SKILLS AND SAFETY DOMINATE UK HIRE INDUSTRY’S ANNUAL CONVENTION

A challenging economy, sustaining a highly-skilled and motivated workforce and ensuring best practice going forward were major themes at the HAE EHA’s fourth annual Trade Fair & Convention at the Ricoh Arena in Coventry.

The UK hire industry’s yearly get-together included the latest industry initiatives for training and retaining staff, empowering women in the workplace and a safer working environment, all backed up by an impressive line-up of keynote speakers who presented their ideas on how companies can continue to remain world class during these uncertain economic times.

Paralympian rower Naomi Riches MBE gave an inspirational seminar on her trials and tribulations on the way to an ultimate gold-medal winning performance, and how companies can do the same if they have the talent to overcome adversity by helping to drive businesses forward.

To discuss the opportunities for business improvement and the importance of being recognised for supplying safe, quality equipment there were speaker sessions from construction industry bodies and Government procurement, along with a panel fronted by SafeHire plus Build UK.

On behalf of the CITB, Mark Noonan discussed the organisation’s Training & Development plans to ensure employers in the construction industry can access all the sustainable, high quality training provision they need to encourage their workforce to embrace the current and emerging skills needed to help businesses remain competitive.

To ensure a steady stream of talented people, speakers at the HAE EHA Convention emphasised the point that progression in the hire industry is open to all who show the skills and commitment required to successfully deliver high quality work on time.

Education and training to help career development and improve productivity was a strong theme of the Convention and empowerment of women in the sector. A key factor in the future success of the industry will be tackling ways in which training programmes and changing attitudes can help women benefit from the huge variety of jobs which are available in plant, equipment and hire.

On security issues, Julian Grabb, from the Plant and Agricultural Intelligence Unit (PANIU), gave a presentation on what is being done to tackle the rising cost of crime committed against hire companies and how tracking and marking solutions can help them combat the threat of equipment and plant theft.

Among other speakers over the two days were HAE EHA Chairman Andy Martin, who gave the welcome and introduction and Guy Van Der Knaap, Managing Director of MCS, who delivered a presentation on how companies working smarter, not harder, by making best use of mobile devices can help improve productivity.

In addition, there were training workshops including HAE’s ILM Level 5 Graduation Scheme and the exciting developments in virtual reality (VR) programmes in partnership with the University of the West of England. Just one of the innovative VR training tools that featured at the show gave delegates the opportunity to control and operate a VR mini digger.

Members, who also took the opportunity to network, considered the HAE EHA Trade Fair & Convention a resounding success. Eugene Buchner, of the Fenco Group, said: “At this show you can be sure that every contact is looking for solutions and they have the authority to make decisions.” CanTrack Global Ltd’s Peter Thompson added: “The people attending the show are of a really high calibre.”

Hire Association Europe (HAE) was formed in 1974 and is often referred to as The Association. It is a Birmingham-based industry-leading trade body representing plant, tool and equipment hire companies serving over 900 members in the UK, Europe and across other parts of the world.

The Association assists businesses, from sole traders to larger independent and privately owned organisations, by providing operational resources to support the hire industry. Membership provides access to products and services covering all aspects of hire, including terms & conditions, safety checks, publicity, equipment, responsibilities and general day-to-day requirements.

Accompanying services include legal advice, training, publicity, safety checks, leaflets, lobbying and finance advice; necessary documentation and information that will hold organisations in better stead for the long term. In addition, safeguarding can also be made easier for members, who have access to HAE’s essential range of health & safety, economical and credit control services.

All members are invited to become part of a board with the choice of Tool, Plant & Equipment Board, Event Equipment Board or the Supply Chain Industry Board. Alternatively, members are able to take part in a technical panel to review and develop new practices which impact the industry and subsequently, their own business.

Ann Harrison
Marketing Manager
Hire Association Europe
2450 Regents Court
Birmingham Business Park
Solihull
B37 7YE
Tel: 0121 380 4605
Email: ann.harrison@hae.org.uk
Website: www.hae.org.uk

This release was published on openPR.