Executive Hire News › Archives › May 2009 › Executive Report : Signs of expansion
Executive Report : Signs of expansion
ArcGen Hilta continues to expand its portfolio of products for the hire market. Alan Guthrie reports.
When the original Arc-Gen business was acquired by Morris & Co Ltd of Shrewsbury in September 2006, the Wolverhampton-based operation was a specialist supplier in on-site power equipment including mobile generators, welders, lighting towers and plasma cutters. Since then, the operation has been steadily broadened. Last year it acquired the pump and pressure washer manufacturer Hilta Plant Ltd, and the subsequent change of name to ArcGen Hilta reflected the increased product offering. This has now been augmented further by new, complementary ranges.
“When Morris bought Arc-Gen, the latter was somewhat hiding its light under a bushel,” says ArcGen Hilta Chief Executive, Mark Hodgkins, who is also a main board Director of Morris. “However, Arc-Gen was an extremely sound business with a strong reputation for excellent products and good service. We believed that, by strengthening existing customer relationships, establishing more key account business and adding more products that were logical adjuncts to the range, we could expand the operation considerably. This was also in response to the trend for hirers to source products from fewer suppliers.
“Although market conditions have obviously been challenging, the Hilta acquisition has proved successful. Indeed, it has indirectly led to our appointment from 1 April as the UK and Ireland distributor for the Dutch manufacturer, BBA Pumps. Some Hilta equipment incorporates components made by BBA, which was seeking an established partner to develop its presence in this country.
“BBA’s products are complementary to ArcGen Hilta’s and include submersibles from 1-20in diameter, self-priming centrifugal pumps for handling clean and polluted water, auto-prime contractor pumps that can also be used with raw sewage water, and piston pumps.”ArcGen Hilta has also recently been appointed as UK and Ireland distributor for mobile messaging boards made by the US manufacturer, Addco. The principal models are solar powered machines, available in two sizes, which can operate for up to several weeks before top-up charging is required. The displays are made of modular ‘bricks’, sealed LED modules that plug together so that if one should fail, replacement is quick and easy.
Addco signs should be easy to spot at SED later this month, as ArcGen Hilta is the sole supplier of message board in and around the Show. They will also be included in the company’s own stand line-up. This will be the 21st consecutive year in which the company has exhibited at SED. It will also supply several Vertitower lighting towers for illuminating the showground. This machine has a 360? rotating lamp head, a telescopic mast and an integral cable drum.
“We see huge potential for equipment like the Addco signs, as people show more interest in solar powered, environmentally friendly products,” says Mark Hodgkins.” ArcGen Hilta has demonstrated its own green credentials by recently planting 25 trees at the National Forest in central England. The company pledged to buy one tree for every order taken at the Executive Hire Show, to help offset the carbon footprint used in the manufacture and subsequent use of its machines.
Other products on view at SED will include the Bowser pressure washer that can carry 1100 litres of water, the Hilta Drysite D5 diaphragm pump, the Ultra Silent DCA 25USEI generator, and the ‘Cube’ WM165SP2 mobile welder.
The company has just announced two senior management changes. After 23 years’ service, Sales Director Andy Munford is leaving to pursue new challenges. In addition, Ken Salmon has been appointed as Business Development Director. His previous experience includes a period as Operations Director of SLD Pumps, and he will help ArcGen Hilta as it identifies further market opportunities. •
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