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Gets a Lift from Linde
Mini
Steering Maersk Machine
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Merits Meratus contract - January 2001
Merthyr Gets
a Lift from Linde
In 1970 the
original company formally known as Henley Forklift (founded in the
Midlands in 1966) moved to a green-field site, in Blackwood. The
facility there was purpose built by the Welsh Development Agency.
During the 1970's
the company achieved three Queens awards for export achievement.
Their success as a private company led to a take-over by Lansing
Bagnall in 1976. Lansing was at that time the most successful materials
handling company in the UK.
As part of
the consolidation in the global FLT industry, Linde acquired Lansing
Bagnall in 1989. This placed Linde in an ideal position to establish
their world leadership position.
The factory
in Blackwood was now some 20 years old, and although had benefited
from limited investments during its life was not ideally suited
for modern production methods.
The Linde group
provided the opportunity to gain access into new markets through
their world-wide distribution network, this increased the volume
opportunities and also identified the need for a more technical
and sophisticated product range all of which had to be designed
and developed locally. Initially, this only required financial investment
and technical know-how. But as the new products became available,
Linde needed to look more carefully at the marketing of the Heavy
Truck products, to ensure increased demand followed. The Company
focus became one of capacity and efficiency of production.
Linde, aware
that the Blackwood facility could not provide the working environment
required were faced with a decision - where to locate this growing
business.
The manufacturing
of heavy trucks does not rely heavily on automated processes, therefore
an important factor for this type of product is to retain the knowledge
and skills inherent in its work force.
The availability
of a new factory at Merthyr Tydfil provided Linde with the basics
for the modern facility required and importantly it's additional
land area which will allow for future expansion.
With the site
acquired in mid 1999, plans for the transfer of production and personnel
began, the move was completed by the Winter of 2000.
Linde have invested
around £10 million so far during the past 15 months in the restructuring
and improvement of the Merthyr facility to bring it into line with
modern heavy truck manufacturing methods, a further investment of
£2 million is planned this year.
Linde must
also mention the excellent co-operation, which has been given by
the National Assembly of Wales and also the Welsh Development Agency,
their support was essential in securing the decision to relocate
Linde's heavy truck business to Merthyr Tydfil.
Linde also
acknowledge the assistance provided by the local Borough Council
and the efforts of Council members since the relocation.
The challenge
for Linde's Heavy Truck factory is to become the most successful
producer of heavy lift trucks and container handling machines in
the world.
Over the last
5 years volumes have grown by 60% (from 1184 to 1880 units) and
are continuing to do so. Linde, encouraged by this will continue
to invest in the infrastructure of the Merthyr Tydfil plant and
product technology.
Today the Linde
factory at Merthyr exports over 90% of the trucks produced there,
a task which is not made any easier due to the exposure to the problems
of exchange rates which remains a burden on British exporters.
Please refer
enquiries to:
Linde Heavy Truck Division Ltd.
Linde Industrial Park
Mark Timothy
Merthyr Tydfil, CF48 4LA
South Wales, Great Britain
Phone +44-1443-62-4224
Fax +44-1443-62-4302
E-mail: mark.timothy@linde-htd.com
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