Newland Engineering reaches new heights

Telescopic conveyor manufacturer Newland Engineering is insulating itself against the effects of the economic downturn by winning new orders overseas.

The company, which is based in Hyde in Greater Manchester, makes both mobile and fixed machines which are used in warehouses to load and unload trucks, trailers and containers.

These conveyors can have between one and four telescopic booms - which extend to a maximum length of 19 metres.

Today, these items of equipment are found in warehouses and distribution centres throughout the world conveying goods as diverse as mail bags, tyres, carpets, rolls of cloth, mattresses, sacks of coffee beans, sugar, plasma TVs as well as flat-pack furniture.

UK and export sales manager Mike Kyrycz said that Newland Engineering’s conveyors are widely regarded to have 'revolutionised' clients' working practices.

He said: "The conveyors can be tailored to meet a client’s individual needs and remove the need for employees to manually off-load goods from the belt into the trailer.

"This obviously has enormous cost benefits for companies.

"Our conveyors are now widely used by some of the world's biggest postal and parcel delivery firms.

"We were also the first company to design and supply automatic boom conveyors to some of the UK's leading mail order and catalogue companies.

"One of the main reasons for our success is the versatility of our conveyors and our ability to tailor them to the needs of our clients.

"In recent years, the American market has increasingly demanded telescopic conveyors which have a far longer reach.

"Consequently, we introduced machines which are capable of extending up to 19 metres."

Mike adds that the Newland’s designers and engineers often visit clients to discover how the conveyors can work best for them.

He adds: "Some companies have five or six loading bays - but each of them is not always in use all of the time.

"Our range of mobile conveyors can be positioned on power traverse chassis which are attached to rails recessed into the floor.

"Basically, this means that they can safely be manoeuvred to be in the right bay at the right time.

"It is a viable - and cost-saving option - for companies to have two or three conveyors which can then be fully utilised. This obviously saves companies investing in six individual conveyors for each of the bays."

Newland Engineering was founded in 1962 by Cecil Greasley who recognised that there was a growing demand for automated vehicle loading and unloading.

For the past 35 years, the company has been based in Hyde where it employs 30 mechanical and electrical engineers, welders and fabricators. Over the past four decades, Newland Engineering has also become an established exporter.

Today, its machines are operating in every continent as well as being present in some “particularly tough” environments in Africa and the Middle East.

Mr Kyrycz adds: "I think that one of the main reasons why we have done so well overseas is because our machines have a maintenance-friendly design and high build quality.

"I know of some machines in Yemen and Oman which have been running - after being carefully maintained - for more than 20 years.

"Our clients are aware that our products have longevity and this keeps them coming back to us."

He maintains that markets in such places as India and China are undoubtedly growing - but competition in these venues is also becoming fierce.

He adds: "Any exporter operating in our sector also needs a good distribution network - this is also a major reason for our success.

"We've currently got 10 distributors around the world and - if we continue to win contracts - this figure will increase."

Existing export destinations for Newland Engineering include Western Europe, parts of the Middle East and Africa as well as the Far East, US and Central America.

Earlier this summer, it won three contracts with companies located in two countries to which it had not previously exported.

It clinched an order worth £35,000 in Egypt as well as two deals valued at £51,000 in Holland.

Mr Kyrycz adds that Newland is now seeking further expansion overseas - and Eastern Europe is firmly in its sights.

"One of the main reasons why we were successful in winning the contracts was because we had signed up to UK Trade and Investment’s (UKTI) Gateway to Global Growth (G3) programme which offers assistance to experienced exporters.

"We are always looking for new markets and G3 provided us with match-funding to get abroad and see people.

"Face-to-face meetings are very important wherever in the world you go, it shows potential customers that you are interested in them.

"We attended the International Handling Expo, in Cairo, and it was while we were there that we won the order from a multinational tyre company with a manufacturing plant in Alexandria.

"G3 also helped us source a Dutch distributor and seal a further two deals."

UKTI’s G3 programme is supported by the Northwest Regional Development Agency and the European Regional Development Fund.

In addition to exporting, Newland also attributes its success to its apprenticeship programme which it began in 1968.

The company still recruits from schools and colleges across Greater Manchester and then helps train the apprentices to become qualified mechanical and electrical engineers.

Mr Kyrycz adds: "Wherever we are working in the world, we are committed to the best customer relationships.

"We also take immense pride in our telescopic conveyors and seek to continuously ensure that they are the best in their field."