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Executive Report: Display of strength The Showman’s Show highlighted the latest products targeted at the events market, and specialist hirers serving the industry. Alan Guthrie reports. When EHN examined the event hire industry in our October issue, the consensus was that the market was strong, with more activities being staged on a larger scale or with additional features for extra appeal. This was borne out by this year’s Showman’s Show, held recently in Newbury, which attracted approximately 5,000 visitors and more than 100 new exhibitors. This growth is creating significant opportunities for hirers. Reporting considerable interest on its stand was Fastline Events, a new operation within Fastline, an in-house supplier of small plant, transport, tools and equipment for Jarvis plc, as well as for outside customers such as utilities and local authorities. Event presences are being established at 17 depots nationwide, linked to a headquarters in York, supplying specialist equipment. “Our rail industry experience gives us the expertise to service the events market properly, and we are investing substantially in a dedicated fleet,” contends Steve Farmer, Managing Director of Fastline Plant, which will encompass the Event business. “We can supply equipment rapidly to site and collect it within tight timescales. Specially adapted vehicles “Our range includes mobile and static lighting equipment, such as the GenSet VT-1 SuperLight lighting tower, suitable for illuminating car parks, event areas and for on-site lighting during setup and breakdown. We also provide transport solutions such as specially adapted and fully crash-tested vehicles that act as mobile offices, welfare facilities and emergency control stations. Weighing less than 3.5 tonnes, they do not require a tacograph.” Acting as a consultant to Fastline Event is Robbie Wilson, founder and Managing Director of R&R Logistics, which specialises in event management and services such as site evaluation, Health & Safety reports and licence applications. “Other hirers have looked at the events market, but have not succeeded because they have not treated it with the degree of specialism it warrants,” he contends. “The initial task is to ensure a site is fit for purpose and meets Health & Safety criteria, and the first people at the location need mobile facilities like these specialist vehicles while they complete the preparations.” “In the rail industry, the first requirement is for staff to identify and report to a central meeting point for safety briefings and other information,” says Steve Farmer. “We can provide special balloon lights to aid the location of similar areas for personnel involved in rock concerts and the like. Fastline (www.fastline-uk.com) can also provide crowd control measures, risk assessments and full backup 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.” Another hirer exhibiting was Golden Triangle Generators. Based in Frodsham, Cheshire, it was founded in 1983 to hire power generation equipment to customers in construction and other industries. It has gradually broadened into the events market, with clients nationwide involved in stadium concerts, film production and television. “We offer generators ranging from 15-1250kVA, and we have a specialised division dealing solely with synchronised systems, providing uninterrupted power in the event of a failure,” states Managing Director Graham Cornes. “All our sets are super-silent, producing 58dBA at 3m, and we also have sets capable of 54dBA at 3m at full power. Equipment is backed up by a 24-hour call-out service. Golden Triangle (www.gtgen.co.uk) also has a fleet of halogen lighting towers available to hospitality and industrial clients on a short or long term basis. We have seen continued growth in the events market, and recently supplied equipment for concerts by Pink Floyd and The Who. It is important to offer machines with characteristics that meet specific requirements, such as having low noise levels and black casings so that they are unobtrusive.” A-Plant promoted a comprehensive display of products that can be hired for many aspects of event creation and management. Items include power generation equipment, fencing, heating, portable sanitation facilities, accommodation, powered access, lighting and traffic light provision. “This is an important aspect of A-Plant’s (www.aplant.com) business, and we can offer appropriate specialist advice and backup,” contends Depot Manager Russell Tregent. “We have had terrific feedback from visitors to the exhibition who have hired from us this year and say they will definitely be using us for their 2007 events. In fact, the orders we are taking at the Showman’s Show will set us up well for the new season. We have supplied equipment to several large-scale events this year, such as Status Quo rock concerts.” Ev-ent Furniture, a hirer of furniture, kitchen equipment, table linen and related products, showed several new launches, reflecting demand for a wider range of items and accessories at parties and events. “We have added a selection of furniture for reception areas and increased the number of bars we offer,” states Director Phil Edwards. “We are now offering organza table linen, which matches the sheer fabric commonly used for wedding dresses, so that party areas can maintain a uniform design. Ev-ent (www.ev-ent.co.uk) has had an excellent year. We have added another warehouse, increased our transport fleet and have attracted more customers throughout the country, ranging from domestic clients arranging small events, to professional contractors organising large-scale corporate hospitality.” Wide choice of temporary buildings Another exhibitor, Portable Facilities (UK), specialises in the hire and sale of temporary buildings for a wide range of requirements. The choice available includes toilets and showers, changing rooms, offices, kitchens, sports club facilities and storage areas. The company (www.portablefacilities.co.uk) says that a large number of internal layouts and cabin sizes are available. Also offered are larger structures designed for use as classrooms and hospital buildings, including laboratories, sterile rooms and operating theatres. Buildings are manufactured off-site, meaning that there is little or no disruption to existing facilities. Options available include CCTV installations, public address systems and telephone networks. Thal (www.thal.com) displayed its Mondo portable unit featuring a new, hand-operated corner-position flush tank, designed to give more knee-room. The Space Flush Tank is part of a re-design project which, by the start of next season, will see the launch of a forearm-sized Space Basin with concealed pipework and affording better, tamper-proof access for in-situ sanitising and servicing. A urinal fitting will also be available. Heating equipment specialist, Arcotherm, also promoted a range of indirect oil fired heaters. Its EC Series comprises five models from 51,000-232,000 BTU, all of which were on display. The company says that, having consulted closely with the marquee industry, it has also developed a range of packages tailored for different budgets and applications. Arcotherm (www.arcotherm.co.uk) has been busy during the summer redesigning and improving its website, to become a major resource for anyone who might be interested in buying or hiring portable heating equipment. For example, a calculator in a section called The Knowledge Centre enables end users to input their structure sizes and temperature requirements, and they will then receive a recommendation of the appropriate heater’s BTU rating. To accommodate requests for a fresh water flushing toilet, Shorelink International (www.shorelink-int.com) has introduced the Zenith module to offer this facility within the existing Meridian toilet shell, without increasing the overall basic size. A two-way valve incorporated in the Zenith enables the toilet still to be used as a standard recirculating unit if required. Portakabin Events, a division of the well known relocatable buildings specialist, displayed a wide range of the portable accommodation units, sanitation facilities and other temporary requirements such as ticket offices and first aid rooms, targeted at the high-quality end of the market. The hirer’s Luxe toilets range has been developed by specialist creative designers and includes subtle lighting, stylish wall panels and attractive flooring. A similar range of showers is available, designed to provide consistent temperature and featuring wider cubicles. Private changing areas are also incorporated. Luxe facilities have been supplied to events such as the British Open golf championship and the Royal Horticultural Society’s Tatton Park Flower Show. Heaters for events Another
company
that
plans
to
increase
its
presence
in
serving
event
hire
is
the
heater
manufacturer,
Thermobile,
which
says
it
is
already
particularly
strong
in
industrial
and
horticultural
markets.
The Showman’s Show provided plenty examples of how greater efforts are being made by suppliers and hirers not only to identify the specific products needed by event organisers, but also to provide advice and information. The on-going strength of the market suggests that they are proving successful. • Executive Hire News › Archives › December 2006 › Executive Report › Display of strength
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