New site for Heli following good 2009

Following a solid 2009, Belgium rental and sales company, Heli is planning to move in to new purpose built premises in Spring 2011.

Heli's rental access business, which ranges from specialist ladders and scaffold towers to almost every variety of powered access and also includes Maeda cranes and some forklift trucks, makes up 45 to 50% of the company's turnover. Heli also represents a number of access, crane and specialist equipment manufacturers in Benelux and France. Sales contribute 25 to 30% of Heli's revenue and the rest is made up from transport and service.

Wim Le Roy, sales manager told Access International that in 2009 the utilisation of the company's 850 strong rental fleet was almost equal to that in 2008. The division had generated just 5% less in 2009 than in 2008, which was partially due to pricing coming under pressure in the difficult the economic conditions.

Meanwhile sales revenue in 2009 had actually increased in 2009 - smaller machines being bought by smaller contractors and rental companies accounting for many sales. Heli sold 150 machines across its ranges in 2009 and Mr Le Roy hopes to increase that to 250 in 2010 "Although 200 would be good," he said.

Heli has outgrown its current premises, located near Gent in Belgium and is currently operating from two sites. The new facility will be located nearby and will accommodate the entire business: it is a 40000 m² site and will include 6000 m² warehousing and 1650 m² of office space. Building will commence early this year and Heli expects to move into its new site in April 2011.

Read the complete interview with Heli in the March issue of Access International.