EXECUTIVE REPORT continued
“The shop space footprint is 13,500ft2
, which
compares against 12,500ft2 in our previous facility, and it is laid out much more effectively. We have built offices upstairs overlooking the showroom, served by stairs on either side for quick access, as well as upper storage space. We installed a lift to facilitate the movement of equipment. The workshop and storage space downstairs is now 400% larger, including a dedicated area for powered access machinery. We also took some of the racking from inside the old building and have re-erected it at the rear, clad in steel sheeting, to add undercover storage. We have expanded our yard space from 2,000ft2
to 15,000ft2 100% increase in useable floor space throughout.”
An unusual inclusion is a barrier at the side of the building, with a push button that operates a loudspeaker system. Customers delivering equipment can alert staff as they pull up, so they can be met at the rear with the necessary paperwork as they unload. This also reduces the risk of people gaining unauthorised access.
“We are still growing and we never say no,” said Carl. “We recently added forklift trucks to the fleet to meet a request from a large
, with an overall
Racking enclosed in steel cladding creates additional undercover storage space.
engineering company. Some hirers might regard these as too specialised, but they can be delivered using our existing vehicle fleet and are subject to the same LOLER inspection regime as our powered access machinery. Demand is also strong for mini excavators and we will be buying more. Every year we add more heaters and air conditioning equipment from Hire Supply Co. They may not be needed until extreme weather occurs, but we know we will get the return eventually. We offer them on ten-week contract hire, and they virtually pay for themselves on the initial hire.
“We maintain extensive retail stocks, from hand tools like hammers and brooms, to nuts, bolts and lifting straps. People know we have what they need at competitive prices, so they can source everything in one go. They can easily spend £100 without even hiring anything. We also still operate our catering equipment hire activity, supplying crockery, cutlery, chairs and other items. It is a small profit earner and is offered as a service rather than considered as a specialist business. The new building has a larger classroom for running PASMA and IPAF courses, and our tool maintenance and repair service remains in strong demand, with our technicians being able to work on virtually all makes of equipment, and giving a repair turnaround time of, usually, 24 hours.
A suite of offices has been built on the first floor at the rear. 41
“There is always stiff competition locally from the nationals and other independents, and we are never complacent. We charge fair rates, keep extensive stocks and offer reliable delivery, meaning the customer always gets a good deal. A year ago, we began opening at 7am, Monday to Friday, as more contractors need to be on site
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