Windsor Materials Handling has been awarded a nationwide contract for the maintenance of materials handling and access equipment for food services business, Brakes Group.
The deal, covering over 300 units of predominantly warehousing equipment, will also include the provision of specialist hire equipment for use at any of Brakes 80+ UK locations.
Windsor’s strategy of developing local expertise and infrastructure was seen by Brakes as a major benefit to the business, which has a mix of national distribution centres and local produce centres.
“It is great news for us to be working with such a prestigious nationwide company,” says Windsor director, Jason Reynolds. “We’ve worked hard at a number of Brakes sites to develop a good understanding of the operation and it is testament to our growing capabilities that Brakes have shown their faith in us.”
With a turnover of £3bn, Brakes Group is a leading supplier to the foodservice industry in the UK, Ireland, France and Sweden. The group comprises a family of specialist businesses which are able to deliver everything the caterer needs, including their very successful own brand ranges developed specifically for chefs.
Group engineering manager, Ian Hunt, oversees the logistics operation and praised Windsor for their local knowledge and expertise.
Said Ian: “We have a mixed fleet in multi-temperature environments, so it can be demanding on equipment. We need a partner that can be relied upon and sees the importance of keeping us working 24/7. Happily, Windsor has delivered a comprehensive service and we are confident in their abilities to help us to improve our operations in future.”
Windsor acquired the Essex-based Ambassador Lift Trucks business in 2014 and recently opened a new branch in Slough to service new customers in the South.
“We are growing nationally,” adds Jason, “but we are very much a local business. We take pride in having local service managers who can deal with technical issues, whilst retaining the ability to manage the account nationally, reporting on KPIs, costs and breakdowns.”
The materials handling business has also expanded into providing a wider range of equipment, such as Kalmar forklifts, Aislemaster VNA and Baumann sideloaders, as a result of more customers requiring a single supplier solution.
“Customers like consistency,” concludes Jason. “We have a lot of experience in the supply of ancillary equipment such as access platforms, shunting tractors, heavy trucks, warehouse cleaning equipment. We’re able to maintain a varied range of kit and we place customer service above all else. It’s the sort of approach that multi-site operators appreciate, and we are delighted it is working well for both Brakes and ourselves.”
Windsor operates from 11 local branches across the UK, offering materials handling and access equipment, for sale, hire and maintenance. Established in 1977, the business is now the UK’s leading independent supplier of Komatsu and Doosan forklifts, Atlet warehousing and JLG access equipment.
