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In 2001, Wide Range Services Ltd was established by the management duo, Andy Firth and Ian Altass. Drawing upon their wealth of experience in Initial Metals Engineering, they orchestrated the convergence of various companies, creating a conglomerate offering a diverse array of services unified under the WRS brand.
The maiden acquisition of WRS, in 2001, was Wide Range Lift Trucks (WRLT). This strategic partnership involved three seasoned engineers with a profound background in forklift maintenance. Today, WRLT stands as a stalwart in the industry, boasting an extensive inventory of high demand material handling equipment. WRLT's facilities include purpose built workshops dedicated to repairs, assembly, and disassembly of machinery. Furthermore, the synergy with WRS's partner companies affords the remarkable capability to customise stock equipment to align seamlessly with the unique needs of our clientele.
In September 2002, WRS marked a significant milestone by acquiring the Hull depots of Initial Metals Engineering, previously owned by Andrew Weir Shipping. This expansion was a pivotal move, propelling Initial Metals into the realms of heavy fabrication and the refurbishment of plant equipment, encompassing loader buckets, forklift masts carriages, forks, gooseneck manufacture and repair, and gooseneck stand manufacture. This collaboration fosters adaptability in customising forklifts, be it through shortening mast sections, modifying carriages, forks, or forklift cabs, ensuring that our solutions seamlessly align with our customers' distinct requirements.
Wide Range Services continued its growth trajectory by acquiring Northfield Engineering in February 2006. A well regarded local company, Northfield introduced a new dimension to our operations, providing access to the local engineering marketplace. With diverse capabilities, Northfield excels in delivering quick turnaround parts, from breakdown situations to full CNC production runs. Central to Wide Range's success is Northfield's core business of hydraulic cylinder repair, design, and manufacturing. This expertise significantly aids in the restoration and modification of our extensive machinery inventory. Northfield's excellence is notably evident in its swift turnaround times for all cylinder repairs, ranging from routine strip and reseal to the fabrication of new pattern parts, thereby supporting local engineering, plant, and maintenance industries.
Building upon the acquisition of Northfield Engineering, WRS completed the purchase of East Coast Fluid Power in July 2006, another critical component of our equipment repair and modification services. East Coast boasts a stellar reputation for its exceptional customer service. Initially, this acquisition addressed certain areas where Northfield required reinforcement, such as hose repairs. East Coast's specialisation extends to every conceivable type of hydraulic hose for a myriad of applications, with the capacity to produce hoses on site or via fully equipped mobile vans. Today, Northfield and East Coast, while distinct entities, seamlessly function as a cohesive unit under the WRS umbrella, further enhancing our comprehensive suite of services.
Over the initial seven years, WRS diligently consolidated its operations, culminating in the completion of a state-of-the-art machine shop and mechanical workshop in 2012. This expansive facility, spanning 14,000 square feet, encompasses a fully-equipped machine shop, hydraulic shop, two specialized forklift refurbishment workshops, and a dedicated fabrication and welding workshop. Complemented by two acres of yard storage, this infrastructure empowers us to expand our equipment sales while ensuring the ability to supply, modify, service, and repair equipment to meet the exacting needs of both trade professionals and end-users.
Strategically situated in proximity to Hull docks, Wide Range possesses a diverse inventory, ranging from 2-ton forklifts to 200-ton cranes. This wide spectrum of handling equipment, available for supply, modification, service, and repair, ensures we can cater to the unique requirements of a broad clientele, delivering quality and reliability.
The Management Buyout in 2021
In 2021, a significant milestone marked WRS's journey when a management buyout was successfully completed. This transition heralded a new era for Wide Range Services, reinforcing its commitment to excellence and innovation, and empowering the management team to further steer the company towards new horizons.
Wide Range remains dedicated to its mission of providing comprehensive solutions in the field of material handling and equipment maintenance, backed by decades of expertise and a commitment to meeting the evolving needs of its valued customers.
