The Hudson Group is a real force in cable management and is now turning its attention to corrosive and hazardous environments through new business, Milton. We ask Paul Nolan, the group’s Projects Director to tell us more.
Q. What is your personal history and background in the electrical industry?
I’ve been in the cable management industry for more than 30 years, working for some of the biggest names in the sector. When Hudson asked me to join the group with a particular remit to grow the new business Milton, I jumped at the opportunity. The Hudson Group has remained fiercely independent so that we can best meet what our customers actually need. It’s what attracted me to the business.
Q. Why has the Milton brand been launched and how will it sit within the Hudson Group?
There are three businesses in the group – RMS and Armorduct, who have been in the market for 30 and 25 years respectively – and now Milton Cable Management Solutions which will provide cable management solutions for corrosive and hazardous environments. The launch is the result of a new partnership with Wibe Group to help relaunch and support the well-known Mita brand in the UK. Although Milton might be a new name, there will be very few in our industry who won’t have heard of the Mita name before.
Q. What types of products will electricians have access to through Milton?
In theory an electrician can get any of the Hudson Group products through Milton, but because we will be dealing with corrosive and other aggressive environments most of the solutions will use the Mita GRP cable support products – that’s GRP cable ladder, cable tray and channel support systems.
The key thing to stress is that as a group, not only can we can help customers to come up with a complete solution for a corrosive environment using GRP, we can also do the same for areas that are not subject to the same aggressive environment. We’ll supply you with a ‘fit and forget’ solution for the lifetime of the installation, whatever conditions it may face.
Q. Are there any highlight or ‘hero’ products that you can share with us?
The real hero of our offering is the pultruded GRP that we use for the products. It’s a specialist manufacturing process that gives us products that will withstand even the harshest of environments for decades. Indeed, there are different grades of GRP according to what environment you need the system for – but that’s where our team of engineers will step in to advise you on the best solution.
GRP itself is lighter than steel but offers just as much strength. It is easier to cut to size and position, so it is faster and easier to install than galvanized or stainless-steel systems. It also doesn’t need earthing and causes no issues with EMC.
Q. How will contractors and specifiers get hold of your products?
Our products are available to order through electrical wholesalers. They’re manufactured in the UK and we hold stock so lead times for a project will be no longer than a few weeks. We can deliver your solution either to the wholesaler or direct to your site, whichever is easier for you.
The process really starts before the order. Each project is different and needs its own solution so we help our customers right from the design stage. This is even more important for aggressive environments since you want to have a solution that can be left in place for the lifetime of the installation.
Q. What are the aims for Milton, in both the short and long term?
One of the reasons that Hudson has maintained its independence is so that it can focus on the needs of its customers. We are cable management and containment specialists and not part of a larger group, so we don’t get side-tracked. For Milton and the other businesses, it’s our ability to focus on each project, regardless of its size, and help our customers get the best solution that will set us apart. We’re passionate about what we do. Personally, I worked with Mita years ago, so to come back and rebuild and revitalise the brand is special.
Being independent allows us to maintain our focus and our commitment to service; it’s these factors that I’m confident will drive our success in both the short and the long term.
Get more details about the full range of products available from Milton here
