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Executive Report : Executive news
PASSIONATE HIRER AWARD SHORTLIST ANNOUNCED
The Executive Hire Show team has announced the shortlist for the Passionate Hirer Award 2010, to be presented during the exhibition at the Ricoh Arena next week. The four finalists are: Hire-It! Kidderminster, Hire4Lower of Lambeth, Hodgson Tool Hire & Sales in Ormskirk, and Peter Lucas Tool Hire in Llandudno Junction.
The finalists were selected by our man Steve McKenzie, who since October has been visiting literally hundreds of hirers the length and breadth of the country telling them about the Show. “It is again striking just how many are genuinely passionate about our industry, taking a real pride in their businesses. It is inevitably a difficult decision, but my choice is based on those who showed special qualities that made them stand out even more,” commented Steve. The judging process is currently under way, based on mystery shopper visits, telephone enquiries and other measurable criteria. Last year’s Award went to KDM Hire, which has branches in Belfast and Cookstown. The company is profiled in our article beginning on page 23, which shows the high standard this year’s winner will have to match.
We are also delighted to announce that the Award is being sponsored by ArcGen Hilta. Chief Executive Mark Hodgkins says, “Success in any industry is hard won and applying business acumen and vision with passion has to be good for the winner’s eventual commercial success, as well as contributing to the success of the hire industry as a whole.”
Speedy gets ready to GO
Speedy has introduced a Product Innovation Award scheme to encourage development of environmentally friendly products. It is part of the hirer’s overall sustainability strategy, spearheaded by its Getting Greener from Ground Up programme, and the GO Initiative announced recently. GO (Green Option) includes products offering proven environmental benefits, which have been independently assessed for Speedy by the environmental consultant, ERM.
David Graham, Speedy’s UK Head of Hire commented, “We hope that these Innovation Awards will stimulate new ideas and product developments that will reduce energy costs and environmental impact.” Current and potential suppliers, large or small, can enter, and Speedy seeks submissions by 30 March, in time for the first presentations in May. For details visit www.speedyhire.com/sustainability/pg
ArcGen Hilta’s Holding operation
ArcGen Hilta has signed a partnership with SP Holding Group of Telford, a family run business specialising in plant hire, tanker supply, transport services and drainage. An initial order has been placed for ten Vertitower mobile lighting sets. MD Steve Holding, pictured (left) with ArcGen’s Mark Hodgkins, said, “I have been impressed with the versatility of the Vertitower and we are now looking at acquiring further products, including ArcGen’s Imago (formerly Addco) variable messaging boards, as demand for this type of electronic mobile signage grows.”
In a separate development, ArcGen Hilta has teamed up with the welding and cutting equipment provider, Rehm Schweißtechnik of Stuttgart, to complement its range of welder generators. The entire Rehm range will be available, including advanced BI-Power Inverter TIG machines. MIG, TIG and MMA products will be unveiled on ArcGen’s stand at the Executive Hire Show, which will highlight the Tiger TIG machine designed for an exceptional power to weight ratio with high duty cycles.
Spectrum of new products
Amongst details of New Year product launches that EHN has received, Ox Construction Products, part of the Spectrum Diamond group, has added the OXT50 cutting machine. Incorporating two tungsten-toothed blades revolving in opposite directions, it can cut wood, metal, plastic, rubber and composite materials quickly, and as the blades generate equal and opposite forces, kickback is eliminated and the risk of sparks is reduced. It is available in 110 and 240V.
Another newcomer, from Toolpak, is the Fusion site electrical equipment range, covering power distribution and lighting products. Complementing the supplier’s comprehensive accessory line-up, it is seen as an additional re-sale opportunity for hirers.
Avant’s Affordable snow solution
During the freezing weather conditions that gripped the UK recently, Affordable Access, a hirer based in Romsey, Hampshire, found that the Avant Tecno mini loaders in its fleet offered an ideal solution for shifting snow. Equipped with a dozer blade or a snow brush attachment, the machines were able to clear areas such as car parks and footpaths. They can also pull a self-propelled gritter at the same time.
Tony Thornton, owner of Affordable Access, said: “Avant machines are perfect for snow clearance work, and can be utilised throughout the year for many tasks, ranging from materials handling and digging, to grass cutting and trenching work, using a choice of nearly 100 attachments.”
Watkins introduces remote monitoring
Specialist heating and cooling equipment hirer, Watkins Hire, has developed its own remote fault monitoring system that uses GSM technology to check hired equipment and report faults. It is being fitted as standard to the company’s fleet of temporary split air conditioners, chillers and portable heating boilers.
“Our fleet is regularly serviced, so customers can be confident about its reliability,” said MD Mark Hills. “However, any piece of hire equipment can develop a fault, which is why we have invested in developing the system. We can ensure that any issue is picked up straight away,
so we can alert the customer and repair or replace the kit in the time that it would take many other companies to realise there was something wrong.”
Network nominates Artisan and Higher4Lower
Lambeth-based Hire4Lower, already nominated for the Executive Hire Show Passionate Hirer Award, has also been shortlisted for The Hire Network Award, along with the Bristol branch of Artisan Hire. The initiative recognises excellent service at an individual depot.
“Both companies sum up what it takes to be an excellent independent,” Hire Network MD Barry Dean told EHN. “We know that if we place an order with them, it will always be processed efficiently, the equipment supplied will be of a very high standard, and the customer will receive the fullest backup and support at all times. We also deal with Artisan’s other depots, but in December, when the nomination was made, the Bristol branch just had the edge.” The two companies join the previously shortlisted candidate, Champion Hire’s Doncaster branch. The winner from the trio will be announced at the Executive Hire Show next month. |
