West Midlands specialist distributor gears up for anniversary growth @Ehrco_uk #engineering #engineeringupdate
West Midlands hydraulic specialist distributor Ehrco is gearing up for further growth over the year as it celebrates its 30th anniversary.
The Dudley-based firm is aiming to hit 10% growth over 2022.
The target comes on the back of Ehrco’s best sales performance to date in 2021, when turnover shot up by 24% to hit £3.3m as it bounced back from the pandemic dampening demand. This returns the firm to its pre-pandemic upward progress.
Ehrco’s operations director Bryan Leavesley comments: “The pandemic was challenging for the industrial supplies sector, but we have great foundations in place. Our team’s expertise along with offering brand leading stock and an established UK distribution network enabled us to be in the right place when the market recovered.”
Longer-term Leavesley expects annual growth to continue in double digits after this year.
Ehrco was founded in the early 1970s by entrepreneur David Varney with backing from the Rapisarda Group, a power transmission belts specialist.
Today it is a leader in supplying hydraulic hose, fittings and related products in the UK distribution market. With a 600 strong client base, much of its success has been built on strong nationwide partnerships and client relationships.
Ehrco employs 15 staff at its 30,000 sq. ft. premises in Dudley. It is the leading UK distributor for the Vitillo Group, Oleo Tecnica Flanges and PI.EFFE.CI Clamps. Now part of Milan headquartered industrial distributors Gruppo Bianchi, and is sister company of logistics firm Antifriction.
Penny Reidy, Ehrco’s sales manager, says: “We’re aiming to be a top tier 2 industry firm this year. This will make the business one of the leading independent distributors, just behind the big manufacturers.”
Ehrco is initially looking to make two new hires in telesales and an apprentice in the warehouse to help hit its targets. The firm has just earned ISO9001 certification, which enables it to target more industries, which coincides with approved hose assembler accreditation.
Ehrco’s operations director Bryan Leavesley comments: “The firm’s come a long way since its small beginnings. The ambition and the structure is in place for sustainable growth for future anniversaries.”
