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we get eight hours’ performance from the technology. I’m not ruling lithium out, but we don’t need it right now,” says Andrew.


“Lead-acid batteries are about a quarter of the price of lithium, although they don’t offer as many recharges. End of life receycling is always easy with AGM.”


Former MD Ron Blackhurst is now Tufftruk chairman, which is another change since our 2019 report. He was unavailable on the day of my visit, but what’s his involvement in the company on a daily and practical basis?


“Ron’s our mad inventor up there in his shed. It’s a bit more like a small factory, really, leaving us to look after the day to day commercial side. I still speak to him every day and we have a management meeting once a month. Meanwhile, he works with our design team doing what he enjoys the most, which is developing new ideas.”


This seems like a good jumping off point to talk about the two new products, the first of which was spotted at EHS 2022 earlier this year.


“We launched our half tonne machine, the EB500, at the Executive Hire Show in February. We originally wanted to do so at the 2021 event, but it was cancelled. It’s been in production since September last year, however.


“Basically, the new machine has had a good revamp. The payload increases to 0.5 tonnes, we shrunk the size a little to aid shipping – we can fit 50 in a container now – we have introduced adjustable handles, it’s fully electric and it’s tooled up for a poly skip, which is great for lower noise and wet concrete.”


Brand new for mid-2022 is the EB300, which weighs 145kg and has a 300KG payload. “We’ve always had a 300 model, but it was very similar to the 450 and there wasn’t a big enough price difference between the two,” Andrew explains.


“The new machine moves us closer to a £5,000 price point. It is designed to be electric, all the attachments are interchangeable with the older machines, it’s four-wheel drive at first but we will introduce a two-wheel drive version for nursery and equestrian clients, as well as customers in Europe. The EB300 was launched at the Executive Hire Show and the first batch will be going into Germany next month, Belgium after that and then Speedy will be taking some in late summer.”


Battery-powered machines tend to be more expensive than petrol and diesel options.


have to move slowly, but we are a smaller


‘‘


team and we’re much more invested in what we do


How have you been able to make economies in this regard?


’’


“Our battery and diesel machines used to be the same price, while the petrol versions were around £1,000 less. However, the EB300 was designed to be electric-only and the layout is less cluttered as a result. There's no reason why battery powered machines need to be twice the price of diesel.”


Big companies


Tufftruk - Profile


Tufftruk itself is an economical unit, comprising a team of just 12 at the Leek HQ. Does this size also enable the ability to move and act on ideas quickly?


“Well, we have refined 'big company' systems to achieve quality, cost and delivery terms that our customers require, but we don't need to have meetings about meetings. Big companies have to move slowly, but we are a smaller team and we’re much more invested in what we do.”


Launching two new products and bringing them to a global marketplace is no small undertaking, and will doubtless keep the Tufftruk team busy for some time yet. Nevertheless, Ron is an ideas man at heart, with the ability to test his concepts on-site, as seen in the picture below of the test rig. Are there any new products in development at the moment?


“I’m not going to tell you about that!” splutters Andrew. “However, there is a new bigger model on the cards and we’ve taken a nice big stand right in the centre of the Executive Hire Show where we hope to launch it (meet the Tufftruk team on stand F32)”


And that seemed like an ideal time to see and try out the new machines, along with an opportunity to partake of a local delicacy – Staffordshire Oatcakes! A tasty lunch notwithstanding, it was an honest pleasure to visit this modest British engineering firm that punches so well for its weight.


My thanks to Gemma Sharpe for making the arrangements and Andrew for his time and patience. Keep an eye out for Tufftruk at its new products on stand F32 at EHS 2023. n


The flagship EB500 Power Tip Plus.


Unmanned endurance testing.


June 2022 - Executive Hire News 29


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