Our Story

4141 Cedar Avenue - Minneapolis, MN

In 1949, two World War II Army Supply Officers, Ollie Parssinen and C.T. Hoy, started the company, then known as Material Handling Engineers. They had seen the potential for Clark forklifts at the supply depots they served at. In the early 1950's, Bob Koch joined the ownership group. Bob Koch and C.T. Hoy later bought out Ollie Parssinen. The business grew from a small office at the Foshay Tower in downtown Minneapolis to its first business location large enough to accommodate parts and service.

2701 East 78th Street - Bloomington, MN

The company continued to grow and in 1965 moved to a larger facility in Bloomington, Minnesota. It was a good location on the frontage road overlooking freeway 494. This was near where the present day Mall of America is located. A motel chain bought the property in 1974, which allowed the company to build a new, more suitable building.

501 West 78th Street - Bloomington, MN

In 1974, a building specifically designed for the forklift business was built for the ever-expanding company. Additions to the building were made in 1976 and 1995.

In 1983, the company name was changed to Clarklift of Minnesota when Richard Beske and Clayton Schubert bought out Koch and Hoy. In 2001, our name changed to Forklifts of Minnesota in order to reflect the many industry-leading lines that we carry.

2201 West 94th Street - Bloomington, MN

In October 2009, our current facility, specially designed for the forklift business, was built. Our current building is 64,000 square feet located on the south east corner of 94th Street and Penn Avenue in Bloomington.

Current ownership is comprised of Clayton Schubert, his son Jeff Schubert, and Chad Lentz.

1734 East Main - West Fargo, ND

Forklifts of North Dakota occupied this building for over 30 years.

Forklifts of Minnesota has maintained a branch office in West Fargo, North Dakota for over fifty years.

1808 East Main - West Fargo, ND

In December 2006, Forklifts of Minnesota moved the Forklifts of North Dakota Branch to it's current home.

Between the locations in Bloomington, West Fargo, Bismarck, and the strategic locations of resident mechanics and salespeople, we are now in our 70th year as a forklift dealership. 

960 Industrial Drive - Bismarck, ND

The western part of North Dakota is prospering because of oil exploration in the northwest part of the state. To try to benefit from this business, Forklifts of North Dakota offers sales and service in Bismarck, North Dakota. This building is located at 960 Industrial Drive on Bismarck’s expressway.