Finning CAT explain absence at Hillhead 2010

AT last week’s Hillhead exhibition, one of the questions on many of the visitors’ lips was: Why are Finning CAT not at the show this year? Neil Dickinson, director of construction equipment with the Cannock-based company, therefore felt it was important to explain why the company decided not to participate in 2010.

He said: ‘As with most businesses over the last 24 months, at Finning we have had to make some tough decisions on how to resize our business and reduce our overall cost base to ensure we are aligned with the new market reality. As a result, we did not feel that the substantial expenditure we have traditionally made in exhibiting at the Hillhead show was appropriate in the current climate. We know it is an important industry event, yet felt that our customers would appreciate and understand that other strategic commitments took priority.

‘Our customers tell us consistently that the very highest level of service performance is critical to their uptime, production output and ultimately to their profitability. We have worked hard to maintain and enhance our front line operations in our drive to be No.1 for service. We are proud to be succeeding through these difficult years with our support capability not only fully intact, but also strongly enhanced.’

Mr Dickinson said that as a result of the company’s stance, Finning Cat had:

Retained their 400-strong workshop and field service engineering team

Continued to invest in their 125-strong apprenticeship program through the Finning Academy

Increased investment in their 22 locations across the UK

Introduced the Eco-Drive fuel efficiency program with over 1,000 customer operatives trained to date

Started providing engineering and repair support for non-Cat equipment

Developed the Lastability.com web resource to share best practices to help the industry save more than £10million this year

Been recognized with the 2010 Gold RoSPA award for Engineering Services.

He added: ‘We believe that being responsive and innovative, while remaining committed to our core values, is how we can really help our customers through these difficult times. We are committed to being more than just an equipment dealer; we are determined to play a bigger role in supporting the industry and to be your dependable partner, both in good and bad times.

‘We have always been, and remain, a strong supporter of the Hillhead show and hope you understand that we did not attend this year for the right reasons.’