Sykes Group

Sykes was established in Australia in 1967 by UK pump group Henry Sykes Plc. The company traded as Henry Sykes Pumps Pty Ltd importing pumps and equipment from the UK until 1974 when local manufacture commenced in Gateshead, Newcastle NSW. Sykes Pumps manufactured pumps to suit the specific requirements of the demanding Australian mining and construction industries. In 1977 Sykes became part of another UK group Hanson Plc. The company traded as Hanson Sykes Pumps Pty Ltd in Australia. In 1987 Jon Collins joined the board in Australia after more than 18 years with Hanson Plc in the UK. In 1988 Jon Collins was appointed managing director of Hanson Sykes Pumps Pty Ltd and the head office was moved from Chatswood in Sydney to the manufacturing plant in Gateshead, Newcastle. In 1992 the ownership of the business changed when Jon Collins was part of an MBO thus ending the association with all UK companies allowing the company to focus on its Australian operations. Shortly after, the company changed its name to Sykes Pumps Australia Pty Ltd when manufacturing operations moved to Cardiff, Newcastle. In early 1997 Sykes sold its hire division to Coates Hire Ltd and focused on manufacturing and selling pumps worldwide. In 1998 Jon Collins became the sole owner of Sykes Pumps Australia Pty Ltd. In 2003 the company changed its name to Sykes Group Pty Ltd, the purpose of this change was to reflect the company's global market focus as well as to show that 'The Group' were more than just a pump company. This year, Sykes Group was acquired by National Hire Group Ltd; parent company of Allight and 46.1% shareholder of Coates Hire. Following the acquisition, the combined group has a greater capacity to meet customer demand for sales and support of pumps, lighting towers and other equipment solutions. Andrew Aitken, Managing Director of National Hire said: "This is a company transforming acquisition for National Hire's equipment sales and support business. Sykes Group provides scale, volume and distribution opportunities for National Hire that will help underpin future growth." Sykes Chairman Jon Collins added; "Combining Sykes with National Hire is very exciting because the businesses operate in common markets and appear to have similar core values. Like Sykes, the Allight brand is very well respected, and being in the same family as Westrac and Coates Hire will enable Sykes to raise its profile and access resources to create even more growth opportunities for all stakeholders." Find out more at www.allightsykes.com