Hyundai Heavy Industries Europe originally started in Rotterdam, 21 years ago. It began as the European distributor of Hyundai excavators and wheel loaders, and later on forklifts and warehouse equipment were added to the product portfolio. Nowadays, the trucks arrive in Antwerp port at the Hyundai PDI Centre and move from there to dealers and customers all over Europe. The commercial and technical support is organised from Geel in Antwerp. Over the past few years, additional offices have been established in the UK, Germany and France to support the local key markets, backed by strong local dealer networks.
Hyundai Heavy Industries’ PDI Centre covers an area of 2,300 acres. On this vast compound HHI operates various business lines -Shipbuilding, Engine & Machinery, Offshore & Engineering, Industrial Plant & Engineering, Electro Electric Systems, Construction Equipment and Green Energy. Backed by the technology and experience acquired over 40 years, HHI has evolved to the multi-disciplined and modern company that it is today with streamlined facilities and highly skilled workforce.
Through its global management Hyundai Heavy Industries is very alert to the continuous changes that characterise the world economy. After years of robust business in China by the Construction Equipment Division and Electro Electric Systems Division, HHI is now also making progress in the other BRIC economies by securing a head start advantage through the expansion of production facilities, R&D centres and subsidiaries. With the existing strategic footholds in Asia, Europe, the Middle East, Africa and the United States, the global management keeps the head office in touch with today’s trends in order to determine its business strategy for the future.
Michel de Weert is Hyundai Heavy Industries European Sales Manager, Forklifts and responsible for sales in the UK. The two main Hyundai materials handling equipment dealers here are Eurotrucks Direct (South), the UK importer for the last eight years, and Acclaim Handling, which has recently joined.
Brian Hamblin, Managing Director of Eurotrucks Direct (South), spoke to Warehouse & Logistics News.
Warehouse & Logistics News – First of all, Brian, can you tell us about the product range and the service you provide?
The Hyundai range of materials handling equipment is very diverse indeed, with over 100 counterbalance models and up to 40 warehousing trucks.
Eurotrucks Direct (South) Ltd began marketing the Hyundai products back in 2004. In those early days the range was somewhat limited, with electric and LPG models available up to 3 tonne only, whilst the diesel–II range was limited to 4.5 tonne. Although all of these models were very reliable, workmanlike machines the relatively small range certainly limited our market potential. Today we can offer prospective clients and existing customers a vast array of trucks, with electric and LPG counterbalance units up to 5 tonne capacity and the diesel range from 1.5 tonne capacity right through to 25 tonne.
WLN – Where are you based?
Eurotrucks Direct (South) Ltd currently operate from Chichester and Ford in West Sussex. The company provides sales, hire and service support of all materials handling equipment. Although predominantly a Hyundai supplier, the company will provide products not available from the Hyundai range such as Dambach and Atlet warehousing equipment, and of course the Narrow Aisle articulated trucks. We also supply a wide range of access equipment, together with the normal array of accessories and attachments associated with the materials handling industry. Working together with Spaceway Group, ETDS plan and design warehouse installations and included within our broad customer base are such household brands as Fat Face, Furuno and Philips Electronics, the company also provides short term hire equipment and maintenance support to several defence contractors based on the South coast.
WLN – How are you organised to look after customers’ needs?
Our day-to-day operations in respect of our end user customers are managed by our administration and service departments. Our Hyundai dealers obviously look after their own customer base, with Eurotrucks providing sales, spares and technical support whenever required. I myself am from a sales background and still very much enjoy front of house customer contact. I am directly involved in solution development for our trade customers, local dealers, and of course our own end-user clients.
WLN – When was ETDs founded?
The company was founded in 2004 by myself and our two other directors. All the founding members remain with the company, with myself being responsible for the day-to-day activities and the major shareholder.
WLN – How do you sum up the Hyundai trucks proposition?
For us, the long association with Hyundai Heavy Industries has proven very successful, and over the years we have witnessed continual product improvement in terms of design and build quality. With Hyundai expanding into the warehouse and large truck sectors, together with their continual range development, we would predict substantial growth from both the dealer network and the larger fleet user.
WLN – What do you bring to the table for the customer?
In short, we make the procurement process as easy as possible. Working with our specialist trade partners, Eurotrucks Direct (South) Ltd will oversee a project from conception to completion, leaving the customer free to concentrate on their core business. Having imported the Hyundai product for eight years, we have a wealth of experience and technical knowledge of this global manufacturer. We provide the correct advice and appropriate equipment for the task. Any potential customer can proceed with confidence in the knowledge that materials handling installations provided by ETDs will be professionally supported by ourselves and the relevant manufacturer throughout the life term of the equipment.
WLN – What will you be presenting at IMHX?
On the Hyundai stand at IHMX 2013 we will be presenting both warehousing and counterbalance products, including a 5.0 tonne electric counterbalance and the popular 1.6 tonne four wheel electric. I feel that the 80D-7E will create much interest, with its excellently appointed ergonomically designed tilting cabin. Also on display will be Hyundai’s recently launched 24V BTR-9 three-wheel counterbalance. Available in 1.0, 1.3 & 1.5 tonne capacity, these compact lift trucks are AC powered and incorporate such features as fingertip controls and integrated sideshift.
The truck further benefits from being equipped with a wide opening side door in order to facilitate safe and efficient battery removal/replacement. For the first time in the UK we will display the 250D-7E. Designed for the heavy truck market this machine is too large to be accommodated within the halls, but will provide an interesting attraction in a prominent position outside the main entrance.
WLN – How important are shows like IMHX to your company and its strategy?
International exhibitions such as IMHX are very important indeed. Eurotrucks Direct (South) Ltd pursues a strategy to market the Hyundai product direct to the end user in the South of England and via the dealer network throughout the rest of the country. IHMX provides an excellent opportunity for our company to display new Hyundai products to the trade and industry alike. Although activity on the stand can be somewhat exhausting, I find that customers and our colleagues in the trade revel in the experience and come away having had not only an informative day out, but a most enjoyable one.
WLN – Looking at the wider picture, what do you see as the biggest pressures on users of materials handling equipment?
I suppose little changes, in some respects. What with continued pressure on margins, a general reluctance from our colleagues in the finance industry and with what seems to be an endless stream of legislation heaped upon us directors and management, SMEs undoubtedly do feel the pressure.
As material handling equipment suppliers we can at least alleviate pressure within the supply chain process. Demands placed on our customers by their customers are critical, and any failure on our part to supply appropriate goods or service could severely damage our customers’ delivery commitments. In a process driven industry, materials handling equipment reliability is such an important factor.
WLN – Finally, where do you see the UK materials handling equipment market, Hyundai and yourselves going from here?
I feel that the UK market will continue to recover in 2013, albeit perhaps not as quickly as may have been originally predicted. We are confident that the market place for a global brand such as Hyundai will continue to grow.
Given the excellent range of innovative products we have to offer, together with total commitment of our dealers, we can only look to 2013 and beyond with great enthusiasm. In addition to introducing new products, our principal supplier Hyundai Heavy Industries Europe are working hard to develop a stronger dealer network throughout the UK. Companies such as Acclaim Handling are now on board, and we are particularly looking forward to working together with David Woods and the team. Established some 30 years ago and with several outlets throughout the home counties, Acclaim has recently been appointed to augment sales and marketing via some of their own selected depots. I feel this welcome appointment to be further proof of the confidence and commitment displayed by Hyundai Heavy Industries to our very important UK market.
Tel: 01243 788415
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