Parker's expansion continues apace

Citation

(2004), "Parker's expansion continues apace", Anti-Corrosion Methods and Materials, Vol. 51 No. 2. https://doi.org/10.1108/acmm.2004.12851bab.014

Parker's expansion continues apace

Parker's expansion continues apace

Parker Plating in Melbourne, Australia has two PAL lines, and Bill Parker is living proof that has helped increase business (Plate 3).

“When the first PAL zinc barrel line went in some half a dozen years ago, it created a great deal of interest among our customers – the majority of whom are in the automotive industry,” he explains. “They were impressed not only by the quality of work produced on it, but by our investment in our future. There is no doubt that its installation led to an increase in business from them. Once our second line went in, they were even more impressed. It just ate up the work, and what is more important; the work is of a consistently high quality”.

Plate 3 Bill Parker with his machine when new

“Quality is the watchword, it is essential to our customers that they can get top quality work on a consistent basis. These top quality results are essential, in an era of 'world sourcing'”. After all, we could be quoting on a job against a company in Europe or Asia. Yes, price is important but we are not going to get the job if we cannot be competitive in terms of quality too. Eliminating human error by using automated machinery like our PAL lines is the way to go.

“We have been setting new standards here in Australia, no-one else has barrel lines like ours and as a consequence, work comes to us from as far away as Sydney (600 miles away) and Adelaide (500 miles away). That in itself speaks volumes for the quality of work we produce. So does the fact that our business continues to expand.”

Although much of Parker Plating's business is with the automotive industry, they are major platers of building industry fasteners to meet the booming Australian building industry.

“We're pleased with our PAL machines, they have certainly opened new doors for us,” says Bill Parker. “We're particularly delighted with the smooth running of the programmes. Indeed, our business hinges on their continued smooth running and our ability to run mixed loads – especially when urgent work comes in. One new customer from Southern Australia was particularly surprised by the machine's ability in this respect – he had never seen a machine capable of working like our PAL lines”.

“We have a great relationship with Peter Salmon who looks after PAL's interests in Australia – and is their GMF specialist, and, thanks to our two PAL lines we are looking forward to many more doors continuing to open for us.”

Hi-Tec Spray Ltd acquires Bollom Finishing Equipment and creates a national network “first”

A new UK force in surface coating technology has been created following the acquisition of Bollom Finishing Equipment by Maidstone, Kent-based Hi-Tec Spray Ltd.

The acquisition means that Hi-Tec Spray becomes one of the top companies in the country offering spraying, finishing and fluid handling solutions to industry, and the only one with a national network of depots.

The newly-expanded company, which will have a turnover of more than £5M, services a wide range of customers from sole traders and privately-owned companies through to blue chip organisations, from British Airways to the Bank of England, Vauxhall to Ford, Glaxo Smith Kline to Pilkington Glass, and Cadbury to Parker Pen.

Hi-Tec Spray also acts as distributor for leading international manufacturers of spraying, finishing and pumping equipment, including Graco, Wagner, ITW DeVilbiss, ITW Binks, Kremlin, Sames, Iwata and Sagola.

Complementing this with a wide range of consumable products is a 3M and Applied Chemicals/Gramos distributorship, plus a comprehensive choice of shotblasting equipment.

Garry Dowling, 42 and Steve Cooper, 43, will continue to run the company from Maidstone, Kent, which they founded in 1987.

At present, they head a team of 40 service engineers, depot staff and sales executives, based at branches in Manchester, Coventry, Bristol, Southampton, Stowmarket and Maidstone, plus a new depot in southeast London.

Gary Dowling comments: “We're delighted to have acquired Bollom Finishing Equipment. Our skill sets, client databases and equipment portfolios are an ideal fit”.

“Most importantly, we can now service our customers from regional depots throughout the country, a network which is unrivalled by any of our competitors. That means a closer relationship with our customers where we can offer local spares, repairs, advice and expertise.”