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Executive Report: Fairport moves forward The Hire Show will see Fairport Construction launching several construction equipment products and introducing its new management team. While Fairport Construction Equipment might be an unfamiliar name to many visitors to the Hire Show later this month, the brands that lie behind its products are well known. The Sheffield based company has for several years offered product lines originating from the former Warsop Metrix business, which offered popular items such as breakers, rammers, hydraulic power packs, floor saws, vibrating pokers and other construction equipment. The Hire Show will see the effective rejuvenation of the Fairport operation, with a new management team, an expanded sales force and significant product launches. General Manager Ken Waller, who joined Fairport last June, contends, “Few manufacturers can offer products with the pedigree ours have. They have been refined over many years and we sell to customers in 65 countries. They are made using the highest quality materials and manufacturing techniques.” The original Warsop and Metrix manufacturing operations date back many years – the Warsop business was founded during the heyday of the Industrial Revolution in the 19th century. Between them, both businesses have had many owners in the past, with inevitable organisational changes. This led to a huge, and bewildering choice of products and brands. Fairport now intends to re-focus the strengths of the Warsop Metrix ranges, with additional products to meet market niches. At the Hire Show, the company will promote its latest flexible drive vibrating pokers, developed specifically for hirers and contractors. Recognising that pokers are subjected to long hours of use and rough treatment, the ‘Metrix’ line-up features a flexible shaft that can be replaced quickly, reducing downtime and increasing hire opportunities. Sizes include 28mm, 32mm, 50mm and 65mm with 3m, 5m, 6m, 8m, or 10m shafts. As with other Fairport pokers, a choice of couplings are offered to fit different power packs. The ‘W’ range of pokers are available in 25mm, 36mm, 44mm and 66mm sizes and have 5m flexible shafts as standard. Fairport says that the pendulum is specially shaped and heat-treated for maximum vibration and working life. The ‘F’ series is offered with head diameters of 35mm, 45mm, 50mm and 60mm. Also being introduced are four new compaction plates, three of which are designed to share as many common parts as possible. All feature a double vibration reduction system to minimise hand arm vibration (HAV) and several plate and edge options are available. Other Show launches include new rammers, power trowels, masonry saws and hand tools such as concrete floats. A new towable cement mixer will be shown as well as a mortar mixer and the latest Fairport pumps. Later in the year, the company will introduce a range of diamond blades. All products are assembled at Fairport’s Sheffield factory. “This gives us total control over quality,” contends Purchasing Manager, Tom Calladine. “We are proud of playing an active part in a city with a strong industrial heritage and we are showing how British expertise can compete effectively with cheap Far Eastern products. Some manufacturers are taking this easy route, but the quality of components often cannot be guaranteed in terms of consistency. Much Chinese steel is recycled scrap with high levels of contaminants. We use British steel, which might be a little more expensive, but it is stronger and gives hirers a quality product.” Ken Waller is extremely positive about Fairport and the next chapter in the Warsop Metrix history. “We have many new products targeted at the hire industry and we have established a very strong team. As in any business, our key asset is our staff, and we now have a solid plan to go forward.” • T
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7921 Executive Hire News › Archives › January 2006 › Executive Report › Fairport moves forward
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