Watson Tool Hire - Profile
for hires, having looked after their repairs previously. They used to use Lords, which was taken over by One Stop. However, they pulled out recently and we are starting to pick up a lot of that work. We’ve also noticed that some of our existing clients have started coming in more frequently, so the new location is obviously better for them. The council recycling centre is at the end of the road, so people have to queue right past the shop, and the number of local customers we’re getting who didn’t know us before is unbelievable!”
Gordon has a modest, but well stocked shop.
You couldn’t really ask for a better result than that, and great to get the local council on the books. What have they been hiring, and have you had to buy any extra equipment to cope with all these new customers?
“Two directors from the council came in the first week and started hiring breakers, whacker plates, mixers and small power tools, as well as dropping off more repairs.
“Otherwise, we’ve added a few more Genie lifts, I’ve bought four Bobcat micros and more whacker plates from a local dealer who imports ‘Baumax’ equipment – they’re absolutely brilliant! I’m also topping up the current stock, to keep up with demand, and I’m looking to add Prop Pal to the fleet.”
With the expense and stress of the recent moves, and with all of this new business incoming, how’s your work/life balance?
“To be honest, it’s been really hard for both of us. I look after business and the paperwork, my wife does all the accounts, and the workload has definitely increased.
I’m up at six every morning and it’s not always easy to switch off after hours, but we’re trying to counteract it by doing a few more relaxing activities – we’ve just bought a new dog (a cockapoo) and there’s some beautiful countryside to walk in around here. It’s sort of working, but every day is a busy day for us now.”
Your daughter Kiera has joined the family business on a full-time basis. How’s that working out?
“Kiera has been with us for a year now. When she first joined, she didn’t know if she was going to like it, and working with your family isn’t always easy – as I know from working with my dad. However, she’s learned so much from me, our manager Michael and fitter/driver Shane. She can strip a Paslode nail gun, set the valves on a Honda engine, or strip and rebuild carburetors as quick as you like – and she’s not afraid to put me in my place.
“She is getting involved in the paperwork now and she answers a lot of customer
More room in the workshop also allows additional space for repairs.
emails and website enquiries – she’s good like that. In the long term I’m hoping that she’ll be able to run the business, and this is what she wants, but I think that being in the workshop and learning how everything is put together is a great way to start.”
Indeed so! Last question, then. A couple of years ago you were talking about wanting a second depot. Has the success of this recent move given you a taste for further expansion?
“With this set up and the way it is going, I think we’ll just be sensible and concentrate on what we have for a couple of years. Then we might start looking again before I retire. I’d like to open a place in Durham, as nobody really does power tool repairs there. However, on a good day, bantering with customers and meeting so many different people, I still absolutely love this business!” n
‘‘ I’m up at six
every morning and it’s not
always easy to switch off after hours
’’
SUPPLY AND DEMAND It’s onwards and upwards at Watson Tool Hire. Keep up with the latest developments and see the entire fleet at
www.watsontoolhire.co.uk
July/August 2023 - Executive Hire News 15
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