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web-savvy domestic consumers, I wondered if the ranges offered by both companies might vary?
“Right now they’re the same, but we don’t do much gardening equipment yet. I think this is as an area for further growth, but I also see an opportunity to explore niche product lines,” he explains. “We’re keen to market the two companies separately, and our intention is to run different special offers for each.”
As to how the easy relationship was established in the first place, it seems that it was a question of happenstance and knowing the right people.
‘‘ I see us developing the
digger and dumper side of the business, perhaps moving into the three to five tonne machinery
“At the moment we are the only easyToolhire provider in the UK. They approached me through various contacts in the hire industry – I think they were looking for somebody in Scotland to start with and they were given the Martin Plant Hire name. Also, Graham Arundell, who now has a non-executive role at easyToolhire, suggested they should talk to us.
’’
“We had other recommendations too, so we eventually thought why not, let’s give it a go. The timing was right because I’d been talking about online technology for a number of years. I now have a full-time marketing
resource whose job it is to look after our website and our online and social media feeds. We only started easyToolhire six months ago, and much of that was developing the website and preparing for launch, but I think there is lots of potential here.”
It’s all smiles behind the hire desk at the Motherwell depot.
Moving on, and Martin Plant Hire’s Motherwell depot used to back onto the Ravenscraig steelworks, with all the commercial possibilities entailed. The area once hosted a number of prominent hirers too, as Andy recalls.
“There’s Gap, Speedy were along the road and HSS used to be here, but it’s just us and Gap now. There’s a fair amount going on in Lanarkshire, though, so it’s good for servicing equipment and supplying the many industries in this area.
“I think that further growth will also come from the housebuilding sector. There’s never enough to satisfy demand, so this isn’t going to slow down for a long time yet.”
And what’s in the Martin Plant Hire fleet to satisfy such local demand?
“We are tool and equipment hirers, with diggers and dumpers up to three tonnes from Thwaites and JCB, powered access equipment from Genie and JLG, and we deal with anyone from one-man bands and small builders, up to larger construction businesses, utilities and electrical and mechanical engineers.
Martin Plant maintains a broad selection of hire equipment. Here's a small sample.
“Concreting has always been one of the mainstays of our business, so we specialise in that and we probably have one of the largest fleets of such equipment, including ride-on
power trowels. I see us developing the digger and dumper side of the business, perhaps moving up to five tonne machinery.”
With seven depots, coverage throughout the whole of Scotland and the rare privilege of being the only purveyor of easyToolhire services at present, is Andy now starting to consider opportunities south of the border?
“I’d like to. I think the Scottish economy is too small and there’s too much uncertainty with the independence referendum coming up again – I don’t believe in it in the slightest! I just think the English market is much more buoyant and valuable.”
It is indeed true to say that the hire sector is recovering quickly at the moment. However, on the very day of my visit BoJo announced a further delay to the end of lockdown restrictions. How did the pandemic affect his business?
“We came back quickly and we now have a couple of people working full time at the head office, with a few more working from home. We still have two or three still on furlough, but the majority are back at work now. When I first spoke to the staff about this I got a bit of kickback – my wife is not going back to her office until at least January or February, and my brother has been allowed to convert part of his house into an office. I think this will present an opportunity for hirers, as more offices will be converted to housing.
“Has working from home worked for me? I’m not convinced, as I really need to jump out of bed in the morning and get to work. I’m much happier doing it that way, but I think there’s going to be a big change in how and where we work in future.” n
Martin Plant Hire - Profile
June/July 2021 - Executive Hire News 11
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