A MAJOR new Repairs and Technical Support Division is being launched by UK-based laser measurement technology specialist, Measurement Devices Ltd (MDL), as it continues to re-structure following increasing demand for its products and services.

A global planned maintenance programme with guaranteed turn around for services and repairs to the entire MDL product range will be offered by the new division as part of service improvements to enable customers to get maximum performance and durability from MDL equipment.

The restructuring sees repair work separated from production and sales to create the new division which will operate from MDL offices in York, Aberdeen and Houston, Texas. There will also be local and regional support from authorised service dealers in Australia, Canada, Germany, South Africa and Brazil and the company aims to launch a service and technical support office in the Far East later this year.

As part of the restructuring, Steve Ball jnr is appointed service manager overseeing the new division for which five new technical staff are being recruited. There will also be an increased inventory of spare parts, demonstration and hire equipment.

Steve Ball jnr says: “Sales are growing strongly and many of our innovative products have now become essential to those who use them. The new division will ensure that customer equipment is maintained to the highest standard and contract preventative maintenance programmes will ensure minimum downtime and maximum performance from the technology.”

MDL agents and their engineers will also work with customers to provide training on the best use of their equipment and create lifetime maintenance programmes, to retain pin-point accuracy and calibration under extreme operating conditions.

Details of how to book equipment in for repairs and maintenance from anywhere in the world are now available from the MDL website (http://www.mdl.co.uk Support); by email from support@mdl.co.uk and/ or by calling the relevant office numbers (Abn Tel: 44 (0) 1224 246 700, York Tel: +44 (0) 1904 791 139 or Houston, TX +1 (281) 646 0050). All of these will give advice on how to book items in for service or repair, shipping and the best MDL location to book them into.

Steve Ball jnr adds: “Under this new organisation, customers booking equipment in for service or repair will be given a Return Materials Authorisation (RMA) code which will be incorporated into the external packaging.

“This will enable us to identify every item sent in, as soon as it arrives, by matching the code with information provided via the website or support telephone line.

“By using this streamlined process and our additional technical staff, we are planning for repair turnaround within five working days.”

Where this is not possible, equivalent product models will be provided free of charge for the first week and at a preferential rental rate from then on.

The MDL re-structuring is also seeing the company divided into three main business and operational units covering the US, Europe and Africa, and Asia. Production is still based in Aberdeen, Scotland, under the guidance of supply chain management specialist, Jim Smith. Sales and marketing will remain in York, England and Houston, Texas, USA.

MDL founder and managing director, Steve Ball, who launched the business in 1983, says: “We are delighted to launch our new Repairs and Technical Support Division. It will provide the highest possible level of support for our growing customer base to ensure that they receive after-sales service which matches the faith they have placed in our equipment.”

Privately-owned Measurement Devices Ltd (MDL) was founded in 1983, and is a world leader in the development of laser measurement technologies. The company has four strategic business units for laser modules, handheld laser systems, laser systems and dynamic systems. The company, which is ISO 9001/2000 certified, has more than 60 resellers worldwide and generates 80 per cent of its sales outside the UK.

02/07/07 03:43pm