In the pipeline - Pirtek UK
In the pipeline - Pirtek UK
In the pipeline - Pirtek UK
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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 />
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Quarter 4 2008