From ZERO to Sustainable in Three Short Years!
Electric Wheels has grown from a domestic garage into a 12,000 sq ft operation in just three years! This impressive growth isn’t only in square feet alone. Turnover has also increased by 212% in 12 months! The pandemic could have been the end for this electric utility vehicle (UTV) business, but instead its need to diversify has opened the doors to endless potential.
“The past three years have been a whirlwind. We started the business as a team of two, just myself and my wife Shirley,” explained MD, Chris Hurdle. “When the first lockdown was announced we were the same as everyone; full of uncertainty for what would happen to our small start-up. ‘Events’ was the industry we had established as our target market, and when it all came to a halt we had to quickly look elsewhere.” Luckily, as the electric UTV market was largely untapped, industry demand naturally presented new opportunities.
A Green Sustainable Future
Following events such as COP26 there has been a growing focus across the UK on sustainability across all business sectors, especially in the agricultural sector where grants are becoming available to encourage more sustainable farming. “Our UTVs are the environmentally friendly alternative to the fossil fuel counterparts on the market,” Chris added. “We have big plans to become completely carbon neutral ourselves. We already ensure that all of the electric UTVs supplied to customers are fully charged from our onsite solar farm.”
Electric Wheels now has firmly established a presence in farming, estate and facilities management and equestrianism. None of which were originally part of the plan. “As these new sector opportunities presented themselves we naturally moved more towards long-term UTV hire contracts and sales which has been great. However, now that event bookings are back in force, we’re also seeing the return of short-term hire. Our order book for this summer is already full!” Such diversification means financial forecasts for this year are predicted to be up 300% from 2021.
Growth Throughout the UK
Electric Wheels now has five main UTVs on the books: HiSun Sector 5kW, HiSun Vector E1, The Beast, The Nipper, and soon-to-be-launched, The Runner. Meaning the portfolio now sits at ten separate products. All of which have been carefully selected with an ear to the ground listening to the feedback of customers. “In fact, due to the success of bringing The Nipper to market means we’re now the UK’s sole distributor of the competitively priced vehicle,” added Chris. “This news as well as the overall up-turn in demand has resulted in the need for more delivery drivers to manage distribution, engineers to manage vehicle servicing and modifications; as well as expanding our sales and marketing resources. The business now includes a team of 17 staff. A figure which looks set to grow further. We now travel the length and breadth of the country to accommodate our clients and we’re even now starting our next phase in development and introducing the first Electric Wheels branch in the Southwest later in the spring.”
The fallout from the pandemic for many, has only just begun to show its true colours, however for Electric Wheels, there appears to be nothing but a green sustainable future all the way!
To learn more about these amazing pieces of machinery, take a look, or arrange a test drive to experience the fun and the power of an electric utility vehicle first-hand.
Get in touch, call 01953 882175 or email enquiries@electric-wheels.co.uk
