Glasgow-based Douglas Gillespie Plant has reached another milestone in its membership of the Fork Lift Truck Association, celebrating 35 years as part of Britain’s materials handling elite.
The company set up in 1968 by Douglas and Margaret Gillespie is one of the longest-standing members of the FLTA – the UK's independent authority on fork lift trucks and Europe's leading body of its kind.
Managing Director Douglas recalls that achieving FLTA membership was crucial to its successful growth. He says: “As an independent fork lift truck dealer we would have struggled to compete with the large suppliers if not for the extra status that FLTA membership brought us. We have found that larger customers, in particular, like to see the FLTA name behind companies with which they do business.”
Douglas Gillespie Plant is well known within the FLTA, which conferred its greatest honour –the rarely bestowed Lifetime Achievement Award – on Douglas Gillespie in 2009. More recently, in 2013, his company won the FLTA’s inaugural Customer Focus Award, recognising the team that has best demonstrated a commitment to service.
Rapid expansion throughout Scotland in the 1970s, and beyond, established Douglas Gillespie Plant as the country’s leading independent fork lift truck specialist. In the last few years its core counterbalance and warehouse business has been extended to include such specialisms as higher-capacity models, sideloaders, multi-directional trucks and flameproof conversions.
With many of Scotland’s leading manufacturing and distribution companies as long-standing customers, this is testament to the company’s reputation and quality of customer service.
To qualify as an FLTA member, an impeccable reputation and faultless financial security are essential. Members must also sign up to a stringent code of practice covering business conduct, customer service and safety.
“The secret of our success is understanding our customers’ businesses and being able to respond quickly to their needs,” says Douglas. “We are fortunate to have a great team that care passionately about supporting our customers operations.”
For more information on joining the FLTA or its Safe User Group call 01635 277579 or visit www.fork-truck.org.uk.