INDUSTRY NEWSY NEW


HAE EHA seeks new CEO as industry stalwart steps down


GRAHAM Arundell, the Chief Executive Officer of the Hire Association Europe (HAE) and Event Hire Association (EHA), the UK’s leading trade associations for the hire industry, is standing down after 13 demanding years at the helm.


During his tenure, HAE and EHA have introduced new member services, widened existing provisions to include more member benefits and redesigned SafeHire to make it fit for purpose for the membership. These member services encompass everything from health and safety certification to additional training services. His creation in 2009 of EHA facilitated for the first time, a dedicated organisation to represent hire companies and suppliers associated with events or working within the events sector.


In addition, Mr Arundell also led the development of the Association’s SafeHire and HITS schemes into the industry - now leading accreditations for the hire and construction sectors.


Graham commented: “I was advised at the outset that the role would be challenging, and that was part of the attraction. It’s certainly lived up to that but I’ve had some great experiences and opportunities meeting lots of people along the way who will remain life-long friends.”


Mr Arundell stands down at the end of April 2020 and the search is now on for his successor. Applicants are sought who have a hire background, as well as experience working with a trade association. Strong interpersonal skills are also a prerequisite and an ability to provide strategic direction and common sense in equal measures are a must!


Anyone interested in applying for this prestigious role is advised to contact Board Chair, Brian Sherlock, for more information by emailing him at: brian.sherlock@hae.org.uk


For more details visit www.hae.org.uk


Construction equipment sales fell by 6% in 2019


RETAIL sales of construction and earthmoving equipment in the UK market fell by 12.3% in the last quarter of 2019, compared with the same quarter in 2018. This continued the trend during last year of quarterly sales declining at increasing rates through the year compared with 2018.


This significant fall in sales in the final quarter resulted in sales for the whole of 2019 showing a 6.0% reduction on 2018 levels, reaching just over 32,000 units.


Sales of equipment in 2019 were expected to decline after reaching a peak level in the previous year, but they have also felt the impact of market uncertainty created


6 6


by Brexit, and in the second half of the year, further uncertainty regarding the future of the HS2 project and other infrastructure projects.


In the early part of 2020, sentiment within the UK equipment market does seem to be showing some signs of improvement, based on discussions at recent industry events. It is hoped that this is bringing an end to “the year of uncertainty”, and that 2020 may see a more stable market.


The graph (above) shows quarterly sales


on an index basis from the construction equipment statistics exchange *, using Q1 2018 as 100. This illustrates the downward trend compared with 2018.


* The construction equipment statistics exchange was taken over by Systematics International Ltd. in 2017. This scheme is run in partnership with the Construction Equipment Association (CEA), the UK trade association.


Graham Arundell, Chief Executive Officer of the Hire Association Europe (HAE)


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