EXECUTIVE REPORT
Hirers take over Showman’s
EHN reports from the recent Showman’s Show and talks to several of the hire companies that were exhibiting to develop their event hire activities.
A striking aspect of this year’s Showman’s Show was the sheer number of hirers that were exhibiting at the event, held in Newbury in October. The fact that so many companies have obviously invested significantly in additional equipment and resources to enter the event hire market continues to reflect the strength and confidence of our industry.
Charles Wilson
Charles Wilson established its Event Hire division three years ago. Engineers
launched its Event Hire division three years ago and it has grown steadily. The operation’s headquarters is at the company’s Barking depot, although products can be supplied throughout the country from its 16 locations. “While there is some market crossover on items such as generators and fork lifts, we have a dedicated events fleet, separate from our construction equipment,” said Events & Venues Manager, Gary Shaw. “Other popular items include compact telescopic handlers, powered access equipment from compact scissors to 40m boom lifts, and lighting towers. We have recruited specialist staff, who often work unsocial hours, and we deal with a diverse customer base, including film studios, music events like the Reading and Leeds Festivals, and sporting venues.”
Hewden was exhibiting at the
Hewden’s display included low-energy lighting and generators.
Showman’s Show for the first time in
several years, with a broad range of equipment. “Last year, we introduced a new division to address this market,” said Sales Director - Events, Jeff Schofield. “Our main event hire fleet is at Willenhall, in the West Midlands, with equipment also stored at Bedford, Mitcham and Dagenham. This includes items for erecting
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structures, staging, seating and the like, right up to cranes for building large corporate facilities at events like golf championships. We are displaying innovative solutions such as LED lighting towers from Morris and SDMO generators linked to Firefly hybrid battery systems, and we are now applying Air-Seal Products puncture- resistant treatments to the tyres of our JCB 962 rough-terrain fork lifts for on-site protection.”
The diversity of the market’s requirements was reflected by A-Plant’s stand, which included a display of equipment from its PSS Hire activity, that specialises in products for the civil engineering and utilities markets. However, it has recently added
specialist equipment to its fleet, including utility
vehicles, quad bikes,
A-Plant’s PSS Hire operation launched all-terrain vehicles.
amphibious carriers and, even, two-wheeled Segway units, for use on different site conditions.
GAP officially launched it Event Services division at last year’s Showman’s Show, and according to Operations Manager, Daimon Dunhue, “the market is very strong. All ten of GAP’s non-mechanical equipment depots hold dedicated event stocks that can be distributed throughout the branch network. Core products include fencing, crowd barriers and ground protection panels, and this can lead to supplying items from our other divisions. We have supplied equipment to a growing number of
GAP says its Event Services division has developed strongly since its launch last year.
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