Hirers remain confident
HSS’ poor recent trading figures blamed ‘softer market conditions in August’, adding that ‘trading continues to be unpredictable’. We asked other hirers whether their business had seen the same downturn, or if their prospects remained positive for this year and into 2016.
Tim Garland, Business
“
Development Director with Elvington Plant Hire, York
Business is
booming. For the last three years, it has only been going one way and there doesn’t seem to be any signs of a slowdown. We purchased additional yard space in late 2014 but, given current trading levels, I still don’t think this is enough. We are recruiting extra staff to keep up with demand, but finding good people still remains
tough and I think this is the biggest barrier to further expansion for us. Overall, we are looking forward to the year ahead with excitement.
” “
Andy Earll, MD of Ace Line Plant, Rugeley We have been fortunate enough to remain unaffected by any downturn
in this unpredictable industry, and are experiencing a steady increase within both the hire and sales areas of our business. Feedback we are getting from our customers seems to be optimistic, with many reporting full order books taking them into the next 12 months, and beyond in some cases. To keep up with demand, we have just added two more JCB 8018 diggers and a Thwaites swivel dumper to our hire fleet. We are preparing a wish-list for other purchases which we hope to purchase at the Executive Hire Show in February.
”
“ “
Tim Smith, MD of Brandon Hire
Since the start of the year, trading has been unpredictable - but then, when has demand been easy to predict? The last eight years have been a rollercoaster, with our industry opening and closing branches as demand has adjusted to the prevailing economic situation. With the first signs of an upturn, it seems that the industry might have got carried away with itself, and over-promised and under-delivered. Brandon has seen monthly and regional variations during the summer.
We have, however, maintained our programme of selective new branch openings and investment in our existing estate, equipment and people. I am very positive about the future, although I expect there will be a few more surprises along the way.
”
Steve Hitchen, MD of One Stop Hire If we analyse performance across the north west of England region that
we cover, it would read as follows: Cumbria - business steady; Lancashire - gradual increase through 2015; Merseyside - busy; Cheshire - busy; Greater Manchester - booming; and West Yorkshire - very busy. The vast majority of our customers are busy and have good order books well into 2016. Many clients’ spend has doubled in the last 12-18 months. We are having to slow down our expansion into new areas and product lines as the demand for capex to simply serve our current clients and depots is very high. We feel the market is going to remain strong for several years ahead, and all the other independent hirers I talk to feel much the same.
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