Allelys adapting to market demand in pursuit of growth post Brexit
UK’s largest family-owned heavy lift and specialist transport provider, Allelys, had to tackle a number of challenges in 2021 to retain its position. The constantly changing environment, as well as the power market continuously moving towards renewable sources of fuel , has pushed the company to further innovate to adapt to the ever changing industry.
Allelys works across a number of industries including civil engineering and infrastructure, power, rail, industrial and automotive. However, the largest sector in which the company works is power, which includes generation, transmission and distribution. The company is able to support the full project scope of work with a factory to foundation service.
“Whilst conventional power sources remain essential to the heavy lift industry, 2021 saw a lot of changes with the continuation of harnessing more sustainable sources of energy such as wind and energy from waste. Allelys have adapted their service offering to be able to provide heavy lift and transport solutions for everything from transformers, generators and reactors, to cable reels and synchronous condensers,” Richard Beardmore, senior commercial manager at Allelys told Project Cargo Journal.
Clearing obstacles
Covid persisted to be a major challenge within the last 12 months which required Allelys to change the way it worked in order to ensure the highest level of safety for its employees and customers.
“Brexit was another challenge the company faced, however the business adapted the way it worked and overcame each obstacle,” Beardmore said.
Furthermore, the whole of the UK has faced driver shortages, however, the heavy lift and transport sector seems to have a unique appeal. In addition, the company’s focus on its own employees has helped it tackle this issue successfully.
“We move some of the heaviest loads on UK roads and this attracts a lot of candidates. We have always focused on developing our drivers, moving them through the business from our general haulage trucks to the heavy haulage fleet so that we’ve got a constant stream of experienced talent,” stressed Beardmore.
New customs rules have also had an effect on the business, and there was an increase in the amount of inquiries by customers seeking facilitation of customs requirements. Allelys was prompted to adjust in order to provide a complete turnkey solution to fulfil this need.
Growing demand for Allelys in 2021
The demand for cleaner, greener energy has subsequently boosted the need for components such as synchronous condensers, which add inertia and frequency stability to the power grid. Allelys have delivered and installed the first synchronous condenser to go live within the UK during 2021.
“We’re seeing high demand across all of our transport, handling and installation service offerings,” Beardmore added.
While Covid impacted the transportation of rolling stock, which is a prominent market segment for Allelys, the last 12 months have seen a full recovery and the demand has passed the pre-Covid levels.
The demand for installation work within the industrial and automotive sector has also been significant from single machinery movements through to complex turnkey solutions.
Keeping up with the industry demand
Allelys have always been accustomed to the needs of the industry, especially when it comes to road transport and permits. The company has significantly invested in its own fleet to provide the necessary flexibility and control when last-minute changes have been required.
In order to increase the level of control and minimise risk, Allelys recently purchased a LG1550 crane. This further minimises dependence on third parties as it is now able to lift project cargo independently and offer flexibility to customers.
“With the delays now caused to project cargo, as a result of a global shipping crisis, we’ve looked to support our customers further. We have built a new storage facility adding 18,000 square foot of bunded storage, which is serviced by a 100 te capacity overhead crane. This investment is an ideal solution for electrical transformers or other components that contain hazardous liquids,” notes Beardmore.
Within the last 12 months, Allelys have also expanded its transport fleet, jacking equipment, truck fleet, vans as well as SPMT and the aforementioned heavy lift crane. To increase the flexibility and agility the company can provide, Allelys has also opened a new office in Stoke on Trent, Staffordshire.
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