Executive Hire News › Archives › December 2008 › Executive Report : All set for action

Executive Report : All set for action

Continuing our series of articles in the run-up to the Executive Hire Show, EHN talks to more passionate hirers throughout the country about what excites them about next February’s event.

Dave Creamer, Managing Director (right) and Richard Aitkenhead, General Manager, Penrhyn Hire, Penrhyndeudraeth, Gwynedd

"We spent two enjoyable, full days at the Show last February. As we are based somewhat off the beaten track, many suppliers do not send sales personnel to visit us, so it is critical for us to attend the Show to look for new equipment.
We keep a ‘lost hire’ report that enables us to monitor when we have not had a piece of equipment to match a customer’s requirement, and this forms the basis of our 'hit list' for new kit. During our visit we found a lot of new additions for our fleet, including two hydraulic breakers from JCB, a plasterboard lifter from Sumner Manufacturing, a framing nailer from Young Black, and vibrating pokers and block splitters from Fairport. We also spent time on the Higher Concept Software stand, talking about the latest developments in the Syrinx system that we operate.
It is great to have the opportunity to see most of our suppliers in an environment and atmosphere that is conducive to doing business. We were also amazed at how many old friends from the industry we met during the two days. We are looking forward to another successful visit this February."

Tony White (right), Depot Manager, Central Tool Hire, St Albans, with Assistant Manager John Rogers (left) and Director Nigel Heavens

"Attending the Executive Hire Show this year proved really profitable for us. We picked up information about all the latest products and bought new equipment for our fleet, like all-terrain pallet trucks from Tacklestore, and we also made contact with Abnix Solutions, who we later got to do our new web site. You can talk to people face to face and build relationships much more easily than, say, over the Internet.
The Ricoh Arena is a great venue and easy to get to. John and I drove up on the first morning of the Show, toured the exhibition and stayed overnight at a local hotel. We went back to the Show the next day, ready to do deals, and we will do the same next year. We got a lot out of the event, and in addition it is great to have the opportunity to talk to other hirers. "

Andy Newton, Sales Manager, Hartley Hire, Morecambe

"I have attended both previous Executive Hire Shows with several colleagues and we were all impressed. We filled a car with staff on the first day of the exhibition, and did the same on the second day. It is easy for us to get to and from the Ricoh Arena in a day. This year, several products impressed us and are now in our fleet, such as a Cautrac tracked dumper. We spent time on the Pop-Up Products stand and had a close look at its range of platforms. We have already started talking about the 2009 Show and we will definitely be attending the event again."

Allan Ross, Hire Manager, MacGregor Industrial Supplies, Inverness

"I have attended the leading hire industry events annually for the last 14 years, including the 2007 and 2008 Executive Hire Shows, and I’ll be there again in February. It’s easy. I fly from Inverness to Birmingham and hire a car to visit the exhibition. I usually then take the opportunity to stay a couple of days seeing local specialist suppliers.
We chiefly serve the oil and engineering industries with a wide range of equipment. The hire fleet also includes items like Arc-Gen generators and welders, Brendon pressure washers, Bosch grinders and Makita cordless tools. It’s good to spend time talking to suppliers, and being an independent we can make decisions quickly about new fleet additions. "

David Taylor, Director, Penrith Tool Hire

"I only purchased Penrith Tool Hire at the end of last year, coming from a background outside hire, and I have been busy learning the business since. I have a great team around me who have helped make the transition to running my own company easier, and I will be able to spend a full day at the Show, looking for new equipment to complement our existing fleet.
It will be a great learning opportunity for me to see many of the industry's key suppliers in one place. Sales are another important part of our business so I will be looking out for what deals are available on power tools, consumables and PPE."

Dave Green, Sales Director, Hirelink UK,Sutton Coldfield and Smethwick

"We added eight new products to the fleet as a result of attending this year’s Show, all of which have proved very successful. These included the Rippa multi-purpose blade from DTAS, the Enviroboot dust suppression attachment from The Hire Supply Company, which is very popular with contractors, and 80cm Ammann ride-on rollers.
I have been to other events that have proved a waste of time, but we spent two full days at the Show. There were so many suppliers we wanted to see, and we kept meeting and talking with other hirers as we went round. Having recently relocated our Erdington branch to much larger premises in Sutton Coldfield, we will definitely be attending the 2009 Show to see what other products we can add, now that we have more space available at our new facility."

Kevin Griffiths, Director, Griffiths Hire Shops, Oswestry

"I went to the Show for the second time this year and had a productive visit.The venue was impressive and travelling there and back in a day was easy. Many of our suppliers were at the Show and I also came across several companies that we have not dealt with before.
I placed a number of orders during the day, the first of which was with the Hire Supply Company for some floodlights. I also purchased some pumps from Obart. Like all hirers, I want to see new products when I visit a Show, and pro-active exhibitors that give you a good reason to go onto their stands. It was worth taking a day out of my schedule to visit the Show and I am really looking forward to the 2009 event. "

Paul Grainger, Depot Manager, Andara Tools & Plant Hire, Eltham

"Looking through the floor plan of exhibitors for the 2009 Executive Hire Show, it is like Who's Who of hire industry suppliers. We are still very busy and have on-going requirements for new equipment, so it makes sense to make a point of visiting the Executive Hire Show to see what is available.
I am always on the look out for new ideas and products that may appeal to our customer base and I expect the exhibitors to be offering some great deals in February. There is a good mix of stands covering all product groups, so I'll make sure that I can get around them all during my visit. "

Matt Rowe, Director, Hire Standards, Westbury, Wiltshire

"I registered for the Show as soon as I read about it in EHN last month. I did it on-line and it was easy. The exhibition will be a great way of finding out exactly what equipment is available and the latest innovations. Customers are always asking for solutions to an unusual task or situation, and often you’ll remember having seen something suitable at an exhibition. You also might find a new niche opportunity among the products on show."

Andrew Benham (right), pictured with Alan Cole, Directors, Fishguard Tool Hire, Dyfed

"Although this business has been established for 23 years, we only bought it in September. I worked for A-Plant for 16 years and was Depot Manager at Milford Haven, before joining another independent hirer in south Wales. We offer equipment like Bosch and Makita tools, mini excavators up to 1.5 tonne, and we sell items like Stihl trimmers and Honda mowers.
We have registered for the Show because we want to see all that’s new in the market. I’ll be particularly interested to see the latest low-level access products. Business is ticking over nicely at the moment. There are plans for a marina to be built at Fishguard harbour, and Tesco wants to build a large supermarket in the town, involving the re-location of a primary school. "