Following the merger between AL-KO Kober Vehicle Technology Division and Dexter Axle at the beginning of 2016 – and in a move that consolidates the UK businesses – AL-KO Kober Limited has announced the relocation and integration of the recently-acquired Bradley Doublelock business into the company’s UK headquarters in Southam, Warwickshire. The relocation is part of a group-wide review of the Yorkshire-based business and includes all sales and manufacturing departments.
Commenting for AL-KO Kober, a spokesman says: “A significant amount of work has already been done to re-energise the Bradley and Dixon Bate brands and product ranges since AL-KO Kober acquired the company in 2014 and this move has been designed to further strengthen the organisation. It will ensure that both AL-KO Kober and Bradley Doublelock provide the best range of heavy-duty towing and trailer equipment and vehicle chassis solutions available in the market; and the restructuring within the business also ensures that both brands continues to lead the industry.”
The move to integrate the Bradley business and the manufacture of the diverse product range into the plant in Southam will enable long standing customer relationships to continue, whilst improving the efficiency of supply of products that have led the trailer and towing components market for decades.
The company has also completed a product rationalisation program that identifies similar products across the ranges from both companies. Where possible, this has led to a refinement in the products being offered and opened up the wider availability of components to both Bradley and AL-KO customers.
“Meeting buyers expectations for service, deliveries and ensuring our customers get what they need, when they need it has been a major objective throughout the project. To meet this, we have put in place supplier relationships with wholesalers to hold stocks of the frequently ordered ranges to improve and maintain consistent delivery lead times to original equipment manufacturers, trailer and towing components outlets and end users.”
The Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland territories will continue to be supported by the sales and distribution office based in Athlone, County Westmeath. This facility will continue to stock, supply and support both AL-KO and Bradley ranges of trailer and towing components and assume responsibility for customers in Ireland.
Order and logistics management have already been relocated to AL-KO Kober’s Warwickshire headquarters and, whilst manufacturing of numerous of Bradley Doublelock products is still ongoing and supplied from Bingley in West Yorkshire, the relocation of machinery and production to Southam is expected to be completed by the end of 2016.
“This is a great opportunity to reinforce both brands to customers of Bradley and AL-KO products alike. It’s also an opportunity to demonstrate that the UK’s market-leading towing and trailer components will be more widely available and the ranges being delivered more efficiently and with greater manufacturer support.”
Gloucestershire-based Arc Energy Resources, the weld overlay cladding and fabrication specialist, has acquired precision machining company CLG Engineering, based in Stonehouse, Gloucestershire.
Arc Energy Resources provides corrosion-resistant weld overlay cladding services to a variety of clients in industry sectors ranging from oil and gas to defence, power generation, petrochemical, water and nuclear. Its versatile processes provide a practical combination of readily-available, cost-effective base materials and corrosion-resistant alloys to protect any critical area, providing cost savings and reductions in lead times. Its fabrication department holds ASME U and U2 Stamps, and manufactures radiographic-quality specialist equipment, including pressure vessels, spools, pig launchers, wellhead equipment and nuclear devices.
CLG Engineering provides CNC milling, CNC turning and assembly services to, amongst others, the oil and gas, automotive and rail industries. Certified to ISO 9001, and with over 40 years’ engineering experience, its knowledgeable team can produce parts from 25mm to 1.25 metres in length, and up to 18” diameter, within tight tolerances.
The acquisition means that Arc Energy Resources’ 80 employees are supplemented by CLG Engineering’s 14, to create a stronger team with a wider mix of skills. Both companies are supported by teams of experienced project managers, inspectors and welding engineers, with access to a wide range of auxiliary processes in-house, including heat treatment, NDT and CMM inspection.
Commenting on behalf of both companies, group managing director Andrew Robinson, says: “This is a fantastic opportunity for both companies. CLG Engineering’s precision machining capability perfectly complements Arc Energy Resources’ cladding and fabrication offering.
“The group structure enables us to offer a one-stop-shop for all our clients’ engineering requirements, from design and material supply through to welding, cladding, machining, NDT, pressure testing, surface finishing and project management.”
He goes on to say that the cultures of the two companies are highly compatible, from a focus on quality, attention to detail and customer service, to the way they treat their staff. “I have great plans for the future growth of the group, and am looking forward to supporting our clients on new and larger projects.” says Andrew.
Arc Energy Resources was supported in the acquisition by Gloucestershire-based BPE Solicitors. Commenting for the practice, corporate partner Tim Ward says: “We were delighted to represent Arc Energy Resources at such an important time. With our head office in Cheltenham, we opened an office in Stonehouse just two years ago, so this is a great opportunity to work with two successful Stroud businesses, providing them with legal services at a very exciting time. We wish them every success.”
The acquisition follows a record trading year for Arc Energy Resources, which grew its turnover in 2015 by 14% to £6.5M and invested heavily in new equipment and facilities including a bi-cathode rotary head cladding cell, a robotic welding cell and a 6,000 square foot extension to its workshop.
