EXECUTIVE REPORT continued
Andy Martin is also looking forward to a two-year spell as HAE Chairman, having officially taken up the position at the Association’s Convention held at the end of September. “I have already served on the Tools, Plant and Equipment Board for four years, and greatly enjoyed it. Making contacts with other hirers is very beneficial, gaining a greater understanding of industry issues.
“One of my aims is to represent smaller independent hirers and encourage more of them to join. It is all too easy to remain closeted within your own organisation and miss new trends and opportunities. Membership means more than being able to use HAE’s Terms & Conditions. As well as initiatives like SafeHire, competitive insurance and fuel card savings, it gives a chance to get involved with fellow professionals and share ideas.
“One challenge we all still face is that of hire rates. While many customers appreciate the services we provide, a lot do not. Some are focused solely on price, expect the kit to be delivered yesterday and pay us when they want to. As long as there are hirers willing to under-cut others with almost suicidal rates, then customers will simply play one off against another.
Concreting equipment is another specialist hire activity.
Manufacturers’ and suppliers’ costs have not gone down, and as an industry we are underselling ourselves.
“Nevertheless, the general signs are very encouraging. Although many customers are still operating on tight margins in a competitive environment, the overall mood in Scotland is cautiously optimistic, and the strong economic upturn in London and the south east of England will ripple outwards. Indeed, we have plans for further expansion in the next 12-18 months. We are looking to diversify into additional equipment lines, and we want to explore the concept of having bigger depots with the potential to supply larger plant to the construction industry, as well as serving the traditional trade and DIY market.”
•
www.martinplanthire.co.uk
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