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Market Report: Health & Safety pt1: Work at height & manual handling Youngman steps up Robert Aplin talks with Youngman Group Ltd MD Paul Bentley and Business Development Director John Bungay about their MBI/MBO last October. It would be fair to say that both the management and workforce at SGB Youngman could well have been a little frustrated in the last few years. After SGB Group was acquired by Harsco Corporation, a diversified international industrial services group, in June 2000, it became clear that Youngman, generally stated to be the UK’s largest supplier of light access equipment with a £40m turnover, did not fit Harsco’s long term strategy. As one of only a handful of truly integrated suppliers to our industry, enjoying an estimated 60%, and rising, share of the alloy tower market through its Boss brand, hirers needed to know that Youngman’s future was secure. Especially as the impending introduction of the Work At Height (WAH) Regulations would require such suppliers to step up and take the lead in making us aware of the requirements of this latest legislation and the possibility of prosecution if we failed to do so. New management team The good news is that the long term future of Youngman is now assured and, having spent the day with two of the team running the new business, it is obviously in the hands of committed and able people who are passionate about our industry. At the end of September last year, Paul Bentley, supported by Chris Owen, bought into Youngman and joined the incumbent senior management team of John Bungay and Jerry Stapleton in organising the management buy-out of the company from Harsco the following month. Paul Bentley was previously with Ruberoid Building Products, one of the UK's leading specialists in waterproofing and roofing products for the building industry. Paul served 15 years with the company, the last four as Managing Director, before leaving in November 2004. “Having run businesses successfully for other people, I wanted to do it for myself, so I started to look for quality companies to invest in.” Former Ruberoid Sales Director Chris Owen has a background in aluminium fabrication, which is rather relevant when you consider that Youngman buys, on average, 8,500 tonnes of aluminium annually. The purchase of Youngman is backed by Matrix Private Equity Partners, which has bought a significant minority stake in the company. HSBC (Birmingham) is providing senior debt and debtor/stock finance. Paul Bentley is particularly pleased with Matrix’s involvement. “There were a number of venture capital companies wanting to invest in Youngman, but we chose Matrix because it is a long term investor. It is not looking for a fast buck and does not have a three-year exit strategy. Matrix invests in strong brands, strong market positions and strong management teams. It places great store in people, because they are always in short supply.” Paul Bentley describes the buy-in and buyout teams as having “a close match of business plans and a good blend of skill sets; our external experience matched with the incumbent team has created a symbiotic relationship. There is now a different approach and atmosphere within the business. This exciting opportunity will bring benefits to our customers and to our 284 employees and will strengthen and energise the business.” Launching The Knowledge At the recent Hire Show, Youngman launched The Knowledge, a WAH training programme, in conjunction with the Health & Safety Executive and training provider Training and Access. Business Development Director, John Bungay, who has been with Youngman since 1973 and was MD under the previous owners, states “whilst many suppliers and hirers have been pro-active in promoting awareness of the WAH Regulations, there is still confusion among end users about what is and what isn't in the new Regulations. “We carried out a random survey of approximately 50 stockists of access equipment, comprising hirers, as well as building and decorating merchants. Their initial awareness of the Regulations was at 62%, which was promising; however, when more specific questions were asked, for example, is there a time limit for working on ladders or steps?, they were completely unaware. (The answer, by the way, is 15-30 minutes at any one time). Instilling understanding “Similarly, we asked, is there a link between fibre glass equipment and the new Regulations? Everyone said ‘no’, although the answer is that fibre glass is recommended if carrying out electrical work, or if it is likely that you may come into the close proximity of electricity. One branch interviewed believed that ladders and steps were now outlawed and was no longer offering them. Only two branches we spoke to had a copy of any details sent from their Head Office on the new WAH Regulations. As a result of this survey, we introduced The Knowledge to instil understanding and to give hirers the confidence not only to answer questions correctly, but also to be confident to engage in conversations about, and advise on this topic.” Founded on Youngman’s own internal course, The Knowledge is a one day off-site training course and examination and costs £95/head. The course assumes that each attendee has at least an awareness of the WAH Regulations. It includes an overview of the Regulations and provides details and advice to end users on how to best select the safest product for their application. It also explains how, by completing and documenting a risk assessment, this will help meet the requirement of the Regulations. At the end of the course, an examination is set to ensure that individuals have understood the information and are able to apply it in their hire business. A certificate is issued to everyone who passes. By passing the course, each hirer qualifies to receive The Knowledge support pack which will help that individual to promote their outlet’s understanding to customers and encourage end users to talk to the individual for objective and correct advice. Key suppliers have clear duties Youngman should be congratulated in taking this industry-leading position. However, we would expect nothing less because key suppliers have clear duties to keep the industry fully informed of the threats and opportunities it faces at all times. Under Paul Bentley’s leadership, Youngman has an exciting opportunity to help our industry take full advantage of the commercial benefits that the WAH Regulations offer. Any initiative that promotes the wider use of safer products, with the inevitable reduction in the number of accidents at height, has to be supported and we wish the new team every success. • Executive Hire News › Archives › Feb/March 2006 › Market Report › Youngman steps up
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