UK
Armstrong Commercial Laundry Systems has moved in to new, much larger premises in Newbury involving a £200,000 investment by Hughes Electrical following its acquisition of the company earlier this year.
The 30,000 sq ft building on Arnhem Road provides twice the space of its previous premises where it had been for over 40 years.
It becomes the new head office and operational base for Armstrong Commercial Laundry Systems and its 30 members of staff, housing machinery and spare parts to be distributed to its over 200 dealers throughout the UK.
“This is the start of an exciting new chapter in the long and proud history of Armstrong,” said managing director Simon Quinlan.
“Since becoming part of Hughes Electrical we have been looking to move. Our new building is very secure, gives us considerably more space to enable further growth, while providing staff with a much better working environment.
“We now hold considerably more stock, both machines and spare parts, meaning we can offer an even better service to our dealer network.
“Since the acquisition we have been reorganising the way we operate our commercial laundry business. We have just launched Hughes Pro, which takes on all customer facing roles such as sales, installations, repairs and rentals. Armstrong concentrates on distribution through dealers and their support.
“Armstrong’s engineers have received additional training to enable them to look after all the commercial washing machines and associated products we supply.”
There are also exciting plans for the future which include: increasing the number of dealers together with end users; growing the launderette operations; introducing new software to improve customer service; a new fleet of specialist vehicles for engineers and improving communications with dealers.
Hughes Pro supplies specialist laundry equipment from manufacturers including: Speed Queen, Primus, MaidAid, Schulthess and in some areas Miele Professional.
Hughes Trade was started in 2007 and currently has 8,500 active accounts operating from 14 branches throughout the country with an annual turnover of £20m. It launched its commercial department in 2012 when it took on its first Miele Professional dealership; Hughes Pro is now in the top three and one of the fastest growing commercial Miele dealers in the country.
Hughes Electrical Group has approaching 1,000 employees, an annual turnover of £125m and has more than 120,000 electrical items on rental at any one time. It operates from around 40 stores countrywide and has a highly successful website from which customers can order direct, arrange an instore demonstration or ‘click & collect’.
EXPANSION: Simon Quinlan in Armstrong’s new head office in Newbury
