Working Together In Hard Times

There are not many companies that haven't been affected by the current recession. Despite its standing in the industry along with the numerous awards it has won over the years, family owned Young Plant and Equipment Sales Ltd, which specialises in the supply and service of Earth Moving and Construction equipment is no exception to this rule. Managing Director, Brian Young and Sales Director, Bob Lyttle both explain how the company is coping with the recession whilst retaining its virtues. 

Founded by the late Tom Young in 1978, Young Plant Sales still continues with the ‘family run' credentials that made it so successful. The company is one of the largest Compact Equipment Dealers in the World, having supplied over 5,000 new mini-diggers to date and is the longest serving Mini Excavator Dealer in the UK, having been the Main Dealer of Kubota Construction Equipment since 1979. 

It achieved the largest number of unit sales for Kubota's Mini Excavators in 2007, the fifth time that they have reached the milestone, when it was also awarded the Best Dealer for 2007 for three other market leading manufacturers Bomag Road Rollers and Compaction Equipment, CompAir Site Compressors and Demolition Tools and Neuson Site Dumpers.  

"The recession has affected our industry greatly in particular the house building sector," admits Mr Young. "However, we're delighted with the support we've received from both our suppliers and our customers in these hard times. The manufacturers have given us tremendous support to our mutual benefit; working together we have been able to offer more attractive deals for the benefit of our customers- it's about cooperation and being flexible.

"We are also extremely grateful to all of our staff. One of the key parts of our strategy has been to retain our workforce, who are very highly trained, motivated and well regarded within and outwith the company. We asked them to work reduced hours rather than looking at redundancies and they were very cooperative. As work has picked up in the summer we have been able to increase their hours." 

Despite the economic uncertainty some of company's longstanding customers, large and small are continuing to place orders thanks to Young Plant's reputation for high quality products coupled with great customer service. "We are very grateful to these customers for continuing to invest in the industry during these difficult times."  

"Having some of the market leading products in our portfolio has certainly set us in good stead," says Mr Lyttle. "The Malcolm Group has recently placed a large order for Hyundai Excavators and Kubota Mini Excavators, and Jarvie Plant has placed a large order for Road Compaction Equipment. Many of our other customers have also continued to buy equipment such as Rollers and Mini Excavators. 

"Because of our extensive range of products we have also been able to secure orders from other markets. We have gained new customers in the quarry industry for instance with our Hyundai heavy loading shovels and several of these have brought new service contracts with them, which is great news for the Product Support part of the business. However having said that we'd like to see the government spending a lot more money on local jobs and local infrastructure, which would help many local businesses and the Scottish economy as a whole."

Substantial investment has been made in tooling and equipment for a large, modern workshop to provide more effective diagnostics and repairs. The workshop is served by a fleet of service vehicles, which are stocked with the full provision of spare parts and a full range of oil and filters giving customers the option of on and off-site repairs, overhauls and servicing. 

"We try to give our customers a speedy response as they tend to need an engineer, machine or spare part immediately, tomorrow is of no use to a busy site," emphasises Mr Young. "We do this by ensuring that we're well stocked with the machines and the accessories, the parts, quick hitches, buckets and attachments required for the job. 

 "Our Workshop, Parts Department and Office employ the latest technology available, enabling our staff to work on both modern and older equipment," adds Mr Lyttle our services can be customised so that we modify machines and services to suit particular needs.   

"I believe our customers keep coming back because of the personal service. A large number of customers remain very loyal to us and the brands we represent and continue to use us as their major supplier." 

It appears that while Young Plant is feeling the affects of the recession, the business will successfully weather the storm thanks to its comprehensive range of high quality products coupled with its product support and attention to detail. "We have recently opened new offices within our existing premises and our Parts Department have relocated to the former administration office," concludes Mr Young. "Both of these measures will allow for future expansion and should demonstrate our commitment to and continued investment in the future of this business. These measures will stand us in good stead for the forthcoming upturn which is surely just around the corner."