EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW – BY PETER BRETT
Incoming Chair of HAE EHA Brian Sherlock discusses crystal balls and practicalities
IN AUGUST the Hire Association Europe announced Brian Sherlock, VP at Hire Station, as the organisation's new Chairman. Catching up with Brian was reporter Peter Brett about his new role.
I began by asking Brian about the themes of his chairmanship, but he was very quick to tell me that it wasn’t about him.
It was very much more about the HAE EHA and where it needs to be in three- fi ve years’ time and the challenges they face as the economic situation in the UK develops. Also, the sometimes radical and changing patterns of construction in the years ahead. Into this ‘melting pot’ might be thrown the more personal ambitions he has for looking at, and tackling the issues about attracting and retaining quality talent to the hire industry, such as apprentices and women. As well as this, Brian spoke about what the HAE EHA does for its members, and what the organisation can do to help members thrive in the current and future business climate. Also critical is the industry’s ability to infl uence the government, and wider construction industry, about such things as apprenticeships, safety and working practices. The SafeHire initiative is an example of how the hire industry can look after its staff and customers, but there is a wider national agenda that needs addressing. As you can see, Brian really has no shortage of challenges to confront and a really ambitious agenda.
In Brian’s view one of the responsibilities of a Chair of the HAE EHA is to listen to concerns and ideas from all corners of the hire industry and help refl ect them in the various activities and agendas he deals with.
Women and hire – A question of perception
Another issue for Brian is the wider question of how women are perceived within the hire industry. Regarding his own organisation, Brian has had experience of hiring and promoting some talented women, and would like to see more progress for women in the hire industry. “It is still unfortunately true, that women can be seen as less infl uential and less knowledgeable partners to male colleagues on the ground. However,
22 TBH November, 2018
recent recruitment drives have seen more than 30% women candidates applying for a range of hire jobs. Since women currently represent only about 2 or 3% of jobs in hire,” said Brian.
Is hire still a good career move?
“Defi nitely,” says Brian. “There is never one day the same, so boredom is not an issue. When the phone rings the person who answers is immediately involved in an act of problem solving for the customer. Sorting out the right tools and equipment, getting them there safely and on time, and negotiating with suppliers and customers is in itself an act of engagement that is satisfying. People who are skilfully applying these talents can be promoted quite quickly, and earn good salaries as a result.”
The data agenda
Brian also points out the hire industry should be collating comprehensive data on the building industry. With this data, the hire industry can infl uence both national and local debates about hire issues that aff ect the wider construction industry and employment. I asked Brian about how the hire tools have changed over the years. With a clever twist, he compared the job of a worker climbing a ladder, or drilling a hole 50 years ago to what would be expected now. First of all, it would most likely not be a ladder but a platform or podium. Secondly the drill would be cordless, perhaps with designed in protection against vibration to the hands. The tool might be tethered so it did not fall and the worker would be wearing eye, ear, hand, and dust protection. Things have changed so construction is safer, and will no doubt continue to develop. Current building trends also get a quick mention. Brian swiftly moved on to the developing practice of prefabrication of components and sometimes whole buildings in huge factories. The challenges then become not so much construction based but how to get the components to the jobsite and then join them together. So, for future reference, the hire industry might have to look at what sort of equipment it has to invest in.
All things digital Related to this is the use of all devices
digital, from phones to lasers – to cameras and drones. Brian foresees much greater use of digital connectivity in the future. He said: “Already drones are being used to scope out sites and buildings to determine where repairs might be needed, for example. “It’s cheaper to use a drone to examine a roof than to erect a scaff olding for a person to do it. Similarly, using lasers to measure up and lay out a site with data going straight back to head offi ce via 4G is timesaving and effi cient. “Virtual reality is a way of de-risking certain types of training that might be dangerous to attempt with candidates who have no experience of, say, erecting or working on a scaff olding. “It will not ultimately be a substitute for the real thing, but is a useful way of teaching initial skills and risk awareness.” Brian also foresees a time when users who need to hire an excavator, for example, can have their training and capability tested on a digital version before they are allowed to take a real machine away. The same could apply from power tools upwards. There is no doubt digital technology can make it easier and cheaper to ensure safe and proper use of hire tools – as well as monitoring users who break things by ham-handed use.
The Brexit question
The hire business in general has dealt with 2018 and the devaluation of sterling after the Brexit vote, so Brian is quite sanguine about the ways in which the hire industry will manage the inevitable changes that occur. Brian added: “There may be price rises for tools, equipment and raw materials that will have to be worked in, but I’m sure that safety standards will not be watered down as there’s no appetite within the industry for that.” In Brian’s view, what is of more concern for the future is recruiting enough apprenticeships and dealing with the consequences of the Apprenticeship Levy and the CITB levy. All, no doubt, big questions that he will face during his chairmanship – a hot seat indeed. ToolBusiness and Hire thanks Brian for giving us a fascinating insight into the current hire industry. Good Luck on your mission.
www.toolbusiness.co.uk
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