As Hitachi Construction Machinery UK celebrates its 50th anniversary this year, one of its loyal UK customers will soon reach the same milestone. Over the last 49 years, Kent-based Gallagher Group has become one of southeast England's leading building, civil engineering, quarrying and property development businesses, employing more than 500 people.
For over three decades, Gallagher Group has invested in hundreds of Hitachi machines. Today, its fleet for construction and civil engineering projects comprises more than 100 models ranging from three- to 35 tonnes. In addition, the quarrying part of the business utilises seven medium and large excavators (from 35 to 85 tonnes).
The company’s roots extend back to a small groundwork contracting business established by Pat Gallagher in 1973. Now chairman of the Gallagher Group, he explains why he has continued to invest in Hitachi construction machinery: “Firstly, I look at residual value – you can sell Hitachi anywhere in the world. Second, reliability – you turn the key, and it performs. Third is driver comfort. Hitachi scores highly on all three.”
The company keeps its new machines until they reach 8,000 hours and trades them for new models approximately every three years. It has developed a strong working relationship with representatives of Hitachi Construction Machinery UK as Pat testifies: “What they say they’ll do, they do. That’s all we need. And when you have a problem, they are there to help you.”
People have been vital to the successful growth of the Gallagher Group over the last 49 years. “We employed some of the best people in the southeast of England, and we still do today. That’s been the foundation of this business and its success at every level.”
Looking back, Pat is proud of what they have all achieved together: “We started at zero, and we have come a long way. I wanted the very best of whatever I was involved in. I’ve still got that ambition to be the very best at everything we do. We have an expression within the business: ‘Excellence. Delivered.’ I still want to be excellent, and 50 years on, it’s even more important to us. Now I’m looking to the next 50!”
