January 2020 is a significant milestone for AUT Wheels and Castors as they celebrate their 40th business anniversary. The family run business has seen many changes over time but the two founding brothers, Guy and Richard Glover, are still involved with the day to day running . Having been lucky enough to see year on year growth, AUT are extremely proud to be considered one of the most respected wheel and castor suppliers and manufacturers in the UK.
Based in the North West for the majority of their existence, AUT have a large number of employees that have worked for the company for many years, enabling them to grow with the business and enhance the overall knowledge, skills and passion of the group.
Shortly after AUT’s formation, AUT became exclusive UK agents for Tellure Rota and still retain the exclusivity to this date. Tellure Rota has been designing and manufacturing wheels and castors since 1953 and serves over 2000 customers in more than 70 countries. The relationship between AUT and Tellure Rota has strengthened over the years and the two companies now work together to develop brand new ranges of wheels and castors that are not seen anywhere else in the marketplace, such as the extremely successful Series 62ER with round profile elastic polyurethane tyres. AUT didn’t stop there and in 2005 and 2006, they signed further agreements to become exclusive UK agents for global manufacturers RWM Casters and Vulkoprin, before launching their very own utility range of wheels and castors in 2009. Developing their own range of castors meant AUT were able to follow the demands of the market by creating a standard range of castors, priced to enable them to competitively advantage their customers, without removing the quality of the product.
In 2012, James Glover joined the AUT sales team to continue the family theme of the business. James has played a key role in the company’s significant growth during this period and was subsequently appointed Sales Director in 2017. Peter Harrop joined the company later in that year and was appointed Finance Director in 2018. These new roles have improved the financial planning and reporting, together with enhancing internal controls that allows AUT to continue to provide the best quality of service to their customers. The relatively new additions to the board provide a strong platform for the future, whilst sharing the same principles and ethos that have been key to the success of the company over the last forty years.
Even with the uncertainty of Brexit looming, in 2018 and 2019, new agreements were signed with Steinco and Durawood. Steinco, who famously lead the market in plastic body medical castors, have provided AUT with a new platform and route to market in medical grade wheels and castors. New appointments were also made in various departments including quality and marketing, as well as a new sales team dedicated to AUT’s customers in Scotland and Ireland.
AUT are striving to not only meet, but exceed, the needs and expectations of their customers. Along with the range of products that cannot be sourced anywhere else in the UK, AUT have a specialist consultancy team who can assist with initial design requirements and creating bespoke solutions, allowing customers to source everything they need from one provider.
AUT are fortunate to have their premises positioned at the foothills of the Pennines, overlooking Saddleworth Moor, and are constantly looking at ways to demonstrate their awareness of the environment when packaging goods, making deliveries and recycling. AUT support the Cycle to Work Scheme in an effort to improve employee’s journeys to work whilst contributing towards a reduction in environmental pollution. Their sizeable plot also allowed AUT to extend one of their warehouse facilities in 2019 (increasing their UK stock capacity by almost 50%) to cater for the increased range of products available.
Over the years, AUT have adapted due to the varying requirements of their customers and changes in the industry, however AUT’s values have always remained the same – to consistently provide high quality goods while striving for continuous improvement with ISO Certification. Ease of transaction and shared success is at the heart of everything AUT does.
