Exhibitor Profile: Arc-Gen

Growth opportunity

Arc-Gen plans to expand its operation following its recent acquisition. Alan Guthrie visited its Wolverhampton facility.

A programme of gradual expansion is being put into place at Arc-Gen, following the on-site power equipment supplier’s recent acquisition. As we reported in October, the company has been bought by the Morris group of Shrewsbury, a family-owned business with diverse interests. The sale follows the retirement of Peter Betteley and Dennis Sutton, who founded Philip Lewis Ltd, Arc-Gen’s parent company, in 1973. Arc-Gen itself was founded in 1986. Sales Director Andy Munford remains with the Wolverhampton-based business, and is joined by Morris Director of Finance, Mark Hodgkins, as Chief Executive, and by family board Director, Chris Morris.

Arc-Gen’s main ranges include welding equipment, generators, lighting products and plasma cutting machinery. Meetings have been held with the Japanese company that is the main supplier to
Arc-Gen, with a view to expanding the offering. “The Morris group’s interests include property development and house building, activities that give us an insight into the construction market’s needs and what it expects of suppliers,” contends Mark Hodgkins. “Arc-Gen is located near to the group headquarters, and its acquisition enables us to create a new division, Morris Power Generation. We want to develop the business and to introduce new products, while maintaining Arc-Gen’s commitment to quality and service.”

Meeting operators’ needs

Arc-Gen’s welder/generator range covers models with maximum outputs from 150-500A, designed to meet the needs of a broad cross-section of operators, ranging from occasional users up to specialist professionals. The generator line-up comprises machines from 6-15kVA output. A recent introduction is the Powermaker 6DV, a super silent, dual voltage unit that can offer 115V and 230V outputs simultaneously. This enables power tools and lighting equipment to be used together. The machine’s brushless alternator utilises damper windings and has an automatic voltage regulator for minimum waveform distortion. Soundproofing is said to reduce noise emissions to 62dBA at 7m, at full load. Powered by a Kubota diesel engine, the machine has a 25-litre fuel tank providing, according to the company, a minimum of 12 hours’ operation. Auto-idle is standard, and other features include automatic shutdown for conditions such as low oil pressure, high water temperature and battery charging failure.

The company offers the Plasarc 70, which provides four functions, namely air plasma cutting, manual metal arc welding, auxiliary AC power and an air compressor capability. The plasma torch is designed for both contact and non-contact cutting and can be used on specialist steels. Also included in the line-up is the Power Tower, a towable lighting unit featuring four 1000W metal halide bulbs and an electrically operated 9.14m three-section mast that can be manually rotated through 360°.

New compact welding machine

Newly launched is the Weldmaker 165SP, a silenced machine that is said to give a noise level of 60dBA at 7m, enabling it to meet the latest noise level legislation as outlined by EC Declaration of Conformity for Noise Directive 2000/14/EC. Compact and weighing only 77kg, it offers a welding output from 30-165A DC and welds 4.00 electrodes. Operating from a Fuji Robin petrol engine with electric start, the generator has a fuel efficient auto-idle device fitted as standard and gives up to 10 hours’ operation without the need for refuelling. Supplied on castor wheels with a brake, it also provides auxiliary power, if required, for use with power tools and lights of 110V AC 2.5W. “We believe the Weldmaker 165 to be the quietest machine of its type and size currently available on the UK market,” states Andy Munford. “It replaces our previous successful Weldmaker 150SP.

“The hire industry continues to represent Arc-Gen’s largest market. We supply national hirers such as Hewden, A-Plant and Speedy, as well as specialist power generation equipment hirers like Hember Plant Hire and Power4. We also provide equipment to a growing number of independent hirers. Other markets in which we are active include construction and fabrication.”

Arc-Gen currently employs 17 people at its Wolverhampton facility and plans to expand its sales force. The factory includes a paint spraying plant that enables products to be finished in a customer’s livery, and equipment can be modified by the company’s technicians to suit particular applications or requirements. These could include the fitting of spark arrest systems, Chalwyn valves and anti-static fan belts for operation in potentially hazardous locations. “We also commit to keeping stock levels at a sufficient level to supply large orders quickly,” contends Andy Munford. “The trend for hirers to reduce their own stock holdings continues, meaning that they increasingly depend on suppliers like us to have the products they require when they need them, with prompt delivery. •

T 01902 790824
W www.arc-gen.co.uk

Executive Hire News › Archives › Jan/Feb 2007 › Exhibitor Profile: Arc-Gen › Growth opportunity

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