Atlet Ltd is the UK subsidiary of Atlet Ab, the Gothenburg based, Swedish manufacturer of MHE.
Trading in the UK for over 35 years, Atlet Ltd has earned the enviable reputation for providing high quality products and class leading service support.
The business is built around the philosophy that “Atlet improves the profitability of it’s customers materials handling operation” which ensures their customers benefit from a business partnership that focuses on implementing operational efficiencies and maximising up-time.
The expectation is that Swedish design creates products that are ergonomic and user friendly whilst also maintaining the country’s reputation for protecting the environment. Atlet deliver all these things – and you can learn more by visiting www.atlet.co.uk
Warehouse & Logistics News – What does your job involve day to day? Has your role changed since last year?
No dramatic changes – communication and ensuring that our customers are happy are always top of the list. Don’t forget that my co-MD, Mark Gibb, does all the proper work round here!
W&LN – 2011: how was it for you and Atlet?
It has actually been a good year for us, with an over-budget Company performance and real growth in some areas. Of course, like all other businesses, we have had to keep a very close control on costs and become more efficient in most areas – never easy when, at the same time, we are always trying to improve the level of service we give!
W&LN – What is your particular proposition for customers in the warehouse & logistics sector? Has that changed since last year?
We remain faithful to our culture and philosophy developed over many years – a focus on giving advice on improving customers’ handling operations and cutting costs, state of the art trucks and exceptional after-sales service.
W&LN – How has the Warehouse Trucks sector been performing in 2011? What do you see as the most important recent developments in the sector?
Of course, the market has been expanding but it is still only at the sort of levels that we saw back in 1999/2000. We have seen some large fleet replacements in the Distribution sector that have been postponed from previous years, which may indicate a “false” rise in the volumes and who knows whether this expansion will continue into 2012.
W&LN – Have you moved into any new business areas during 2011?
Our strength has always been in the hard working Distribution sector and we have continued to develop new accounts in this area during 2011.
W&LN – Has your company grown in the last 12 months?
We have seen a modest but significant growth in unit volumes and turnover.
W&LN – Have you been investing in improving your premises, taking on more staff, upgrading your website, enhancing your IT etc in 2011?
We have a completely new website this year and have recruited new salesmen to facilitate future expansion. Significantly, we are in the process of taking on some new apprentices in our Service Division as we have seen some positive results from the ones that we employed in 2010.
W&LN – How are your existing products and services doing?
We introduced a complete new range of Reach Trucks this year which gives us an extremely modern and competitive line up of Warehouse & Counterbalance trucks.
W&LN – Have you launched any new products or services in 2011? What are they, and how are they performing?
This year’s new reach Truck range is doing extremely well and has opened up both ends of the spectrum in this, highly competitive, sector. We now have a smaller truck for less intensive operations and, at the top end, a market-leading capacity of 1550kg to 12.1m.
W&LN – What’s been your company’s single biggest achievement in business this year
Improving profitability and growth in a very difficult financial climate.
W&LN – If your company had to go through 2011 again, what would you do differently?
Very little.
W&LN – Do you operate in any other countries besides the UK? How are you getting on there? Have you gone into any new countries in 2011?
The Atlet Group operates worldwide but its main market is in Europe. Like Atlet UK, most of the subsidiaries have increased sales in 2011 and the Group will exceed budget for the full year.
W&LN – Have you won any awards in 2011, or been accredited to any new industry standards during this time?
Frankly, we are not into competing for (what we perceive to be) rather hollow and superficial industry awards! Controversial, I know, but that is the way we see it.
W&LN – Which industry sectors are your customers in? What applications do people use your products/services for?
Mainly the Distribution sector and often where the is a requirement for trucks that will work 24/7. Our expertise is in understanding the needs of this type of customer, producing equipment that will work cost effectively in these demanding environments and providing the service support to ensure that they do!
W&LN – Do you sell your products direct or through distributors? Has that strategy changed in the last year?
Our policy is the be a direct sales & service supplier. This means that we have the depth of support, training and knowledge that only a manufacturer can provide – plus give the same level of service nationally through our own employees.
W&LN – How does your forward order book compare with a year ago? What about the waiting list for your (products) compare with a year ago?
We will be going into 2012 with a very healthy backlog and, although lead times lengthened a little over the summer, production has been increased and we are back to normal now. Bear in mind that every truck that Atlet produce is made to order and, in some way customised for that specific customer, our delivery times are very competitive with the rest of the industry – and generally more accurate!
W&LN – Which trade shows did you exhibit at in 2011? How were they?
We didn’t! That was part of our lean expenditure this year and we don’t feel that we have suffered from it in any way. That is not to say that we won’t be attending exhibitions in the future, in fact I would say that we most certainly will be.
W&LN – As the Christmas period is traditionally the busiest time of year for the UK warehousing and logistics industry, what challenges has your company been facing?
Ensuring that we have enough Short Term Hire trucks to meet the seasonal demand – we believe that we have.
W&LN – As a company, what are your new year’s resolutions for 2012?
Continue to do what we do best and don’t have ambitions to be something that we are not – if that makes sense.
W&LN – What are your plans for 2012?
Controlled expansion.
W&LN – Where do you see your company in three years’ time?
Around 15% larger than we are now and with a bigger presence in the Retail Distribution sector.
W&LN – And finally, what would you like Father Christmas to bring your company in 2012?!
Economic stability in the UK.
Atlet Ltd
Tel: 01844 215501
Email: sales@atlet.co.uk
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