The year 2007-08 has been the most successful year ever for KNAPP, with the group enjoying its largest intake in order volume to date. New branches have also been opened in emerging markets and the group’s total number of employees has reached 1500 worldwide. As part of this growth, KNAPP has won its largest ever contract, placed by a leading US health and beauty company. The project, to be installed during 2008, is managed by KNAPP’s Integrated Projects division, based in Graz, Austria.
Developments in KNAPP UK as growth continues
From its beginnings 11 years ago as a one-man sales operation, KNAPP UK has grown to its current size of around 50 employees. The firm’s former HQ in Maidstone, Kent, proved too small to cope with the company’s growth, so the company moved to new UK headquarters in Long Crendon, near Aylesbury, at the end of last year. The move has meant that KNAPP UK can not only accommodate its expanded sales and administration functions, but also incorporate a workshop and parts storage facility, allowing the company to expand its comprehensive customer support services for UK installations.
New Managing Director appointed
As part of a long-planned succession process, Mike Cogger – who founded KNAPP in the UK in 1997 – has passed the Managing Director’s role to David James, who has been with the company for two years as Business Development Director. Says Mike Cogger, “It is important for any company to have a smooth changeover at the helm. I am pleased that David joined us in 2006, as it has made this process of transition smooth and seamless. I am convinced that David will take the company further forward, with many new initiatives coming very soon.” David James took over as MD from April 2008 and, until his planned retirement in 2009, Mike Cogger will take on the role of Director of Business Development. Says David James, “I’m really excited to be heading up this dynamic company during this period of rapid growth. We have all been working very closely together as a team for the past two years and I’m fortunate to be able to continue to call on Mike’s experience and support in the coming year.”
Sales and service operations merged
With its customer support business having grown impressively over the past three years, KNAPP UK has decided to consolidate the company structure by merging its service operation into the UK parent to form one company: KNAPP UK. Says David James, “It’s a more elegant solution – both financially and operationally – and there will now be just one point of contact for clients. It simplifies our structure, and also underlines the importance of customer support to our future success. I am determined that we will continue to provide an excellent service to our customers so that they, in turn, can do the same for theirs.”
KNAPP UK Ltd designs, supplies and maintains automated logistics systems and software. The company specialises in order fulfilment solutions featuring intelligent conveyor systems, sorters, A-frames, mini-cranes and handling robots. Paperless picking – including RF picking, pick-by-light and voice-directed picking – is a particular specialism and integration of handling equipment and software is a key strength of all KNAPP solutions. The company offers its own powerful WMS and also integrates its logistics equipment with WMS products from other suppliers. KNAPP UK Ltd is a subsidiary of KNAPP AG – headquartered in Graz, Austria – and the group is active in all the main European markets as well as in North and South America. The group has a turnover of some 200 million Euros and employs 1,500 people worldwide. During the last 10 years, the group has supplied over 600 handling installations for more than 300 customers around the globe including Clarks Shoes, Avon, John Lewis Partnership, Tiffany, QVC, TEN, Ocado, Office Depot, British Gas, Muller, Siemens, L’Oréal, Sony, Unichem, Wella and Yves Rocher.
KNAPP UK Ltd
Mr David James, Managing Director
Tel: 01844 202149
E-mail: david.james@knapp.com
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