Executive Hire News › Archives › July/August 2011 › Executive Report: Developing Fast
Executive Report : Developing Fast
Alan Guthrie visits Fast Hire UK, an expanding tool hire business that has been successfully integrated into a larger plant hire group.
Stockport-based Fast Hire UK is part of the Westgate Holdings group of companies, which owns several other plant and equipment hire interests in the north of England, including Arnold Plant Hire, operated plant specialist H & C Plant Hire, and lifting equipment supplier Ash Hire & Sales.
Looking to add tool hire to its portfolio, in 2005 Westgate acquired a substantial share of Fast Hire UK Ltd, a family-owned independent in Ashton-under-Lyne. At that time, it was close to securing a major local authority order, but needed extra resources to restructure itself accordingly, especially as it would have meant supplying larger plant and machinery to that contract.
Westgate saw significant potential for tool hire, and believed that, as well as supplying other group companies, Fast Hire could develop its customer base generally. Between them, the different operations offered equipment extending from a power tool to a 20 tonne excavator. Fast Hire initially moved from its original high street location to an industrial unit in Ashton-under-Lyne and it grew rapidly.
The fleet was expanded by the addition of compact plant such as Takeuchi minis, Thwaites dumpers and Messersi high-tip tracked dumpers, much of which is sourced through Parkway Plant Sales, an equipment dealership that is also part of the Westgate group. In 2009, Andy Buckley was appointed Depot Manager, and Westgate also acquired the remaining shares of Fast Hire. Soon afterwards it took the opportunity to re-locate to its current site in Bredbury, a purpose-built hire facility close to the M60 motorway and a ‘stone’s throw’ from the group’s head offices.
The customer base Fast Hire serves is diverse, ranging from DIY enthusiasts and tradesmen, to construction contractors and utilities, across an area that extends as far as Southport, Liverpool, Burnley and Crewe. “We are constantly looking at new items for the fleet to win more business. Last year we added Hilti’s DCH 300 diamond cutter, which has proved ideal for dust-free operation in sensitive locations like schools and hospitals when attached to an appropriate vacuum cleaner,” said Andy. “Last winter we introduced our first mobile lighting towers, including TowerLight VT1s and JCB LT9 models. We also recently purchased 18 new plate compactors from JCB, comprising twelve 1540 machines and six 1030 units.
“We find a lot of new ideas from attending the Executive Hire Show. Last year we saw the Power Towers powered scaffold tower, which we added to the fleet shortly afterwards, and we were also very impressed by Gordons Ford’s Transit vehicle with the PPS body, which is ideal for hirers to load and deliver kit safely. We eventually bought one for our fleet, replacing an older truck, and Gordons displayed it in an unmissable position at the main entrance to the Show at the Ricoh Arena.”
The vehicle sports Fast Hire’s new livery of white and navy, which is being adopted throughout the Westgate group in order to give a stronger, more unified identity to its different operations. “However, we are retaining the individual brands as this has significant advantages. We are a group of specialist companies, and customers can approach us with specific requests for equipment and advice. If they need anything beyond their normal hire requirements, we can generally source it for them from the appropriate group business.
“We would alienate customers if everything was branded under one umbrella organisation, or if we used a central call centre. And with Fast Hire successfully integrated within the business, we are considering other tool hire depot openings.” •
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