06.03.2008

Finning to centralise group support services

Finning Group (UK) has today announced that it is proposing to centralise the group business support services of its CAT dealership and Hewden arms into a single location at Cannock, Staffordshire.

This will result in the closing its administration offices in Tannochside, near Glasgow but retaining a Hewden focussed operational support team presence in Manchester.
The company says that customer facing depots and branches in both Scotland and Manchester will be unaffected and will have no impact on services, operational staff or accessibility for Finning and Hewden customers.

The move is designed to achieve better integrated IT, finance and services across the group as well as bringing significant reductions in administration costs. The Group recently invested £12.6 million in a new IT system and has adopted a leaner and more focused business.

Finning Group (UK) managing director, Andy Fraser, said: “Our investment in a new IT system has automated a number of processes. Similarly, our administration requirement has been reduced by the successful sale of Finning UK’s Materials Handling division and Hewden’s Tools and Hoists businesses as going concerns. This is in keeping with our now long stated strategy of focusing our capital investment on state of the art equipment and services for the heavy duty plant and major construction markets."

“We currently expect that the majority of staff - about 100 - who are happy to relocate will be able to be transfered to our Cannock offices where the centralisation of business support services will create opportunities for career development."

"Comprehensive relocation support will be made available. We are, however, entering into consultation for those who do not want to move or whose posts may no longer exist.".

Fraser also stressed that movement of administrative support to Cannock does not mean any reduction in operational staff or services for either Scotland or any other region: “Our depots in these areas are unaffected."

The company is carrying out major refurbishments and upgrades in Aberdeen, Dundee and Elgin Hewden plant depots. In Hamilton, Finning Group are also proposing to invest a further £1.4 million in capital expenditure at its CAT branch there, where the number of equipment service bays and retail and office space will all be increased.

All of the proposed changes and related refurbishment and construction work are expected to take place over the course of 2008.