New Easilift team continues to deliver

Phil Dinning has been appointed Managing Director of loading bay equipment supplier, Easilift Loading Systems Ltd, following company founder Edward Kelly's decision to step down from day-to-day control of the company after almost 30 years at the helm.

Mr Dinning has been with the company for around 20 years. He joined as a Project Engineer and was later promoted to Technical Manager before becoming Operations Director four years ago.
He is a well-known figure within the industry and serves on the executive board of the Association of Loading and Elevating Equipment Manufacturers (ALEM). Installations Director Rob Fay also joins the board, alongside Phil Dinning and Dick van Wijk from the Dutch parent company Loading Systems International BV, together with Edward Kelly who remains a director and shareholder.
Day-to-day running of the company is now in the hands of a management team comprising Phil Dinning; Rob Fay; Graham Hepworth, Company Secretary; Cheryl Thornton, Technical Services Manager, and David Whyatt who has been appointed Sales Manager after four years as a Sales Engineer.

Loading Systems International is one of Europe's foremost manufacturers of loading bay equipment. In addition to the UK operation, it has other sales companies in Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, France and Switzerland, and recently opened sales offices in the Czech Republic and Slovakia.
Said Mr Dinning: "Easilift Loading Systems has grown to become one of the top three loading bay equipment suppliers in the UK and our turnover in 2005 broke the £10m barrier for the first time.

"Sales right across our product range have increased as our nationwide customers continue to build new distribution centres and refurbish existing premises. In particular, sales of doors have increased by 300 per cent over the previous three years, including the new Dynaco high speed doors, with a similar rise in the supply of dock levellers."

Easilift Loading Systems provides everything necessary for the safe, efficient and profitable operation of loading bays. This includes dock levellers, dock shelters, dock seals, dock pods, doors, high speed doors, vehicle restraints and lifting platforms. It also offers a complete range of accessories and safety aids, from dock plates, dock bumpers and wheel guides, to traffic lights and integrated control systems.

The company, which is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year, has an extensive customer list that is a roll call of some of the biggest names in UK manufacturing, retailing, logistics, distribution and the service sector. And, reflecting its extremely high levels of customer satisfaction, more than 60 per cent of new orders come from existing customers.

Mr Dinning said the company's continued success was due to the positive commitment of its staff, plus its extensive facilities which include an
in-house design team, together with experienced engineers available to advise on the most efficient and productive installation, whether as a new project or refurbishment.

This is complemented by a full installation and after-sales service, which includes the provision of a preventative maintenance programme designed to avoid costly loading bay down-time.

Easilift Loading Systems is at the cutting edge of loading bay technology. For example, when Tesco recently needed a method of loading and unloading its fleet of new high capacity double deck trailers, used to transfer goods between distribution centres, Easilift Loading Systems came up with a practical and cost-effective solution.
Working with a major UK lift supplier, it designed a modular dock pod loading system incorporating a scissor lift to handle the fixed deck trailers. The free-standing pods are installed flush to the outside of the distribution centres, minimising disruption and avoiding the loss of internal floor area. The fabricated side and roof frames are clad with insulated wall panels to
create a sealed working environment.

Easilift Loading Systems' electrically-operated sectional overhead Powerdoors are fitted to the front and rear of each pod. It also supplied double deck rubber bumpers, an inflatable dock shelter, traffic lights, two sets of dock lights and fluorescent pod lights with each installation.
The company was one of the first loading bay equipment suppliers to achieve the prestigious SafeContractor Health and Safety award. SafeContractor is an accreditation scheme that assesses the health and safety competency of contractors in a variety of fields.

To achieve accreditation Easilift's health and safety standards are independently audited annually to ensure they have achieved the high standard required by SafeContractor, including complying with any new legislation. In August 2005 the Kirkburton, Huddersfield-based company was recognised for its success in landing a string of major contracts. It received the Kirklees Business of the Month Award for supplying its equipment to, amongst others, Housing Units Ltd., the Port of Tyne, Corby Chilled Distribution and Cadbury Trebor Bassett.

Other recent projects have included the supply of loading bay equipment for two state-of-the-art, architect-designed warehouses at Trafford Park Industrial Estate, Manchester, fitting out 27 loading bays at the Instore national distribution centre, Trident Business Park, Huddersfield, and the installation of 23 loading bays with special galvanised dock levellers for Arla Foods
Stourton dairy.
Said Mr Dinning: "We intend to maintain and further develop the company's clear focus as one of the UK's leading loading bay equipment companies. This will be achieved by the constant development of cost-effective, quality solutions to help boost our customers' productivity, safety and profitability."

Further details of the market-leading Easilift range of loading bay equipment can be obtained from: Easilift Loading Systems Ltd, Spring Grove, Penistone Road, Kirkburton, Huddersfield, HD8 0PL. Tel: 0845 130 1920 (local rate).
Fax: 01484 601401. Email: sales@easilift-loading-systems.co.uk Web:
www.easilift-loading-systems.co.uk