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

04.08.14Duncan MacBain
05.08.14Steven Wicks
08.08.14Gary Tucker
11.08.14Jay MacBain
12.08.14Rabs Atwal
15.08.14Geoff Kelley
19.08.14Bob Wheatley
21.08.14James Roth
22.08.14Barry Saupin
26.08.14Carolyn Kay
27.08.14Alan Scott
28.08.14Amelia Cregan
29.08.14Fintan Ennis
01.09.14Mark Neale
22.09.14James Harris
07.10.14Tony Brighton
26.11.14Andy Carr
17.12.14Bert Tong
19.01.15Barry Thompson
20.05.15Tom Halliday
19.11.15Lee Newton
19.11.15Elfyn Roberts
04.01.16Steven Nock
04.01.16Stuart Carter
04.01.16Nathan Ward
13.04.16Matt House
01.11.16Bryan Drummond
08.11.16Scott Donegan
14.11.16Rich Cooper
22.05.17Roy Heaton
31.01.18Rob Savage
12.02.18Derek Emslie
15.02.18Phil Wagstaff
18.05.18Rob Heaton
22.05.18James Dorling
22.05.18Simon Durose
22.05.18Ross Heatherington
23.05.18Josh Lewington
23.05.18Jake Hillier
23.05.18Jason Coller
25.06.18Dai Hazeltine
01.08.18Ryan Tozer
07.11.18Gavin Rodgers
03.04.19Craig Pottie
03.06.19Alex Day
14.06.19Kelly Owen
17.07.19Andy Payne
01.08.19Jeff Coulson
02.09.19Leon Simmons
22.01.20Sam Bird
31.01.20David Callaghan
03.02.20Kane Upton
05.08.21Steve Jackson
20.01.22James Beacon