25.05.2014 Views

In the pipeline - Pirtek UK

In the pipeline - Pirtek UK

In the pipeline - Pirtek UK

SHOW MORE
SHOW LESS

Create successful ePaper yourself

Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.

Quarter 4 2008<br />

<strong>In</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>pipeline</strong><br />

20 years of<br />

<strong>Pirtek</strong> <strong>UK</strong><br />

The fastest emergency hose replacement service <strong>the</strong>re is


Welcome...<br />

Welcome to <strong>the</strong> latest edition<br />

of <strong>In</strong> <strong>the</strong> Pipeline in which we are<br />

celebrating <strong>the</strong> 20th anniversary<br />

of <strong>the</strong> formation of <strong>Pirtek</strong> <strong>UK</strong>.<br />

It is, perhaps, ironic that<br />

we should be celebrating <strong>the</strong><br />

20th anniversary of opening our<br />

doors at a time when a global<br />

economic downturn is threatening<br />

to close those of many o<strong>the</strong>r<br />

companies. But we have long<br />

prided ourselves upon <strong>the</strong><br />

development of innovative new<br />

products and services and an<br />

ongoing investment in our most<br />

important resource; our people.<br />

Centre featured on <strong>the</strong> same page.<br />

Toge<strong>the</strong>r, this combination of<br />

investment and innovation has<br />

allowed us to create, build and<br />

maintain excellent working<br />

relationships with customers<br />

across a multitude of industry<br />

sectors and applications.<br />

I trust you will enjoy this latest<br />

issue of <strong>In</strong> <strong>the</strong> Pipeline and look<br />

forward to keeping you posted on<br />

<strong>the</strong> developments and innovations<br />

we’ll be making in our third decade<br />

of operation.<br />

Contents<br />

<strong>In</strong> <strong>the</strong> Pink at<br />

Flamingo Land 3<br />

Silver for <strong>Pirtek</strong> Stoke 4<br />

Training – a New Level 4<br />

Two Decades at <strong>the</strong> Top 5<br />

The End of Re-Ending 9<br />

Tackling <strong>the</strong> Plant Thieves 10<br />

<strong>In</strong> <strong>the</strong> frontline 11<br />

The success of this policy<br />

is illustrated by Craig Harrison’s<br />

superb silver medal at <strong>the</strong> recent<br />

British Franchise Association’s<br />

Franchisee of <strong>the</strong> Year award (see<br />

page 4). It is fur<strong>the</strong>r highlighted<br />

in <strong>the</strong> opening of our new Training<br />

Best Regards,<br />

Kelvin Roberts<br />

Chairman, <strong>Pirtek</strong> Europe<br />

Published by <strong>Pirtek</strong> (<strong>UK</strong>) Limited<br />

35 Acton Park Estate, The Vale, Acton, London W3 7QE<br />

Tel 020 8749 8444 Fax 020 8749 8333<br />

E-mail info@pirtek.co.uk<br />

Designed and printed by<br />

rhc visual strategy www.rhc.uk.com<br />

PT041_RAIL_HP<br />

One nationwide service<br />

supporting ano<strong>the</strong>r.<br />

With over 90 Centres in <strong>the</strong> <strong>UK</strong> and Ireland supported by 400 mobile<br />

service workshops, you’re never more than a call or click away from a<br />

reliable mobile hose replacement service. That’s <strong>the</strong> <strong>Pirtek</strong> promise.<br />

Call <strong>UK</strong> 0800 38 24 38 ROI 1800 74 78 35<br />

www.pirtek-europe.com


<strong>In</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>pipeline</strong><br />

3<br />

Flamingo Land is <strong>the</strong><br />

largest privately owned<br />

<strong>the</strong>me park in <strong>the</strong><br />

country, with more than<br />

a million people passing<br />

through its turnstiles<br />

each year<br />

<strong>In</strong> <strong>the</strong> Pink at Flamingo Land<br />

Mention <strong>the</strong> word hydraulics<br />

and most people will immediately<br />

conjure a mental image of industry;<br />

some may think of construction,<br />

o<strong>the</strong>rs a factory, but very few<br />

would think of a <strong>the</strong>me park. And<br />

yet at Flamingo Land in Malton,<br />

North Yorkshire, <strong>the</strong>y are so reliant<br />

upon hydraulics in <strong>the</strong>ir various<br />

rides that <strong>the</strong>y have been a loyal<br />

<strong>Pirtek</strong> Scarborough customer for<br />

more than six years.<br />

The original park was founded<br />

in 1961 by a local business man<br />

Pentland Hick. But in 1977, <strong>the</strong> zoo<br />

and holiday village was purchased<br />

by Robert Gibb, who converted<br />

it once more, this time into <strong>the</strong><br />

<strong>the</strong>me park it is today. Comprising<br />

well over 100 attractions including<br />

some 50+ rides, Flamingo Land is<br />

<strong>the</strong> largest privately owned <strong>the</strong>me<br />

park in <strong>the</strong> country, with more than<br />

a million people passing through<br />

its turnstiles each year.<br />

The rides are working<br />

throughout <strong>the</strong> year which<br />

in turn means we have plenty<br />

of happy customers<br />

Clearly, with such a large<br />

number of customers, safety<br />

on <strong>the</strong> rides is paramount and<br />

it is a testament to <strong>the</strong> faith<br />

Flamingo Land has in <strong>Pirtek</strong><br />

Scarborough that a good deal<br />

of <strong>the</strong> important safety checks<br />

have been entrusted to its team<br />

of Mobile Sales and Service<br />

Technicians. “We have used <strong>Pirtek</strong><br />

Scarborough for over six years<br />

now. Obviously, we have our own<br />

engineering crew for <strong>the</strong> day to day<br />

maintenance work but we have<br />

involved <strong>Pirtek</strong> more and more<br />

because of <strong>the</strong> services <strong>the</strong>y can<br />

offer,” explains <strong>the</strong> park’s<br />

engineering manager Matt Gilbert.<br />

“We rely on <strong>the</strong>m for <strong>the</strong> safety<br />

checks and initial installation work.<br />

They also do a lot of preventative<br />

maintenance work that ensures<br />

<strong>the</strong> rides are working throughout<br />

<strong>the</strong> year which in turn means we<br />

have plenty of happy customers.”<br />

Matt is keen to point out that<br />

<strong>Pirtek</strong>’s involvement extends well<br />

beyond replacing <strong>the</strong> occasional<br />

leaky hose. “<strong>Pirtek</strong> Scarborough<br />

does all <strong>the</strong> end of season checks.<br />

We use <strong>the</strong>m not only for <strong>the</strong><br />

hydraulic work, but to maintain<br />

<strong>the</strong> pneumatic systems as well,”<br />

he continues. “We also use <strong>Pirtek</strong><br />

to service and maintain <strong>the</strong><br />

hydraulic motors and to source<br />

parts which we simply can’t get<br />

hold of. <strong>Pirtek</strong> Scarborough does<br />

a superb all-round job. But <strong>the</strong><br />

best part is, if we have a problem<br />

with a ride, we know <strong>the</strong>y will drop<br />

everything and put it right as soon<br />

as humanly possible.”<br />

Quarter 4 2008


Company Gold, National Silver for <strong>Pirtek</strong> Stoke<br />

Craig Harrison, proprietor<br />

of <strong>Pirtek</strong> Stoke, has achieved<br />

an unprecedented double.<br />

Having already been named<br />

<strong>Pirtek</strong> Franchisee of <strong>the</strong> Year,<br />

Craig was named as <strong>the</strong> silver place<br />

runner-up in <strong>the</strong> British Franchise<br />

Association’s own Franchisee<br />

of <strong>the</strong> Year award last week.<br />

Craig’s story is not so much<br />

rags to riches as coal miner<br />

to company director. Having<br />

worked as a miner since leaving<br />

school, Craig joined <strong>Pirtek</strong> in 1993,<br />

initially working as a Mobile Sales<br />

and Service Technician (MSST)<br />

at <strong>the</strong> Stoke Centre.<br />

Within three years,<br />

Craig’s hands-on experience<br />

and enthusiasm earned him<br />

a promotion to Senior MSST.<br />

Two years later, he was promoted<br />

again, this time to <strong>the</strong> role of<br />

Centre Manager, a critical role<br />

in any of <strong>Pirtek</strong>’s network of over<br />

90 Centres across <strong>the</strong> <strong>UK</strong> and<br />

Ireland. Having proved his<br />

capabilities at <strong>the</strong> front-line<br />

of <strong>the</strong> business, Craig seized<br />

<strong>the</strong> opportunity to purchase <strong>the</strong><br />

<strong>Pirtek</strong> has opened a new<br />

National Training Centre in central<br />

Birmingham. The Centre which<br />

will provide a variety of training<br />

courses for <strong>Pirtek</strong> personnel from<br />

across <strong>the</strong> <strong>UK</strong> and Ireland was<br />

officially opened by <strong>the</strong> Chairman<br />

of <strong>Pirtek</strong> Europe, Kelvin Roberts.<br />

“Training is <strong>the</strong> cornerstone of<br />

<strong>the</strong> success of <strong>the</strong> <strong>Pirtek</strong> business.<br />

With almost 100 Hose Service<br />

and Supply Centres and 400 mobile<br />

service units across <strong>the</strong> <strong>UK</strong> and<br />

Ireland we have a substantial<br />

training requirement,” he said.<br />

“I am delighted to be opening<br />

<strong>Pirtek</strong> Stoke operation when<br />

it became available in 2001.<br />

Craig believes that his meteoric<br />

rise has given him a unique insight<br />

into <strong>the</strong> <strong>Pirtek</strong> business. “From<br />

working as a man on <strong>the</strong> van to<br />

becoming company director gives<br />

me <strong>the</strong> knowledge of what can and<br />

cannot be done across all aspects<br />

of <strong>the</strong> <strong>Pirtek</strong> business,” he says.<br />

It is an insight that has clearly<br />

paid dividends. Since taking over<br />

<strong>the</strong> <strong>Pirtek</strong> Stoke operation,<br />

turnover has grown from £650,000<br />

per annum to over £1.2 million.<br />

Craig subsequently underlined his<br />

confidence in <strong>the</strong> <strong>Pirtek</strong> business<br />

model, acquiring additional<br />

Centres in Warrington and Wigan<br />

and setting both of <strong>the</strong>m on an<br />

equally ambitious growth path.<br />

Craig’s achievements were<br />

recognised earlier this year when<br />

he was named as <strong>Pirtek</strong> Franchisee<br />

of <strong>the</strong> Year for 2008, and again last<br />

week when he came second in <strong>the</strong><br />

world-renowned British Franchise<br />

Association’s Franchisee of <strong>the</strong><br />

Year later this month. “I was<br />

up against o<strong>the</strong>r franchisees<br />

Taking Training to a New Level<br />

this new National Training Centre<br />

which will take <strong>Pirtek</strong>’s training<br />

Department to a new level.”<br />

Roberts’ excitement at <strong>the</strong><br />

opening was echoed by <strong>Pirtek</strong>’s<br />

National Training Manager,<br />

Martyn Smart who will head up<br />

<strong>the</strong> new facility. “The new Training<br />

Centre has live, working plant and<br />

machinery for trainees to work<br />

on, providing valuable hands-on<br />

experience,” Smart concludes.<br />

“We have been well supported<br />

by both our customers and our<br />

suppliers to enable <strong>the</strong> environment<br />

to be as realistic as possible”<br />

<strong>Pirtek</strong> winners Craig and Nicky Harrison collect<br />

<strong>the</strong>ir British Franchise Association silver award.<br />

Left to right: Sir Bernard <strong>In</strong>gham (bfa) Ca<strong>the</strong>rine Hayes<br />

(HSBC) Craig and Nicky Harrison, Keiron Summerhayes<br />

(Daily Express) Brian Smart (bfa)<br />

from a diverse range of companies<br />

and industry sectors so <strong>the</strong><br />

competition was stiff,”<br />

Craig Harrison concludes.<br />

“But 15 years ago, I was driving<br />

a van and wielding a spanner for<br />

a living and today I am <strong>the</strong> proud<br />

owner of three very successful<br />

<strong>Pirtek</strong> businesses. I know that with<br />

a bit of hard work and commitment,<br />

anything’s achievable.”<br />

<strong>Pirtek</strong> Europe Chairman, Kelvin Roberts, opens <strong>the</strong><br />

National Training Centre.


<strong>Pirtek</strong> <strong>Pirtek</strong> <strong>Pirtek</strong><br />

5<br />

Two Decades at <strong>the</strong> Top<br />

The concept of <strong>Pirtek</strong> –<br />

a network of independently-owned<br />

but closely linked hose centres<br />

supported by fully-equipped<br />

mobile workshops – was brought<br />

to this country by <strong>Pirtek</strong> <strong>UK</strong><br />

founders and franchising veterans<br />

Peter Brennan and Forbes Petrie<br />

following a fact-finding mission<br />

to Australia where <strong>the</strong> <strong>Pirtek</strong><br />

business model was already<br />

established.<br />

Left to right Peter Brennan (<strong>UK</strong>), Wally Davey (Aus),<br />

Peter Duncan (Aus), Forbes Petrie (<strong>UK</strong>)<br />

Having acquired <strong>the</strong> master<br />

license, <strong>the</strong> pair set up <strong>the</strong> <strong>UK</strong>’s<br />

first dedicated hose centre<br />

in London’s Park Royal, a facility<br />

that would double as <strong>the</strong> home<br />

of <strong>Pirtek</strong> <strong>UK</strong> for <strong>the</strong> next five<br />

years. Within six months, <strong>the</strong><br />

network had doubled in size with<br />

<strong>the</strong> sale of <strong>the</strong> first real franchise,<br />

<strong>Pirtek</strong> Greenwich.<br />

From humble, Australianimport,<br />

single-depot beginnings<br />

in 1988, <strong>Pirtek</strong> has grown to<br />

become <strong>the</strong> dominant force<br />

in <strong>the</strong> <strong>UK</strong>’s emergency hose<br />

replacement sector in just two<br />

decades, as Mark Anthony reports.<br />

History has been unkind<br />

to <strong>the</strong> 1980s. The caring, sharing<br />

decade that gave us Live Aid and<br />

<strong>the</strong> first-ever Comic Relief is now<br />

remembered more for <strong>the</strong> dawn<br />

of Thatcherism, yuppiedom and<br />

for a multitude of big hair, big<br />

shoulder pad fashion disasters.<br />

But in <strong>the</strong> world of <strong>Pirtek</strong> at least,<br />

<strong>the</strong> legacy of <strong>the</strong> 80s is secure.<br />

Having opened <strong>the</strong> door of its pilot<br />

hose centre towards <strong>the</strong> end of<br />

1988, <strong>the</strong> company is celebrating<br />

its 20th anniversary; a two decade<br />

period of year-on-year growth,<br />

network expansion and product<br />

and service innovation.<br />

<strong>Pirtek</strong> Park Royal<br />

opens<br />

Opening of <strong>Pirtek</strong><br />

Greenwich<br />

Opening of 10th Hose<br />

Centre<br />

20th Hose Centre<br />

opens<br />

1988 1989 1990 1991 1992<br />

Berlin Wall falls<br />

End of <strong>the</strong><br />

Soviet Union


<strong>Pirtek</strong> <strong>Pirtek</strong><br />

<strong>Pirtek</strong><br />

<strong>Pirtek</strong> <strong>Pirtek</strong><br />

An early Franchisee Conference. Left to right; Steve Hill (<strong>Pirtek</strong> Australia), Gerald Glynn (<strong>Pirtek</strong> Oldbury),<br />

Forbes Petrie (<strong>Pirtek</strong> <strong>UK</strong>), Jean Glynn (<strong>Pirtek</strong> Oldbury), Alan Maidwell (<strong>Pirtek</strong> Tyne and Wear-still <strong>the</strong> franchisee),<br />

Peter Brennan (<strong>Pirtek</strong> <strong>UK</strong>), Sandy Glen (<strong>Pirtek</strong> Slough – now <strong>Pirtek</strong> Southampton), Paul Willis (<strong>Pirtek</strong> Greenwich)<br />

Just five years later, <strong>the</strong><br />

network comprised more than<br />

20 Centres and <strong>Pirtek</strong> had<br />

outgrown its Park Royal home.<br />

<strong>Pirtek</strong> Park Royal was sold and<br />

<strong>the</strong> head office operations moved<br />

to new premises (and its current<br />

home) in Acton, West London.<br />

The network continued to grow both<br />

The company netted <strong>the</strong><br />

coveted British Franchise<br />

Association (BFA) Franchise<br />

of <strong>the</strong> Year award<br />

in <strong>the</strong> <strong>UK</strong> and, with <strong>the</strong> sale of <strong>the</strong><br />

first overseas license, in Ireland<br />

where <strong>the</strong> opening of <strong>the</strong> Dublin<br />

centre in 1994 was to set <strong>the</strong><br />

Emerald Isle on a similarly fruitful<br />

relationship with <strong>the</strong> <strong>Pirtek</strong><br />

business model.<br />

Based upon <strong>the</strong> success of <strong>the</strong><br />

Irish expansion, <strong>Pirtek</strong> <strong>the</strong>n turned<br />

its attention to continental Europe,<br />

quickly establishing a firm footing<br />

in Germany, France and <strong>the</strong> Benelux<br />

countries in 1996.<br />

The following year was<br />

to prove similarly significant<br />

in <strong>Pirtek</strong>’s remarkable history<br />

as <strong>the</strong> company netted <strong>the</strong> coveted<br />

British Franchise Association (BFA)<br />

Franchise of <strong>the</strong> Year award.<br />

“Looking back, it’s clear that<br />

we were in <strong>the</strong> right place at <strong>the</strong><br />

right time and with <strong>the</strong> right<br />

product,” says <strong>Pirtek</strong>’s Alistair<br />

Wiggins. “We had a superb range<br />

of products and services and we<br />

were offering <strong>the</strong>m at a time when<br />

<strong>the</strong> growth in self-employment had<br />

Dublin becomes first<br />

Irish Centre<br />

Expansion into<br />

Germany, France<br />

and Benelux<br />

Franchisor of <strong>the</strong><br />

Year award<br />

60th Cent<br />

1993 1994 1995 1996 1997<br />

19<br />

Founding of <strong>the</strong><br />

European Union<br />

Oklahoma City<br />

bombing<br />

Good F<br />

agreemen


<strong>Pirtek</strong> <strong>Pirtek</strong> <strong>Pirtek</strong><br />

7<br />

made franchising desirable and<br />

when many industrial companies<br />

were seeking to outsource what<br />

had previously been in-house<br />

maintenance duties.”<br />

The growth of <strong>the</strong> <strong>Pirtek</strong> <strong>UK</strong><br />

network continued relentlessly,<br />

clocking up its 60th Centre in<br />

1998. “By 1998, we had around<br />

200 mobile workshops on <strong>the</strong> road<br />

and we were already seen as <strong>the</strong><br />

benchmark for <strong>the</strong> emergency hose<br />

replacement sector,” Wiggins<br />

continues. “<strong>In</strong> addition, we had<br />

continued to innovate, adding<br />

new products and services<br />

to our portfolio, <strong>the</strong> combination<br />

of which continued to attract new<br />

customers which in turn required<br />

fur<strong>the</strong>r expansion of <strong>the</strong> network.”<br />

Below; Peter Duncan visiting<br />

Colin Wilks at <strong>Pirtek</strong> Leeds<br />

As <strong>the</strong> world ushered in <strong>the</strong><br />

new Millennium and all fears<br />

of a Y2K global meltdown<br />

subsided, <strong>Pirtek</strong> <strong>UK</strong> entered what<br />

was to be a landmark year in <strong>the</strong><br />

company’s already impressive<br />

history. The company had been<br />

nominated again for <strong>the</strong> BFA’s<br />

Franchise of <strong>the</strong> Year award and<br />

also, following its ongoing growth<br />

across Europe, <strong>the</strong> <strong>In</strong>ternational<br />

Franchise of <strong>the</strong> Year. Remarkably,<br />

<strong>the</strong> company achieved <strong>the</strong> double,<br />

collecting both awards in an<br />

unprecedented success that<br />

has yet to be repeated.<br />

By 2004, <strong>the</strong> number of mobile<br />

service workshops had exceeded<br />

<strong>the</strong> magical 300-mark, <strong>the</strong> fleet<br />

regularly clocking up a staggering<br />

7 million miles per year<br />

on customer calls. <strong>In</strong> 2006,<br />

<strong>the</strong> company’s annual turnover<br />

exceeded £50 million for <strong>the</strong> first<br />

time, a staggering level of growth<br />

in <strong>the</strong> time required to reach <strong>the</strong><br />

<strong>UK</strong> voting age.<br />

With so many achievements<br />

and landmarks to its name, it would<br />

not be surprising to see <strong>Pirtek</strong><br />

seeking merely to consolidate<br />

its position as <strong>UK</strong> number one.<br />

But that’s not how <strong>Pirtek</strong> operates.<br />

“By 1998, we had<br />

around 200 mobile<br />

workshops on <strong>the</strong><br />

road and we were<br />

already seen as <strong>the</strong><br />

benchmark for <strong>the</strong><br />

emergency hose<br />

replacement sector”<br />

re opens<br />

Franchise and<br />

<strong>In</strong>ternational<br />

Franchise of <strong>the</strong><br />

Year award<br />

98 1999 2000 2001 2002<br />

2003<br />

riday<br />

t ratified<br />

Euro currency<br />

introduced<br />

World rocked by<br />

9/11 attacks<br />

Golden Jubilee of<br />

Queen Elizabeth II<br />

Final flight of Air<br />

France Concorde


<strong>Pirtek</strong> <strong>Pirtek</strong><br />

<strong>Pirtek</strong><br />

<strong>Pirtek</strong> <strong>Pirtek</strong><br />

“The company has<br />

undergone some truly<br />

radical changes in <strong>the</strong><br />

past two decades and<br />

I don’t think any of us<br />

could have predicted<br />

<strong>the</strong> growth we have<br />

enjoyed when Park<br />

Royal first opened its<br />

doors in 1988”<br />

Andy Edwards at <strong>Pirtek</strong> Swindon, he's still <strong>the</strong> franchisee<br />

As <strong>the</strong> company makes ready<br />

<strong>the</strong> champagne and fireworks<br />

to mark <strong>the</strong> 20th anniversary<br />

of its <strong>UK</strong> inception, <strong>the</strong> expansion<br />

and improvement philosophy<br />

established two decades ago<br />

remains <strong>the</strong> cornerstone of <strong>the</strong><br />

operation today.<br />

The company has just added<br />

its 91st Centre – in Chesterfield –<br />

and <strong>the</strong> mobile service fleet now<br />

stands at over 400 vehicles.<br />

Fur<strong>the</strong>rmore, <strong>the</strong> company’s quest<br />

for innovation and ever-moreresponsive<br />

levels of customer<br />

service remains undaunted.<br />

<strong>Pirtek</strong> <strong>UK</strong> has just opened a new<br />

<strong>Pirtek</strong> recently completed<br />

<strong>the</strong> implementation of a £6.0<br />

million IT system called<br />

<strong>Pirtek</strong> Virtual Office (PVO)<br />

custom-built Training Centre<br />

in Birmingham to ensure that <strong>the</strong><br />

high standards for which <strong>Pirtek</strong><br />

is renowned are maintained across<br />

<strong>the</strong> entire network.<br />

Even more significantly,<br />

<strong>Pirtek</strong> recently completed <strong>the</strong><br />

implementation of a £6.0 million<br />

IT system called <strong>Pirtek</strong> Virtual<br />

Office (PVO) that, according to<br />

Alistair Wiggins, represents <strong>the</strong><br />

most important step change<br />

in <strong>the</strong> company’s history.<br />

“The company has undergone<br />

some truly radical changes in <strong>the</strong><br />

past two decades and I don’t think<br />

any of us could have predicted <strong>the</strong><br />

growth we have enjoyed when<br />

Park Royal first opened its doors<br />

in 1988,” concludes Alistair Wiggins.<br />

“But <strong>the</strong> one thing that has<br />

remained unchanged in all<br />

<strong>the</strong>se years is a commitment<br />

to innovation, and a constant<br />

improvement in customer service.<br />

Those were <strong>the</strong> foundations of <strong>the</strong><br />

business started by Forbes Petrie<br />

and Peter Brennan in 1988 and<br />

<strong>the</strong>y are still <strong>the</strong> driving force<br />

behind our business today.”<br />

Steve Green at <strong>Pirtek</strong> Ipswich (see page 11)<br />

300th van joins<br />

<strong>the</strong> fleet<br />

Turnover exceeds<br />

£50 million for<br />

first time<br />

Silver medal in<br />

Franchisee of <strong>the</strong><br />

Year and<br />

20th anniversary<br />

celebrations<br />

2004 2005 2006 2007 2008<br />

Fox hunting ban<br />

imposed in <strong>the</strong> <strong>UK</strong><br />

David Beckham signs<br />

for LA Galaxy<br />

Beijing hosts<br />

Summer Olympics


<strong>In</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>pipeline</strong><br />

9<br />

The End of Re-Ending?<br />

The re-ending of damaged<br />

hydraulic hoses was once<br />

commonplace across <strong>the</strong><br />

<strong>UK</strong> demolition sector. But with<br />

<strong>the</strong> advent of higher pressure<br />

applications and attachments<br />

and a greater focus on site safety,<br />

it is a practice that is no longer<br />

viable, according to <strong>Pirtek</strong> <strong>UK</strong><br />

director Alistair Wiggins.<br />

It is a sight that is all too<br />

familiar to <strong>the</strong> demolition industry.<br />

A contract is in full swing and<br />

a high reach excavator is using<br />

a powerful pulveriser to tackle<br />

some demanding crushing work<br />

when suddenly and without<br />

warning, a hose blows, bringing<br />

<strong>the</strong> job to a shuddering halt.<br />

The temptation at a time like<br />

this to “make do and mend”<br />

with a re-ended hose is enormous.<br />

But not only is this practice unsafe,<br />

it is in effect illegal.<br />

False Economy<br />

On <strong>the</strong> face of it, re-ending<br />

is a fast and economical solution<br />

but it is, without exception, a false<br />

economy. “As hose replacement<br />

specialists, we don’t endorse<br />

<strong>the</strong> practice of hose re-ending<br />

or <strong>the</strong> re-use of swage fittings.<br />

We recommend that a new hose<br />

assembly is made up, based<br />

upon <strong>the</strong> specific requirements<br />

of <strong>the</strong> application,” says <strong>Pirtek</strong>’s<br />

Alistair Wiggins.<br />

“Re-ended hoses are prone<br />

to failure and <strong>the</strong> unexpected<br />

release of hydraulic oil under<br />

pressure can cause<br />

considerable damage and<br />

serious injury. <strong>In</strong> addition, <strong>the</strong><br />

practice is in effect an illegal<br />

practice in Europe as well as<br />

being contrary to BS EN 982.”<br />

BS EN 982 states in paragraph<br />

5.3.4.3 'Flexible hose assemblies<br />

shall not be constructed from<br />

hoses which have been previously<br />

used as part of <strong>the</strong> hose assembly.<br />

Flexible hose assemblies shall<br />

fulfill all performance<br />

requirements specified in <strong>the</strong><br />

appropriate European and/or<br />

international standard(s).’ BS ISO<br />

4413 is ano<strong>the</strong>r international<br />

standard and, again, it is clear<br />

in its intent to outlaw <strong>the</strong> re-ending<br />

of hydraulic hoses. Paragraph 9.5<br />

Hose assemblies states ‘Hose<br />

assemblies shall be constructed<br />

from hoses which have not been<br />

previously used in operation as<br />

part of ano<strong>the</strong>r hose assembly’.<br />

Whilst a re-ended hose may<br />

look perfectly good and pass<br />

a pressure test, <strong>the</strong>re are a number<br />

of critical factors which must<br />

be taken into account. The first<br />

is degradation. All hoses degrade<br />

over time. Chemical changes in <strong>the</strong><br />

hose compound mean that cutting<br />

and inserting a new end can alter<br />

<strong>the</strong> molecular structure rendering<br />

it weaker than it should be. The<br />

angle of any internal reinforcement<br />

can also change to <strong>the</strong> detriment<br />

of <strong>the</strong> hose integrity when a new<br />

end is inserted.<br />

Compensation Claim<br />

Ano<strong>the</strong>r critical issue is hose<br />

length. Cutting a hose will reduce<br />

its length to below that installed<br />

by <strong>the</strong> original manufacturer with<br />

<strong>the</strong> result that it can be over<br />

stressed when refitted.<br />

According to Wiggins, <strong>the</strong><br />

decision to re-end a hydraulic<br />

hose is made principally on <strong>the</strong><br />

grounds of economy, re-ending<br />

being about one-third <strong>the</strong> cost<br />

of a new hose. However, it may have<br />

legal repercussions. “<strong>In</strong> <strong>the</strong> event<br />

of damage or injury caused by <strong>the</strong><br />

failure of a re-ended hose, liability<br />

is usually perceived to be with<br />

whoever instructed <strong>the</strong> re-ending,<br />

Wiggins adds. “The possibility<br />

of compensation claims cannot<br />

be ignored, nor <strong>the</strong> environmental<br />

health actions which often follow<br />

events involving failure of hydraulic<br />

hose lines.”<br />

This article was originally published<br />

in Demolition & Dismantling, <strong>the</strong><br />

magazine of <strong>the</strong> National Federation<br />

of Demolition Contractors, and is<br />

reproduced here with <strong>the</strong>ir kind<br />

permission.<br />

Quarter 4 2008


Tackling <strong>the</strong> Plant Thieves<br />

For a fixed price, a trained<br />

and certified <strong>Pirtek</strong> technician<br />

will <strong>the</strong>n fit <strong>the</strong> chosen machine<br />

or equipment item with tiny<br />

transponders, each containing<br />

a unique code that is permanently<br />

programmed into <strong>the</strong> integrated<br />

circuit. This code can only be read<br />

by <strong>the</strong> police using a sophisticated<br />

hand-held scanner.<br />

Despite its versatility,<br />

construction equipment tends<br />

to be very specialised in its<br />

application with each item of<br />

machinery working in tandem with<br />

ano<strong>the</strong>r or as part of an equipment<br />

chain. A mini excavator works<br />

with a site dumper, an excavator<br />

with a grapple, a backhoe loader<br />

with a hydraulic hammer. And if<br />

one of <strong>the</strong>se links goes missing,<br />

<strong>the</strong> entire chain fails.<br />

It is not surprising, <strong>the</strong>refore,<br />

to learn that with around £1 million<br />

worth of plant being stolen from<br />

<strong>UK</strong> sites each week, <strong>the</strong> cost<br />

to <strong>the</strong> <strong>UK</strong> economy is estimated<br />

to be well over <strong>the</strong> £100 million<br />

per year mark thanks to sites<br />

standing idle while a replacement<br />

machine is located.<br />

As a key supplier to <strong>the</strong> <strong>UK</strong><br />

mobile plant industry, <strong>Pirtek</strong> has<br />

thrown its considerable weight<br />

behind <strong>the</strong> CESAR system to help<br />

combat <strong>the</strong> growing problem of<br />

plant <strong>the</strong>ft.<br />

Staff at <strong>Pirtek</strong>’s dedicated<br />

hose Centres are now qualified<br />

to install <strong>the</strong> official CESAR<br />

system backed by <strong>the</strong> Construction<br />

Equipment Association and<br />

powered by Datatag ID technology.<br />

“The first step in this process<br />

is to check <strong>the</strong> provenance<br />

of <strong>the</strong> equipment to ensure that<br />

<strong>the</strong> equipment’s serial numbers and<br />

VIN plates are intact and original,”<br />

explains marketing manager<br />

Tony Waring. “It is, of course, vital<br />

to check ownership prior to <strong>the</strong><br />

CESAR system installation.”<br />

Finally, two tamper-proof<br />

plates bearing a unique plant ID<br />

number are fitted to <strong>the</strong> machine,<br />

toge<strong>the</strong>r with hundreds of<br />

miniature “datadots”. “The primary<br />

purpose of <strong>the</strong> CESAR system<br />

is to aid in <strong>the</strong> recovery of stolen<br />

equipment and <strong>the</strong> scheme has<br />

already enjoyed considerable<br />

success in that area with dozens<br />

of machines being recovered,”<br />

Waring continues. “The largely<br />

unseen benefit of <strong>the</strong> system,<br />

however, is that <strong>the</strong> ID plates act<br />

as an excellent deterrent to <strong>the</strong><br />

opportunist thief. Fur<strong>the</strong>rmore,<br />

an increasing number of insurance<br />

companies are now offering<br />

premium discounts to companies<br />

using <strong>the</strong> CESAR system.”<br />

Waring reports that <strong>the</strong><br />

scheme and <strong>the</strong> way in which<br />

it is installed and administered<br />

has been developed to work with<br />

<strong>the</strong> construction industry.<br />

“We understand just how busy<br />

construction, demolition and<br />

plant hire companies are and<br />

that <strong>the</strong>y can’t afford to have<br />

<strong>the</strong>ir equipment idle for any<br />

length of time,” he concludes.<br />

“Our technicians can install <strong>the</strong><br />

CESAR system in under an hour<br />

and <strong>Pirtek</strong> will even take care<br />

of all <strong>the</strong> necessary paperwork<br />

and CESAR registration, allowing<br />

our customers to get straight back<br />

to work.”<br />

An increasing number<br />

of insurance companies<br />

are now offering premium<br />

discounts to companies<br />

using <strong>the</strong> CESAR system


<strong>In</strong> <strong>the</strong> frontline 11<br />

VIP day out at Silverstone<br />

Online competition winner<br />

Graham Stevens of A-Plant –<br />

pictured here with Mike (left)<br />

and Andy Jordan (far right) of <strong>the</strong><br />

<strong>Pirtek</strong> sponsored Team Eurotech<br />

in <strong>the</strong> British Touring Car<br />

Championship (BTCC) and grid<br />

girl Rachel – fresh from an exciting<br />

day’s racing at Silverstone. Graham<br />

won his VIP day out by signing<br />

up to receive <strong>Pirtek</strong>/BTCC email<br />

updates throughout <strong>the</strong> 2008<br />

season whilst David Richardson<br />

of RD Kearton won a similar prize<br />

during his visit to <strong>the</strong> <strong>Pirtek</strong> stand<br />

at SED.<br />

Congratulations –<br />

to <strong>the</strong> winner of last quarter's<br />

<strong>In</strong> The Pipeline competition,<br />

Colin Barrett, of Nestle <strong>UK</strong> who<br />

won two VIP tickets to watch <strong>the</strong><br />

<strong>Pirtek</strong> sponsored cars in <strong>the</strong> BTCC<br />

round at Silverstone.<br />

<strong>In</strong> <strong>the</strong> Frame<br />

<strong>In</strong> its latest exciting<br />

competition, <strong>Pirtek</strong> is calling<br />

upon budding David Baileys<br />

to break out <strong>the</strong> Box Brownie<br />

and capture <strong>Pirtek</strong> men<br />

or vehicles in interesting, unusual<br />

or downright bizarre locations.<br />

As you can see on <strong>the</strong> flap to <strong>the</strong><br />

right, we have managed to capture<br />

our people and vans in some<br />

striking situations and we’d like<br />

you to try to match <strong>the</strong>se.<br />

All you have to do is simply<br />

email your photograph to<br />

info@pirtek.co.uk toge<strong>the</strong>r with<br />

a few brief details including your<br />

name, telephone number and<br />

where/when <strong>the</strong> photo was taken.<br />

Our panel of judges will <strong>the</strong>n pick<br />

<strong>the</strong> winner who will receive a new<br />

Nikon D90 digital SLR camera kit<br />

valued at around £1,000 (no cash<br />

alternative is available).<br />

Brands Hatch<br />

entertainment<br />

Also enjoying <strong>Pirtek</strong>’s trackside<br />

entertainment, this time at<br />

Brands Hatch, was Erith Group’s<br />

Barry Menzies. Barry, who heads<br />

up <strong>the</strong> company’s remediation<br />

division, won a competition run<br />

in conjunction with <strong>the</strong> trade<br />

magazine Demolition Engineer<br />

by correctly guessing that <strong>Pirtek</strong><br />

operates 400 mobile service<br />

vehicles across <strong>the</strong> <strong>UK</strong> and Ireland.<br />

Left to right Chris Menzies, Andrew Jordan and<br />

prize winner Barry Menzies<br />

Toolbox winner<br />

Nationwide’s Jamie Davey<br />

(right) - pictured here with<br />

<strong>Pirtek</strong> Ipswich general manager<br />

Steve Green – is <strong>the</strong> proud owner<br />

of a new Sealey toolbox, courtesy<br />

of <strong>Pirtek</strong>’s second prize draw<br />

at <strong>the</strong> recent SED exhibition<br />

in Corby, Northants.<br />

The competition closes<br />

on 12 December 2008 and <strong>the</strong><br />

winner will be announced in<br />

<strong>the</strong> next edition of <strong>In</strong> <strong>the</strong> Pipeline<br />

alongside <strong>the</strong>ir winning photo.<br />

By entering <strong>the</strong> competition,<br />

entrants agree to <strong>Pirtek</strong> using<br />

<strong>the</strong> photographs in future internal,<br />

external and commercial<br />

publications and o<strong>the</strong>r on<br />

and offline mediums.


<strong>UK</strong> 0800 38 24 38 ROI 1800 74 78 35


<strong>In</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>pipeline</strong><br />

<strong>Pirtek</strong> hits <strong>the</strong> BTCC<br />

It was <strong>the</strong> season that made<br />

touring car history and it was <strong>the</strong><br />

season in which Andrew Jordan<br />

made his name as a touring car<br />

star of <strong>the</strong> future. By any measure,<br />

<strong>Pirtek</strong>'s campaign in <strong>the</strong> 2008<br />

HiQ MSA British Touring Car<br />

Championship with Team Eurotech<br />

was a roaring success.<br />

Never before had a fa<strong>the</strong>r<br />

and son team raced toge<strong>the</strong>r<br />

in <strong>the</strong> biggest and best racing<br />

championship in Britain. So, as <strong>the</strong><br />

BTCC celebrated its 50th birthday,<br />

Mike and Andrew Jordan teamed<br />

up in <strong>the</strong> pair of <strong>Pirtek</strong>-backed<br />

Honda <strong>In</strong>tegras entered and<br />

prepared by Team Eurotech.<br />

While Mike had two seasons<br />

of BTCC experience under his belt,<br />

this was all new for Andrew, still<br />

only 18 years old when <strong>the</strong><br />

season started at Brands Hatch<br />

in late March.<br />

The BTCC is a fabulous platform.<br />

Extensive live TV coverage on ITV4<br />

drew Sunday afternoon audiences<br />

of up to a million viewers; race day<br />

crowds hit record levels with over<br />

30,000 fans at some events and<br />

massive media interest ensured<br />

stunning exposure for <strong>the</strong> sponsors<br />

and manufacturers on <strong>the</strong> grid.<br />

For <strong>the</strong> team and drivers <strong>the</strong>re is<br />

no tougher place to race. Yet despite<br />

his lack of experience at this level,<br />

Andrew was soon showing himself as<br />

one of <strong>the</strong> championship’s brightest<br />

young stars. For Team Eurotech, <strong>the</strong><br />

pressure of fielding two cars through<br />

demanding weekends pushed <strong>the</strong><br />

crew hard, but <strong>the</strong>y responded with<br />

professionalism and determination<br />

to keep <strong>the</strong> cars in top condition.<br />

Andrew showed winning form<br />

at Donington in May with two<br />

<strong>In</strong>dependent Trophy victories.<br />

At Thruxton later that month,<br />

he raced with <strong>the</strong> very best and led<br />

early on, <strong>the</strong>n at both Oulton Park<br />

and Knockhill in <strong>the</strong> summer Andrew<br />

raced to podium finishes as he<br />

traded paint with some of <strong>the</strong><br />

biggest names in touring car racing.<br />

Mike had a fine season too, topped<br />

by a fourth place at Brands Hatch<br />

and a series of top 10 finishes.<br />

“We got some good coverage<br />

for our sponsors, which was<br />

<strong>the</strong> main thing,” said Andrew as<br />

he reflected on <strong>the</strong> season.<br />

“Now I’m looking forward to<br />

next year massively. I’m just<br />

sorry that <strong>the</strong> season has<br />

ended already, but I’ve enjoyed<br />

it a lot and learnt a huge amount!”<br />

<strong>UK</strong> 0800 38 24 38 ROI 1800 74 78 35 www.pirtek-europe.com


<strong>UK</strong> 0800 38 24 38 ROI 1800 74 78 35<br />

<strong>Pirtek</strong>’s Trade Counters<br />

SCOTLAND<br />

Aberdeen<br />

(01224) 225588<br />

Dundee<br />

(01382) 819988<br />

Edinburgh<br />

(0131) 554 1445<br />

Falkirk<br />

(01324) 611444<br />

Glasgow<br />

(0141) 641 4422<br />

<strong>In</strong>verness<br />

(01463) 729299<br />

Kilmarnock<br />

(01563) 521166<br />

Kinross<br />

(01577) 865855<br />

Paisley<br />

(0141) 849 0404<br />

Perth<br />

(01738) 635555<br />

IRELAND<br />

Belfast<br />

(028) 9036 9522<br />

Cork<br />

(021) 421 0990<br />

Dublin North<br />

(01) 864 8550<br />

Dublin South<br />

(01) 456 4822<br />

Galway<br />

(091) 730530<br />

Limerick<br />

(061) 305569<br />

Waterford<br />

(051) 374000<br />

LONDON AREA<br />

Erith<br />

(01322) 350400<br />

London Central<br />

(020) 7485 3999<br />

London East<br />

(020) 7474 8197<br />

Leyton<br />

(020) 8556 9500<br />

Park Royal<br />

(020) 8961 0333<br />

London SE<br />

(020) 7237 8230<br />

London SW<br />

(020) 8640 6565<br />

Isleworth<br />

(020) 8847 5095<br />

Thurrock<br />

(01708) 869696<br />

Watford<br />

(01923) 256733<br />

ENGLAND & WALES<br />

Ashford<br />

(01233) 502090<br />

Basildon<br />

(01268) 522633<br />

Birmingham<br />

(0121) 327 8678<br />

Bradford<br />

(01274) 739300<br />

Bridgwater<br />

(01278) 444440<br />

Bristol<br />

(0117) 982 0056<br />

Burton-upon-trent<br />

(01283) 545666<br />

Cambridge<br />

(01223) 835222<br />

Cardiff<br />

(01443) 842444<br />

Chesterfield<br />

(01246) 451393<br />

Cleveland<br />

(01642) 611111<br />

Coventry<br />

(024) 7663 3797<br />

Crawley<br />

(01293) 571707<br />

Darlington<br />

(01325) 487535<br />

Derby<br />

(01332) 205000<br />

Doncaster<br />

(01302) 881115<br />

Ellesmere Port<br />

(0151) 357 3574<br />

Exeter<br />

(01392) 499030<br />

Gloucester<br />

(01452) 308010<br />

Guildford<br />

(01483) 454546<br />

Harlow<br />

(01279) 427300<br />

Hull<br />

(01482) 217222<br />

Ipswich<br />

(01473) 688288<br />

Kidderminster<br />

(01562) 753770<br />

Leeds<br />

(0113) 244 2700<br />

Leicester<br />

(0116) 254 7745<br />

Lincoln<br />

(01522) 697698<br />

Liverpool<br />

(0151) 933 9000<br />

Luton<br />

(01582) 597050<br />

Manchester<br />

(0161) 877 0000<br />

Mansfield<br />

(01623) 555500<br />

Medway<br />

(01634) 297080<br />

Milton Keynes<br />

(01908) 565500<br />

Newport<br />

(01633) 868655<br />

Northampton<br />

(01604) 499644<br />

Norwich<br />

(01603) 744544<br />

Nottingham<br />

(0115) 985 0081<br />

Oldbury<br />

(0121) 552 3355<br />

Oldham<br />

(0161) 785 9100<br />

Oxford<br />

(01865) 711323<br />

Penrith<br />

(01768) 210055<br />

Peterborough<br />

(01733) 893466<br />

Plymouth<br />

(01752) 51 10 10<br />

Poole<br />

(01202) 681681<br />

Portsmouth<br />

(023) 9238 2221<br />

Preston<br />

(01772) 620111<br />

Reading<br />

(0118) 958 4458<br />

Redditch<br />

(01527) 521933<br />

Scarborough<br />

(01723) 585200<br />

Sheffield<br />

(0114) 249 3666<br />

Shropshire<br />

(01952) 200678<br />

Slough/Heathrow<br />

(01753) 550077<br />

Southampton<br />

(023) 8033 7737<br />

Stoke<br />

(01782) 206206<br />

Swansea<br />

(01792) 310031<br />

Swindon<br />

(01793) 512500<br />

Tyne & Wear<br />

(0191) 487 9996<br />

Wakefield<br />

(01924) 365300<br />

Warrington<br />

(01925) 817501<br />

Westbury<br />

(01373) 822073<br />

Wigan<br />

(01942) 230111<br />

Wolverhampton<br />

(01902) 862000<br />

Worcester<br />

(01905) 757111<br />

York<br />

(01904) 693866<br />

Quarter 4 2008

Hooray! Your file is uploaded and ready to be published.

Saved successfully!

Ooh no, something went wrong!