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Market Report: Compact Plant On-going growth Having celebrated its tenth anniversary, Takeuchi Mfg (UK) has plans for expansion and reports a strong market. Alan Guthrie visited its Rochdale headquarters. Takeuchi Mfg (UK) Ltd has good reason to celebrate. Last month marked the tenth anniversary of its foundation, and the company reports continuing sales growth. As EHN reported 12 months ago, the operation is now headed up by Managing Director Michiro Ito. He was brought back last year to sort profitability and cash flow issues that had arisen, and was ideally suited to the task, having originally established the UK business in 1996. He also oversaw the opening of the second distribution centre, in Thatcham, in 2001. The operation’s first premises were in Greenfield, east of Oldham, but the company soon found bigger premises at its current site in Rochdale in 1997. This facility has grown steadily and now occupies 46,000ft2. “Our mini excavators quickly proved popular in the UK,” contends Michiro Ito. “When Takeuchi designs a machine, the operator’s needs are put first and foremost. We include features such as ergonomically designed controls and a superior quality seat so that it is easy and comfortable to use. Customers appreciate this, as well as the performance and build quality of the machines.” Today the mini excavator line-up comprises 11 models, spanning operating weights from 835-8325kg, and includes a 14-tonne machine. Three reduced tail swing models are within this range, with operating weights of 2.3 tonnes, 5.3 tonnes and 8 tonnes. Significant stocks Part of Ito san’s task in getting Takeuchi back on track has been to implement tighter internal management controls. “We now have systems in place to forecast more accurately the stocks we need to satisfy anticipated demand. We are committed to holding significant stocks of all our machines so that we can supply hirers’ orders quickly. We are also now benefiting from a dedicated European spare parts distribution ‘hub’ that has been established to the north of Paris, which means we are not solely reliant on obtaining items direct from Japan.” Driving this growth is the on-going expansion of the market itself. Ito san states that “approximately 12,000 minis of up to 8 tonnes were sold in total in the UK and Ireland in 2005, with Takeuchi taking a 17% share (compared to 18% in 2004), putting it in third place. For 2006, we are forecasting a final figure of close to 14,000 and achieving a similar proportion of these sales. There is still a tremendous amount of building work and landscaping projects being undertaken, as well as considerable on-going demand from DIY enthusiasts and homeowners re-designing their gardens and extending their houses.” Takeuchi’s most popular mini, currently accounting for approximately 25% of its sales, is the TB016. This 1.5-tonne class machine can be towed on an average plant trailer and it is reported to have proved very popular in the hire market. It has hydraulically extending tracks for access in confined areas. Michiro Ito points out that this year, for the first time, a higher proportion of these machines have been requested with cabs, rather than canopies. Another popular model continues to be the TB125, a 2.5-tonne machine. Battery powered mini excavators Takeuchi is also excited by the prospects for its highly innovative battery powered mini excavators. The TB016E, an electric version of the TB016, was shown as a ‘concept’ machine at this year’s Intermat and SED exhibitions. Its manganese Lithium-Ion batteries are said to give eight hours’ running time. Development work on the machine, as well as on a TB125E variant, continues, and both are scheduled for launch at the end of 2007. Michiro Ito states that “The feedback we received from hirers at SED was extremely positive. They regarded the machines as ideal for work in and around hospitals and schools owing to their silent operation. Their lack of emissions makes them suitable for use indoors and even underground, and they also remove the risk from hand arm vibration when used with accessories like breaker attachments, which Takeuchi also manufactures.” Besides mini excavators, the UK operation sees considerable potential for Takeuchi’s rubber-tracked compact loaders, which were officially launched this year. They are designed to facilitate work on muddy or loose ground and they feature a long track base to enhance stability on slopes. They can be fitted with a large range of hydraulic attachments for a variety of tasks. The TL130, TL140 and TL150 models have operating weights of 3400kg, 4350kg and 4850kg respectively, and Takeuchi says that it has plans to introduce a smaller machine in the near future. Takeuchi’s UK expansion is set to continue in a literal sense as well. The operation is fast outgrowing its Rochdale facility and expects to relocate to bigger, 56,000ft2 premises in the town by next summer. The facility will be owned outright and will have sufficient space to accommodate a dedicated training facility for staff and dealers, as well as greater spare parts capacity. • T
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657722 Executive Hire News › Archives › November 2006 › Market Report › On-going growth
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