TVH is a global supplier with customers in over 170 countries. TVH has two business units: Parts & Accessories (TVH Parts) and Equipment (TVH Equipment). TVH Equipment is a specialist in new and second-hand lift trucks and aerial work platforms. TVH Parts is your all-round supplier of quality parts and accessories for material handling, industrial vehicles and agricultural equipment, and offers a fast delivery thanks to an extensive stock.
The first TVH representatives started their activities in the UK in 1990. The incorporation of TVH UK Ltd took place back in 1999. Our Coventry-based office and warehouse provide us with a local presence, which offers our customers the extra benefit of locally held stock.
Stephen Smallbone, General Manager at TVH UK Ltd, speaks to Warehouse News about the forthcoming IMHX exhibition.
Warehouse & Logistics News – First of all, Stephen, as General Manager of TVH UK Ltd, what is your role in the company from day to day?
Managing and being part of a fantastic team both in the UK and in Belgium where all colleagues are constantly exceeding targets and expectations. This very successful team always strives to give the highest levels of service to all our customers.
WLN – Can you talk us through the different products and services TVH provides?
Besides the extensive range of new replacement parts for material handling, industrial and agricultural equipment, we are continuously expanding our range of high-quality service exchange and reconditioned items. We now also offer short- and long-term rental, service and aftersales service for attachments, thanks to the full integration of Rentaclamp into TVH UK Ltd.
WLN – What kinds of businesses in what industry sectors are your solutions aimed at? What specific needs do they target?
Our customers are active in a lot of different segments of the material handling, industrial and agricultural equipment industry. TVH keeps growing in the parts industry thanks to several acquisitions in 2015 and 2016 with activities in several different markets. We commit ourselves to maximising customer satisfaction by offering each customer the right product at the right price with the guaranteed best service.
WLN – When was your business established? Who owns the company now? Which other countries do you operate in besides the UK?
We took our first steps in 1969 when Paul Thermote and Paul Vanhalst began servicing and selling agricultural machinery, construction machinery and forklift trucks. TVH Group has now grown into a group of companies with a long, rich history, built for and by people. No matter how large the group is, our eye for customers’ needs and expectations will continue to be the guiding principle in all our activities. Our seven main divisions give us a global presence: TVH Parts Americas, TVH Parts International, Bepco, TVH Equipment, Gunco, Mateco and Emerging Markets.
WLN – What sets your company apart as a supplier in your sector? Why should busy professionals from the warehouse and logistics industry take time out to visit your stand at IMHX? What is your overall message to visitors?
TVH always strives for operational excellence through continuous measured improvements and innovative business practices in our segment of the industry. The company remains fully focused on delighting its customers and business partners. TVH is committed to providing a true one-stop shop experience.
WLN – What will visitors be able to see on your stand at this year’s show? Which of your core products and solutions are you presenting? Are you launching anything new at IMHX?
One of the main highlights at IMHX will be to present the possibility for us to offer short- and long-term rental together with full after-sales service for attachments, either at the customer’s premises or in our workshop. Also our range of replacement parts for tail lifts has grown considerably, compared to our last attendance. Another major must-see will be the constant development and strengthening of our online ordering facility. We are constantly updating and expanding MyTotalSource, our webshop for spare parts and accessories, where you can request offers and place orders online, 24/7. A new asset in this area definitely is our MyTotalSource app. This app allows you not only to place inquiries, consult your quote history but also offers you a scan to order option. It is fast, easy to use and available wherever you are, and will be demonstrated on the stand. A few extra interesting special offers and demonstrations will be revealed at the show.
WLN – Is this your first time exhibiting at IMHX? If you’ve been there before, what are you doing that’s different to last time?
TVH has attended all previous editions of IMHX. This year again, a number of new products and services will be introduced to the visitors. And as usual we would like to make our customers and future customers feel very welcome and confident that TVH is the right company to deal with.
WLN – The last IMHX was in 2013. How have your customers’ needs changed since then? What are the biggest pressures your clients face these days? How are you addressing these?
Our clients’ needs have not really changed since 2013. They still need the right part at the right price and available for next-day delivery. The biggest pressure facing our clients is recruiting skilled engineers. Today’s equipment is all about the use of modern technology. This creates a constant need for highly trained engineers. To help in this area TVH will continue investing in engineer training.
WLN – Can you tell us about your major customer contract wins in the last three years? Do these represent new development areas for your company?
It is not really about new or major customers in isolation, it is about new customers in new and developing markets. We have enjoyed fantastic growth in material handling, industrial equipment and agricultural parts supply in the last three years.
New products, new markets and new customers will continue to be our focus in the coming years.
WLN – How do your products and solutions address today’s increased emphasis on safety and environmental impact in warehousing and logistics? Will you be highlighting this aspect of your offering at the show?
We offer a very extensive range of safety products to meet the current requirements, safety products that can be used on all markets. From personal safety products to warehouse protection, machinery protection to environmental protection, the full range is available. Another thing that is very much related to safety is quality.
That is why we put a clear focus on both corrective and preventive actions with regard to products and processes.
Our supplier rating is based on product quality, packaging of goods and overall reliability. Professional high-quality testing and measuring devices are very important both for us and our customers.
We can tell you that 48% of our yearly energy consumption is produced in a sustainable way through sustainable mobility and waste management but also thanks to a roof surface of 70,000m² covered with solar panels.
WLN – Thanks to technology, suppliers to this industry are getting much faster with their responses to customer enquiries. How soon after IMHX can visitors to your stand expect to receive a ‘live’ quote for using your solutions in their businesses?
We like to thank our visitors via email within the shortest period of time following the exhibition. And then the personal contact either via phone or a visit by one of our nine area sales managers is very important for us.
WLN – And finally, it’s three years to the next IMHX. Where do you see your market sector and your company going in that time?
TVH Group is continually expanding into different areas and investing in quality and people in order to be able to offer a service that meets our customers’ requirements. We will continue to follow that road in the future.
02476 585 000
TVH UK LTD
tvhgroup
@TVHgroup
Comments are closed.