the year. Hubbway also reports an increasing level of enquiries being received through the Internet and via its website. “I estimate we get £5,000 worth of new business this way each month, from people based outside our area, whose activities bring them to our region,” said Nick Hubb. “In the current economic climate, contractors are bidding for more work over a wider area, which means they might be unfamiliar with reliable local sources of supply.We have always regarded ourselves as much more than a local or regional supplier, and we actively target business outside our area.We explain how they can benefit from our local knowledge and service, and we will hire them anything from a kettle to a 25 tonne excavator.”
Excellence. The
presentation recognises the outstanding candidate from those students successfully completing the association’s Level 2 NVQ in Hire and Rental Desk Operation.
Nicola joined Hubbway in 2007, and relishes working in this industry. “I would hate to be stuck in a normal nine-to-five job. I work from 7am till 5.30 or 6pm, and enjoy every minute of it. There is so much variety in terms of the equipment in the fleet and the customers we serve. Whenever we add something new I want to understand exactly how it works, and I am always asking the workshop staff questions about how they solve certain issues, so that I can advise customers quickly in the future and get them back working
again.The NVQ covered areas such as Health & Safety, PAT testing, computer software, processing orders and demonstrating equipment, and I found it very worthwhile. I am just about to start the Level 3 programme and am really looking forward to it.You never stop learning, and ultimately it’s all about customer service.”
Hire Achiever Nicola Laws relishes working in the hire industry.
Every item in the fleet is rigorously maintained.
Similarly, Hubbway has found increased demand over the last two years for the hire of machinery with an operator. “Site managers are trying to reduce costs by operating with fewer personnel and we can help them improve their efficiency by providing experienced personnel as well as the equipment. Again, it is a question of understanding customers’ needs and responding accordingly.”
Hubbway attaches considerable importance to maintaining items in the fleet. “Mobile machines are serviced after every 300 hours of operation, and static equipment every 500 hours, so that we get the maximum life out of every unit.We have a great team of six technicians, headed by Workshop Manager Phil Hickey, and they can undertake virtually anything from excavator bucket repairs to complete engine rebuilds. Every action is itemised and recorded on our Syrinx computer system, and we know the full history and whole life cost of every product in the fleet.”
Commitment and enthusiasm
The company currently employs a total of 19 staff, plus ten plant operators. Exemplifying the Hubbway team’s commitment and enthusiasm in the hire office is Nicola Laws, who earlier this year was named as the Hire Achiever of the Year in the HAE’s Awards of
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These sentiments are echoed by Nick Hubb. “The whole team thrives on delivering excellent service and solving customers’ problems, especially when they have been turned away from other hirers because they don’t offer a particular product in their catalogues or won’t take the trouble to find an appropriate solution. This is why people choose us, and keep coming back.”
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www.hubbwayhire.co.uk
The Cramlington depot is on a four-acre site.
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