MR. BLUE SKY


A great few days out at the recent Plantworx expo – my first attendance, thanks to the pandemic, but I very much look forward to a more regular schedule going forward. Stories about the British weather turning previous events into a Glastonbury-rivalling quagmire are the stuff of legend, but the sun most definitely had his hat on this year. Having suffered a reddened brow at Hillhead 2022, I gladly accepted a baseball cap from the team at SANY. Otherwise, it was a great pleasure to make so many new connections and to compare notes with Nick Johnson afterwards. Meanwhile, the EHS team has now confirmed the venues and dates for this year’s Executive Hire Roadshows. We wouldn’t dream of forgoing a return trip to Glasgow, so we’re back at the Marriott on October 24th


. We also have a brand-new


Roadshow for Welsh and West Country hirers – see the news for more about that. A packed issue, otherwise, with Watson Tool Hire in a new depot that’s ripe with opportunities and a Kent-based outfit with two outlets and great names for both. Much more besides, including a new feature about UK manufacturers, so let’s crack on…


Andy


Contents Executive News


2


We confirm the dates for this year’s Executive Hire Roadshows, including a brand-new event in Wales. Plus all the latest news from the sector.


12


HMRC Knows (almost) Everything


You can run, but you can’t hide from the HMRC forever. Better get your tax affairs in order, lest they come looking.


14 Stepping Out


Watson Tool Hire had outgrown its old premises, but a new depot promises to transform the business immeasurably.


18 Prep School


What’s moving the needle in the surface preparation sector? Ever the man with a level head, Dan Jenkins finds out.


19 Smooth Operators


Preparing surfaces for further finishing is a fine art requiring specialised equipment. Here’s our pick of the latest and best.


MHM Operations Director Rob Pullen considers the benefits of digitising a business.


23 24


Flying the Flag


Forget the naysayers – UK manufacture is in fine health. Proudly demonstrating the fact, we speak to Genquip Groundhog.


26 Mission Possible


There’s more to having an environmental policy than planting trees to offset carbon. HSC is moving in the right direction, as John McGhee explains.


28 Safe and Sound


Modern welfare cabins are a far cry from the dreary metal boxes of old. We round up the latest units and associated equipment.


30 The Right Stuff


Having a company name that describes your service is certainly advantageous. But what does this mean for Kent-based Aim Hire and Can-Do Hire?


32 The Pick of Plantworx


No rain at this year’s event, but wall to wall sunshine and plenty to see. Plant expert Nick Johnson chooses his highlights.


36 Offhire


Roy sails the high seas of the hire industry, if only those pesky icebergs didn’t keep getting in the way.


Publisher’s Statement:


Executive Hire News is the specialist business magazine serving the tools, equipment and plant hire industry, and this issue is mailed to 5,600 executives with management responsibilities. Every effort is made to ensure that the contents of this publication are accurate but the publisher accepts no responsibility for effects arising there from. We do not accept responsibility for loss or damage arising from unsolicited contributions. Opinions expressed by the contributors and advertisers are not necessarily those of the publisher. This publication is protected by copyright and no part may be reproduced in whole or in part without the written permission of the publisher.


Editor: Andy McVittie a.mcvittie@hgluk.com Publishing & Events Director: Chris Moore c.moore@hgluk.com Sales Manager: Lee Westney l.westney@hgluk.com Administration, Circulation and Marketing Coordinator: Sally O’Brien Contributors: Adam Bernstein, Dan Jenkins, Nick Johnson Graphic Design & Origination: Martin Ellis - Weblinks Advertising Ltd. Printing: Stephens & George Ltd.


Executive Hire News is published by Hemming Media, a division of Hemming Group Ltd. Fourth Floor, 3 Dorset Rise, London, EC4Y 8EN.


+44 (0)207 973 4630 www.executivehirenews.co.uk Copyright© 2023 Executive Hire News


Smart Thinking


July/August 2023 - Executive Hire News 1


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