Leon Simmons
Meet Leon Simmons
South Wales Regional Manager – Hydraquip Hose & Hydraulics Newport
I began my working life in the construction industry and joined the hydraulics industry in 1999 at Pirtek Newport, South Wales as a trainee mobile sales and service technician. I really enjoyed my role and having always been a people person, I liked that it also involved visiting and speaking to many different customers. During my 3 years at Pirtek I became a qualified engineer and was also promoted to senior mobile sales and service technician. I worked on site repairing hydraulic machinery as well as training other engineers and was recognised for an increased turnover and growth of my local customer base.
In 2002 I began looking for a new opportunity and contacted the owner of Turner Hydraulics in Newport. I knew him well due to my time working in the industry and he offered me a job as a mobile engineer. I worked there until October 2004 when I set up my own business and became the sole trader of Newport Fluid Power. I started the business with £5000 and although it was a daunting process, I had backing from my clients and knew I had the knowledge and enthusiasm to make the company a success. The business initially ran from a container on a customer’s yard providing 24/7 hydraulic repairs, fluid power solutions and maintenance programs for hydraulic equipment. I had no formal business training and learned everything as I went along from invoicing and finance to the day to day running of the business and ensuring an excellent level of customer service was provided at all times.
In February 2005 we became a Limited company and in 2006 we moved into an industrial unit of our own and I hired an additional engineer. We were then able to increase our customer base and provide more hydraulic repairs in Newport, Cardiff and the South Wales Valleys. We had a very strong presence at the local docks providing repairs and breakdown assistance on vessels, ships, excavators, cranes, fork trucks, anything with a hydraulic hose on it! In 2012 Newport Fluid Power became a business of three people – myself and two hydraulic engineers who bring a wealth of industry experience.
I was very much aware of Hydraquip’s rapid growth and success across the UK and after discussions with Hydraquip’s Managing Director Duncan MacBain and Regional Director Fintan Ennis, we came to a mutually beneficial agreement for Hydraquip to purchase the assets of Newport Fluid Power. From 30th August 2019 we joined forces with the Hydraquip Group and are excited to increase the presence of Hydraquip in South Wales. I have built a good reputation within the industry in the South Wales area and having worked both on site and on the business side I am able to bring a range of experience to Hydraquip and am not afraid to get stuck in. I am now the South Wales Regional Manager based at Hydraquip Hose & Hydraulics Newport. My role will involve business development, recruitment and technical support to the engineers. I am keen to recruit more engineers in the South Wales area to strengthen Hydraquip’s 24/7 national on site hose repair service and increase the level of service to our new and existing customers.
Monday 2nd September 2019
Meet The Team
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