17/10/2018

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Riwal UK completes strategic depot expansion

·         Riwal UK’s London South Depot in Kent has doubled in size

·         Depot redesigned to better support customers delivering large infrastructure projects

·         Expansion will improve workflow and machine turnaround

·         Strategic location in South East provides access to highly specialised machines sourced from across Europe

Powered access hire and sales specialist Riwal UK has doubled the size of its London South depot.

The site in Sevenoaks, Kent, has been redesigned to future-proof it in the face of ever-greater challenges placed on Riwal UK by customers in fast-moving sectors that include construction, facilities maintenance and renewable energy.

The move also creates additional capacity for a planned major expansion of Riwal UK’s mobile elevating working platform (MEWP) fleet in 2019.

Riwal service experts flew in from the USA and the Netherlands to support the depot development process which was completed in two intensive stages and creates a blueprint for the expansion and opening of other depots in the UK.

Riwal UK Country Manager Mick Ledden says:“We used 5S techniques to improve workflow and visual management systems for workplace safety. Customer benefits from the depot improvements will include faster turnaround and increased availability of machines, plus measurably improved service reliability.

“We have a strong focus on supplying the world’s tallest and most advanced MEWPs to support highly-complex large construction and structure maintenance programmes in the UK.

“Our customers are using ever more innovative and exacting methods to ensure their supply chains can efficiently and safely deliver large infrastructure projects. The redesign of our London South depot will make us better able to support them in meeting these challenges.”

Key personnel from across the UK participated in the depot expansion to ensure lessons were learned and could be carried forward. The site’s operational space has been increased from 12,000 sq ft to 24,000 sq ft. It now has capacity to manage 600 powered access machines.

The depot redevelopment took place in three stages, with a week-long expansion planning process in June, followed by the assembly of an implementation team to reconfigure the site and, finally, the physical transformation of the depot by Riwal members of staff, over just five days.

Riwal UK is one of the UK’s leading suppliers of specialist aerial platforms, including ultra-booms, and is part of a global powered access sales and hire business.

Riwal’s international reach means highly-specialised equipment can be rapidly sourced from depots across Europe and delivered to sites in the UK. The London South depot is strategically positioned to support this key customer benefit.

A process called the Riwal Way was used to guide the London South depot expansion process. It creates standardised systems than can be repeated in every aspect of the business, so customers receive the same quality product and service with each transaction, whichever part of Riwal they are working with. 

Riwal UK National Operations Manager Steve Skeates, who led the depot expansion project, said: “The Riwal Way places the customer at the heart of our service delivery. By applying its values and principles the redesign process, we can be sure customers will realise key benefits from the process, including improved productivity, safety and cost control.”

Ends

For more information about this release contact:

Geraldine Seymour

T:        01952 883526         

M:        07858 202768

E:        geraldine@matm.co.uk

www.riwal.com/united-kingdom/en/

About Riwal UK

• Riwal UK is part of Riwal BV, a Dutch-based global provider of powered access, power generation, and materials handling equipment that operates in 17 countries across Europe, South America, Asia, and North Africa.
• Services are shaped by The Riwal Way – a unique process for building highly-efficient operations that deliver the best customer experience in the world.
• Riwal UK has expertise in supplying specialist access platforms, including large scissor lifts, spider lifts, and super booms, to the largest construction projects in the UK.
• ALS Safety, Riwal UK’s training division, shortlisted in the 2018 International Awards for Powered Access, offers IPAF, PASMA, CSCS and other industry-leading training courses and VR simulator training.
• Thanks to Riwal’s global network, Riwal UK will always have the powered access equipment its customers need.