Thriving in the Face of Change

Our Commitment to Quality Horseboxes and Quality Service

Written by Kevin Parker

As we look at the current year, it’s impossible to overlook the hurdles businesses have encountered in recent years… and there have been some whoppers!

The global landscape has been marked by unprecedented challenges, from the far-reaching impacts of Brexit and the COVID-19 pandemic to the geopolitical tensions exemplified by the Russia-Ukraine conflict. These events have sent shockwaves through global supply chains, significantly affecting the availability and cost of raw materials and components, steadily increasing costs. They have fundamentally transformed thinking and, consequently, the way businesses work today.

The Challenges

Brexit was undoubtedly a challenge, and from the very first days, manufacturers saw shortages and incredible price increases. Within a short span of time, every aspect of our supply chains felt the impact. Of even more concern, businesses also had to deal with instances of price gouging, where suppliers increased prices to unreasonable levels for no other reason but greed!

The aftermath of Brexit has sent ripples through various sectors, and the manufacturing industry is no exception. Businesses found themselves navigating the choppy waters of labour shortages and skills gaps, putting their resilience and adaptability to the test.

Anticipating these industry challenges, KPH has proactively seized the initiative. We’ve strategically implemented an innovative in-house training program, not just addressing current needs but actively shaping our future talent pool. This strategy has opened doors to fresh perspectives as we’ve welcomed and retrained staff from other industries. It’s a testament to our teams’ ability to evolve and thrive, even in the face of significant obstacles.

The COVID-19 pandemic also saw significant challenges for businesses and as the pandemic progressed, we embraced a significant change by introducing a four-day working week, aimed at improving employee well-being and productivity while keeping Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays available for our valued customers.

This initiative underscores our commitment to prioritising work-life balance and employee satisfaction, aligning perfectly with our ethos of fostering a positive work environment. By creating a space where our team can thrive, we ensure that we maintain the highest standards in craftsmanship and customer relations.

Rising energy costs have had a significant impact on manufacturing costs. Having a wealth of experience with solar generation, we moved quickly to mitigate these expenses and invested in a large solar array for our workshops.

This is another instance where we have transformed a challenge into an opportunity for growth and improvement.

 

Customer Expectations

It is worth noting that the recent events of the past years mentioned above has led to significant changes in customer requirements and expectations.

Unprecedented price increases have driven a paradigm shift in customer requirements. This shift has seen a move away from larger horseboxes to more cost effective, versatile, and usable horseboxes like our Aeos 45 horsebox range.

As an innovative company, we’ve embraced this shift in customer demands, seizing the opportunity to create an exceptional horsebox range. By adapting to market trends and understanding our clients’ evolving preferences, we’ve developed vehicles that precisely meet their requirements. This dedication to excellence and customization explains why our builds rarely appear in the used horsebox market, as owners cherish these bespoke creations for years to come.

Our Actions

We’re proud to report that our unwavering dedication to two core principles: continuous improvement and exceptional customer service have stood us in good stead. We’ve relentlessly focused on enhancing product quality, durability, and safety. We have done this, year after year, ensuring our customers always receive the best.

The KPH team goes above and beyond to meet customer needs, fostering lasting relationships built on trust and satisfaction. For over 3 decades this commitment to excellence has been the cornerstone of our growth and success.

1. Exciting New Models

In January 2024 we introduced our Aeos Edge 45, Aeos Freedom 45, Aeos Discovery 45 and Aeos Discovery 72 quality horsebox models. With extremely high standard specifications and with payloads ranging from 1.4 tonnes to an amazing 3 tonnes, they have quickly turned into our best sellers.

 2. Warranty and Support Package

In a significant enhancement to our customer service offerings, KPH has introduced a comprehensive 2-year after-sales support package (ASSP) to complement our existing 2-year warranty. This new package, effective from the start of 2024, provides an all-encompassing service for both the first and second year of ownership.

The ASSP includes collection of your horsebox from any UK address, a thorough service (when necessary), MOT testing, a detailed safety inspection, completion of any required warranty work, and the return delivery of your horsebox. This extensive support demonstrates our commitment to ensuring the longevity and optimal performance of your investment, while offering unparalleled convenience and peace of mind to our valued customers

 3. KPH ECO Solar Lithium System

KPH ECO master logo

In 2024,  we introduced our exciting new KPH ECO Solar Lithium System, a sustainable power solution designed specifically for our horseboxes. This innovative system features a large roof-mounted solar panel that generates up to 405 watts of power, paired with a lithium battery bank for efficient energy storage. Additionally, it includes a Victron inverter/charger that converts the stored energy into 230 volts, allowing users to operate various mains appliances without the need of a hookup to the mains.

Customer benefits:

* Firstly, it promotes sustainability by utilising renewable solar energy, which reduces reliance on traditional power sources and minimises carbon footprints.

* Secondly, it can be cost-effective, helping horsebox owners save on electricity costs, particularly during equine events where electrical hookups can be expensive.

* Furthermore, this system enhances flexibility, enabling users to camp in remote locations without needing external power sources, thereby increasing mobility and freedom.

* Lastly, it helps maintain battery health by keeping them in good condition without requiring a connection to mains power, prolonging battery life.

 

 4. Health and Safety

As always, Health and Safety has been a priority, and we have made major changes to how we operate onsite.

We have installed fixed fume extraction systems and complemented these with movable, individual units. We have fitted the latest sawdust and particulate extraction systems.

Working at height has been a constant challenge for the team and this year saw us invest in a substantial gantry system with railings.

We also introduced enhanced health surveillance monitoring for our team that includes, hearing, vibration, urine, respiratory and skin.   

To further enhance our team’s safety, we have implemented a comprehensive safety training program, ensuring all team members are up to date with the latest safety protocols and best practices.

 5. Workshop Cleanliness

Our commitment to workshop cleanliness remains a cornerstone of our operations. With the increased number of horseboxes in production, we’ve seen a rise in foot traffic within the workshop. This year has seen us redouble our efforts and each team leader instils our focus on cleanliness. We believe that maintaining a clean environment not only enhances safety but also reflects our dedication to treating every aspect of our work with the utmost care, from our workshop tools to the horseboxes entrusted to us by our customers.

We take the time to walk customers through our workshops, showcasing our meticulous attention to detail. Such practices are deeply ingrained in our team, as we understand that cleanliness directly impacts the quality of our work. Unlike many companies, we take pride in inviting customers to witness the progress of their builds, and it is in these moments that we truly shine. From day one, we have prioritised transparency, eager to demonstrate not only the quality of our builds but also the integrity of our manufacturing process. This dedication to openness and excellence is a source of pride for us, and it will always remain a fundamental part of our identity as a company.

6. New Team Members for KPH

As part of our measured expansion, we have placed a significant emphasis on enhancing our team dynamics. This has included the successful recruitment of new team members and the promotion of several internal team leaders, reflecting our commitment to nurturing talent from within. With additional positions currently advertised, we are excited to offer even more career opportunities to prospective candidates.

Team building remains a top priority for us, as we believe a cohesive workforce is essential for success.

7. Marketing, Finance and Administration Teams at KPH

These consists of Janet, Russell, John, Garry, Lucy and myself, with of course our labs, Izzy and Gem to ‘meet and greet’ the customers.

Although not clearly visible from the outside, the offices have again seen big changes. We have streamlined many procedures throughout the business and we are all extremely focused on customer service. This remains a priority and another area where we continue to shine!

Although we are very serious about service and product quality, we keep the office a fun place to work, and we ensure it’s a pleasure to turn up each day and have a happy workforce and wagging tails!

 

Rounding up 

So, a positive start to the year where we have seen many continued improvements in quality, durability and more importantly horse safety across our range.

For our customers, we have worked extra hard to increase standard specifications and maintain sustainable pricing. We have invested in our dedicated team and have a happy workforce, taking pride in their workmanship and product.

We have also learned that customers cannot own enough horses!

And finally, we would like to express our thanks to our loyal customers; we value your patronage and appreciate your confidence. We hope you can see that we do go the extra mile.

For the future there are many new projects planned and customers can rest assured we will not stand still or compromise on our high standards. We hope you continue to follow us on social media where you will see us serenely swimming upstream like swans but believe us when we say we will be furiously paddling underneath the water!

Please pop in anytime if you are passing, …oh, and don’t forget “Behind every great horse is a great horsebox.”

 

Kevin Parker signature

Any queries or questions?