Ron Johnson, president of R.J. Equipment Sales and Imports, recently announced the relocation of his company to Clearwater, FL.

R.J. Equipment is the exclusive importer of Hydro Kahn Hammers for the United States construction market. Hydro Khan, located in South Korea, is one of the world’s largest manufacturers of hydraulic hammers. A former licensee of Krupp, the first manufacturer of hydraulic hammers, Hydro Khan now manufactures 11 hammer sizes that fit a range of machines, from mini-excavators and skid steer loaders to 100,000-pound excavators.

“I have been around the construction equipment business since 1966 and most recently spent seven years as the Eastern regional manager for Daewoo Heavy Industries,” said Johnson, explaining his entrance into the hammer business. “I feel hammers have become so costly, and I saw an opportunity to save the user money by bringing the distribution closer to the buyer.”

Johnson heard about Hydro Kahn and quickly made a trip to South Korea for a meeting with the manufacturer, working out an agreement for him to become the exclusive importer for the United States.

Johnson said his company is in the process of setting up four distributors in the United States — in the Northeast, Southeast, Midwest and Southwest markets. These distributors are expected to set up local dealers to cover their market areas.

According to Johnson, R.J. Equipment will become the importer and parts warehouse once dealers are established and will no longer sell directly to the customer.

“Until we establish distributors and they sign up dealers, we will sell to the end user,” said Johnson. “Once dealers are set up, then we will stop selling direct and only sell through dealers.”

In addition to selling Hydro Kahn Hammers, R.J. Equipment will also supply points for most brands of hammers as well as provide full parts support. The company is in the process of establishing a rebuild center.

For more information, call 888/651-0187 or visit www.besthammers.com.