One of the UK’s leading providers of heavy-duty vehicle lifts is targeting 20% growth in the next 18 months after being bought in a management buy-out.
Halesowen-based TotalKare, which sells mobile and fixed lifts to national operators and independent workshops, has been bought by a team led by lifting specialist David Hall, existing Chairman Mike Lord and fellow Directors James Radford and Peter Geobey.
The firm was previously owned by former MD Tim Jackson and Technical Director Michael Gilliam.
Supported by Santander, the deal gives the company “the ideal opportunity” to build on a record year that saw it boost turnover by £300,000, with the emphasis on making the most of the roll-out of its new fixed two and four-post lifts and the launch of an online training platform to improve efficiency and health and safety in the sector.
“This is a very exciting time to be heading up the MBO, with TotalKare the market leader in our field and with lots of exciting new products to promote…this strong platform for growth owes a lot to the hard work and vision of former MD Tim Jackson and Technical Director Michael Gilliam,” explained David, who has been involved in lifting technology for the last 15 years.
“In the short-term, we want to build on our reputation for delivering solutions, so that it is about much more than just selling a specific set of lifts. It’s about the complete customer experience from their first contract through to initial site assessment, the training we provide and our best-in-class servicing and maintenance packages.
He continued: “Our plan is to grow 20% over the next eighteen months, with a specific focus on increasing market share with our two and four-post fixed lifts and the successful introduction of our innovative online training programme. The latter will reduce the time engineers need to be out of the workshop, with the courses completed on a tablet or laptop meaning they can be started and finished in a timescale that suits both the business and the employee.
“There are also some really ambitious plans for the longer-term, but we are keeping those close to our chest for now.”
While TotalKare’s reputation is largely due to its dominance of the UK mobile column lift industry over the past 35 years, the Halesowen-based firm also offers a comprehensive range of high quality, heavy duty workshop solutions to complement the mobile options.
These include the more permanent installations of the two and four-post lifts, which are available in several lengths and weight capacities to suit a variety of requirements and includes a galvanised option for use in wash bays.
The two-post lift has been designed for use with long wheel base vans, such as the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter, the Volkswagen Crafter and the Iveco Daily.
The transaction was funded using debt facilities provided by Santander UK plc. James Cooksey, Growth Capital Director, added:
“Santander are delighted to provide funding for the acquisition by David and the team and look forward to supporting their future growth plans.”
David Hall concluded: “I’m very pleased with the new senior management team and the wealth of experience we have at our disposal in James, Mike, Peter and the rest of our hugely committed staff. They all understand the TotalKare philosophy and we now have the opportunity to add to this by putting our ideas into action and our own stamp on things.”
