A family owned business based in the Derbyshire countryside, Belle Group started as a single factory and now operates with factories in the UK and Poland, and international sales offices throughout Europe and the USA.

The history of the Belle Group dates back to the 1950's when founder Doug Blackhurst wanted to buy a cement mixer to help build his new house. No small portable cement mixers existed, so he set about designing one. The result is the now famous Belle Mini Mixer. From his own initial use, Doug started manufacturing the Mini Mixer for local tool hire shops at a time when tool and plant hire services were just beginning to develop for the building and construction industry.

This fast expanding tool hire business added to the growing demand.

Following the death of his father in 1995, Ron Blackhurst as Chairman of Belle Group has strategically steered the company towards growth with several acquisitions. Belle Group is now firmly established as a major supplier of an extensive range of lightweight equipment to the construction industry worldwide.

DIVERSIFICATION

Belle Group now offers an extensive product range of over 100 different types of machinery, and the variety of models is extensive. The manufacturing sites include:

• Belle Group Sheen, Derbyshire
• Belle Group Poland, Nr Warsaw

Belle Group specialises key areas of construction: Mixing, Wet Concreting, Compaction, Sawing, Diamond Products and hydraulic power packs and tools.

Belle Poland, a mixer manufacturer, was purchased by Belle Group in 2000, and continues to manufacture mixers and provide a mainland European manufacturing base for the expanding product range.

NEW PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT

The Belle Group of companies has a strong position for growth, and operates with a very focused new product development programme. An on-going forum for customer-led initiatives – “product clinics” – provides the input for the design of the right product for the right market.

As the market leaders in the lowest ‘hand-arm vibration’ equipment, Belle Group are committed to safe design and high performance in all new products – meeting the demands of authorities and operators alike.

Recently some of the new product introduced have proved extremely popular in markets world-wide, including PC Plate Compactors, UD Hydraulic Breakers and AFS Floor Saws.

Belle Group's excellent track record for innovation continues with on-going new product launches and major product developments planned for the future.

FOUNDATIONS

Good and sound engineering foundations have been critical to the growth of Belle Group business to date. High quality manufacturing is supported by strength in quality control, design, production processes and personnel.

Large-scale investment in plant and machinery has improved production, and provided the capacity for expansion. On-going investment in CAD technologies makes for some of the most advanced design capability in the industry. To suit the growing demands on the business investment in trained staff is critical to success. Over the years multi-functional teams have been developed, allowing Belle Group to enjoy the benefits of a very flexible workforce.

INTERNATIONAL

The continued growth of Belle Group is actively focused on the potential throughout construction markets globally. Belle's engineering and design meets the different demands workdwide. This combined with a dedicated export team focuses effort on the international scene where Belle Group is fast becoming a key supplier.

International sales offices are critical to this success and include:

• Belle Group France
• Belle Group Russia
• Belle Group Portugal
• Belle Equipos, Madrid Spain
• Belle Group Europa, Netherlands
• Belle Group Inc., Roanoake Virginia USA

The Belle Group – Equipment Built for the Job