EXECUTIVE REPORT
The Mytholmroyd depot moved to its current location in 2006.
“Always on the lookout”
A willingness to add new products quickly to its fleet has brought success for EPS Hire Centres. Alan Guthrie paid a visit to its Mytholmroyd depot.
Although the textile factories that once filled the area of West Yorkshire in which EPS Hire Centres is based have long disappeared, they proved a source of much business for this busy independent, especially in its initial years, as contractors sought equipment for mill conversions into offices and housing.
Jason Fielden says EPS “constantly aims to be innovative.”
EPS (Enterprise Plant Services) was founded by engineer David Fielden and his wife Gillian in 1989 in Sowerby Bridge, near Halifax. Previously he had operated a waste disposal business, and manufactured skips for local businesses,
but when builders began to enquire about hiring the plant the company used itself to handle the materials, he saw a new opportunity to offer tools, equipment and compact plant.
The business steadily outgrew a series of premises, purchasing its current site in 2000. The following year, a second depot was opened in nearby Mytholmroyd and run by David’s son Jason, who had completed an NVQ in plant maintenance and tool hire. Mytholmroyd focused on smaller equipment and consumables, while Sowerby Bridge chiefly provided larger plant. However, Mytholmroyd re-located to its present business park location in 2006, and currently acts as EPS’ headquarters while the other site undergoes extensive redevelopment into a three-storey building covering 9,000ft2
.
“We have constantly aimed to be innovative,” Jason told EHN. “For example, we were one of the first hirers in Yorkshire to introduce high-tip dumpers and tracked spider lifts. Today we offer a diverse range of equipment, are a main dealer for four major brands (Husqvarna, Paslode, Milwaukee and Efco), and we supply some of our larger Skyjack, JLG and Promax access kit all over the country.
“We are always on the lookout for something new and different that we can add, which will appeal to customers and attract a good hire rate. Last year we bought the Zarges Teletower and the Endress
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406 Duplex generator at the Executive Hire Show. We also purchased Hilti’s TE 3000 breaker, which has proved really popular. We are big fans of Hilti, who were incredibly helpful two years ago when a robbery severely depleted our fleet. They immediately loaned us machines to tide us over, and helped us with the purchase of a replacement Hilti fleet.”
EPS operates seven bespoke delivery vehicles, including some with contoured decks made by the company itself using slats of keroin hardwood, which are steamed before being shaped and bolted into position. This design enables scissor lifts and other machines with low ground clearance to be loaded more easily and safely.
The company is shortly to launch a re-designed website which, as well as providing details of its fleet, has a section for on-line sale of tools and consumables. Videos and links to YouTube clips have also been incorporated in order to give customers advice on operation and maintenance procedures.
“We are once again really looking forward to the Executive Hire Show, which is such an excellent source of new product ideas,” said Jason. “We will be checking out new equipment we have heard about from suppliers like Hilti, Sumner, The Hire Supply Company, Mace Industries and Dri-Eaz, and we are interested in products that save on labour requirements, as many contractors are reluctant to take on additional staff at present. Generally, we are always trying to find what could become the next big thing in hire.
“We try to differentiate ourselves from other hirers by introducing new products and ideas. Too many companies just end up copying their local
competitors, or waiting until they get several requests for an item, by which time it is too late. You have to act quickly to source new items and maintain your advantage.”
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www.epshirecentre.co.uk The company fabricates its own decks for delivery vehicles.
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