Truckmasters keeps their forklifts & handling equipment running smoothly with Witham Group!

Truckmasters Handling Ltd was established in the late 1970s as a Toyota Industrial Forklift Dealer. Operating from their premises on the A52, close to Wainfleet near Skegness in Lincolnshire, they supply forklifts and associated material handling equipment to the local farming and produce packers.

We recently spoke to Graham Elsam, Truckmasters Managing Director to find out more about its company’s history and the challenges it faces in today’s climate…

HOW DID THE BUSINESS GET STARTED?

In the early years, the business was closely associated with Sanderson Forklifts, a well-known and innovative manufacturer of rough terrain forklifts. With their factory a few miles up the road they recognised the quality and creative manufacturing process that Toyota pioneered and used the trucks in their production lines.

The 1970s saw Toyota complete the construction of the Takahama Plant in Japan becoming the largest facility in the world to manufacture only industrial vehicles. The plant was a showcase for futuristic manufacturing equipment and methods. Truckmasters embraced this culture and integrated this into the marketing, supply and aftercare of these new and revolutionary new forklifts. The business expanded through and on into the 1980s with the opening of depots to enable local sales and service support in Cambridgeshire and Norfolk.

HOW DID YOU BECOME INVOLVED?

It was in the mid-1980s that I became involved and joined Truckmasters to develop and promote a range of construction plant and equipment that the company had diversified into. Coming from a motor trade background this was a new and exciting challenge for myself and the business. Throughout the late 80s Truckmasters enjoyed being involved with supplying machinery and equipment for the flourishing house building and civil engineering sectors. Providing specialised handling equipment for the development of Centre Parcs Norfolk and the new Stansted Airport.

It was in 1990 that the opportunity came about acquire the Truckmasters business assets and operation. This involved at the time a significant commitment and belief in the business and its highly experienced, skilled and motivated staff. That was almost 34 years ago, and that belief has been confirmed, proved and totally justified.

WHAT DO YOU SUPPLY?

We supply a range of New Toyota Forklifts and material handling equipment. With diesel, LPG gas and battery powered drive units, with lifting capacities from 1000kg up to 8000Kg. We offer a full range of warehouse equipment, hand pallet trucks, power pallet, stacker, reach trucks and Very Narrow Aisle Trucks (VNA) including Aisle Master and Combilift of specialised narrow aisle equipment.

We also offer Moffet Mountie Lorry mounted forklifts and specialised poultry industry specification. Not only that we supply Karcher industrial cleaners, brushes, vacuums and scrubber driers and a comprehensive stock of used equipment. In addition, we offer casual and short-term fleets for hire ideal for seasonal demand and customer support.

To back up the sales we offer a full service and repair contract hire and maintenance on all new and used equipment. This service is supported by a team of mobile technicians with extensive stock of spare parts replacement wheels and tyres.

HOW BIG IS THE TRUCKMASTERS TEAM?

In total we employ around 60 staff across the 3 locations consisting of field and workshop engineers, parts specialists, technical, sales and support staff. The company operated a continuous training program and apprentice induction scheme. We are proud to continually benefit from a high retention rate of staff, along with their associated skills and experience.

WHO ARE YOUR CUSTOMERS?

Our customers are our business. They are made up from a broad spectrum of industry, manufacturing, agriculture, transport, storage, public service and local authorities. Among one of interest, we have the country’s leading cricket bat manufacturer! Then we have a few leading pet food manufacturers and lots of our customers handling thousands of tons of potatoes, carrots, onions, cabbages, cauliflowers and just about all you would find on a supermarket shelf. Builders’ merchants, transport and haulage, warehousing and distribution, frozen food processors and distributors, recycling businesses and many more, the list is so varied and almost endless. We are also proud to count the Air Ambulance and the RNLI amongst other organisations we support.

HOW HAS THE BUSINESS CHANGED OVER THE LAST 10 YEARS?

The business has evolved and continues to do so as have our customers and their businesses. The ever-increasing dominance of online shopping and the decline of the high street has accelerated far quicker than most expected. These changes are like all change not always for the good although bring with them benefits and opportunities. Regardless of the advances in technology and AI, product and goods will have to be handled processed and distributed by equipment and machinery which will need from time-to-time human assistance to repair and maintain. So, until a Star Trek style “Beam Me Up” machine is invented it looks like stuff will still have to be stacked on pallets and moved around with forklifts.

WHAT ARE YOUR CURRENT BIGGEST CHALLENGES?

We always welcome challenges and like to view them as opportunities. So, the bigger the challenge the bigger the opportunity. A current, topical challenge is the government’s recently announced policy on restricting immigration. The headlines are all focused on the affects this will have on the staffing levels of the Care and Health sector. This will clearly also have repercussions for the agricultural, food processing, packing and distribution industries. To specifically look at the Mechanical Handling Industry there is already a shortage of equipment operators and with the aspirations of a domestic population to secure higher skilled and higher paid jobs this will only become more of a challenge. Also with drive away from carbon producing gas- and diesel-powered equipment to electric and battery power, our customers are seeking new and innovative solutions. Although automation and the use of robotics is at a relatively early stage of development, we envisage its cost and the integration of artificial intelligence technology to be the future. At the present it appears a massive challenge but like eating the proverbial elephant, it is an exciting opportunity to take on a bite at a time.

However, the last 12 months have been very positive. Among the challenges have been maintaining and expanding the numbers of skilled staff and managing extended lead times on new equipment. However, we are looking forward to 2024 and beyond.

WHAT IS YOUR COMPANY ETHOS?

Keep it simple, question why it can’t be done then develop a way it can, problems are opportunities.

WHAT WOULD YOU CHANGE OR HAVE DONE DIFFERENTLY?

In business as in life, it is good practice to combine hindsight about the past, insight about the present and foresight about the future. Maximum value can be obtained when you combine all three, enabling you to make truly insightful decisions about what needs to change. You cannot change the past but you can use the experience, both good and bad to change and shape the future. Going forward we will be as innovative as we can and ensure we listen to our customers feedback to meet their growing needs.

WORKING WITH WITHAM GROUP

We started our working relationship with Witham Group in December 2016, using Witham’s range of lubricants, paints and greases, including 3 different grades of engine oils, transmission fluids, hydraulic oils and gear oils. The main importance and what has been significant for us in these recent times has been the stability of prices, certainly through the pandemic era and keeping an exceptional service.

We have a great relationship with Darren Smart our local salesman from Witham and within both business’s hierarchy, we also have reciprocal business together along with some great networking opportunities. The relationship Truckmasters has with Witham is very healthy, and the products we use are a great fit to service our business.