Need an emergency on-site hose replaced? Then it’s time to call in Pirtek.

The market leader in this field, Pirtek is one of the veterans of franchising, having originated in 1989 in the UK. It has twice won the bfa Franchisor of the Year Award in 1997 and 2000. In addition, Pirtek also competes in the distributor market for hydraulic hoses, components, oils and greases, oil spill products and other related items. And it is now looking for even more franchises to join the group.

Despite the first Pirtek franchise appearing in 1989, the concept has been around since 1980, when it started in Australia. After the first franchise appeared in North London in 1989, it has since expanded to 90 centres throughout the UK and Ireland and 60 centres in mainland Europe. So there are 150 franchises at the moment altogether.What criteria should potential franchisees have? Alistair Wiggins, Business Development Director says that it boils down to three areas of expertise. ‘The three backgrounds that we are looking for are financial; sales and marketing; and technical,’ he says. “One of the most important criteria to become a successful Pirtek franchisee is a manament background. They should have experience of managing people. They should also have good people skills. They don’t have to have formal qualifications, but we’d rather they had some experience.’

Typically, the franchisee will be required to find £70,000 of liquid capital. Altogether, £220,000 is needed to set up, but about a third of this needs to be the franchisee’s own investment. For that price, the franchisee will get the territory, equipment, machinery, training, accounts support and financial packages for funding. ‘Very importantly, the franchisee gets the opportunity to trade under the only national brand for mobile hydraulic hose replacement,’ says Alistair. ‘We are the most dominant player in the market with 50 per cent of the market today.’

 

 Depending on the franchisee’s experience, training will normally take four weeks. This is a mix of practical and classroom training. The training takes place at the company’s training facility in Birmingham, its offices in Acton, and at one of its existing branches.

Depending on the franchisee’s experience, training will normally take four weeks. This is a mix of practical and classroom training. The training takes place at the company’s training facility in Birmingham, its offices in Acton, and at one of its existing branches.

 

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