Crown Equipment Corporation — the world’s fourth-largest manufacturer of fork-lift trucks — is to open a new branch and training facility in Birmingham.

It has agreed to purchase Barberry 46, which is a 46,000ft² unit built on a former Tucker Fasteners site in Perry Barr.

Crown (www.crown.com) has a reputation for award-winning product design, advanced engineering and technology. It is a family-owned business based in Ohio, with regional headquarters in Australia, China, Germany and Singapore.

Its UK subsidiary, Crown Lift Trucks (UK) Ltd currently supplies a wide range of material-handling equipment (combined with fleet management and automation technologies) for almost any type of industry from three UK branches.

UK managing director Simon Barkworth said: “This is a very exciting time for Crown UK. Our business has grown significantly in the UK, and we are delighted to be able to expand into these bigger premises.

"Adding to our current branches in Basingstoke, Warrington and Coatbridge, this modern facility will allow us to support our centrally based customers more effectively.”

Barberry 46 is situated on the old Tucker Fasteners site in Walsall Road, Perry Barr. Founded in 1903, Tuckers produced rivets, fasteners and other metal products, as well as fighter planes in World War II. It closed in 2013.