EXECUTIVE REPORT
EMN Plant says its diversity means there are many business opportunities ahead.
Successful Shetlanders
EHN talks to three hire companies in the northern most part of the country that are serving the needs of a diverse island community.
Located approximately 100 miles from the coast of mainland Scotland, the Shetland Islands are the most northerly part of the British Isles. Meeting the hire needs of the 22,000 inhabitants is challenging,
but companies that are
versatile and flexible enough report that business is booming.
Garriock Bros’ comprehensive fleet enables it to be “all things to all people”.
“We have to be all things to all people,” said Laura Garriock,
one of the Directors of Garriock Bros Ltd, which is based in Lerwick but has no fewer than nine divisions, ranging from civil engineering, house building, quarrying, UPVC window manufacturing, sale and hire of quarry crushing equipment, besides tool and plant hire. “The Shetland division offers a very diverse fleet, from carpet cleaners and power tools, to heavy plant and vehicles, reflecting the needs of homeowners, contractors and other customers.”
The origins of the business demonstrate its flexible approach. In 1975, Laura’s husband, George, established a joinery business on the island with his brother. Four years later he bought two excavators for hire as an additional activity. Through the years the plant side continued to expand and in 1994 the company bought the Shetland premises and equipment of Hewden Tool Hire. The company now also has a sales and hire operation on Orkney, Edinburgh and has just opened a depot in Coventry for crushing equipment distribution.
Much of the Shetland hire business has been driven by the needs of oil and gas industry contractors, particularly at the Sullom Voe terminal. “Demand has also been increased by long-term infrastructure work associated with the new Laggan-Tormore gas extraction facility,” said Laura Garriock. “However, we continue to ensure that we also meet the needs of the man in the street and, overall, business remains strong.”
The Laggan-Tormore project has meant increased business for another hirer, EMN Plant, based at Graven, two miles from the Sullom Voe terminal. “In fact, we have hardly seen any slowdown here in recent years,” said Director Ellis Nicolson, whose father,
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Edmund, began in plant hire in 1972. The original business was sold in 2003, and EMN was formed in 2007. Besides offering tools and plant, its activities include haulage, contracting and garage services.
“We never like to say no to an enquiry, whether it is from an oil contractor or a homeowner. We also supply equipment to SSE (Scottish and Southern Energy) to maintain their power distribution network on the islands, and this requires us to be on call 24 hours a day. We aim for maximum efficiency, and we use Higher Concept Software’s Syrinx program to manage our fleet effectively, helping to ensure that pre- delivery checks are completed and necessary safety documentation is provided. There may be cuts in public spending ahead, but our diversity enables us to adapt. There are also plans for a new potential onshore wind farm on Shetland, so there remain plenty of opportunities ahead.”
Being able to respond quickly to the oil and gas industry’s needs is bringing success for Lerwick-based DH Marine (Shetland) Ltd, which principally supplies generators, heating and lighting products, and related electrical equipment. The business was established in 2000 to serve customers in the marine, fishing and agricultural industries, but the customer base has gradually broadened. The company also operates a mobile engineering supplies shop.
“Business has been increasing as oil and gas contractors recognise the value of our local service and rapid response, rather than depending on mainland-based companies,” said Sales Manager, Peter Jack. “We cover the whole island, also hiring equipment to construction companies and other professionals. Last year we introduced an in-house HAV testing
service for hand-held tools and equipment, using fully trained staff.
“Our hire fleet also includes trailer-mounted dehumidifiers that we have modified ourselves for work in particular applications, because customers could not source exactly what they needed elsewhere, and this shows our flexibility in meeting people’s specific requirements.”
DH Marine’s hire fleet includes modified dehumidification equipment for specific applications.
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