Executive Hire News › Archives › August 2009 › Executive Report : HAE makes its move
Executive Report : HAE makes its move
HAE recently re-located to new premises. Alan Guthrie attended the official opening and spoke to MD Graham Arundell about the Association's future plans.
Situated on a modern, tree-lined business park close to the NEC, HAE’s new headquarters are a significant improvement on its previous premises at Aston, in an old industrial area of Birmingham. The building was officially opened by Hiretech MD Mark Rogers, whose late father John was responsible for forming the Association and was its first Chairman in 1974.
HAE MD Graham Arundell is quick to stress that the changes are not just aesthetic. “It creates a much better business environment in the heart of England, close to motorways, Birmingham International Station and Airport. We hope it will encourage more members to hold their meetings here.” More significantly, the re-location reflects HAE’s moves to freshen its image, not only with its new logo and the ‘stronger together’ slogan, but also its aims to engage more closely with members and to raise industry issues on a wider platform, such as through lobbying.
“We need to be more pro-active, rather than reactive. Lobbying is something HAE did in the past but on a small scale. We want to reach a position where politicians seek out our opinion on relevant new legislation or regulatory proposals, and we can represent members’ interests so that the hire industry’s importance is recognised. Last month four HAE Board members met the Construction All Party Group, chaired by Bill Olner MP. We spent several hours discussing Health & Safety issues like HAV, plant theft, security, fraud (such as where customers abscond with equipment or pretend it has been stolen), and ‘phoenix’ organisations, where the assets of one limited company are moved to another legal entity. We will be holding similar meetings in the future, so it is vital that members tell us about issues affecting them.” To encourage closer contact, HAE is now conducting its membership surveys, which were previously quarterly, on a monthly basis.
Membership benefits are also being enhanced. The new BusinessGuard service offers professional advice on legislation and issues regarding employment, Health & Safety, environmental obligations, finance, business administration and commercial law. It has also partnered with the Top Service consultancy to offer credit checks and credit control advice. HAE’s Insurance Services also offers members a free audit to check they have appropriate cover in place. “At the Executive Hire Show, we always get a lot of enquiries about insurance and members are often surprised by how much we can save them,” says Graham Arundell.
“We have broadened our training portfolio considerably, now encompassing management issues, personal development, safety at work, Health & Safety legislation, hire-specific training on products from abrasive wheels and cartridge fixing tools to manual handling and mobile towers, powered access and general transport and plant.
“We have successfully launched our Hire Desk Operative Apprenticeship Scheme, with the next intake scheduled for October. Providing an NVQ Level 2 qualification, the 18-month programme includes 22.5 days of off-site training and covers customer service, Health & Safety and the safe use of hire industry products. Companies that pay the CITB Levy can obtain grant aid towards costs. We also offer NVQ Level 2 On Site Assessment for experienced hire professionals and are awaiting accreditation of a Level 3 programme.”
Graham Arundell believes that HAE’s higher profile is shown through “our recent joint staging of Health & Safety seminars with the Health & Safety Executive, and our involvement with the European Rental Association. I chair the ERA General Rental Conditions Committee, and we are represented on all its other committees, so we keep abreast of forthcoming issues and legislation.
“From our regular surveys, it is clear that HAE members are being affected by the economic climate, with hirers typically reporting that business levels are 20% down compared with last year. By being more pro-active, we can help independent hirers make their voice heard, and show that we really are stronger together.” •
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