HUGHES SAFETY SHOWERS BOSS GOES DOWN UNDER

It was catch up time in Australia for Tony Hughes when he met the team from Spill Station, exclusive distributors of Hughes products in Australia, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea.As well as arranging business meetings, Spill Station had a surprise for Tony that proved to be right on track!

Annual visits are part of Hughes’ on-going support for distributors. It provides an opportunity to discuss progress face-to-face and plan for the future. Sometimes they coincide with local exhibitions or conferences but often, as in this latest visit, they are simply an opportunity to meet distributors on their home ground.

First stop for Tony was Sydney and a meeting with Spill Station’s Managing Director, Nathan Cartwright, and the Sales Manager for Showers Phil Plain. As sales increase in the region, thanks to Spill Stations efforts, it’s important to review local stocking levels and consider the logistics of replenishing from the UK, especially as customers are often looking for a quick turn-around.  Not surprisingly, this featured in the discussions and in addition to holding larger stocks in Australia the option to replenish from the warehouse at Hughes Middle East was considered in an effort to cut shipping times.

As Hughes is considering the appointment of a sales representative for the ASEAN region, Spill Station’s input and experience proved invaluable.

It was also interesting to note that stainless steel products rather than galvanised dominate the shower and eye/facewash market in Australia. This is the opposite to the UK.

Australia is a vast country and flying from Sydney to the Spill Station’s Perth office and warehouse took over six hours, almost as long as it takes to reach Dubai from the UK. The Perth office distributes Hughes products throughout Western Australia with many customers in the mining sector. They expect a quick turn round of orders and so stock levels were again at the top of the agenda for Tony’s meeting with Richard Seuren Manager of the Perth office.  It was also an opportunity for Tony to meet the staff, explain the Hughes structure as it is evolving to meet the global growth in business and answer technical questions.

With business complete, Richard Seuren had a surprise in store for Tony – a chance to drive an Aussie V8 Supercar during a track day at the Barbagallo Raceway in Wanneroo. A quick phone call to the logistics department in Stockport had Tony’s helmet and racing kit on the next flight to Perth – reaching him in just three days at a cost of under £50. Australia may be the other side of the globe but proof enough for business or pleasure distance is no object. It’s particularly heartening when thinking of spares support.

Dressed and raring to go, Tony jumped into the 440bhp track car which was kindly loaned by Richard’s friend, Jason Wilson. His company, JP Pallets, is a race sponsor at the track and Jason is a familiar figure on the local race scene. And, when not racing and selling pallets, he runs a container conversion business.

 A new car, new circuit and plenty of critical onlookers meant a new challenge for Tony.

“It had been raining heavily after a lengthy dry spell, so a wet track with plenty of rubber laid down inevitably posed a few problems on the corners. I managed some pretty impressive slides, especially during the first few laps but soon got the feel of it. Having said that, I probably took it a little easier than usual. After all, I didn’t want to be handing my host a write-off as I left to catch my return flight. My surprise track experience rounded off a very successful visit when I could see first-hand the excellent work Spill Station are doing on behalf of Hughes.”