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EXECUTIVE REPORT


The Warrington depot is Smiths’ tenth.


In prime position


Smiths Equipment Hire has continued to expand by opening its tenth depot, in Warrington. Alan Guthrie visited the impressive premises.


It is often said that the location of a property is the most important aspect for buyers to consider, and Smiths Equipment Hire’s impressive new depot in Warrington certainly meets that criterion. It has excellent transport links, being a stone’s throw from junction 8 of the M62 motorway, and occupies a prominent position on a business park and retail complex.


Committed to service: from left, David and Thomas Smith, Matt Hopwood and Lee Latham.


Indeed, the enormous Smiths illuminated sign at the front of the building successfully vies to be seen from the motorway against those of other companies, such as IKEA and McDonald’s.


“This new depot is another logical step in our expansion throughout the north west of England,” said David Smith, who is Joint MD of the Blackpool-based business with his brother, Thomas. “We had been serving customers in and around Warrington from our existing branches in Manchester and Bolton, but rising transport costs were making it increasingly expensive. As well as expanding our coverage, this additional depot enhances our profitability and, most importantly, maintains our high levels of customer service.”


The Warrington facility, which was formerly a large soft furnishings warehouse, was bought in June and has been renovated to accommodate the hire desk, workshops and an extensive showroom. The building itself covers 14,000ft2


, plus extensive yard space.


“Transport links are excellent,” said Thomas. “We can reach Liverpool in 15 minutes and it opens up additional areas, such as Runcorn, Widnes and north Wales, where there are some sizeable infrastructure projects taking place.We are also building a training room on the upper floor of the premises.We already offer training at our Blackpool, Manchester and Preston locations, and this is again driven by our commitment to customer service, as it helps people to obtain everything they need from a single, trusted source.”


New machinery that has been bought for the Warrington fleet includes Niftylift HR21 4x4 work platforms and HR15N narrow booms, and JLG four wheel drive compact boom lifts. Smiths have also purchased


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more 4.8 tonne Kubota mini excavators, joining others in its fleet ranging from 0.8 tonne upwards, as well as Hilti breakers, Numatic vacuums, Sullair pneumatic tools and Stephill generators.


Ten staff are employed at the depot, including Manager Matt Hopwood and Assistant Manager Lee Latham. “It has always been difficult finding good staff, because the hire industry is quite unlike any other,” said Thomas. “Staff must be driven by the desire to serve the customer. Almost every phone call is different, from people with new problems to solve, and they have to relish working in this environment. In hire, drivers aren’t just delivering pallets of boxes and getting paperwork signed, they are our public face and must be able to interact accordingly.”


“Some hirers are cutting rates and offering free delivery, yet they should be emphasising the service they are providing,” added David. “As people are increasingly cost-conscious, hires tend to be for shorter periods, often leading to more abundant paperwork which needs time and care to process. Customers must also appreciate that delivering and collecting equipment at the right time helps to increase their own efficiency in getting work done. Hirers cannot afford to compromise on any aspect of their service.We are holding out for sensible rates in our region, and other hirers must do likewise to protect the industry.


“Nevertheless, we have continued to expand, despite the recession. In the last three years we have also opened our Manchester depot,


Close to the M62, the new facility has excellent transport links.


re-located Blackburn to larger premises, and grown our fleet by approximately 35%. As has often been said, any company that is not moving forward is, by definition, moving backward.We continue to welcome all types of business, from cash customers to larger contractors, and we won’t turn anyone with an enquiry away. It’s all part if the service we offer, which is what hire is all about.”


www.smithshire.com


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