Concrete management news

The company, which is based at Buxton in Derbyshire, believes that consumers are tackling increasingly complex jobs which were previously left to builders. This is particularly true of the countries of continental Europe, where consumers are prepared to lay concrete and purchase the equipment needed for the task. Belle sells through hire operations across Europe such as Pierre Boels in Holland, as well as similar companies in Germany and Belgium, and HSS Hire Shops in the UK. Many of the company’s products also appeal to the rental operations run by European DIY retailers such as OBI’s Mietprofi. The company is also just beginning to sell in the USA. Belle is introducing new versions of its Premier concrete mixerThe new products presented by the company include new versions of the Premier concrete mixer with diesel or electric motor, Minitile and Maxitile tile saws and petrol-powered rammers. Under its Errut brand the company is introducing the following new products: a line-up of vibrating pokers, which are designed to expel trapped air from poured concrete to provide a high quality and durable finished product; the Portoscreed 2000 for levelling concrete in bays up to 7 m wide; power trowels for a quality finish on concrete slabs; and the new Easy Screed powered floats, which relegate traditional formwork to the past. New to the programme is the Errut line of vibrating pokersThese portable tools are powered by a choice of electric motor or petrol engine and designed to maximise cost-savings. “A lot of this type of equipment is new to the DIY market, but its growth is being driven by Warehouse-style retail operations and also the media,” says Rob Caddy, UK & Eire sales director for Belle Group. “Television programmes about home renovation are increasingly showing concrete products, and trends such as the installation of decking are leading consumers to seek more professional equipment.”