Pirtek celebrates three decades

Pirtek’s UK operations turns 30 this year and the company hosted a special annual conference to celebrate.

Pirtek has been marking 30 years since it opened its first franchised centre in the UK in 1988. To celebrate the milestone year, the hydraulics franchise decided to host its annual conference at the luxury Trump Turnberry Resort in Ayrshire, Scotland. Franchisees and important members of the company were invited to see what’s in store for the next year at the stunning resort, which has incredible views across the Irish Sea to the Isle of Arran.

Pirtek’s first UK centre was set up in London’s Park Royal, following 8 years of success in its native Australia under founder Peter Duncan. It quickly grew to become the leading company in the hydraulic hose sector and now has over 85 established centres and 350 mobile service units run by its dedicated franchisees.

Sales and operations director of Pirtek UK, Paul Dunlop, explained why the company has managed to achieve such longevity. “We had a superb range of products and services at a time when the growth in self-employment made franchising desirable and many companies were seeking to outsource what had previously been conducted in-house. We continued to innovate, adding new products and services to our portfolio, leading to further expansion of the network.”

Pirtek has achieved a lot throughout its history, including establishing its innovative Total Hose Management service that uses data to help franchisees record, service and maintain hose systems so that they know exactly when parts need replacing before they malfunction. The franchise has also made working with high pressure hoses safer, thanks to its unique Fluid Power Glove that’s extra resistant to dangerous jets of oil that have the power to injure and even kill operators.

Dunlop added that the company has changed a lot throughout its 30-year history but has stayed true to its core values throughout. “The company has undergone some radical changes in the past three decades and I don’t think any of us could have predicted the growth we have enjoyed. The one thing that is unchanged is a commitment to innovation and a constant improvement in customer service.”