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EXECUTIVE REPORT continued


From left, South West Regional Deputy Adam Williams, with his wife Sue and


friends Kelly and Dom after completing a GAP Giving charity challenge.


Q. Are there other particularly significant industry trends or issues that you detect? A. Plant theft is a huge problem, and fraudulent hires probably represent an even bigger one. You have to be vigilant about identity theft, bogus companies, and people using fake email accounts and websites. Iain was instrumental in bringing national hirers together in the Fraud & Security Forum after speaking at the CITS (Combined Industries Theft Solutions) annual Conference. The first meeting was held at GAP’s Glasgow headquarters and we meet regularly with national and regional hire companies to discuss developments and share experiences. We also talk with suppliers about theft deterrents and products to protect plant and premises that the whole industry can benefit from.


promoting the GAP brand and the service we can offer. However, there have been occasions when national construction companies are not fully aware of the range of equipment we can offer from our 135 locations. We are just as passionate as any other national hirer, and being family-run, we can make quick decisions. That’s another reason behind the Trust Our Tools initiative, to build the GAP brand further and raise our profile.


GAP currently has 135 locations nationwide.


Q. Another successful introduction is the GAP Giving charitable initiative. How does that operate? A. We originally considered setting up a formal charitable foundation, but to keep things simple and avoid bureaucracy we allocate 0.5% of our annual profits to distribute to charities and worthwhile causes. All our 1,800-plus employees can get involved by nominating local, national or international charities they feel would benefit from support, and many organise their own fund-raising events which we support. GAP Giving donated £80,000 to 98 charities during the 2017/18 financial year, and as well as giving to organisations chosen by our team, we donate a sum to the Lighthouse Club construction industry charity each year.


Q. What is the biggest challenge facing our industry? A. The recruitment and retention of good people, at all levels: drivers, fitters, managers. This is particularly difficult in London, where the unemployment rate is only around 2%, and it is very much a case of supply and demand. There also seems to be less loyalty in a lot of businesses, with people too willing to change jobs. We encourage all our general managers to really engage with their staff and spend meaningful time with them, to build a genuine sense of teamwork and appreciation.


Q. Is there any other issue you want to highlight? A. Having 135 locations we believe we can offer a national service to our customers. Our sales and marketing teams have been active in


14


Q. What are your main interests outside hire? A. [Iain:] I have collected a number of classic cars and motorbikes over the years. It all started as a teenager. Living in a very rural area, there weren’t any buses so we had to find another way of getting around. Douglas and I would buy old motorbikes, do them up to sell on at a profit and then get better ones. Then I got interested in cars. I’m particularly proud of a Jaguar XK150 I have. [Douglas:] I grew out of bikes some time ago. I occasionally get involved in property renovation and refurbishment projects.


Q. What’s the best business advice you have ever been given? A. [Douglas:] Manage a big company in the same way you would a small one. [Iain:] Keep it simple.


Q. And finally, what would your advice be to another senior executive in the hire industry? A. [Iain:] Engage with your staff - don’t sit in an ivory tower barking instructions. [Douglas:] Always act with empathy and humility.


www.gap-group.co.uk


The Events Division supplied toilets to Stirling Castle for a recent concert.


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