Ken Richardson Hire Pioneer 1931-2012
Ken started his working life as a London bobby in the days when a large pair of boots on the street carried meaningful authority. While pounding the beat he would often see householders and small tradesmen struggling to do work at height with old ladders or steps. Prevented by police rules from engaging in business himself, he originally set up his wife to front a fledgling hire business from his garage, hiring out access towers in his native Ilford. It wasn’t long before Ken resigned from the Police and his first company, Access Plant Hire & Sales, was established as a leading independent hirer in Essex and east London. Ken pioneered a number of innovative schemes allowing him to
re-hire and sell equipment to the increasing number of new hire businesses that were springing up all over the country, including novel hire/lease/buy schemes that kick started many new entrants to the hire industry. When the October 1972 edition of the then new trade magazine Hire News announced that a trade show was being organised, Ken was one of the 22 brave entrepreneurs who signed up for a stand at the very first Hirex exhibition held at Syon Park in February 1973.
Along with other pioneers in our industry such as the late John Rogers, Keith Harrison, Chris MacDowell and David Lampert, Ken was instrumental in setting a process in motion that was ratified at the following Hirex in 1974 and led to the formation of the Hire
Association Europe in Sept 1974. Ken accepted the honorary post of Secretary becoming Chairman a year later. Ken served the industry through his deep involvement in HAE for over 25 years and he was a driving force in championing our cause on many issues. Although Ken’s hire business evolved along traditional lines, his speciality always remained with access kit and towers, in particular. His rationale was that anything that hadn’t got a motor or engine gave him better returns and less hassle! It wasn’t long before his enthusiasm for access towers led him to design his own product using the then new concept of aluminium rather than steel. He founded Aliscaff and developed it into a leading brand selling to those hundreds of hire companies that were now established throughout the UK. His patented quick release brace lock was ahead of its time, and was a concept copied by others. Once he became involved in manufacturing, it was typical of Ken that he quickly became a staunch supporter of PASMA and made a stalwart contribution to yet another trade association over many years. Always a gentleman whose trademark vice like handshake imparted confidence in all who met him, Ken gave much more to our industry than he ever took out.
John Jennings, friend, customer and colleague on HAE committees for over 25 years.
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