A message from our CEO
Welcome to the final edition of InReach for 2024, if you are anything like me you will wonder how we have reached the end of another year already!
Before we head off for Christmas and New Year I’d like to take a few moments to reflect on 2024, what a year its been, we have seen further growth and development of all our UK businesses and divisions. We secured a further acquisition when the Ability business joined the Grant family, headed by Stephen Fisher Ability has a great team of people supporting customers in and around Sheffield. Look out in 2025 for future acquisition news.
As many people will know our core businesses focus on Materials Handling equipment, mainly fork lift trucks, 2024 has seen the market for fork lift trucks decline, especially in counterbalance, despite this we have seen our sales order intake grow, beating the trend of the market is entirely down to the performance and results of our sales teams, who could not deliver what they do without our support teams and most importantly the quality of service we provide to our customers. Whilst its always been the case that quality customer service is important, its now more important than ever, all customers have so much choice, what sets us apart is how we look after our customers, I am proud of everyone in our business who helps us maintain an incredibly high retention rate.
Moving away from the UK our parent company Aprolis Group and Monnoyeur have seen another year of development, some divisions have seen tough conditions in the market they operate, others have flourished, we all see the difficult situation that exists in so many parts of the world at the moment, despite this we are part of a group that is resilient, agile and continues to grow. Aprolis UK and all its businesses and divisions plays a part in this, we have grown this year by the highest amount of any Aprolis group countries, importantly we are growing organically and not just from acquisitions.
A major milestone this year has been the creation of the Aprolis UK Board of Directors, due to the huge increase in size of our business in recent years we need to be able to manage what is now a business of nearly 600 people, turning over around £110m, I am very much looking forward to working with the rest of the board to see how we can deliver on our plans for 2025.
I was especially pleased to see the very high take up rate to complete the employee survey, this has given us so much valuable feedback that managers can now work with, this feedback, be it positive or not is essential for us to be able to help everyone in their roles, expect to hear much more from your manager in upcoming 1-2-1’s and team meetings, I am very much expecting our managers to work with all teams to create action plans that are focussed on you and your teams, please do take an active part in this.
As I look to 2025 I see further growth and development, I see three headlines for next year, Customer; Where we will ensure we offer the best levels of service to all our customers. People; Where we will ensure we are a people focussed business, supporting each other, developing our people and always being safe. Profit; We will and must maintain the very best levels of profitability, it is this that enables us to invest, acquire, grow and develop as a business.
To wrap up, pardon the Christmas pun! I would like to thank every one of you for your hard work, dedication and commitment in 2024, you have once again shown a desire to support our customers, help each other and see our business continue on its journey to continued success. I am proud to lead this group of businesses and proud of what you all do for us, thank you
I wish you and your families an enjoyable Christmas and a happy and healthy 2025
Steve
Aprolis Updates
Employee Survey Success
I want to express my heartfelt thanks to everyone who participated in our recent Employee Survey. Your feedback is invaluable, and I’m thrilled to share that 469 employees completed the survey-representing an impressive 87.8% of all employees with three months’ service or more. This fantastic response highlights how much you care about shaping the future of Aprolis UK.
Your input will give us a clearer understanding of what we’re doing well and where we can improve. We will work closely with managers across the business to create action plans that address areas for growth and build on our strengths.
The Board, HR Team, and managers are committed to making Aprolis UK a place where people want to work, thrive, and build rewarding, long-term careers.
Thank you again for your engagement and for helping us move forward together.
Nigel Dawe – HR Director
New Grant Handling Kent Depot
We’re pleased to announce the opening of our new Kent depot, thanks to the efforts of Michael Campanella and everyone who helped bring it together. This new facility is an important investment in both the local area and our team, and we’re confident it will support our continued growth and success. A big thank you to all involved in making this happen.
Meet The Team – iDoors Solution
Meet the iDoor Solutions team – a hardworking group of engineers, planners, and leaders who keep everything running smoothly! From their General Manager, Dan, who leads the charge, to seasoned engineers across the UK, they’re a team that’s passionate about what they do.
Dan Baron – iDoor Solutions General Manager
A whopping 12 years in the Industrial Door and Dock Loading world, and a whole 12 months with us. If you spot him in the office looking a bit grumpy, it’s probably because he’s still recovering from supporting Sheffield Wednesday. But don’t worry, he’s also a proud “Cat Dad,” so at least the furball keeps him company through the tough times.
Alick Jeffery – iDoor Solutions Operations Manager
Alick is the man with the plan (or, at least, the man with his hands in everything). From initial quotes to invoicing, supply chain wizardry to ordering – if it’s happening, Alick’s probably involved. He’s been with us since the dawn of time… or at least since the early days of GHL Doors (now iDoor Solutions). And, fun fact: he now owns a brand-new knee. We’re not saying it’s a bionic upgrade, but we wouldn’t be shocked.
Mandy Carter – iDoor Solutions Service Planner
Mandy is the mastermind behind coordinating the iDoor engineers – the one who makes sure everyone knows where they need to be and when. When she’s not on the phone with engineers and customers, she’s at home cuddling her dogs or spending time with the family. If you ever need a break from the industrial door chaos, just talk dogs with Mandy – it’s a surefire stress reliever.
Kitti Baksa – iDoor Solutions Estimator
Kitti produces and chases repair and new installation quotations, and places orders with suppliers and she loves animals!
Dave Hunt – iDoor Solutions Engineer South Wales
Dave is a seasoned pro with a quarter-century of experience. He’s practically part of the furniture here, having worked across every department and project. He’s our go-to guy for Wales, the South West, and the West Midlands. When he’s not fixing doors, you’ll find him sinking shots on the pool table.
Kevin Wiltshire – iDoor Solutions Engineer South West
Kev has been a part of the iDoor family for 15 years and, alongside Dave, was one of the first engineers to join the “doors business.” Over the years, Kev has mentored nearly every door engineer at some point, sharing his vast knowledge and experience. Sadly, Kev will be retiring in January 2025 (but it’s well deserved!). He’s looking forward to spending his days fishing and, fingers crossed, watching Bristol City finally win!
Nicholas White – iDoor Solutions Engineer South West
Nick’s been around for 11 years and is a mechanical and electrical whiz with doors. He’s got a keen eye for anything that needs fixing. When he’s not saving doors from certain doom, he’s out fishing. And, for some reason, you’ll still see him wearing shorts in the winter. We’re not sure how he does it, but we respect the commitment.
Sam Smart – iDoor Solutions Engineer South West
Sam is one of the quiet, efficient ones. He goes about his business fixing and diagnosing all types of doors, with a level of professionalism we all aspire to. When he’s not doing that, he’s probably on an overseas holiday (we envy him), or hanging out with the fam.
Cameron Dawkins – iDoor Solutions Engineer South West
Cameron joined us two years ago as an apprentice and has made huge strides since then. Sadly, he’ll be moving on in January for a new adventure, and while we’re sad to see him go, we know he’s destined for big things. Cameron’s been a fantastic part of the team and will be missed.
Wayne Cook – iDoor Solutions Engineer Midlands
Wayne is your go-to guy for customers in the Midlands and South East, operating out of Northampton. When he’s not busy fixing doors, he’s either paddle boarding on a lake or dreaming of his next water adventure.
Ricki Dudley – iDoor Solutions Engineer Midlands
Ricki, the Wolverhampton Wanderers fan, supports customers across the Midlands. When he’s not fixing doors, you’ll probably find him rewatching old football matches or reminiscing about his football days (he played at a high level, folks!).
Paul Marshall – iDoor Solutions Engineer North
Paul, or “Mash,” has been in the Industrial Door game since the 90s. Based in Barnsley, Mash enjoys a cheeky weekend away whenever possible. If you ever hear about “Max and Paddy,” you’re probably hearing about Paul and his partner in crime, Darran.
Darran Laister – iDoor Solutions Engineer North
Darran, or “Daz,” is the other half of our legendary Max and Paddy duo. Starting out as an installation engineer, Daz is now a seasoned pro based in Barnsley. When he’s not fixing doors, you’ll find him in the gym or living his best life in Corfu. Lucky guy!
New Starters
Please join us in welcoming the following new staff who joined us in the last 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?
Pedal Power for a Cause: Marcus Knight Takes on the London to Brighton Off-Road Challenge
In September, Marcus took on the grueling London to Brighton off-road charity mountain bike ride, raising funds for the British Heart Foundation. Covering 64 miles (103 km) with a daunting 4,000 feet of elevation, the challenge tested even the most seasoned riders.
Despite the demanding terrain, Marcus completed the ride in an impressive 6 hours and 45 minutes, with a moving time of 5 hours and 50 minutes. His stellar performance placed him 141st out of more than 2,000 participants, while raising a remarkable £759 for the cause.
Marcus’s passion for mountain biking was rekindled during the lockdown when he took up the sport as a way to stay active. Riding five to six times a week, he clocked between 80 and 130 miles weekly. Even now, he keeps up the momentum with weekend rides and shorter spins after work.
“I loved every minute of the ride,” Marcus shared, expressing heartfelt gratitude to his Aprolis colleagues for their generous support and donations.
Already setting his sights on next year, Marcus has committed to the 2025 event, aiming to achieve a sub-5-hour moving time.
Support the Cause:
Follow Marcus’s 2025 journey and contribute to his JustGiving page.
Marcus Curtis Joins the Fight Against Blood Cancer at Copa Del Cure Leukaemia
For the past three years, Marcus has been fortunate enough to participate in the Copa Del Cure Leukaemia, a six-a-side charity football tournament held at the prestigious St. George’s Park, England’s national football training center. Even at 45, football remains his passion, and playing on a FIFA-approved 3G pitch while raising funds for such a worthy cause makes this event truly special.
The tournament supports Cure Leukaemia, a charity dedicated to finding a cure for blood cancer. Proceeds go toward the Trials Acceleration Programme (TAP), enabling clinical trials across the UK. The day’s excitement doesn’t end on the pitch — participants also enjoy an evening dinner featuring guest speakers from the world of football.
This year’s event brought fierce competition, including ex-professional players like Lee Hendrie, Marlon Harewood, Jermaine Pennant, Michael Dawson, and many others. While Marcus’s team didn’t manage to lift the trophy, they played with heart and contributed to an incredible fundraising total of over £15,000.
One personal highlight for Marcus was chatting with former Leicester City and Aston Villa winger Marc Albrighton — and, of course, snapping a photo for the memories.
Here’s to more football and more fundraising!
Festive fun all around.
🎄 A huge THANK YOU to everyone for making Christmas Jumper Day so special! 🎅
It was amazing to see everyone at Aprolis UK coming together, spreading holiday cheer, and embracing the festive spirit with such creativity. 
And our Winners Are….
Christmas Treats : Food & Drinks for all
Welcome to our festive recipe collections! As the days grow shorter and the temperatures drop, there’s no better way to settle down with the family and celebrate the season. Whether you’re visiting family, hosting a Christmas feast, or simply taking time out to relax, our recipes have a little treat for everyone.
Cheers to a season of relaxation and fun!
Holiday Cheers to Our Amazing Team
As the year draws to a close with cheer,
We celebrate the hard work, year by year.
To our staff so dedicated and bright,
Your efforts have truly shone this light.
Through every challenge, you’ve stood tall,
Together we’ve achieved, one and all.
Now as Christmas bells start to chime,
Enjoy a break — you’ve earned your time!
HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE !