CROSSHIRE GOOD NEWS ON MANY FRONTS


It’s a good news month on several fronts. At last we have some decisive action on metal theft, with an announcement by the Home Secretary on 26 January of a tightening of the law to prohibit cash transactions for scrap metal. In addition, the fines that the courts will be able to impose for offences under the 1964 Scrap Metal Dealers Act will rise significantly, with the prospect of the serious offence of receiving stolen metal attracting an unlimited fine. The new measures will come into force quickly as amendments to the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Bill currently being debated.


Whilst EHN is pleased to have played a small role in promoting awareness of this problem for our own industry, we understand that the thought of any part of London’s transport system being shut during the Olympics because a gang of itinerants had nicked some cables overnight played no small part in the change of attitude at Westminster!


Most industries are plagued by a rogue fringe and Crosshire acknowledges that legitimate metal dealers have had a hard time through the actions of a minority. It is heartening to end this saga by congratulating a London metal dealer, Stuart Nesbett, who has done his bit to restore the reputation of his industry by stumping up £21,000 to replace 14 bronze plates stolen from a Carshalton war memorial with a replacement in Portland stone.


There was so much good news and positive action buzzing around the Executive Hire Show that it would take several pages for me to do justice to the detail. Most significant was the geographic spread of attendance, with hire people from all corners of the UK and Ireland actually placing orders for kit or services. The new Top Tier upstairs was a bold move, but the exhibitors up in ‘the Gods’ were rewarded for their pioneering spirit by a steady stream of visitors.


The Innovation Zone, also on the upper level, highlighted a range of products that all astute hire companies should consider. They certainly scored for yours truly, with Crosshire deciding


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to invest in one displayed product straight away and three others under close consideration.


The awards ceremony that preceded the Executive Hire Party on the Wednesday evening was significant in that, once again, the Passionate Hirer Award in the Large Hire ‘Super Centre’ category went to an Irish company. Many congratulations to CP Hire of Coleraine, and to Hire! Freemen of Telford, who won in the Small to Medium Hire Centre category. The most encouraging comment made in the Judges’ citation was the consistently high regard all eight of the finalists were held in by their customers. In an industry where service is paramount, it is heartening to see how much progress we have made in setting high standards.


The Show was a clear statement by a varied cross section of our suppliers and manufacturers that they see their future irrevocably linked to the hire industry. The turnout by so many progressive and enthusiastic hirers to support them certainly bodes well for the future.


And there’s good news, too, this month on the subject of transport costs. No, diesel is not getting cheaper - in fact, the Iranian situation may soon push prices over the £1.50 a litre barrier. What might help is the announcement that a grant of up to £8,000 per vehicle is now available for electric vans. Currently it is estimated that such vehicles cost £100 less in fuel for every 1,000 miles driven, compared to a diesel equivalent. There are zero rate company car tax and congestion charge benefits also for those able to take advantage of them.


Our industry has a history of supporting new technology and innovation and this incentive may just be the spur we need to do our bit for the environment, as well as our own pockets. Despite everyone knowing that free delivery is a huge drain on our bottom line, our industry has been incredibly stubborn about recovering transport costs. The slogan might be ‘buy electric and lose less’!


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