DEUTZ reorganises UK operations 
(23/01/2008)
DEUTZ has announced changes to its UK operations aimed at improving customer service and strengthening its position in the British market. DEUTZ UK Ltd based in Cannock now becomes a branch of DEUTZ AG, its German parent company, with the existing sales, marketing and product support teams continuing to operate from its Staffordshire offices, whilst certain administrative and financial operations will be transferred to DEUTZ AG in Germany.
DEUTZ AG's other UK operation, the research & development facility in Dursley, Gloucestershire, will in future operate independently, reporting directly to Germany.
As part of the on-going enhancements, the UK branch will primarily concentrate its activities on servicing major OEMs, plant hire groups and large fleet operators. Plans are already in place to expand and develop the DEUTZ distributor network still further so that distributors can offer even more localised sales, service and parts support to the ever growing number of other UK customers.
Klaus-Ulrich Klinger, UK Branch Manager, said: "At DEUTZ we are always looking at ways to further develop and improve our range of engines. This forward-thinking attitude also extends to customer service. These changes should be viewed as extremely positive as far as our customers are concerned. Having a more focussed approach locally will help to reinforce our already strong position in the UK engine market."
As part of continued investment in its UK operations, the Cannock-based Service Support team has recently had its 13-strong vehicle fleet replaced by new Volkswagen vans with improved interiors.
"The first six months of the year saw strong sales growth worldwide, with a significant contribution in the UK from the buoyant construction equipment sector," said Mr Klinger. "We are very optimistic about the future and are already anticipating a 20 per cent sales increase in 2008, with several sizeable contracts already confirmed with major OEMs."
Globally DEUTZ increased its operating profit and net income significantly in the first half of 2007. Its operating profit rose by 26 per cent to EUR42.8 million, while its net income was EUR26.4 million, EUR20.6 million of which was earned in the second quarter of the year. Its volume of new orders in this period came to EUR995.9 million, a 22 per cent year-on-year improvement. Unit sales rose to 134,835 engines, an increase of 24 per cent. A key growth factor was the commercial vehicle engine business in the compact engines sector, where new orders rose by 38 per cent to EUR641.6 million.
Recently DEUTZ AG sold its Power Systems operation, which consisted of the gas and diesel engine business for centralised power generation, thus allowing the company to focus more fully on the development and manufacture of compact diesel engines.
As one of the world's largest independent manufacturers of diesel and gas engines, DEUTZ has more than 140 years experience in the provision of high quality engines, with an overall product range extending from 4kW to 500kW. DEUTZ is represented in 130 countries, with around 5,500 employees, and produces in excess of 250,000 units annually, with an annual turnover in the region of EUR 1.6 billion.
DEUTZ engines are well established in the construction, quarrying, mining, materials handling, agricultural, groundcare and airport ground handling equipment sectors. Its engines are used in excavators, wheeled loaders, access platforms, compactors, cranes, crushers, screeners, compressors, generating sets, lifts trucks, tractors, ride-on mowers, chippers, shredders and other off-highway mobile plant.
Full sales, service and product support is available through the centrally located Cannock facility, supported by a dedicated nationwide team of factory trained Service Engineers, equipped with a fleet of mobile workshops, together with a network of specialist appointed local distributors.
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