EXECUTIVE REPORT continued
Of course, the shop is also filled with conventional sales items like JCB branded workwear, boots from Progressive Safety Footwear (PSF) and diamond blades from Duro and Trust. “Boots are extremely popular and sales of these often lead to other business,” said Dave Denby. “And people stick with us. One customer, who used to work with a construction company sourcing PPE and other items, joined a local mattress manufacturer that has hundreds of staff at several factories. They now source all their work boots from us, and we have made contacts with their maintenance department for when they need to hire tools and equipment.”
The shop display has a modular design so it can be altered easily.
As well as a sense of humour, Richmond Plant Hire retains stoicism and resilience. Dave Moore says that “In 2013 our biggest customer, which I had dealt with for 20 years, even before I established this business, suddenly ceased trading following a series of bad debts. Its account was worth £100,000 annually and, quite honestly, losing that overnight almost sank us. Instead, it galvanised us, and the team here proved its worth. Many of that former customer’s employees, who suffered themselves, joined other contractors afterwards and have subsequently brought their hire business to us because they value our service. So overall, it led to an increase in turnover.
“We also stick to our hire rates. Some contractors seem to employ people who sit behind desks and ring round for the cheapest prices, as though tools are commodities. They will haggle over 50p, but we just walk away. It just is not worth it. However, the customers who know us appreciate what we do, like doing business with us and the issue of price does not really arise.”
Recent fleet investment
Business is also strong at the Long Bennington depot and its fleet is expanding. “We recently invested £200,000 in additional kit,” said Dave Moore. “We now have 34 Bobcat minis, from the micro E10 to the 8-tonne E85, and we have added the new 2-tonne E19 model. This reflects the amount of construction activity in our area. We also bought a Honda tracked dumper from Seddons for each depot and they are proving really popular, being ideal for access to the backs of houses and for work in confined spaces. Other recent fleet purchases include more Makita and Stihl power tools, Chicago Pneumatic compaction plates and Boss alloy towers.”
It is not surprising that Dave Moore says the business outlook for Richmond Plant Hire is bright. And that also applies to the warm glow from the hard-hat lights in the cleverly designed retail area.
www.richmondplant.com
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Last Christmas, the Richmond team made a tree from pallets … 19
… and designed a personalised card.
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