AI Issue 4 2017

Acquisition International - April 2017 29 2017 UK Business Elite Awards winner is Armill Lift Trucks, a company that started in 1991 as a family business with Peter and Ann Millar servicing and repairing forklift trucks, who we invited to tell us more about their story following their recent achievement of the UK Business Elite in the Business Sector award (2017 UK Business Elite Awards). n 1995 Gary Millar joined in the role of salesperson and the company took off, primarily selling used forklifts and offering short and long term hire of the same. After a number of dealerships over the years, Armill moved twice into large premises then in 2014 were appointed the prestigious Jungheinrich partnership. Year on year Armill have been the number one partner - hitting every target set and being awarded Partner of the Year for 2015 and 2016. Being awarded the 2017 UK Business Elite Award is a great feeling to be recognised. The recognition illustrates to all of Armill staff that we are doing something right and are being rewarded for it. Company: Armill Lift Trucks Ltd Name: Gary Millar Email: [email protected] Web: www.armill.co.uk Address: 3a Crittall Drive Springwood Industrial Estate, Braintree, Essex CM7 2RT Phone: +44 (0)1376 552 135 The Right Truck for the Right Job I 1704AI31 Armill specialises in the area of new and used forklift trucks, being the dealer partner for the Jungheinrich range of forklifts. Whether if it is an outright purchase or short and long term hire, we offer the full package. In addition - Armill operate a fleet of mobile service engineers to carry out servicing and repairs - to all makes and models of forklift truck and material handling equipment. The reason I think Armill is successful is we offer our customers unbiased advice and supply the right truck for the right job. Quite often in our industry, the sales person offers the customer an exact replacement or what the customer thinks they require, however often after a full site survey and discussion where there is more than one option available. We also offer our customers a fast response and direct contact with the owners and directors of the company who can make instant decisions. Armill’s customer base is very diverse from one truck to multi truck users, indeed we offer the new range of Jungheinrich forklift trucks as well as some of the best refurbished forklift trucks in the industry. We obtain our custom via word of mouth, referrals and by direct marketing. Armills team of sales, service and admin staff all contribute to our success, indeed we all work as a team supporting each other and picking up any slack. It is not uncommon for senior staff members to muck in and assist in the workshop during our busy periods. When structuring new presentations for prospective customers, each department has an input to make sure we offer our customers the full package and ensure a smooth-running contract. Armills future plans are to continue our growth with Jungheinrich and increase our new truck portfolio. The challenges we face today is recruiting new engineers, as the industry has a lack of young trainees coming through, however this is being addressed with apprenticeship schemes and training programmes. Also, quality used equipment is proving harder to locate, but this in turn is forcing a company like Armill to upgrade their own trucks earlier to new, so in turn releasing our own trucks into our used truck programme. The Right Truck for the Right Job