EXECUTIVE REPORT
The Wizard HP30 and HP36 power trowels can be fitted with a folding handle.
Focused on quality
MBW Europe is celebrating a significant milestone and is introducing new additions to its equipment range. Alan Guthrie reports.
MBW Europe has double cause for celebration this year, which sees it marking its 30th anniversary since establishing a presence in the UK, as well as commemorating the foundation of its American parent 50 years ago. It is also introducing a number of new products aimed at the hire industry.
The manufacturing business was founded in 1967 in Wisconsin by engineers Frank Multerer and Helmut Maass to make vibratory compaction plates. The company is still owned by descendants of the Multerer family. The product range grew steadily and today MBW has three main divisions: Compaction, offering plate compactors, trench rammers and vibratory roller attachments; Concrete Finishing, which provides machines ranging from screed units and power trowels, to roller strikers and Fresno brooms; and the Utility Division which supplies products such as the Soil Pick ground excavator that uses compressed air to loosen compacted earth for installing pipework and other services.
The company’s subsidiary in this country was formed in Bolton in 1987, originally as MBW (UK). A French operation was subsequently established, but this was closed in 2014 when it was decided that the UK business could co-ordinate sales and support across the Channel, and the name MBW Europe was adopted.
“When we opened the Bolton operation, demand for compaction equipment was bigger in the US than for concrete finishing, whereas in the UK it was the other way round,” said MBW Europe’s Greig Sandiford, who joined the company in 1990 and became MD in 1998. “So we gradually expanded the concrete products range to meet demand here, including some machines under the Wizard brand name, and we have continued to add models for this market in both categories.
“We have gradually expanded the Bolton facility, which was originally 15,000ft2
estate site, totalling 24,000ft2
in size, and it now occupies three units on our trading . There are plans to extend it further in
the future to keep pace with demand. We place great emphasis on 25
The GPR44 plate compactor is designed for low weight and compactness.
holding extensive stock levels. There are three main reasons why people contact us: they either want a new machine, a spare part or service. We understand how important rapid supply is to the hire industry and we hold in stock every part for every model we have offered, including components such as engine parts that are not made by MBW, so we can despatch them quickly.”
The company will promote several new products at Plantworx in June, including the Wizard HP30 and HP36 power trowels, which have widths of 30in (76cm) and 36in (91cm) respectively, and are designed for low vibration. Their principal characteristic is that they can be fitted with a folding handle to facilitate transportation and storage. Greig Sandiford says that considerable care has been taken to avoid problems associated with fraying cables, and the blade pitch control has been placed on the gearbox housing at the bottom of the machine, rather than on the handle itself, doing away with the cable altogether.
Also new is the MBW Ground Pounder GPR44 reversible plate compactor, a very compact model that weighs only 80kg. It incorporates hydrostatic drive for ease of operation and to facilitate spot compaction on particular areas. Integral transport wheels are fitted and an on/off switch is mounted on the handle for convenience.
Greig Sandiford says that MBW Europe continues to add new hire customers and that
demand for equipment generally is strong. “I believe people appreciate the service we provide. There is a sign in my office that says ‘Quality is nothing more than an attitude’ and we have 12 team members who all take a pride in what we do. For some people, the word ‘work’ is just a noun - a place they go to and then count the hours before they go home - but we take a deep personal interest in getting things right and ensuring customers receive excellent products and service.”
• 01204 387784
www.mbweurope.com
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