Hughes Electrical has reorganised the ways its commercial division does business following the acquisition of Armstrong Commercial Laundry Systems earlier this year.
It has now launched Hughes Pro, with around 50 members of staff, who are responsible for the supply, installation, servicing and repair of highly specialist washing machines and dryers, together with glass and dish washers to commercial organisations.
Hughes also continues to invest in the Armstrong brand and the business is currently moving into new, larger premises at its Newbury base. From here 20 staff will support its extensive dealer network while also supplying spare parts and highly specialist industrial washers, which can take loads of up to 300kg.
The combined businesses will operate from branches in Glasgow, Leicester, Newbury, Norwich and Rochester.
Said Simon Quinlan, Hughes Pro managing director: “The reorganisation plays on the strengths of the two, well established businesses and we will continue to invest heavily in both.
“We are a distributor for Miele Professional and Alliance Laundry Systems – the largest worldwide producer of commercial laundry equipment and manufacturer of a number of well-known brands – while also having a large number of coin operated laundry systems in over 200 locations across the country.
“Hughes Pro is now our customer facing commercial department and better describes the services we offer. Armstrong’s engineers are currently retraining before transferring to Hughes Pro, giving us a national team of 30 skilled engineers.
“We will be looking to roll out new products, improvements and services over the coming months and years.”
Senior members of Hughes Pro include: Ed Robinson, commercial manager; Hannah Linton, customer service manager; Steve Hunter, training & compliance manager and Neil Gow, national service manager. In addition, five existing engineers have been promoted to senior technician roles.
Hughes Pro will supply equipment from manufacturers including: Speed Queen, Primus, MaidAid, Schulthess and in some areas Miele Professional.
Hughes Trade was started in 2007 and currently has 8,500 active accounts operating from 14 branches throughout the country with an annual turnover of £20m. It launched its commercial department in 2012 when it took on its first Miele Professional dealership; Hughes Pro is now in the top three and one of the fastest growing commercial Miele dealers in the country.
Hughes Electrical Group has approaching 1,000 employees, an annual turnover of £125m and has more than 100,000 electrical items on rental at any one time. It operates from around 40 stores countrywide and has a highly successful website from which customers can order direct, arrange an in-store demonstration or ‘click & collect’.
