PAT, THE manufacturer of load moment indicators (LMIs) and other crane safety devices, has sold its UK and Republic of Ireland retrofit and service business to Samuel Walker & Sons.
Glasgow-based Samuel Walker has bought the exclusive rights to the retrofit sales, replacement parts and the service activities. Samuel Walker, which is also Grove’s service agent for the UK, has taken on a couple of PAT employees as well as PAT stock as part of the deal.
PAT chief executive Laurie Burns told Cranes Today that because of the downturn in the OEM market, PAT was particularly targeting the retrofit market. The best route to this market is through distributors, he said. ‘We couldn’t see how we could grow the [retrofit] business in the UK any more on our own,’ Burns said.
The LMI retrofit market in the UK comprises those few old machines that have still not been fitted – a market expected to run dry within five years or so – and ‘grey’ machines imported with non-conforming systems that need replacing.
Burns said that it was unlikely that PAT would be able to sell its retrofit and service business in other countries, but seeking growth through distribution channels was being pursued as a core strategy. PAT itself will concentrate its activities more on new product development.
