Decision to focus on retail reaps rewards for Easilift Loading

The Huddersfield-based loading bay specialist expects to create 14 new jobs this year in sales, engineering and project planning roles to help meet rising demand driven by the UK retail industry.

Easilift employs 60 people and last year had a turnover of £20m, which included a £6m installation contract at Tesco’s grocery distribution centre in Daventry.

Edward Kelly, 68, founded the business in Golcar in 1976 and moved it to Kirkburton in 1980. The new site is half a mile away. Mr Kelly was guest of honour at the official opening.

He merged the Easilift business in 1993 with Netherlands-based multi-national logistics specialists, Loading Systems Group, whose founder Dick Van Wijk, also attended yesterday.

Rob Fay, managing director of Easilift, said: “We were delighted to reunite Edward and Dick, the architects of Easilift Loading Systems’ success both at home and abroad, as we showcase the new home for our UK business.”

The new head office features an open-plan sales, projects and design office, a state-of-the-art conference room and a service department.

Mr Fay told the Yorkshire Post: “We have seen rapid growth due to our focus on the retail sector, a decision we took in 2007.

“While most businesses have shrunk, we have grown.”

The company has channelled profits into the group’s manufacturing operations in the Netherlands, helping to finance a three million euro investment in a new production hall, robot technology and laser cutters.

Easilift contributes around a third of group turnover through its contracts in the UK retail sector and with other blue chip customers. Two thirds of sales come from repeat business in retail.

The group, owned by Dutch holding company Rohaka, has eight offices across Europe.

Mr Fay said the trading environment is “tough, but if you focus your sales strategy on where realistic opportunities exist it becomes a much easier task. We have prospered due to our decision to focus on retail”.

The 43-year-old businessman became MD two years ago after six years as a director with the company. He said: “It’s been a challenge, but very rewarding at the same time.

“We see change as a challenge and not as a threat. I have good management around me.”

The company said that it plans several major product launches in the coming year.

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