EXECUTIVE REPORT


One of the latest minis to join the Martin fleet.


Serving Scotland


Alan Guthrie talks to Martin Plant Hire’s MD, Andy Martin, about the company’s plans as it reacts to a slow, but steady, business upturn north of the border


While many financial analysts and market commentators have reported on the unpredictable nature and pace of the economic recovery, there are suggestions that, in Scotland, monitoring the situation has been even more challenging. As in the rest of the UK, many businesses scaled back their investment plans in the run-up to the General Election, but the situation was further


compounded north of the border during the debates before the referendum on Scottish


Andy Martin reports that business is growing steadily.


independence last October. Caution


about the possible effects of the outcome meant many spending decisions were put on hold earlier than in other parts of the country.


This affected construction activity and, in turn, hire business. “There was a definite knock-on effect felt by contractors, and I would say that the Scottish economy was hit hard by the uncertainty,” said Andy Martin, MD of Martin Plant Hire. “This was particularly disappointing because we had seen an increase in business levels following the successful Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, and events like the Ryder Cup golf at Gleneagles. However, there is now more confidence throughout the country, and the flip side of the previous uncertainty is that more contractors are now deciding to hire equipment, rather than source the finance to buy it.


“Like other hirers, we had to adapt during the downturn. We closed four depots, giving us the 12 we currently have throughout Scotland, and we kept fleet investment to the minimum. However, as demand has been improving, we have spent significantly on more equipment, including compact plant such as mini excavators up to 3 tonnes, dumpers and rollers, reflecting the growth in house building.”


Some significant projects are getting under way, including large- scale improvements to the M8, M73 and M74 motorways across the


Martin Plant’s welding division continues to perform strongly.


central belt, and work has been on-going on the Queensferry Crossing, a second Forth road bridge. Indeed, such activity is exemplified by a substantial new hospital construction project taking place just behind Martin Plant’s premises at Govan, in central Glasgow, the hirer’s largest depot.


“Several years ago, we established a specialist welding equipment division, to meet the needs of fabricators undertaking work for contractors serving industries such as shipbuilding and general construction, and it has gone from strength to strength. Based at Govan, it feeds our other depots as required. We have also supplied welding machines and other related equipment to locations such as London and Liverpool, for customers who win work outside their local regions.


“Another type of equipment we specialise in is surface preparation and concreting products. This dates back to 2001, when we acquired the business Power Plant Hire, whose premises became our Govan depot. It had an extensive fleet for this market, which we have continued to develop, offering items ranging from compaction plates and rollers, to roller strikers, ride-on power trowels and scabblers.


“We have also developed Hirehub, which is operated by a dedicated team based at our administrative headquarters in Motherwell. This acts as a central contact point for customers working at several locations, and we co-ordinate the delivery of equipment across our depot network, as they need it. This simplifies the paperwork for the customer, and we can source products outside our standard fleet offering.”


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