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On the right side of the tracksAFTER joining his father's

drainage company as a machine operator straight

from school, Gareth McLaughlin is now Sales Manager for Kilwin-ning-based Kattrak International Limited.

Specialising in the hire and sale of wheeled and rubber tracked dumpers, the family owned busi-ness was established in 2005 after the McLaughlin family saw the need for low ground pressure tracked dumpers in the Scottish construction industry.

Now entering their strongest period of operation, with 60% growth in the last 18 months and a coveted deal with German plant manufacturers Bergmann in place, Kattrak's success has been driven by a strong family work ethic and passion for the industry.

"I've always had the hunger for doing construction and the fam-ily love plant machinery," Gareth explained.

"It's the enjoyment we get out of adapting machines and bring-ing new products in and selling and hiring them out. It's just good to be around it. It's always what we're going to be about. It's what we know and it's what we'll stick to. If you're enjoying something it should always work out for you."

Gareth's father, Peter McLaugh-lin, started Kattrak's parent com-pany McLaughlin Drainage in 1968 after working in agricultural field drainage as a young man, hand draining fields by shovel with his own father round the Ayrshire farms of Kilwinning. After pur-chasing large drainage machines and securing local contracts, the

firm them moved into the con-struction industry and now spe-cialise in golf course and sports facility drainage. Although still heavily involved with McLaughlin Drainage, Peter is also Managing Director of Kattrak and maintains a hands-on traditional approach to work.

"My father's old school: he just gets out there and does the dirty work. You'll never get him out the workshops. He still loves working with all the pumps and hydraulics and engines," said Gareth.

Alongside their primary hire and sales service, Kattrak also offer specified machine adaptions and modifications depending on cus-tomer requirements and boast an extensive spare parts and repairs service as well. With all machines and parts held onsite, the compa-ny is very much a close-knit and personal family affair with work-shops, warehouses and family homes all located at their Ardoch Farm base in Kilwinning.

Having worked his way up through his father's businesses, Gareth also helps adapt, modify and convert machines when needed, and considers his past experience as a labourer and plant operator invaluable to his current position.

"You're always better starting at the bottom and working your way up, because then you know all as-pects of the company. Get the feel for it and work your way right up. If you want to become a Director you're best working from the base up; then when you're up there you'll know how everyone's feel-ing and how the people around

you are getting their work done."Kattrak's new partnership with

Bergmann, secured in March 2014, means the company are now the sole supplier of Berg-mann machines in Scotland. Having already sold a range of Bergmann Dumpers to the con-struction industry, Kattrak has purchased their own machines for hire also. Supplying Bergmann Dumpers including the 3012 Rear Tip, 4010 Rear Tip, 3012 Three-way tip, 2060 Swivel Tip and 2040 Swivel Tip, any design modifica-tions, amendments and updates Kattrak or their clients require will be completed by Bergmann be-fore delivery.

The exclusive new deal, com-bined with a surge in contracts and choosing the right products, has, according to Gareth, seen the company go from strength to strength in recent years.

Yet foremost, Kattrak is still driven by the people behind the business.

"The success is solely down to the determination of the people within the company," added Ga-reth.

"The essence of a successful workforce lies in its people. You've got to pick the right avenues to take the company forward as well. A lot of people are out there with good companies and they go and buy a Ferrari and buy this and buy that and the company goes down. We're not about that.

"I've always been taught by my father that it's not about being flash, just keep the company go-ing and keep the growth and the strength of the company. That's how we do it. That's how we op-erate. The focus is always on the company. We've got pride in our name; if we start a company we never plan to shut that company down."

With core family values run-ning through the company, and a proud lineage of determined hands-on workers, Kattrak look set to continue the growth that has seen the family prosper since their early business beginnings in 1968 and the establishment of Kattrak in 2005.

So what keeps the McLaughlin family working in plant after all these years?

"Enjoyment and sheer deter-mination. Don't get me wrong it has been hard. But it's like every-thing else, you've just got to have the knowledge to get to the next stage."

Gareth McLaughlin

The Bergmann 2040 4 tonne dumper The Bergmann 2060 plus 6 tonne dumper

Project Plant February/March 2015

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INTERNATIONAL LTDTRACKS AHEAD OF THE REST

Plant Hire & Sales of Track Dumpers

7T Tracked Flatbedfitted with 8m Hiab

3t Canycom Swivelfitted with

Fence Post Chapper

Based in North Ayrshire, we specialise in hire and sales of tracked dumpers and also adapt tracked units to carry such attachments as hiabs, cherrypickers and fence post chappers. The business has expanded over the years and we now offer a parts and repair service. We can supply tracks for all machines and spare parts for Yanmar, Canycom and Ausa machinery.

We are the Scottish Dealers for Bergmann and Canycom tracked Dumpers. The Bergmann and Canycom brand has been well known for producing high quality machines for many years, with their engines being amongst the most reliable on the market. “Only someone absolutely, one hundred percent behind his products gives them his name.” – Hans-Hermann Bergmann (2nd Generation owner)

THANK YOU TO ALL OF OUR SALES AND HIRE CUSTOMERS

In spring this year, Bergmann will present two new swivel-tip dumper models: the 12-ton 3012 R wheeled dumper and the 10-ton 4010 R rubber-track dumper.

One of the key features of the rubber-track 4010 R is its large comfort cab with a steering wheel, offering unrivalled travel comfort for its class. The powerful 10-ton swivel-tip dumper is equipped with a 250 HP Tier 4 Interim diesel engine from Cummins whose force is transmitted to the travel drives through Danfoss automotive travel hydraulics. The travel gears made in Germany feature internal multi-disc brakes for safe manoeuvring on slopes, even with full load. Thanks to the extremely responsive high-torque travel hydraulics, the new 4010 model offers unrivalled manoeuvrability

and off-road traction and allows for travel speeds of up to 15 km/h. The 4010 comes with a single joystick for trough control and travel direction selection. The dumper features an air-cushioned driver seat as standard. Optional extras include air-conditioning, rear view camera, central lubrication system and much more.

The 3012 R is the first 12-ton swivel-tip truck with a trough capacity of 7.5m³ and a tipping height of more than 1.40 m. It therefore allows for the tipping of material into a standard skip. The 3012 R is powered by a 160 HP Cummins Tier 4 Interim diesel engine. Together with the perfectly matched powertrain, it offers outstanding traction. The rugged self-aligning pivot joint with hydraulic cushioning, and the

sprung front axle of the 3012 truck ensure unrivalled driver comfort and excellent machine stability. Drivers feel safe and in control. For Bergmann, safety comes first, and effective braking is therefore as important as machine stability. The 3012 swivel-tip truck therefore comes with a standard two-circuit brake system and an optional retarder, which is generally only available in large-size dumpers with payloads from 25 tons. The 3012 is

also available as a rear tip or three-way tip truck with exchangeable frame. All three models are fitted with a comfort cab mounted on elastic bearings and air-cushioned driver seat. On request, the trucks are available with air-conditioning, rear view camera and the popular Bergmann swivel seat.

For more information about the Bergmann dumper range and the latest 4010 R and 3012 R models go to www.bergmann-dumper.de

BERGMANN 2015 NEW PRODUCTS

Advertorial

www.kattrak.comT: 01294 557835 F: 01294 554095 Director

Peter McLaughlinMobile : 07860 231 138

Sales ManagerGareth McLaughlin

Mobile : 07779 121 005

Rustem/Parts : 07866 715 058 Peter Jnr / Hires : 07801 791 103

Swivel Skip