We are pleased to announce that our brand new Cascos Lift Range brochure is now available.

Featuring the world-famous Cascos line-up of single post, 2 post, 4 Post and scissor lifts, the catalogue provides all the necessary information to help someone decide on the correct lift for their particular need.

Manufacturing in Spain since 1965, Cascos continue to produce lifts to a traditional level of quality, resisting the temptation to use cheap components from China. Hofmann Megaplan are the exclusive distributor of Cascos lifts in the UK.

For your copy of the new brochure please call our office on 01480 891011.

My Wife was having her hair done the other day, and whilst browsing through ‘More’ Magazine, she came accross a story of love at first sight, supported by the attached picture, which clearly shows a column from one of our megalift 3200 (Cascos C2.32) 2 post lifts!!

She immediately took a pic and sent it to me; we’ve seen our machines on TV before in garages and motoring programmes, but we’ve never found our way into a Womens glossy!

The story, which was entitled ‘Love At First Sight’, was, according to my wife, all about the man and woman in the picture meeting and falling in love with each other. However I think she may have got that wrong.

Judging by the fact our lift is so prominent in the pic, I am pretty certain the story was really about how the couple fell in love with our  2 post lift!

Well, so many others have…

James

If you get it, flaunt it! That’s our motto, so when we have all these customers telling us how good we perform, I think it’s always a good idea to share it – because if you are one of the increasingly few tyre equipment users in our industry not currently using Hofmann Megaplan, then hopefully this will give you another reason why you should!

Here are a couple of recent contribution we’ve had from customers. The first is from Costco Birmingham, where the Tyre Bay Manager sent an email to his Manager complementing the engineer in particular, and the second is from Point S member Victor Barrie Tyres, who dealt with us for the first time and sent an email to the Point S HQ…

“Hi Steve – Just to let you know that I just had a Level 1 service carried out on my machines and ramps.
This was without doubt the most thorough service I have ever witnessed. The guy did a great job, he went the extra mile checking that all the machines operated at speeds we were happy with, and even ensured all of his oily hand marks were cleaned off, and was just a really helpful, polite guy.
I have unfortunately since forgotten his name. They always do a good job but this
guy went the extra mile. Please pass my praise onto Hofmann Megaplan. Top job. – Regards, Noel ”

“Hello John – I trust you are well. Just a quick note about Hofmann Megaplan.
I had an urgent need of a new tyre fitting machine after one of my machines in the City branch failed in the middle of a very busy day. A phone call on that day resulted in a new machine installed and in use on the following morning.
I didnt even need to tidy up after the engineers, a pleasant change from the usual scenario from our old supplier!!.
James Boon and his team are an example to everyone on how to do it properly.
Feel free to circulate my comments to all members of Point S.  – BEST WISHES. Barry Fenwick”

Another pat on the back for Lee Parrott, Andy Currell (the two engineers involved), and the rest of the service team for helping make it all happen…

As always, we at Hofmann Megaplan go that extra mile when it comes to customer service.

Our latest addition to our portfolio is to offer OE Factory Calibration using a precision balancing instrument normally only implemented at the point of assembly in the factory.

This tool, which costs over £3000, enables us to re-set a balancer to the exact status to which it left the factory when it was brand new. Each individual component of the rig has been tested and certified by a NAMAS laboratory, and provides the most accurate method achievable for setting up a wheel balancer.

“Many people don’t realise that the calibrations they pay their suppliers to come and carry out are what we simply term as ‘User’ calibrations; I.e. they can actually do it themselves,” comments Hofmann Megaplan Service Director Mark Berryman. “With our precision calibration tool we can do the most advanced test and set-up you can possibly have, without having to send the machine back to Italy or wherever it was manufactured! We will of course still continue to carry out User cals, but for those customers who want traceability we can now provide an even better service”.

The Rig has been manufactured so that not only can it accomodate Hofmann Megaplan machines, but it can also be used on a number of alternative manufacturers’ models.

Point S, one of Europe’s leading independent tyre and car service dealer operations, has chosen Hofmann Megaplan UK as the official equipment supplier for its UK network.

Established in 1971, Point S have since become a major force accross Europe and, more recently even further afield.  With 1,150 independent professional dealers managing 2,000 point S service centres, the Point S brand is now set to become a force in the UK, with some of the industries leading tyre shops having already joined the network.

Point S have openly stated that market research has clearly shown Hofmann Megaplan have the best reputation for quality, availability, price and service, and as such chose us to be their official partner. The agreement was officially announced at the recent Point S conference held in Swindon in October.

Considering how human nature seems to dictate that people can be very quick to criticize, but often slow to complain, it is flattering just how many calls and emails we receive complimenting us on both our service and our products.

This week alone, we received 3 emails from customers and around 7 or 8 phone calls to say how impressed they were with Hofmann Megaplan.

Scott Kirby of Car Repairs Leeds took the trouble to write in to us to say that the service he had received since he ordered his megamount 701XL tyre changer (pictured in his workshop) had been the best he had ever received from a garage equipment supplier. Although he was impressed with the buying and installation experience, he stated that the “service and advice received since purchasing the machine has been both personable and professional at all times”.  Another customer, M D Saunders of Suffolk, had previously never been in tyres before and, whilst a plethora of other suppliers had quoted for equipment, none “had shown the patience and guidance” that he received from all members of the team he came into contact with.

It is this kind of feedback that makes it all worthwhile, and we always make a point of forwarding on these compliments to our field service team who are, ultimately, the face of Hofmann Megaplan and responsible for the majority of the praise we receive.

Well done Chaps!

Traditionally, a 2-speed option has always been limited to 3 phase models of tyre changer only. However, Hofmann Megaplan have recently introduced an ingenious new design that allows customers limited to single phase power supply to enjoy the benefits of 2 speed operation.

This new feature, available as an option on all tyre changers in the Hofmann Megaplan ‘megamount’ range, is controlled at the pedal, so as the pedal is depressed the speed increases from the standard 7rpm through to 14rpm in a smooth transition.

The system was introduced last year for a particular customer with multiple sites doing high volumes, so the concept is proven to be reliable and effective.

The addition of 2 speed to single phase models accompanies another innovation, the ‘Power Out’ facility, which has been added to megamount 702′s as  standard. The ‘Power Out’ automatically pushes the bead breaker arm out after the bead breaking operation, eliminating the problem of the blade getting stuck between the rim and tyre, and enabling the operator to use two hands to hold the wheel.

It was a game of two halves for the two Hofmann Megaplan footy teams recently.

Senior team ‘The Hofs’ got a bit of a pasting at the mens tournament, I myself taking a proper clattering that resulted in me crying off for the last couple of games, and maybe considering that, at 38, maybe I’m just too old to be playing football?! We’ll see how the knee recovers.

Meanwhile, our Juniors, the Hofmann Megaplan sponsored Ringstead Rangers put up much more of a fight and looked like they might be in for a good 2011/12 season. Being non-competitive at this age, we are not allowed to talk about results, but we can claim victory over the only Trophy to be awarded in the age group, the Fair Play Trophy.

Hofmann Megaplan get heavily involved in local football, and this year I am pleased to say we are once again supporting the mighty Peterborough United. A decision to enhance our hospitality box and sponsorship by going ’upmarket’ and moving to a half way line position has paid off as ‘The Posh’ celebrate a good season with promotion to the Championship. Also pictured here is yours truly at the recent boxholders match held at London Road (I’m back row, far left)…

Leeds, West Ham, and a good few other big names await in 2011/12….

James

Having re-sold other brands of bead seater over the years, we have finally decided to make our own!

The ‘megablast’ is a useful tool for helping seat the bead in situations whereby the only alternative is (dangerously high) over-inflation. Whilst all the units on the market are of the same principle, there are varying degrees of quality of components and operation. Since the demise of the original Haweka unit a couple of year ago due to it becoming expensive to produce, we have longed for something that met the quality that the original offered, and we felt the only way to do this was to make it ourselves!

The ‘megablast’ is subject to a launch offer of just £129 + VAT for a limited period.