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made sure that I developed people around me too. The best thing about this venture is that we’re all on a journey together. It’s all about the people for me; the staff that we take on, how we support and develop them. If I can share what I have learned in my 30+ year career, I feel I will have achieved something.”


Speaking of your career, you must have developed a pretty good idea by now about what works well in hire. What equipment will customers find at your hire locations?


“Our biggest machine will be a Belle mixer, while the smallest piece of kit will be a carpet stretcher. We’ll be dealing with the essentials – the tools and smaller equipment that customers mostly need, particularly those who buy building materials from us,” says Simon. “We’ve been buying BoSS towers, Ox Tools, Hilti hammers, saws and breakers; lighting, leads, generators and landscaping equipment from the Hire Supply Company... We’re mainly keeping to smaller tools from the recognisable brands.”


“Having said that, I have set up SLAs with GAP, Brandon Hire Station, Ardent, Star Platforms and other suppliers that will allow us to crosshire larger machinery, powered access, toilets and accommodation. Basically, if a customer needs equipment that we don’t stock, we’ll be able to get hold of it without delay. Otherwise, we’re aiming at a four-hour delivery for stock items.”


IBMG - Profile


BUILDING BLOCKS Keep up with developments and find your nearest IBMG depots and hire locations at www.independentbm.com


Powered access kit will be crosshired, but ladders and platforms are bound to be fast-movers.


With a new system and a new team in place, some of whom are not from a hire background, what are you doing to bring everybody up to speed?


Testing and repairs doesn't need to take up much space.


“I have organised a training schedule for all staff, and even some from IBMG head office. We have specific product training from Hilti, Belle and other key suppliers, and I’ll keep that going. I’m also holding a number of sessions about ‘getting to know hire’ and the necessary support functions – the software used, credit control, health and safety, marketing etcetera. I think it’s important that everyone shares the same knowledge and journey into hire,” says Simon.


Finally, what are the expectations of the


parent company and your equity partner, and what’s your message as you prepare for the first hire launch?


“Well, the business plan had already been drawn up before I joined, but I don’t think the company had fully realised some of the challenges it’d encounter. Not least because of staffing, but also in terms of equipment availability and lead times, and what the hire business needed to deliver. However, the company and our backers have been very patient and understanding. I’ve been putting the budget together for these first locations, which I believe they are more than achievable. Then, over the coming weeks, we’ll start planning for the next ten sites opening next year.


“I’m ambitious and realistic, in terms of our expectations. We have the makings of a great business here, with the first launches in December and the foundations in place to hit the ground running in 2022. Basically, we're going to do what it says on the tin!” n


Keeping track of a growing inventory is a job of systems offered by the likes of Point of Rental, where Simon also worked previously. However, his choice of hire software owes to more recent experience…


“We’re using a merchant system from Kerridge, which includes a platform for hire and performs all the usual functions. However, we’re also using AssetPool, which integrates with with Kerridge and mobile devices. All our equipment has a QR code on it, which brings up the complete test and service history on our phones. It also lets us print out PDF test certificates and enables geotagging.”


Pristine for now, but the Petworth depot will soon be a hive of activity.


Nov/Dec 2021 - Executive Hire News 25


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