced.

“Our US manufacturing relationships are looking forward to Hitachi providing the same level of support for their dealers and customers in Canada as we do in the US,” said Bob Otto, senior vice-president and general manager of HCA’s automotive division.

To facilitate and expedite its efforts in Canada, HCC, with the assistance of Hugh Swandel, senior managing director of Alta Group in Canada, has entered into a marketing and servicing agreement with CLE Leasing Enterprise, based in Quebec and Ontario.

“CLE is an ideal partner for Hitachi to expand in Canada as CLE specializes in providing financing for small and medium sized businesses throughout Canada with in-depth expertise and knowledge of the transportation and used truck markets,” said William H. Besgen, president of HCA, and now also president and CEO of HCC. “CLE can instantly provide the market experience required to support the Hitachi platform for outstanding service capabilities.”

“We are excited to collaborate with Hitachi in order to bring their brand of financial services to Canada” said Luc Robitaille, President of CLE. “We are confident that this move will also help us expand our customer relationships and continue our own growth in Canada by sharing Hitachi’s commitment to service values and jointly growing our market share.”

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Capital Truck Show coming to Ottawa

OTTAWA, Ont. -- A new trucking trade show is coming to the nation's capital, developed by the founder of the original Convoy for a Cure.

Rachele Champagne says she has secured space at the soon-to-open CE Centre in Ottawa for the dates of Sept. 20-22, 2012 and will host a trucking trade show that will also serve as the end point for next year's Convoy for a Cure event.

She says preliminary discussions with exhibitors have been encouraging. The show will be called the Capital Truck Show and now has a Web site.

"Hopefully we'll fill that place right up," she said of the new facility, which offers 150,000 sq.-ft. of exhibit space. "This event is the first of its kind, there are no truck shows in Ottawa."

Champagne says her experience in running the Convoy for a Cure will be beneficial when organizing her first truck show. She plans to step back and allow her partners to run next year's Convoy, while she focuses her attention on the truck show.

"Right now, my whole world is this truck show," she said. "I'm putting all my energy into this, it's going to be unbelievable."

Champagne told Trucknews.com a contract has been signed with the venue and now she'll turn her attention towards finding exhibitors. For more information, including exhibit space pricing, visit www.CapitalTruckShow.ca.

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Capital Partners acquires tarping systems manufacturer Roll-Rite

ALGER, Mich. -- Automated tarping systems manufacturer Roll-Rite has been acquired by Capital Partners, a private investment firm located in Greenwich, Conn., in conjunction with minority partners Argosy Capital and management.

Capital Partners purchased Roll-Rite from Copeley Capital out of Charlotte, NC. Cleary Gull acted as exclusive financial advisor to Roll-Rite in the transaction. Purchase price was not disclosed.

"This is the classic win-win scenario," said Brad Templeman, CEO of Roll-Rite. "Roll-Rite has enjoyed a very successful growth initiative, even in a lean economy, by developing innovative, market-driven products and through expansion into new domestic as well as international markets. Capital Partners brings to us a proven track record of providing a strong balance sheet to support growth, and assisting companies to get to the next level."

"The addition of Roll-Rite to our portfolio is a very exciting prospect," said Mark D. Allsteadt, managing director of Capital Partners. "We have a strong interest in the manufacturing sector, and look for small to mid-sized innovative companies with unique technologies - companies like Roll-Rite - that also share our key philosophies of lean enterprise and action-based planning disciplines. Capital Partners believes in being patient and disciplined investors who support exceptional management teams as they develop their business. We look forward to working with Roll-Rite as they expand into more new markets and reach out to new customers."

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