The Hudson Group details its successful back history in cable management solutions, and why recent developments will ensure that customers are in for something special.
When it comes to cable management there’s no such thing as a standard project. Contractors frequently need support and flexible solutions to complete projects on time and budget. It is this need for extra support that has seen the Hudson Group grow into a significant British manufacturer over the last 30 years and will, according to the company, spur them to further success in the decades ahead.
The business started 30 years ago as RMS. It worked with different suppliers as a specialist cable management wholesaler. After a few years, the team realised that it needed dedicated manufacturing for cable containment that could provide the support and flexibility for the projects that they were involved with.
And so, 25 years ago Armorduct was born as its manufacturing facility for trunking, tray, floor systems and bespoke specials. It was, and still is, the brand’s capability and willingness to produce “specials” that makes it stand out. It could be for anything from modifying standard products to designing and producing bespoke designed solutions.
Fast-forward to today and both of these businesses have their own specialisms. RMS provides expert modular and offsite fabrication services for demanding, fast install cable containment solutions and Armorduct designs and manufactures high volume standard and bespoke steel cable management systems which include cable trunking, tray, basket and floor boxes.
Future plans
This year Hudson has launched a third specialist cable management company within the group. Milton Cable Management Systems is working in partnership with the Wibe Group to help relaunch and support another brand steeped in history – Mita. Like its two sister companies, Milton will have its own specialist area, in this case supplying Mita GRP cable containment for corrosive and hazardous environments.
Looking forward, Simon Hudson-Smith, CEO of The Hudson Group, says: “The reason for our success is simple, we provide the contractor with exactly what they need from a cable containment system. We’ve designed our business to be responsive for everyone, whatever the size of your project; whether it is an industrial unit refurb or the largest offsite prefabricated modular electrical and building services solution in Europe.
“At our heart we are an approachable company. Many of us have worked as electricians so we know what you need. Because we’re a UK manufacturer with stocks on hand we can deliver to our customers quickly.”
Time saving
It is this approachability that has structured the organisation. So, for example, Armorduct has a specialist section within its manufacturing facility that is dedicated to producing bespoke items. This could be for something as simple as cutting trunking or tray to length or creating bespoke items to meet a particular need. It means that it can produce or customise products rapidly without having to stop its production line.
Simon continues: “With us you will get a system ready to fit with all the bends and accessories that you need. For example, our IP4X trunking slots together, the predrilled holes align and you can tighten the multiheaded screws using any number of different tools. It makes the whole system simple to assemble with minimal cutting and drilling on-site.”
Fit for the future
The last few years has posed a number of challenges for the electrical industry. Both Covid and Brexit have affected the supply chain and the reliable delivery of products. As a British manufacturer, the Hudson Group is nimbler than those relying on overseas supply and it is structured to be responsive when you need a solution quickly.
Equally there is a real shortage of labour, which for you as a professional is both a blessing and a curse. While there may be plenty of work about, the ability to meet tight deadlines and not disappoint existing customers is a real challenge. This is where a well-designed solution can save you from time-consuming tasks on-site.
And finally, sustainability is high on every customer and construction site’s agenda. The Hudson Group is ISO14001 certified to meet all the latest environmental challenges within its own production systems.
But beyond that, by providing more modular systems there is less waste on-site. The group is also exploring the use of more sustainable materials that offer better performance at broadly the same price as galvanised steel. A good example is Magnelis, an alloyed steel that doesn’t need dipping into baths of molten zinc to provide corrosion resistance, and that is also self-healing so if you do need to cut it there is no need to treat the cut ends, unlike galvanised steel.
With the Hudson Group marking 30 years in business this year, it has the same values as it has always had. This responsiveness to the market, for projects of any size, makes it nimbler than many competitors and also means that it is faster to evolve and meet new challenges. And finally, as a British Manufacturer, it is well placed to meet supply challenges quickly.
Simon concludes: “The next 30 years will see us get bigger, by continuing to be better and being a local manufacturer. We sum up this philosophy with ‘Bigger, Better, British’.”
Browse the Hudson Group range of cable management solutions here
