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Q. Is retail a strong area of the business? A. Yes. Again, this is customer-led. We can buy in quantity and make a fair margin. We have sales displays of fast-moving consumables at every depot, while other sales are handled by a dedicated facility at our office in Wrightington. It makes it easier for customers to have one source of supply and one invoice. Some people buy equipment from internet-based suppliers - but just try getting it serviced or repaired by them! We’ll collect, service and repair items, handle warranty issues and hire a short-term replacement if needs be.


Q. Given this expansion, you must have invested significantly in the fleet? A. You have to keep spending to keep pace with demand. It’s a steam train and the cap-ex has to burn brightly. Over the last two years, housebuilding has been very strong and this has led to demand for concreting equipment, compaction plates and other ground works equipment. Five years ago we invested significantly in equipment for M&E (mechanical and engineering) contractors, such as low-level access products, heaters and air conditioners, demand for which is less seasonal and unaffected by the weather. This gives a good spread of opportunities.


Q. A year ago, One Stop Hire was amongst the businesses severely affected by break-ins and thefts at several depots. Is that sad saga all over now? A. Yes, thankfully. Merseyside Police were ultimately very efficient and caught the perpetrators. However, we have had to spend £350,000 on better security at each depot, including enhanced CCTV that is monitored round-the-clock by remote security professionals. Quite honestly, that was the darkest period in our ten years. You can cope with late payers and breakdowns because that is ultimately in your control, but when we were robbed, it initially felt like we were getting no significant police response. It was soul-destroying. Staff were understandably worried about their Christmas bonuses but we ensured we found the money to pay them. They had put in 15-hour shifts at busy times and they deserved it.


Q. What’s One Stop Hire’s biggest challenge? A. I’d probably have to say Brexit - still! If it keeps dragging on and on, confidence could fall and projects might be put on long-term hold. We all just want it sorted one way or another. And despite everything, other countries still believe in Britain. There is tremendous investment from people based in China and Africa in properties being developed in Manchester, for example. They see the potential; the UK is regarded as a safe investment with a positive future.


Q. What would be your advice be to the next Steve Hitchen? A. Don’t be greedy and keep everything simple with no fancy corporate structures. Learn about the latest technology, invest in new products to keep the fleet fresh and look after your people. It really isn’t rocket science.


Q. What can we expect from One Stop Hire in the future? A. In 2016 we acquired a non-mechanical equipment hire business in Newton-le-Willows and that has significant potential. And we look at other possible markets like site welfare, generators and other long-term hire items. We do try to stay under the radar and just let opportunities come our way. So we are aiming for steady growth, perhaps opening one or two new depots annually over the next few years.


www.onestophire.com 25 Steady investment in new products keeps the fleet fresh.


“Don’t be greedy


and keep everything simple. Invest in


new products to keep the fleet fresh and look after your


people. It really isn’t rocket science.”


More One Stop Hire locations could open in the coming years.


Manchester Central is one of three One Stop Hire depots in the city.


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