EXECUTIVE REPORT continued
“Many staff have been with us in excess of 30 years. We actively encourage them to make commercial judgements, not be scared to try something new and not be afraid to admit if it doesn’t work.”
Close manufacturing relationships
Chippindale’s long-standing relationships with its manufacturers hold equal weight. It has been a Mecalac dealer for over five years, a Bomag and Atlas Copco dealer for more than 30, Stihl for over ten, and a Volvo dealer for 35. It more recently became an Epiroc dealer, and it also has a dealership with Altrad Belle. These close relationships have allowed the company to collaborate with its dealerships to create solutions for specific customer challenges. The latest endeavour was with Volvo CE to combat digger blade damage on road projects, reducing costs for utility clients.
“We pay special attention to the close relationships we have with our dealerships,” says Peter. “We have received several awards for our efforts, such as dealer of the year successes, and take real pride in exceeding their expectations.”
From the early days of selling what post-War Britain required to rebuild itself, to developing its hire division, Chippindale has maintained a pioneering spirit. In 1972 it was one of the first UK companies to equip its entire truck fleet with radio phones, and a decade later its offices went electronic, installing computers throughout. “We now have a full online management system where customers can log in and manage live hires, equipment, invoices and much more. That is just one of many service-driven tech things we offer,” says Nigel. “We will have more releases in the near future, too. Continual improvement is key.”
Cleaner technology
Considerable importance is attached to environmental considerations. “There has already been a huge move to cleaner technology for plant and it is the same for our transport fleet,” says Peter. “The next step will be fully electric plant on building sites, something which Volvo
The company equipped its entire truck fleet with radio phones in 1972.
has already embraced and is testing. Additions to our hire fleet will include drones for site mapping and management.”
Chippindale’s nine hire depots stretching across the north of the country aim to provide all the equipment a small or medium building site requires, from plant, attachments and tools, to site accommodation. It has twice been named as runner-up in the Yorkshire Post’s Wardhadaway Yorkshire’s Fastest 50 initiative (which highlights the fastest growing businesses in the region) and was delighted to be recognised by the London Stock Exchange in 2017 as one of 1,000 small and medium companies to inspire Britain.
Having now achieved 70 successful years of business, Chippindale is proud of what it has built. It believes it has the financial strength to compete with the major players and to invest in the latest equipment to comply with the most stringent legislation. However, it is still small enough to provide a personal service, and the company continues to look towards a bright future. As Nigel says, “There might be consolidation amongst the larger players as more companies try to achieve national coverage, but there will always be room for a strong, financially sound, well-run regional player.”
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www.chippindale-plant.co.uk
Today the hire fleet aims to meet all the needs of the small to medium sized contractor. 27
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