International company sees local potential

24th June 2016

Earlier this year, Reelcare was proud to announce the expansion of its successful UK business, as the company now had an operation based in South Africa. The company has set up its hose and cable reel business in a fully stocked warehouse facility located in Wadeville, Gauteng.

Reelcare sales director Terry Crabtree notes that this venture was not a difficult decision to make, noting that the company already enjoyed doing business in South Africa in the mining and lubrication industries and has done so for many years.

He adds that, over that time, Reelcare has developed some extremely good business relationships within these market sectors, recognising that, while the mining industry in South Africa is a major consumer of hose reels, there are many other industries in South Africa with which the company has had dealings, based on its UK operation.

“Our product ranges overlap in most industrial sectors and our South African operation will be the focus of a targeted approach to this market, giving us the opportunity to grow,” he comments.

Crabtree comments that, while there are companies in South Africa that sell small ranges of hose reels, Reelcare has a comprehensive range of hose and cable reels and is a ‘one-stop shop’ for all reeling requirements.

He says Reelcare South Africa (SA) has been set up not only to supply the South African market, but the long-term plan is also to develop its business throughout the continent – in East, West and Southern Africa. “It was therefore a very simple decision to set up shop here in South Africa – the gateway to the rest of Africa,” he reiterates.

Reelcare UK has clients in many different industries and its long-standing ethos and philosophy is to build and develop long-lasting business relationships with its respective clients within the diverse
industrial sectors.

“We provide them with quality hose and cable reeling products, as well as a high-quality service and after-sales support, coupled with expert advice. “With nearly 100 years combined experience in the hose and cable reel industries in the Reelcare group, the South African market is in good hands,” he stresses.

UK-based hose and cable reel supplier Reelcare, which currently distributes hose and cable reeling equipment in the UK through its own network of distributors and original-equipment manufacturers, has many agencies working with globally respected hose reel manufacturers and plans to replicate its UK business model in South Africa.

Crabtree comments that the development of Reelcare UK is based on a simple but effective business model, which has enabled the company to become one of the UK’s leading hose reel suppliers. The company is confident that Reelcare SA can achieve the same success on the African continent.

Hose Reels
Hose reels, in general, improve overall safety and efficiency and, on the industrial safety side, they make any health and safety officer’s job easier by reducing tripping hazards resulting from hoses lying around, says Reelcare.

Crabtree points out that the reels also ensure that the hose lasts longer, explaining that, in fact, a hose stored on a hose reel can last up to five times longer.

He asserts that, with hoses lasting longer, water, oil, diesel and air leaks are minimised, having a further positive effect on operating budgets, safety and the environment.