South-coast distributor Martlets Airpower acquired

Atlas Copco Compressors has acquired the compressed air and industrial power tools distributor, Martlets Airpower, who support customers throughout Hampshire, Sussex, Dorset, Surrey and Berkshire

Atlas Copco Compressors has acquired the compressed air and industrial power tools distributor, Martlets Airpower.

The Company, which has its offices and workshops in Winchester, has 17 employees in sales, technical support and aftermarket service.

Martlets Airpower, operating locally for over 25 years, is a speciality air house, with a customer base extending throughout Hampshire, Sussex, Dorset, Surrey and Berkshire.

It offers a complete package in the supply, installation and maintenance of compressed air equipment, from planning and commissioning to pipeworking and tailored service schemes.

In addition, it offers the full range of Atlas Copco industrial power tools, from pneumatic tightening and material tools to advanced assembly systems.

The Company is widely recognised as the leading supplier in the area, with an extensive customer-base in the production, process and service industries.

Because of its proximity to Southampton and Portsmouth, it numbers many MoD and related industry customers among its well-established contracts.

The Company was founded in 1979 and moved to its present location on the Winnal Trading Estate, ideally sited for local motorways, in 1998.

At that time, the present Managing Director, Steve Wills, was appointed, having spent more than ten years with Martlets as Sales Director.

Throughout its entire history, Martlets Airpower has been an exclusive and highly successful distributor of Atlas Copco compressed air equipment and power tools products, achieving five "Distributor of the Year" awards within the last seven years.

The purchase by Atlas Copco results from a decision by the majority shareholder to divest his interests in the business.

Martlets Airpower will become a wholly-owned subsidiary of Atlas Copco Compressors and will operate as part of the Industrial Air Division within the Atlas Copco Compressor Technique Business Area.

The acquisition is in line with the company strategic direction for growth within this market segment.

Martlets will continue to offer the full range of Atlas Copco industrial power tools.

Kevin Prince, General Manager, Atlas Copco Compressors in Britain, commented: "The Martlets name is well known and perceived as a premier supplier of compressed air and pneumatics in this part of the country.

This move will allow us to maintain continuity with existing Atlas Copco customers and develop the use of our expanding range of products.

Martlets has developed a team of experienced specialists with whom we confidently expect to grow our sales and aftermarket business within the territory".

Atlas Copco develops, manufactures and markets, worldwide, an extensive range of compressors with associated dryers, filters, separators, drains and other air treatment equipment.

It was at the forefront of the development of all the most recent innovations in compressed air, including the energy-saving Variable Speed Drive compressors, capable of reducing electricity costs by up to 35%.

Atlas Copco Tools is the global market leader in industrial power tools, with over 50% of turnover from new products introduced over the last 4 years.

It develops, manufactures and markets pneumatic and electrical power tools such as grinders, nut runners, screwdrivers and assembly systems.

Atlas Copco has been trading in the UK for over 85 years and is the established UK brand leader in compressed air and pneumatics.

Back to top