Be my Guest… Andy Allen
Andy Allen, director of Hoist and Winch, recently completed a project for a large distillery in Firth, Scotland, and tells us why he is looking forward to attending LiftEx 20234, Olympia West in London.
Partnering with Italkrane, Hoist and Winch installed three ATEX-rated YY series electric chain hoists now operational in a new extension at the distillery, with 2-ton SWL (Safe Working Load) hoists, which raise and lower sealed vessel lids and baskets containing raw materials used in the production of gin.
Among the challenges of the project were restrictions in the height of the building due to local planning laws. Only limited headroom is available for lifting operations over the vessels. The ATEX specification of the hoists is necessary due to the vapours and fumes produced in the manufacture of alcohol-based products.
“We got a project to install three explosion proof electric chain hoists, which we sourced from Italy. The selection of Italkrane was partly to do with delivery. They were able to offer us a 12-to-14-week lead time, which was within the requirements of the customer and the other issue was headroom as it had a very tight headroom in that building. Other products on the market, which were available in a similar lead time, couldn't achieve that headroom so we went with Italkcrane and it's worked very well,” said Allen.
“Hoist and Winch is finding more requests in niche projects such as this one. That's really where we're focused. We're finding smaller value equipment is very price driven. There is a lot of competition in the market with e-commerce, where smaller end chain hoists are being sold online, which makes it difficult for us to make a reasonable margin.
“So, our focus is project work. For example, we recently worked with Warwick Castle to supply a Hadef electric winch with 1500kg pulling force for its ‘Legend of the Trebuchet’ show, recreating medieval warfare using an ancient trebuchet to catapult projectiles from a sling. We also supplied and installed a 7 1/2 ton lifting beam for Berkeley homes, which was fixed to the concrete ceiling of the plant room in a new block of flats in London.”
Allen is no stranger to LEEA and first joined the association when he worked for JD Neuhaus as director of their UK Operations for 10 years.
“From a training point of view being a member of LEEA is fantastic. It also helps to raise the profile of a company. Hoist and Winch has been a member for three years now, and we will be attending LiftEx in London Olympia this year to see if there's any new products on the market and for the networking opportunities,” he added.
“We’ve been in the industry for a long time now. So, we know a lot of people that we see infrequently. It's a good opportunity to meet up with old friends and contacts and just see where we are and maybe do a bit more with them in the future.
“Next the company is hoping to raise its profile and focus on more project work. We also do quite a lot of export business which accounts for about 25% of our turnover. That's something we'd like to do more of. It broadens our horizons and raises awareness of the company, not just in the UK but overseas as well.
“Hoist and Winch exports to the Middle East, South America, the Eastern Block countries, Western Europe and Australia.
“There are no limits on exports, but we do find it can be driven by the exchange rate so when the pound is weak, we do better. It's quite a price sensitive market, particularly if you're dealing with a third party because there's somebody else's margin to cover as well as your own. but yes, it's something we'd like to do a lot more of. We went to Dubai last year and that's a booming market. It's quite different to the UK. So that's one benefit of overseas, it's a different mindset and there are different states of progress to the UK.”
Click HERE to watch the video on LEEA YouTube channel.
For more information about LiftEx 2024 visit https://events.leeaint.com/liftex-london-2024
