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EXECUTIVE REPORT continued


It’s the first time we have offered products like these, which have always been regarded as somewhat delicate. However, Hilti demonstrated theirs by literally dropping them on the ground and rolling them hard across the floor like a bowling ball; when checked immediately afterwards, they were still calibrated correctly - ideal for our customers working on refurbishment projects and on construction sites in a variety of conditions.


Q. Are you aware of any product trends? A. We recently introduced Husqvarna’s K3000 cut-off saws with innovative dust extraction shoes which are continually growing in popularity due the effectiveness of their dust control. On-site dust management continues to be targeted very vigorously and we are prepared for this gaining further enforcement moving forward. Many sites have banned brooms but still can be found using domestic grade vacuums and we are able offer them purpose-built solutions. Other recent additions include Snorkel S3010P compact push- around scissor lifts (which we first saw when we visited the Executive Hire Show Scotland in Glasgow a year ago) and Cormidi compact tracked dumpers. We have also been evaluating the Peco-lift and Eco-lift non- powered work platforms manufactured by Power Towers (part of JLG Group).


Some of the recently added Hilti equipment. www.lordhire.co.uk


Q. Are there any particular challenges ahead? A. We are currently examining the implications of the government’s Making Tax Digital proposals, which initially apply to businesses from April 2019 in meeting their VAT obligations. Companies will need to keep records digitally and provide VAT return information to HMRC through compatible software. However, the government’s aim is that, eventually, Income Tax and National Insurance will be brought within scope, too. We are currently exploring software solutions to run alongside our existing hire management program that will provide a suitable platform to facilitate the potential for having to scan significant numbers of invoices we both send and receive. Making Tax Digital is described as “a whole new way of interacting with government” and I would be interested to hear how other companies respond.


Q. What other current issues are important? A. All hirers must be vigilant about plant theft and fraudulent hires which is evidently on the rise. We have recently fallen victim of fraudulent hire activity on several occasions. Our CCTV recordings


22


Snorkel UK MD Andrew Fishburn, left, and Carl Bartlett with some of the new compact scissor lifts.


Lord continues to expand its hire fleet.


aided the capture and custody of the perpetrators in the most recent instance; however, we have lost some valuable equipment which has not been, and is unlikely to be, recovered.


Q. What one thing would make our industry better? A. Hirers maintaining sensible rates! Some companies drive their prices down to quite ridiculous levels which make a mockery of them having a catalogue in the first place. Some of our customers have told us that they have been targeted with offers of equipment from competitors at discount of more than 80% from the listed rate.


However, there will always be some companies that insist on using the cheapest source possible - often driven by accountants who sit behind a desk rather than a hire counter - even if it brings hidden pitfalls. Construction professionals working for contractors that have an agreement with a specific hirer might have to wait one or more days for a tool we could supply immediately. It might be cheaper on paper, but they have wasted time in getting the job done, and that must be inefficient and uneconomical in the long term. We are prepared to walk away from a deal if necessary, and our customers report that they value our service and the way we do business.





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