Pirtek, a service provider of 24-hour, on-site hose and assembly replacement serving the construction, manufacturing, transportation, agricultural, and engineering industries, announced an aggressive plan to open nearly 100 locations in existing markets during the next 10 years. Gwyn O’Kane, Pirtek USA’s vice president of franchise development, said franchisees are increasing sales, attracting new clients and adding mobile service units.

O’Kane said the economy is helping franchisees grow as opposed to hindering them.

“Times are tough and many of our clients have stopped buying new machines and have started laying off mechanics, two very good things for Pirtek because it means these companies have to outsource more tasks that were once done in-house,” said O’Kane. “Sales are up at least 10 percent from last year across our entire network and we’re sure this will continue even after the economy rebounds.”

O’Kane said in addition to the franchise success, Pirtek USA, based in Rocklege, Fla., hopes to open at least 12 new locations across the country in 2009, increasing to 24 in 2010. Currently there are nearly 40 Pirtek service centers and more than 170 Pirtek mobile service vans serving major metropolitan markets. The company is specifically targeting New York, Los Angeles, Baltimore/Washington, D.C., and Houston, which can hold multiple locations, as well as markets with populations of 500,000 or more such as San Diego; San Antonio, Texas; Memphis, Tenn.; Milwaukee; and Las Vegas.

Pirtek’s mobile service units carry a full range of hoses and more than 700 different fittings and adaptors, along with a crimping press and cut-off saw to manufacture hose assemblies on site. The vans also carry a wide range of European and Japanese metric fittings.

Pirtek units aim to arrive within an hour of a service call.