The Aftermarket Operation of Loughborough-based Morris Material Handling - one of the UK’s primary manufacturers of cranes, hoists and material handling equipment - has entered 2005 having secured its biggest ever service and maintenance partnering contract.

For the next three and a half years, Morris Material Handling will assume responsibility for the statutory inspection, servicing, maintenance and
minor repair of all of Westland Helicopters’ cranes, allied lifting and materials handling equipment at its UK design and manufacturing site in Yeovil.

As well as being one of the biggest single contracts of its kind secured by Morris, it is the first time the company has deployed a full-time on-site team to support such a service level agreement. In total, the Morris Material Handling will assume responsibility for some 9,000 items at Westland Helicopters’ Yeovil site that require statutory inspection.

Comments Pat Campbell, Head of Aftermarket Operations for Morris Material Handling: “We see this as the start of what will hopefully become a
long-term relationship that proves mutually beneficial to both organisations. We are obviously delighted to have secured what is a very significant service and maintenance contract with Westland Helicopters, who are such a well-known and respected global supplier of aircraft used for defence, civil, and search and rescue purposes.”

“As part of the long-term strategy that we have devised for our Aftermarket operation, it is our intention to vigorously target key accounts such as Westland Helicopters with a view to developing a portfolio of strategic partnerships. We have the knowledge, history and expertise to provide a
tangible service offering that is both cost-effective and flexible,” he added.

Commenting on behalf of Westland Helicopters, Employee Services Manager, Barry Tucker said: “Following a rigorous selection procedure, Morris
Material Handling were found to offer a value for money solution that will meet the service and maintenance needs of our entire material handling
systems. We will look to work with the team from Morris to continuously improve the site inspection service in operation at Yeovil whilst reducing operating costs in the process.”

Whilst the service and maintenance contract will be administered via Morris Material Handling’s regional office in Rochester, direct IT links are being installed between the Westland Helicopters site and Morris HQ to ensure that service performance levels are maintained throughout the duration of the contract.

Westland Helicopters Limited is the UK arm of the company AgustaWestland and is the only helicopter design authority, manufacturer and systems integrator. With more than 80 years aviation experience, Westland is renowned throughout the world as a manufacturer of the most technically advanced, versatile and reliable helicopters.