Hewden investing for growth
National plant hire specialist demonstrates confidence in the market with £61 million investment
HEWDEN, the national plant hire specialists, say they have had an encouraging response to their Core Fleet Guarantee. The guarantee, a first in the hire industry, offers a next-day delivery on the 30 most-hired plant and access machines or the customer receives a credit of £100.
Launched in February this year, 20,363 deliveries have been made to date, with 20,115 being delivered on time, giving an on-time success rate of 98.78%.
The success of the scheme coupled with increasing construction activity across the UK has seen increasing demand for excavators, dumpers, booms, platforms, and, in particular, telehandlers.
Hewden have recently placed an order with Caterpillar dealers Finning for more than 450 new telehandlers, in a deal worth more than £25million – the largest order Finning have ever received for this product.
In addition to this order, Hewden are committing a further £10 million of Core Fleet investment in excavators and dumpers, with a further £7 million being spent on powered access.
As Britain’s second largest crane operator, Hewden have also announced a £9 million investment to increase and refresh their crane fleet, the details of which will be released over the coming few weeks.
With increased confidence the investment continues as a further £11.4 million is to be spent on a range of initiatives, including a fleet of 20 Scania tractor units and 13 new trailers, giving greater fleet efficiency and improved logistics to support the 31-depot network and the Core Fleet Guarantee.
Money has also been set aside for two new major hub depots, one in Bedford and one to the west of London, to further improve customer coverage and machine availability.
Increased demand for standard accommodation and on-site welfare units will also see Hewden make commitments to its accommodation fleet with four new hubs being created across the UK. The first, in Leeds, is already fully operational.
Commenting on the Core Fleet as a driving force of the investment, Hewden’s marketing director, Jeff Schofield, said: ‘We were optimistic from the start that this compelling proposition; our 30 most popular products available for next-day delivery or we pay £100, would drive customer loyalty and win business.
‘We have been especially delighted that this demand has come from regional and local contractors across the country. This offer has made it easier for customers to get quality Hewden kit on their site and take some of the hassle out of the hire process. We know how important this is for contractors delivering on-budget, on-time projects.’
Hewden say commitment to ongoing customer-focused initiatives is key to future growth of the company. A recent national market research survey, carried out by MSS for Hewden, highlighted key construction customer requirements as: clear pricing; reliability regarding on-time delivery and collection; clear, fixed transport charges; and quality kit.
Hewden are responding by addressing customers’ demands with a number of initiatives. The Hewden hub and spoke national network means transport rates are set, with customers paying no more for Core Fleet deliveries than £75, and just £55 for smaller pieces of equipment, guaranteed for next-day delivery.
Hewden’s chief executive officer, Kevin Parkes, commented: ‘The recovery plan is complete; it’s now all about growth. We have a clear product offer, an efficient distribution network that supports customer coverage and a compelling proposition, the Hewden Core Fleet. Now is the time to invest and grow Hewden.
‘The announcement today of some £61 million demonstrates a confidence in the market and a commitment to customers that, at Hewden, we have the kit they want, where they want it, when they want it. The new machines arriving immediately in our fleet will, quite simply, allow us to say yes to more customers.’
