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30/07/01 Expansion plans for lifting gear distributor

A major supplier of lifting gear to the industry has launched a national three-year expansion and re-organisation programme.

Certex UK Ltd. - one of the country’s largest distributors of lifting products and services and part of the international FKI Group – is to open a national network of satellite lifting centres backed up by three larger strategically-placed production and distribution depots to be known as ‘hubs’. The move, introduced to meet demand for faster delivery times without losing out on local service, is likely to result in as many as 50 newly-opened satellite centres in key industrial locations across the UK by 2004.

The first of the new centres will open in Plymouth shortly and, in line with the company’s restructure, will handle lifting gear sales, product hire, and repair and maintenance as well as product inspection and testing. Centres will offer increased product choice from leading brands Bridon, Kuplex, Crosby and Elephant and specialised training courses in all aspects of lifting including PUWER, LOLER and related legislation. On-site engineers will also carry out current fixed and portable lifting equipment inspections.

Meanwhile, the three large and newly-equipped production and service hubs will be in Retford, Nottinghamshire, Wakefield, West Yorkshire, and Inverbervie, Scotland, and will provide national computerised stocktaking, product tracking and 24 hour delivery. Consultancy services will also expand to include lifting gear selection, operational audits, risk assessment and safety audits, and lifting method and feasibility statements.

Certex UK’s Managing Director, Mick Batty, said the restructure was the result of the company thinking globally while still acting locally. “You could say we’re going for the best of both worlds,” he said. “We will continue to operate as a locally-based supplier but with the potential added benefits of wider product choice and prompt delivery.”

Certex will supply over 50,000 different lifting products and handle the production of wire rope assemblies and slings; fabrication of lifting beams; plastic coated wires; overhead cranes and runway systems; boom pennants, and swaged and chain assemblies. The company also plans to expand its field sales force and build up relations with the a further 130 international Certex outlets in America, Europe, the Middle East and Asia. The Doncaster head office will oversee UK operations under the direction of MD, Mick Batty, and Sales and Marketing Director, Charles Gillespie.

At present, Certex UK, along with Bridon International, Parsons Chain, Crosby Group, and other subsidiaries, generates about a quarter of the FKI Group’s £1.8 billion turnover.