14 June 2001

Last year for the first time in the history of Alan E. Wheeler and Son we exhibited at both the International Handling and Storage Exhibition (IHSE) and Woodmex 2000 at the NEC, in Birmingham.

Throughout the shows we witnessed a phenomenal interest in our Conventional Vacuum Lifting Equipment, the Manupac Lifting systems and our latest addition the IPS Hoist Manipulator.

Receiving on average a daily amount of 80 enquiries presented us with a major concern; ensuring the contacts were dealt with as quickly and efficiently as possible.

After several weeks of phone calls, and through shear hard work and determination it was a rewarding sight to see the pile of leads reducing in size. Dividing the leads into categories enabled us to identify urgent enquiries, those not so urgent, and those who required contacting again throughout the year.

Sending our Sales Team out armed with the leads they crave and the Manupac ready to demonstrate, took us into the New Year and set us off in the right direction for 2001.

We are delighted with the Conventional Unit enquiries, Manupac sales have doubled in comparison to 2000 and the IPS Hoist Manipulator has generated a whole new load of interest. Our hard work and determination is still as apparent as ever and we are still regularly processing these enquiries received at the shows.

With both the IHSE and Woodmex being held every 2 years, we are currently preparing ourselves towards the next in 2002 and look forward to them with great anticipation and excitement.

Romania.

After recently supplying a 10 Tonne unit for lifting 12 metre Steel Sheets, and 8 sets of Fairing Clamps to a Ship Builder in Romania, Alan Wheeler has just returned from the country after spending time over their carrying out commissioning and training on the units.

The initial enquiry was received through our entry into the Marine Equipment Directory and having built up a pleasant working relationship with the owners of this particular shipyard and their sister company, hope to supply more units into the Country in the future.

After viewing our website, a Slovenian company recently approached us with an enquiry for lifting Steel Sheets weighing up to 6000 kg and measuring 10 metres in length.

Incorporating 25 years experience in the design and manufacture of these units, and after several discussions between ourselves and the company in Slovenia, our team has manufactured a 6 Tonne conventional Vacuum Lifting Unit specifically for their application.

Encompassing a Radio Controlled system for operation of suck and release and for isolating the outer 6 suction pads, provides the operator with the benefit of being able to lift various sizes of plate from a continuously moving shot-blasting conveyor without ever having to approach the unit or conveyor.

This will be the first unit Alan E. Wheeler and Son have supplied into Slovenia and as part of our commitment we will be visiting the Country later in the year to carry out commissioning and training.