A message from our CEO
Welcome to the latest edition of InReach, its been a while since the last one so we have plenty of things to share.
2024 is flying by, our businesses and divisions continue to develop, firstly I would like to welcome everyone at Ability Handling, our latest Acquisition. Based in Sheffield and led by Stephen Fisher Grant Handling acquired Ability in May and have started the process of integrating them into our business, they have been a Heli dealer for some time so they are a natural fit to the Grant business as we look to take Grant truly national.
I have received feedback that our business structure is not always clear to everyone, new names like Aprolis, Angus and Ability have meant some confusion, this was one of the reasons I had planned to do a series of communication roadshows, as I advised in my letter earlier this year, I am afraid due to time and logistics those roadshows just haven’t been able to take place, we will though take some time in this edition of InReach to explain who were are and what we are working towards, also in September we are planning 3 virtual communication sessions where everyone will be asked to join one of them and hear from me about our business, the wider group we are part of and our plans for the future.
Firstly let me start by explaining about our current structure, we effectively have two core activities, Material Handling and Industrial Solutions, if I start with Industrial solutions, this is where we are building a collection of divisions aimed at serving all our customer base, whether that is Impact, Grant or our dealer network, currently within Industrial solutions we have iDoor Solutions and Aprolis Training Solutions, we will shortly add Aprolis Tyre services, with more divisions being considered for the future. iDoors is our team of people dedicated to supporting customers with their industrial door requirements, Training solutions offers a wide range of training courses for our customers, mainly focussed around fork lift driver training.
Moving to our original and core businesses, we have Impact, the largest part of our UK group, selling predominately the CAT range of lift trucks they are supporting customers who have complex, often multi-site, requirements. Our Grant business, now with locations in Hinckley (Angus) and Sheffield (Ability) represent mainly the Heli brand and serve local customers who desire good quality local service at excellent value for money. Both Impact and Grant have a dealer network to supplement their direct locations and teams. Please note any future acquisitions will become part of either Impact or Grant, just like Angus and Ability will within Grant.
The final part of our business is Aprolis Equipment Distribution, this is where we sell to a large dealer network, Hangcha UK is the largest part here but our big truck activity selling KONE, MOL and Carer are included too, these big truck brands are also sold through our direct Impact and Grant teams.
In recent years our business has changed, in 2021 we were ourselves acquired by the Aprolis Group, we use the Aprolis UK name as the top company in the UK, all other businesses and divisions report into Aprolis UK, I often get asked if the brand Impact or Grant will become Aprolis, the answer is a clear no, we have a very clear idea of where our businesses operate and these strong names will remain. When we acquire a business we will gradually integrate them into either Impact or Grant, we do not do this in a rush, we do it to suit when we feel the time is right for our customers, employees and partners, this may be years after the initial acquisition.
Whilst the major part of our business continues to be direct, this means we directly supply and maintain equipment to the end customer, we have also grown to become the largest distributor of forklift trucks in the UK, this means we sell more trucks to dealers than anyone else in the UK.
We currently employ 535 people in the UK, our turnover is in excess of £100m and we serve thousands of customers.
Our future strategy is to continue to see further, profitable, sustainable growth, to acquire businesses that add value to our customers and us, to increase our diversification (iDoors, Training and Tyres) and finally for us to be considered a business that people want to join and remain with through their career.
Below you will find a visual representation of our businesses, you will hear more of this in upcoming local team meetings and I would ask everyone to join one of the planned virtual communication sessions, you will have the opportunity to raise questions beforehand and I will answer them in the sessions.
I hope everyone has or will have a good summer break of some sort and maybe we might just see a few days of Sun…………
Steve
Aprolis Updates
Aprolis Training Solutions
Aprolis Training Solutions was created following the acquisition of Angus. Combining Angus’s well-established training department with the trainers from Impact Handling, Aprolis Training Solutions now boasts a team of eleven seasoned trainers with decades of industry experience. They offer a wide range of training programs, including MHE Operator Training, MHE Train the Trainer, CPC Driver Training, Fire Marshal, First Aid in the Workplace, and more.
Each training program is customised to meet the specific needs of various industries, ensuring customers comply with the latest health and safety regulations.
Training can be done at the customer’s location throughout the UK or at Aprolis’s centrally located accredited facility in Leicester. Their expert instructors bring practical hands-on and classroom experience to every session.
So, while visiting customers, remember to inquire if they have any training needs! For further information, please contact Mark Whitelaw or email the team at training@aprolistrainingsolutions.co.uk.
And don’t forget we also have an Industrial Doors business. Every single one of our customers has an industrial door! – its all about adding value! https://idoorsolutions.co.uk/
Over Three Decades of Loyalty
One of Grant Handling’s longest-standing customers of over 35 years, has recently upgraded 16 of their forklifts. The new fleet includes a variety of power sources, primarily featuring a mix of 3 and 4-wheel electric trucks equipped with FTC systems and Kaup clamps. It all started with one forklift and ended with Grant Handling supplying all of their trucks and have for the past 35 years.
This customer’s loyalty to Grant Handling stems not only from the exceptional service they’ve consistently received but also from their strong relationship with Martyn Kaniecki and Mike Williams who has been their engineer for 35 years. Mike, who has been with Grant Handling for over forty years, is highly regarded by his colleagues as one of the best in the business.
It just goes to show that strong relationships play an important role in building customer loyalty.
iLead
In April, Monnoyeur introduced an innovative leadership model that embodies our group’s collective vision and objectives.
ILEAD captures Aprolis UK’s current status and our leadership aspirations. It focuses on five attitudes, each with three keywords, along with a set of skills tailored for managers and another for all employees.
Later this year, you will have the chance to attend workshops designed to equip you with the knowledge and tools to understand ILEAD and integrate it into your daily roles, making it a core part of our culture.
As we adopt ILEAD within our organisation and strive for continuous leadership improvement, everyone benefits.
Exciting New Acquisition: Welcoming Ability to Our Family!
We are thrilled to announce the acquisition of Ability, a renowned company known for its commitment to excellence and innovation in the materials handling industry. This acquisition marks a significant milestone for our company as we continue to expand and enhance our services.
History of Ability Handling
Founded in 1989 by Roger J. Hardman, Ability Handling began as a specialist in the hire, sale, and service of forklifts and sideloaders. With a focus on providing economical and reliable services, the company quickly achieved success. Starting at Parkway Market Depot, the company expanded rapidly, moving to Acres Hill Lane Depot, and later consolidating operations at Barbot Hall Industrial Estate in Rotherham. In 2015, Ability Handling acquired SEV’s Materials Handling and Electric Vehicles business, moving operations to a new facility at North Anston Trading Estate, Sheffield in 2016. A new warehouse was built in 2021 to accommodate their growing inventory of new and used machines.
Interview with Stephen Fisher, General Manager
We had the opportunity to sit down with Stephen Fisher, the General Manager of Ability Handling, to gain insight into the company’s journey and values. Stephen joined Ability Handling in 2014 to run the parts department and later became the General Manager. Under his leadership, the business has doubled its turnover and trebled its profit.
Heli Product Success
As one of the first Doosan dealers in the country, Ability Handling was initially satisfied with offering a single brand. However, over time, the Doosan product line lost its appeal. Tom Russell, from our team, persistently reached out to Stephen over a two-year period, convinced that the Heli product could bring great value to Ability Handling. One day, frustrated with Doosan, Stephen called Tom saying, “Today’s the day. Get yourself in here and let’s talk.” Following that meeting, Ability Handling purchased their first Heli products, and the rest is history.
Visit their site for more information – https://abilityhandling.co.uk/
40th Anniversary
Congratulations, John McAleney, on an incredible milestone of 40 years of dedicated service! Here’s to celebrating your remarkable journey and looking forward to many more successful years ahead.
New Starters
Please join us in welcoming the following new staff who joined us in the first six months of 2024. Together, we’ll achieve great things and continue to grow and succeed.
Aprolis UK
Congratulations on being part of our team! The whole company welcomes you, and we look forward to a successful journey with you all!
Welcome aboard!
Milestones
We are delighted to celebrate the remarkable dedication of our staff, who have reached significant long service milestones this year. Thank you for your invaluable contributions and for being an integral part of our journey. Congratulations to all on this outstanding achievement!
What have our staff been up to?
3 Peaks Challenge
For the past 5 years, I have taken on series of different challenges to raise money for charity. This year, I completed the ‘3 Peaks Challenge’ to raise money for Mind.
Starting early on a Saturday morning in Scotland, I climbed the beautiful snowy Ben Nevis. From there, I headed to Cumbria and ascended Scafell Pike in the rain and dark. Finally, I made my way to Wales to climb a very foggy Snowdon early Sunday morning.
Despite a few bruised toes, blisters, and some very sore and tired legs, I’m extremely proud to have supported and raised over £1300.
No one should have to face mental health challenges alone. If you or someone you know is struggling, there is plenty of advice and contacts available on the Mind website.
Additionally, I would like to remind everyone that we have an Employee Assistance Program through the Bupa cash plan. You can contact them for health, legal, and financial advice if needed. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to the HR team, who will be able to help and point you in the right direction.
John Harrison – Ben Nevis Conquered:
Rain, Rocks, and a Sheep Named Ronald
I completed Ben Nevis—not for charity or loved ones, but for myself. To those who doubted me and called me a fat bugger who wouldn’t even make it out of the car park, well I proved you wrong!
It rained constantly for five hours, soaking me to the bone. The climb was absolutely shattering, over rocks and loose stone. As you know, I’m no athlete, and at one point, I nearly gave in. Hats off to Nicky Leggat, who completed all three peaks in 24 hours a few weeks ago—well done. Along the way, I had the company of a little sheep who followed me for a short while along the rocky paths. I eventually named him Ronald.
There is nothing you can’t do if you put your mind to it!
Meet the team
Each issue will feature a team from our businesses so you can get to know our people.
Meet our Aprolis UK Human Resources Team!
Momina Mahmud – HR Administrator for Aprolis and Impact:
Momina handles new starter paperwork, HR documentation, employee lifecycles, BUPA healthcare, and monitoring absences. She loves shopping, especially window shopping 😊 but isn’t a fan of heatwaves ☹. She’s always ready to help with a smile!
Jessica (Jess) Miller – HR Administrator for Grant, Angus, and Ability:
Jess takes care of everything people-related, from new starter paperwork to HR documentation, employee lifecycles, and absence monitoring. She enjoys singing 😊 and dislikes mushrooms. Ask her for a tune sometime!
Tania Scalamandre – Payroll Officer:
Tania manages all things payroll for the group. She loves traveling, mainly to Europe 😊 but has a strong dislike for frogs ☹. She’s got great travel tips!
Nicky Leggat – Assistant HR Manager:
Nicky oversees all HR-related activities for the group and is also a mental health first aider. She loves her children and Nottingham Forest 😊 but dislikes rude people and climbing mountains ☹ (she’s had her fill recently). She’s your go-to for a chat about football or family and climbing mountains!
Gemmah Kelly – HR & Payroll Manager:
Gemmah supports managers with all things people and payroll-related, from recruitment to retirement. She enjoys slow weekends and a good gin & tonic 😊 but can’t stand flying ants or things with holes ☹ (trypophobia). Always up for a chat over a G&T!
Say hello to our amazing HR team!
Sip, Savor, and Sunshine: Delightful Cocktails & Mocktails
Our Summer Competition
Join our summer fun with a tale or two, whether it’s about your kids, pets, or even you! Share your funny or weird summer stories, and a photo if you can, to win a prize that’s sure to please any fan.
Our grand reward is sweet and grand, a gift box of Lindt & Ferrero chocolates, the best in the land!
Email your stories / pictures to – inreach@aprolisuk.co.uk
Quote of the day
“Rest is not idleness, and to lie sometimes on the grass under the trees on a summer’s day, listening to the murmur of water, or watching the clouds float across the blue sky, is by no means waste of time.”
HAVE A GREAT SUMMER!