Aim Hire - Profile
to poach good staff from other companies because they’re so well paid. It’s very strange right now.”
With three different branches in the group, how do you differentiate them?
“Basically, Can-Do runs the same small tools as we do – the only real difference is that Aim Hire also offers diggers, dumpers, tracked barrows and bump hoists.”
Regardless of which depot they work for, do all staff now feel that they’re part of the same group?
“They do now, although some of the Can-Do staff had been there for 20-odd years. They were very set in their ways, so they made their excuses and left. What we didn’t realise when we bought Can-Do was that the two branches were being run like separate companies – they’d drive past each other’s depots rather than share information and equipment. We’re much more cooperative nowadays, thankfully.”
I’m glad to hear it. Tell me a bit about your customers, then – who are they?
“We have a few big companies on the books, like Berkeley Homes, Conways, Morrison Utilities, but what we’re targeting at the moment is facility management companies, which might have different departments and are more likely to hire equipment in larger quantities. Otherwise, we’ve got a nice little customer base and our revenue goes up every year.”
Being on the high street, do you also get a lot of walk-in customers?
Sadly, not all hire items come back in the best condition...
“It still amazes me how many customers come through the door, but it’s mainly small builders, landscapers and one-man bands. Before I bought this place, I sat outside for two weeks counting the vans going past. Sometimes the road outside is so busy that it takes minutes to get across, but drivers crawl by slowly, see our depot and it just goes in their brains!”
I imagine your account and walk-in customers might have different requirements, but what are your most popular hire items?
“Here, it’s still diggers, dumpers, Genie hoists, rotavators and our Prop Pals are also doing well – they’re a bit of game changer – while its mainly the whacker plates, mixers, forklift gas bottles and smaller tools at Can-Do.”
Are you seeing any demand for electric plant machinery?
“Not a chance!” Paul answers in a flash.
Paul's son David is on the tools for now, but is planning to travel the world.
“If they get it right, then fine, but all I’ve heard so far is horror stories. Quite a few of our customers are starting to ask for some sort of biofuel, instead of diesel, but there’s no demand for electric diggers around here.”
Well, fair enough. So, what about your ambitions for the business?
“Very simply, it’s four depots. We’re currently looking at another one in Orpington, and that will do us. I’d like to make these shops a bit tidier – they’re not too bad, to be fair – but the main thing is training staff and keeping them so, when we do expand, we’ve already got the right team on board.” n
customers are starting to
ask for some sort of biofuel, instead of diesel, but there’s no demand for electric diggers around here.
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FRESH TARGETS Keep abreast of the latest developments and take a peek at the Aim Hire fleet at
https://www.aimhireukltd.co.uk
’’ July/August 2023 - Executive Hire News 31 Quite a few of our Keeping everything in order - the accounts team Yvonne and Kara.
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