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“The future looks good”


Hirers continue to report business growth as the recovery strengthens. EHN talked to a cross-section of hire executives who, as well as being busy, are looking forward to attending the Executive Hire Show in February.


Chris Bond, Director, WH Bond & Sons, Saltash, Cornwall





Chris is pictured on board the British Super Bikes 1000 Superstock Kawasaki, normally ridden by motor cycling professional Josh Day, whom the company sponsors.


So far this year we have seen a 24% increase in our hire income across our £7m fleet of excavators, telescopic handlers, dumpers and rollers. We have continued to invest heavily in new equipment and believe there is a great deal more confidence in the construction industry than in recent years. Our customers operate in a number of markets, with house building, agriculture, renewable energy and utilities all benefiting from a steady upturn in business. For 2014, we will continue to adjust our fleet mix to meet our customers’


requirements, and battle against ever-increasing new machinery prices forced upon us by emissions regulations. We must also, as always, be cautious of the threat of customer cash flow issues, since coming out of recession can be a perilous time. However, on the whole, the future looks good as our customers continue to see the choice and flexibility benefits that hassle-free hire gives them.


And, I’ll certainly be visiting the Executive Hire Show in February.





Marc Prince (right) and Steve Dormer, Directors, Surrey Hire & Sales


“ 2013 has


certainly been a strong year for us. August was a record month for our business and we have seen sales increases in excess of 20% compared with last year. Our recently


opened Heathrow depot


continues to grow and we are forming some good relationships with local businesses. We expect this growth to continue next year and, as a result, we are investing in a wide range of plant, additional vehicles and staff. We are adding more Yanmar 1 tonne and 3 tonne mini excavators, 1.5 tonne minis from Volvo, and 1 tonne Thwaites dumpers. We are also increasing our fleet of Doosan compressors and breakers, and Stephill towable generators.


And, we’ll certainly be visiting the Executive Hire Show in February.


 


Lee Stuart, MD,


Mather & Stuart, Wigan


“ The past


five years have been a test of character for all hirers, but we have emerged stronger. Business has been picking up sharply since the third quarter of this year, and we currently have 85% utilisation of our generator fleet. We are investing in new kit on a larger scale than at any time in the last few years, including equipment from Atlas Copco, Dale Power and BGG, and are interested in the hybrid unit from Firefly Solar Generators as a means of reducing our customers’ fuel costs and carbon footprints. We are hearing reports that some contractors are having


difficulties sourcing sufficient quantities of bricks, blocks and steel components due to construction industry demand and, with many power stations being decommissioned leading to outages, business can only grow further.


And, I’ll certainly be visiting the Executive Hire Show in February.


” “ are


slowly creeping up,


which is pleasing and long overdue,


”  15


and this has given us confidence to put in place further fleet expansion plans for next year in order to meet demand. I just hope that public spending really gets moving in 2014 to give everybody a real push forward.


And, I’ll certainly be visiting the Executive Hire Show in February.


”   


Tim Garland, Business Development Manager, Elvington Plant Hire, York


We have noticed a marked increase in activity across all our markets


in both hire and sales. There is a lot of work happening in our area and everybody seems busy: we ourselves certainly are, to the point that we have taken on extra staff and, at the end of September, we passed last year's turnover for the full year. Rates





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