Our industry’s Voice
Just as the very first Hire News had done back in December 1971, EHN found itself early in the new millennium again asking how, exactly, one defines tool and equipment hire? This followed a decade of great consolidation and change, and showed the magazine’s on-going ability to monitor the industry it serves, adapt to reflect its changing needs, and anticipating further developments.
EXECUTIVE HIRE NEWS IN THE 2000s
Alan Guthrie gives his personal assessment of EHN’s role and influence throughout the 2000s - and beyond.
Some national hirers may have opened ‘super centres’, but good local independents continued to flourish.
EHN was well placed to play this central role. In February 2001, it became independent of HAE, by mutual agreement, having previously been the Association’s official magazine. At the same time, the publication added the masthead strapline of The Voice of the Hire Industry, and the following issue included our first Forum article, encouraging industry comment and debate.
As we were to suggest in our January 2002 issue, which contained our first Tool Hire Top Ten analysis of leading tool and equipment hirers, the market had by now achieved an overall turnover of
approximately £1 billion. However, the Forum in that same issue pointed out, ‘the days when the industry could be defined as “carrying an item, which cost less than £1,000, out of a shop” are long gone,’ with tool hirers having introduced more specialist niche products like lifting equipment, powered access machinery and compact plant, and with plant hirers down-sizing to compete in the tool market.
Traditional ‘high street hire’
Similarly, in September 2005, we discussed the trend for national hirers to establish larger ‘super centres’ serving wider geographical areas, and asked whether the days of traditional ‘high street hire’ were at an end. However, the fact that we have continued to seek out and report on flourishing independents the length and breadth of the country, with loyal customers built on trust and reliability, proves otherwise. And, as our most recent Tool Hire Top Ten estimated, hirers outside the Top Ten still account for approximately 50% of a market with an overall value that is now £1,538m.
During the 2000s, EHN continued to monitor changes in the industry. 53
The decade also saw contractors adopting new work practices and creating additional hire opportunities. In May 2001, Steve Corcoran, newly appointed as Speedy’s Chief Operating Officer, observed that “contractors continue to divest themselves of their own fleets and hire equipment in,” adding that utilities and facilities maintenance companies were outsourcing more services. Hirers were now recognised and appreciated as specialists, able to supply and service the necessary equipment, and many developed more specialist activities ranging from welding to grounds care, catering, and from event services to portable sanitation.
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