Executive Hire News › Archives › July 2009 › Executive Report : "We are not holding back"
Executive Report : "We are not holding back"
Alan Guthrie visits Hodgson Tool Hire in Lancashire, an independent that is going from strength to strength.
Like many successful hirers, Mike Hodgson’s desire to start his own business grew out of a sense of frustration from working for someone else and the belief that he could do better. “I founded Hodgson Tool Hire in 1997, having worked for another independent in west Lancashire. It had reached a point where it was very difficult to buy new equipment for the fleet, even if customers were specifically requesting it. The proprietor basically wanted to retire and had lost interest.
“I eventually managed to buy some of the stock from him and found small premises to start my business on a high street site in Burscough. I sold my car to raise funds for additional fleet items, and in the early days I worked on a farm from 4.30 in the mornings before opening up the shop, to get more money for equipment. We served chiefly DIY customers within a ten-mile radius, and my father helped with deliveries. The business established itself quickly because we gave good service and high quality equipment.”
In 1999, General Manager Lee Cavey joined the operation. He had previously worked as a joiner and builder, and his hands-on knowledge proved invaluable in establishing business relationships with such tradesmen, providing practical advice as well as equipment. “Not surprisingly, we outgrew our premises, filling every nook and cranny,” says Mike. “When I looked out one day and saw potential customers trying to park, then driving away because our entrance and yard were full, I realised we had to move. We found our current site in 2006, on an industrial estate in Burscough. We got a position on the main approach road to gain from passing trade, and we designed the building from scratch. With 3,000ft2 plus our yard, we virtually quadrupled our available space, and we have been able to expand the range of equipment offered and also the depth of stock of each item.”
The business currently has nine staff, including two at a second depot managed by Ian Nash that was opened in March 2008, ten miles away to the west in Ainsdale, Southport. “We acquired an existing hire business, whose owner wanted to pursue other interests, and we could see its potential. We closed it for two months and completely re-fitted it with similar facilities and the same branding as our Burscough depot. Each branch has its own dedicated catalogue but offers the same range of equipment, although larger machines are held at Burscough and supplied as required.
“We have invested a lot on new equipment already this year, and we are certainly not holding back. We constantly adapt to the needs of our customers, like offering out of hours service and adding new items as necessary. We placed a lot of orders at, or resulting from, our visit to the Executive Hire Show, which is a great exhibition because it is dedicated to our industry. Recent purchases include Camon turf cutters and rotavators, Rover mowers from Midland Power Machinery, Genie access platforms, Scheppach shredders from NMA Agencies, and a range of equipment and spares from Seddons. We have also bought our second road-tow Timberwolf chipper, and we will be adding to our fleet of mini excavators. Currently we have nine Kubota machines, which are very popular, along with our Thwaites Hi-Tip dumpers and Ammann ride-on rollers. Since 2003 we have used Higher Concept’s Syrinx management software, and it makes day to day running and the monthly invoicing run so much easier.”
Hodgson Tool Hire continues to move forward. A new mezzanine floor is to be built shortly within the Burscough depot to increase storage and showroom space, and Mike Hodgson says he has plans for a third depot when the time is right. •
www.hodgsontoolhire.co.uk
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