With exclusive dealers now signed up from East Anglia to Scotland, CESAB Material Handling UK is set to cover most of the UK market through its local dealership structure in 2011.
CESAB exclusive dealers now include Access in Glasgow, Babbis in Norfolk, Brindley in Leicester, Global in St Helens, Hitec in Wellingborough, Northern in Stockton on Tees, PLP in Sheffield, Rack n Stack in Preston and Spartan in Bradford and with new signings on the horizon, this coverage will increase, according to CESAB Material Handling UK General Manager Terry Stephens:
"We are well on our way to fulfilling our strategy of signing high quality dealers to an exclusive agreement with CESAB, selling our expanded range of products throughout the whole of the UK. We are really excited about the quality of the dealers that we have attracted so far, many of whom have been prepared to move from other well known forklift brands to CESAB.
"They have been attracted to CESAB for its management style, open culture and ethos, backed by a product range manufactured in Europe using the Toyota Production System. CESAB has a very focussed way of working - exclusive dealers providing a personalised, local service in a defined geographical area."
With Terry Stephens overseeing the UK from CESAB's head office in Wellingborough with a team of technical services, sales and admin staff, he says the approach being taken by CESAB appeals to customers, dealers and potential employees:
"We've recognised a demand for a return to more local service. People still buy from people and many customers want to deal with someone they know and trust and who is able to supply products with the highest quality standards.
"Our management structure is dealer focussed, as our technical services manager Paul Wilkinson and I both come from dealer backgrounds. This means we can identify with the issues and needs of our dealers and deliver the support they need, which means they can give their customers what they need. We've just had our first exclusive dealers' conference and the feedback from this has been excellent, with many saying this reinforced their decision to join CESAB."
Although CESAB has had a presence in the UK market for nearly 20 years, Terry Stephens says it is only now that it has been able to truly meet market needs:
"Manufactured in Europe and to the highest production standards, the product range fulfils 85 to 90% of market requirements. The CESAB range now covers nearly 100% of the counterbalanced market with our hydrostatic and torque converter ranges, with the new CESAB M300 a very significant and powerful part of our upgraded product offering. The new 48volt CESAB B300/B400 electric range offers a cleaner and more environmentally friendly option and as it performs as well as gas and diesel, is proving a productive and cost-effective option for customers.
"A number of our new dealers based their decision to join CESAB on the quality of the product, knowing that less maintenance would mean less costs for the end user. This is the right approach in a climate of increased budgetary pressures."
Terry Stephens outlines the overarching aim for CESAB: "To develop the best independent network of dealers in the UK market, offering excellent levels of customer service and quality products.
"We know what it takes to create a great network and firmly believe that by pulling together the benefits will be there for all, customers and dealers alike."