HODGE Plant has been appointed exclusive dealer in Scotland for telehandler giant Magni UK.
Hamilton-based Hodge will promote the Magni brand north of the border and provide backup for both new and existing Magni customers. The Italian-manufactured machines will be showcased at the upcoming ScotPlant exhibition in April.
Alistair Hodge and Riccardo Magni agreed the deal during a recent factory visit. Alistair explained, “After many months researching both the customers and the manufacturers within the rotational and heavy lift telescopic handler market it was clear to see that Magni was a brand that kept being discussed. I looked into the specifications of the machines and the ranges available and quickly realised that the machines stood out in a class of their own taking build quality, technology, safety features and performance to a level way above their competitors.
“I am the sole managing director and owner of Hodge Plant Ltd and it is my name above the door so it was important that I could partner up with a company that showed the commitment to its products and its staff in the same way I do. Attending a recent factory visit with Alex White of Magni UK quickly affirmed what the market had been saying about the Magni company and its products. I have been on plenty of factory trips over the past 30 years and thought that there was nothing new to see however, the factory trip to Magni left me astounded. I couldn’t understand how it was possible to build a factory and a significant market share in an unbelievably short period of 4-5 years but, after spending time with Riccardo and Carlo Magni it was clear to see the passion of the family and the whole Magni team that has driven Magni to success.”
Alistair is hoping to expand Magni’s presence in Scotland and can point to his success with the Case brand as evidence of what can be achieved. He added, “We plan to transform the Magni brand in Scotland the same as we have done with the Case brand where we took it from a handful of sales a year to making Case one of the major players in Scotland in under four years. We have three depots in Scotland out of which there are currently nine engineers working.
“All of the engineers will be Magni factory trained to support the entire Magni product range. These depots are ideally situated to provide a wide range of sales and support services to the construction, ports, quarrying and oil and gas industries. Our knowledge in these markets is already very in-depth and we see Magni being a natural performer within these arenas.”
