Walter Tapia has been named product support manager of Papé Material Handling in Washington. In his new role, Tapia will have the overall responsibility for managing the store’s parts and service department.

Tapia has been with Papé Material Handling in Yakima, Wash., since 2002, first as a service parts coordinator, rental coordinator and most recently as a used equipment coordinator.

“We’re thrilled to have Walter as our new product support manager in Washington,” says Ken Pollard, general manager of Papé Material Handling in Wenatchee. “His dedication and drive to succeed, coupled with his deep commitment to putting customer needs first, ensures his continued success at Papé.”

Tapia has a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Central Washington University and will graduate in May 2010 with an executive master’s degree in business administration from Colorado Technical University.

“I’m proud to have this opportunity to help increase profit margins as we continue to provide customers with high quality products and give Papé Material Handling a competitive edge,” says Tapia.

About Papé Material Handling Inc.

Papé Material Handling Inc. provides sales, parts, service and support for Hyster forklifts, Ingersoll-Rand telescopic material handlers, Genie aerial personnel lifts, Mariotti narrow aisle lift trucks, CombiLift multi-directional forklifts, and related material handling equipment. The company maintains one of the West Coast’s largest fleets of rental units and mobile service trucks. Papé Material Handling operates stores in California, Nevada, Oregon, Washington and Montana, and also serves customers in Idaho and Alaska. Papé Material Handling Inc. is part of The Papé Group Inc.

About The Papé Group Inc.
Headquartered in Eugene, Ore., The Papé Group Inc. is a holding company for capital equipment dealerships throughout the West. The businesses of The Papé Group sell and service the premier brands of capital equipment used in construction projects, forestry, trucking, warehousing/materials handling and private aviation. The Papé Group businesses are Papé Material Handling Inc., Bobcat West, Ditch Witch Northwest, Engineered Products, Flightcraft Inc., Papé Rents, Papé Kenworth and Papé Machinery Inc. The operations serve seven western states – from Alaska to California. The cornerstone of all Papé Group operations since the first dealership was founded in 1938 has been their commitment to providing high quality products backed by consistent, high quality customer service wherever and whenever needed. For more information about The Papé Group Inc., visit www.pape.com.