Now I can sense that you already find the title of this blog somewhat odd. For a start, it makes it sound like its the end of the year, and of course its only September. Even more shocking is my blatant use of bad grammar, which is not typical for me. But on both counts I have good reason. Firstly the year I refer to is our financial year that runs to June 30th, and secondly, this particular entry is a general chit chat, which is of course what blog should be – not just a continuous flurry of news items which its in danger of becoming – and I reckon thats informal enough to justify a bit of bad grammer.

Anyway, having returned from my annual August sabatical in Spain, my excitement at the results from our last financial year, and the forthcoming events that should ensure the trend continues into 2010/2011, have dictated that I felt it was time for a proper blog; a real rambling of the sort that always gets me a few comments from industry colleagues and competitors. So if you’re only on here looking for a bit of general info on tyre equipment from the UK’s favourite supplier, I’d move onto the next blog. If you’ve got time on your hands, then read on…

I’ll kick off with a bit of news about our financial year because I reckon its good news not only for me but for the industry in general and for our increasing customer portfolio, who can feel safe in the knowledge that our company is as solid and reliable as our products (that was a good line wasn’t it? Expect to see one of my competitors use that in one of their press releases very soon – but more of that later).

Despite a bit of doom and gloom during the latter part of last year, I’m pleased to say that we increased our business by 22% over the previous year. Now to demonstrate just how good a performance that was let me tell you we had an eventful year and not necessarily for the right reasons. Those of you reading this in a capacity of employer or manager will give a knowing nod as I mention staffing issues, and trust me I had staffing issues of biblical proportions. For a few very dark weeks I almost lost faith in the human race, but then a team of people who I have come to value higher than any team before them, restored my faith. Anyway I’m starting to sound dramatic now so I’ll fast forward a bit and say that ultimately those few weeks transformed Hofmann Megaplan UK for the better, and undoubtedly contributed to the meteoric rise in both business and team spirit that led to our best ever year. So I’d like to give a big thank you to the people that helped make it happen…

And so to the future, where we have a Brityrex Exhibition in Manchester to look forward to in October, and a move to fantastic new premises soon after (the new premises are pictured above). I should also mention the new warehouse unit, which is now just about finished, but quite honestly its a bit boring isn’t it? Still, it means we can hold even more stock, which will please Kenny & Ricky…:)

Getting back to Brityrex; we always have a good show, and I see no reason for this year to be any different. For a start its long overdue (the last one being in May 2007), and secondly it’ll represent our largest ever presence at a UK exhibition. I’d be lying if I said I won’t miss the ‘eat ’till your sick for a tenner’ Chinese buffet restaurant in Harrogate, the former longstanding venue for Brityrex, but it has to be said Manchester has its merits – I’ll let you know when I find out what they are. I’m joking of course, the last show was in Manchester and GMex was a great venue and we had some great nights out while we were up there. The wobbly floored bathroom in our hotel whereby you had to carefully consider your timing for fear of the toilet actually moving was down to me being a miser on the hotel booking front and not a fault of the City, or a stain on the wealth of accomodation it has to offer. This time I have  left the accomodation to my trusty Technical supremo Mick and it would appear he has chosen well…

Moving on, I think everybody within Hofmann Megaplan is looking forward to the show and, whilst maybe not looking forward to actually moving or the process of doing so, looking forward to settling into our welcoming new premises.

Finally, I should give a mention to those who avidly read my press releases and product catalogues. One of the first things I did upon my return from holiday was pick up the trade mags to catch up, and read the news pieces from various companies (by that I do of course mean competitors). Crikey, it could easily have been the case that I had written all of those entries (the well written, grammatically correct parts anyway). No sod it I’ll go as far as to say I did bloody write them and some of my fellow garage equipment resellers just regurgitated them for their own use having left a sufficient period of time for them to think it wouldn’t get noticed. What is it they say, immitation is the best form of flattery? A back handed compliment? No actually, it isn’t. I just say its people nicking my lines because they can’t think of their own. Or maybe its all done sub-conciously, and these people have enjoyed reading our literature so much that when it comes to writing their own it all comes to mind automatically. Either way, I suppose its the same in any industry, and I guess if you are reading this as a professional, successful tyre shop then you have no doubt got a competitor up the road who copies your advertising and promotions. I guess that’s life.

In real terms I suppose it means we will continue to work hard and progress, while our competitors are still searching for inspiration and ploughing through my 6 month old press releases.

All this is of course a bit tongue in cheek, and shouldn’t be taken too seriously. I hope it just demonstrates that not only are we exceptionally good purveyors of fine garage equipment, but we are also very nice, down to earth people. So having a laugh with Hofmann Megaplan should make your vist to Manchester just that little bit more interesting..

Hasta Brityrex…James.

Costco Wholesale’s brand new Coventry warehouse is well under way to completion, and represents another Hofmann Megaplan equipped tyre bay for the International wholesale chain.

This latest addition to their UK network boasts the very best level of equipment, including lever-less tyre changers, touch-free, super automatic wheel balancers, and premium quality 2 post lifts – including the brand new megalift ‘XL’.

The ’XL’ has been designed to cater for those customers who want a totally universal lift, of a guaranteed ‘traditional’ build quality, and for those customers where quite simply ‘only the best will do’. The Spanish manufactured lift, which uses ultra high strength columns made in Germany, incorporates triple telescopic arms to enable complete vehicle coverage from short to long wheelbase ‘picking point’ positions, ultra low profile pad height with built-in high reach capability, and a 3.5 tonne lifting capacity.

Four Hofmann Megaplan engineers and four customised Hofmann Megaplan vans (pictured below) ensured a painless, swift and efficient installation over 2 days.

We have just taken delivery of the first of our new shape Renault Master vans, which will ultimately replace the current fleet of Masters.

The new model (pictured above) provides us with even greater flexibility due to the increased side door access and load capacity, and the swanky interior complete with all mod cons is just reward for our engineers, who spend a good proportion of their lives behind the wheel in an effort to maintain our reputation as the most responsive and flexible equipment provider in the industry

The new fleet will be equipped as per the exisiting line-up (pictured bottom) complete with remote controlled tail lift and pallet trucks, and will be fully equipped with bespoke storage facility for spares and tools, installed courtesy of our partner company Reading Pneumatic Services.

Meanwhile, there is nothing new about our service, as we continue to to exceed expectations amongst the industry. This week alone we have met no less than 8 ‘distress’ orders with equipment being installed within a few hours of ordering. Of particular note was our service to Save On Tyres in Torquay who, having ordered their megamount 502 Racing at 4.30 in the afternoon, took delivery at 8.30am the following morning – our dedicated engineer Kenny staying late to assemble and PDI, then leave at 4am to get to Save On Tyres as they opened the doors! Add to this VJ Collet of Gloucestershire (same day service), Teesdale Tyres of Thornaby (same day service), Dorset Police (14 hours from order to install) and a whole host of other customers who continue to heap praise on our refreshing response times, and here you have another example of why we are the UK’s favourite tyre equipment supplier! 

In contrast (and I have to mention this because it really makes me smile), I have received two irate calls from a garage equipment distributor this month confusing us with one of our competitors, and ‘chasing us’ on delivery of equipment they had ordered weeks earlier – but clearly not from us. This statistic means that we officially receive more calls in error regarding late deliveries of somebody else’s equipment, than we actually receive for our own – because we genuinely don’t get any!!

Whilst I’d like to take all of the praise for our (sometimes miraculous) service, I have to give credit to our internal PDI team, our internal co-ordinators, and our external Installation & Training team who work together to ensure we do whatever is humanly possible to meet our customers demands. If anybody deserves new vans…..:) 

Bob Peterson Engineering, renowned worldwide for the loving and immaculate restoration of vintage Bentley’s, has installed a tyre changer and balancer package from Hofmann Megaplan to cater for classic rim and tyre combinations.

With a strict criteria and very particular requirement, Bob contacted a large number of tyre equipment suppliers, most of which lost interest when they realised it was slightly leftfield in terms of the application. Needing to handle rims that cost literally tens of thousands of pounds, it was ascertained over the ‘phone that the rims needed clamping in a very particular fashion, and the balancing procedure would require additional adaptation. Despite not having any firm guarantee, we were convinced we would be able to assist and set off with a tyre changer and balancer equipped with some specific adaptors in an effort to prove that we could meet Bob’s requirements.

Needless to say we achieved just that and Peterson’s are now able to handle these classic rims in complete safety.

This installation was a refreshing break from the norm’ as we spend most of our time solving the problems created by modern rim and tyre assemblies such as convex alloys, EH rims, run-flat tyres and generally stiff, low profile tyres fitted to large alloy rims.

Bob Petersons story is not unusual though, in as much we do generally seem to be seen by the industry as the experts on anything tyre fitting and removal or balancing related. Despite the standard configurations shown on our website and in our catalogue, we can ultimately provide a machine to suit pretty much any customer or application. More recently we supplied a batch of fully automatic machines in red, with modified columns and bead breakers, to satisfy the request of a customer who liked the machines he had previously used from another manufacturer, but didn’t like the company that sold them to him!

Anything is do-able if you can be bothered, and we are always bothered when it comes to tyre equipment!

Further information on Bob Peterson Engineering and their fantastic services can be seen at  www.bobpetersenengineering.co.uk

We have today finalized our plans to move offices, albeit only a few yards from our existing home!

Our move to the quaintly named ‘Granary’ will take place in the Autumn, following extensive alterations to accomodate our showroom and ‘ServicePoint’ facilities.

The Granary is a barn conversion that not only provides a stunning working environment, but also lends itself to the nature of our business. This premium quality commercial property provides a large ground floor demonstration and display facility, whilst enabling our administration, sales and service offices to overlook the extensive showroom from a gallery-style  first floor.

The project to establish this as a perfect working environment for our team and customers will commence on Monday 19th July, and we hope to be in within the next 2 to 3 months.

Our large warehouse, situated some 10 miles from our HQ, is also being extended with the addition of a new, 4 bay warehouse unit. This new build, due to be completed during September, will increase our warehouse capability to some 11,000 sqft.

Please take a look at our special offers, there are some great bargains to be had.

This list is just a snapshot of some of the stock we have, so please give us a call on 01480 891011 to check latest availability and discuss your requirements. 

Special Offers – Summer 2010

Visitors to this years Brityrex exhibition have the chance to win a top of the range tyre changer worth £10,ooo!!

The megamount Smart is a lever-less machine with luxury features such as built-in wheel lifter and capapbility to handle rims up to 30″ diameter. All you have to do is pay a visit to the Hofmann Megaplan Stand (No 42), and briefly fill out your details. You will then be entered into a draw that will receive an independent selection immediately after the show – and you could be the lucky new owner of one of the latest innovations in tyre fitting and removal – completely free!!

Brityrex 2010 will be held at Manchester’s GMEX Exhibition Centre from the 5th to 7th October inclusive, and Hofmann Megaplan will be there showing a comprehensive range of tyre changing, balancing, and specialist tyre related equipment, including tyre service lifts and nitrogen inflation.

The return of the Brityrex is a welcome one for both perrenial exhibitors, such ourselves, and the industry in general, as the presence of a dedicated show has been sorely missed since the last event in 2007.

As technology moves on, and the equipment sector becomes saturated with low priced, low quality equipment from the Far East, an exhibition such as this can be considered an essential day out for anybody with an interest in tyres. It gives tyre shops and alloy wheel specialists a one-off opportunity to get ‘hands on’ and appreciate why premium quality equipment such as Hofmann Megaplan is the cheaper, more sensible option long term.

Hofmann Megaplan have continued their support of grass roots football by extending our sponsorship of Thrapston Town Juniors FC.

The attached picture showing our team, who will play in the Under 8’s league next season, was taken at last Sunday’s tournament which included teams from Northamptonshire’s Weetabix League as well as those from outside the area.

Meanwhile, at a slightly higher level, we have renewed our relationship with League One side Peterborough United, and will once again be an official partner for the 2010/11 season as the club looks to gain automatic promotion back to the Championship.

Hofmann Megaplan Managing and Technical Directors, James Boon and Mick Corley, are pictured here with the colourful Barry Fry, Director of Football at The Posh.

Matt Parnwell has joined Hofmann Megaplan in a Technical Demonstration & Support role, taking the total number of members of this specialist team to seven nationwide.

Matt, 30, has a wealthy tyre fitting, mechanical and engineering background, providing him with the perfect combination of experience to carry out his new role. A thorough training programme including factory visits to Spain and Italy are in place and we expect Matthew to be fully up and running by the end of July.

The Hofmann Megaplan ‘Technical Demonstration & Support’ team is a unique scenario amongst tyre equipment suppliers, with all members having a predominantly tyre related background. The calibre of these individuals enables them to provide both pre and aftersales advice, as well as training our customers to advanced standards such as run-flat tyre changing and diagnostic balancing. This specialist team eliminates the need for a typical sales team and provides customers with much more  honest and valuable advice when handling new enquiries, as well as enabling the continuity of contact even after a customer has purchased, as it is the same individual responsible for installing, demonstrating and supporting long after the initial purchase.

The new Hofmann Megaplan equipment catalogue is now available, showcasing the complete range. This new publication, which will also be available in electronic format, includes comprehensive information on the UK’s leading line-up of tyre changers, wheel balancers, specialist lifts, and much more besides.

Distributor copies will be sent out automatically over the next couple of weeks. If you would like to receive a copy please contact our office on 01480 891011.