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Executive Report: Acacia grows quickly Alan Guthrie reports on a newly established hire business that is successfully targeting the grounds care hire market in its local area. In our review of the BTME turf machinery exhibition in last month’s issue, we expressed the view that the grounds care equipment hire market offered good business opportunities. Acacia Groundcare Equipment Rental is a recently established business in the south of England whose positive start adds further weight to the argument. Located in Henfield, approximately five miles north of Brighton, the operation opened for business at the end of last year, and is headed by Directors Dale Hudson and Ritain Patel, who between them have nearly 25 years’ previous experience working with A-Plant. Ritain Patel was Group Financial Controller for A-Plant’s parent company Ashtead Group plc. Dale Hudson, whose first job in hire was with Beaver Tool Hire (Chichester) Ltd (profiled in our January/February issue), held several tool and plant hire management positions with A-Plant, including being Operations Director for the south of England. This territory included the hirer’s former Storrington depot in Sussex, which was a flagship grounds care hire outlet. “I always saw potential in this market segment. It has always proved difficult for some national hirers to meet local demands effectively,” says Dale Hudson. “When Ritain and I decided to start our own business, we searched for suitable premises and found a terrific site with 6,000ft2 of undercover storage, offices and an 8,000ft2 yard. There is also space for a retail shop. Our location is close to the A23, A24, A27 and A272 trunk roads, enabling us to cover Sussex, Hampshire, Surrey, Kent and parts of Greater London. We have even delivered equipment to customers as far afield as the Severn Estuary, who simply could not find a closer supplier.” Acacia, which has a staff of six, offers a comprehensive fleet for short and long term hire, including GreenMech towed and tracked chippers, BLEC attachments like stone buriers and rakes, Carlton stump grinders from Liston Equipment, Stihl hedge trimmers and brushcutters, Hayter pedestrian mowers, and Groundsman Industries turf aerators. Machines from the Hire Supply Company have proved popular, including 9hp and 13hp Barreto rotavators, trenchers and Compac post hole borers. Larger machines offered include Ransomes Jacobsen HR 3300T out-front rotary mowers, New Holland and John Deere tractors, and Indespension trailers. The customer base comprises landscape contractors, golf course, sports clubs and specialist grounds care contractors. “We are also receiving enquiries from local authorities that are under budgetary pressure and see hire as a more cost-effective alternative to purchase. Our service engineers can undertake all necessary maintenance,” says Dale Hudson. “Grounds care hire differs from mainstream tool and plant hire owing to its seasonal nature. Traditionally there is a main 30-week grass cutting period from March to October, although with changing climate patterns this can be longer. Outside the main period, you have to be prepared for hire business to slow. To compensate, we have become an approved service agent for GreenMech and we hope to grow this aspect of our operation. We can repair and maintain products from many manufacturers. Presentation of machinery is also important to customers like landscapers and golf course managers working on prestigious sites. All our equipment is cleaned and polished before every hire. “Our web site has received thousands of hits since we opened for business, which proves the level of interest there is in this kind of machinery,” says Dale Hudson. ”We have taken digital photographs of the equipment in our fleet and put them on the site, rather than using generic pictures from a brochure. It shows customers we actually have the items available and illustrates our commitment.” As the summer approaches, Acacia expects business to increase further and, by offering a wide range of specialist machines backed by local service, it seems to have identified a profitable niche. • T
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494939 Executive Hire News › Archives › May 2008 › Executive Report › Acacia grows quickly
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