Facilities management is an essential part of the UK economy. Not only does it employ 10% of the country’s workforce¹, and is projected to be worth £52 billion by 2026². But in a post-pandemic world, the industry faces a series of new challenges.

What are the priorities, problems and opportunities the industry faces? And how can Access Hire’s market-leading fleet of vehicle mounted access platforms help?

Here are four key trends in facility management to expect in 2023:

Four facility management trends in 2022

1. Sustainability goals

Every industry is under pressure to reduce carbon emissions and pivot to more environmentally sound processes. But given that buildings are responsible for 42% of the UK’s energy usage³, it’s fair to say facilities managers should be particularly concerned about their Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) scores. 

The International Energy Agency (IEA) estimates that direct building CO2 emissions must decrease by 50% in order to reach net-zero by 2050. This would require buildings to cut emissions roughly 6% per year until 2030⁴. As tenants and owners realise just how steep this task is, they will expect more dramatic action from facilities managers.

How can they do it?

From installing energy efficient lighting and HVAC systems to retrofitting buildings with more sustainable materials, there are a wide range of solutions for facilities managers to consider. Many of these will even help reduce costs: switching to renewables can save 10%⁵, while buildings that have shifted to eco-friendly processes have maintenance costs 20% lower than average⁶. 

ESG calculations are increasingly complex, with many now including ‘tier three’ suppliers – which means your entire supply chain must be as green as possible. That means the strategic equipment you use – such as vehicle mounted access platforms – need to be as energy efficient as possible.

More than anything though, facilities managers will need to ensure their efforts are measurable. Not only will this help them demonstrate their sustainability efforts and market their facilities – it will create a vital benchmark for future efforts to be measured against.

2. More data than ever

A key part of measuring ESG scores is data – and that will be a defining factor for facility managers in the coming year. While many have already begun to invest in technology such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the Internet of Things (IoT), the opportunity to improve buildings using data-driven decision making and automated maintenance are still huge. 

This will not simply be about introducing new technology – it will be about properly utilising it. Research suggests that 95.5% of all data captured goes unused in the engineering and construction industries⁷. Facility managers that are able to make greater use of their data will see massive improvements in the efficiency of buildings.

3. Predictive maintenance

The clearest efficiency gains companies see will be achieved through predictive maintenance. This involves using data to know when equipment needs to be tended to – rather than waiting for an issue to arise before acting. While it has been a growing trend amongst facility managers, we expect 2023 to see predictive maintenance become the norm. 

Companies that effectively implement it will be able to respond faster to problems, reduce costs and increase their buildings’ sustainability. According to Delliote, this ultimately increases productivity by 25%, reduces breakdowns by 70% and lowers maintenance costs by 25%⁸.

Having the right partners in place – so that key equipment such as vehicle mounted access platforms can be accessed as soon as they are needed – will be a key part of this. Predictive maintenance is only effective if work can actually be undertaken quickly.

 

4. Managing costs

From staffing shortages and supply chain issues to ever-growing inflation, costs are a major concern for facility managers. The pressure to provide exceptional experience for facility users exacerbates this issue, as investment in clearer, greener buildings is expected at the exact moment when budgets are stretched the most.

Managing costs will come down to two factors. The first is strategy: facility managers will have to find workarounds and opportunities to trim the fat. This might involve reconsidering the contracts they use for staff and equipment. In many cases, there may be savings to be made – or more budget efficient options they could switch to.

The second is the choice of partners. Whether it’s the vehicle mounted access platforms used to perform maintenance or the temping agency used to provide labour, facility managers need to be confident that they can trust their partners.

How Access Hire helps

Access Hire is a key strategic partner to the facility management industry, providing access to the UK’s largest fleet of vehicle mounted access platforms. Every vehicle features inclusive service and 24/7/365  support from our expert team – to ensure you can undertake the work you need, as soon as you need to.

With the government’s pledge to make gigabit-broadband available to 99% of the UK by 2030¹, the telecommunications industry is among the fastest growing sectors in the country . But how can they ensure projects are completed on time, at a high quality – without breaking their budget?

The answer is by leasing their key strategic equipment, like vehicle mounted access platforms. Not only does it enable better budgeting – it helps improve your overall output. 

Here are three ways leasing vehicle mounted access platforms benefits telecommunications projects:

1. Avoid waste

Buying strategic equipment outright is often seen as the best way to grow: you own the vehicle and don’t have to pay for it on your next project. But this overlooks two facts.

First, not every project requires the same equipment. This means many companies end up shackled with expensive equipment they often don’t use – and therefore may not end up being worth the initial investment.

More importantly, though, your vehicle quickly racks up mileage. At the end of a long project, companies often find themselves left with an old and unreliable vehicle which they cannot afford to replace.

2. Access better quality equipment

Buying vehicle mounted access platforms outright is very expensive. This incentivises companies to opt for cheaper models – or workaround alternatives that make working on a project more difficult.

Rather than landing yourself with a sub-par vehicle mounted access platform – or forcing your team to do ladder work – leasing allows you to use the best, most innovative VMAPs on the market. Not only does this improve your output – it boosts team morale.

3. Reduce the barrier to entry

Some companies simply cannot afford to take on telecoms projects – however lucrative they might be – because strategic equipment is too expensive and the maintenance costs involved can rack up a large bill. Leasing helps them reduce the costs through fully inclusive maintenance and creating a low, fixed cost payment schedule that works with their limited budget.

As a result, the barrier to entry is considerably lower. Companies can work on larger projects than they otherwise might be able to, and benefit from the rapid growth of telecoms projects over the coming years.

How Access Hire helps

Telecoms projects tend to have fixed lengths, and each contractor and company will have their own specific requirements. Access Hire works with every customer to tailor contracts that suit their needs and ensure they get a leasing contract that works for them.

Every lease features all-inclusive service and maintenance, to boost your uptime and keep your project running. So you never have to worry about technical problems, and can focus on hitting your deadlines.

Vehicle Mounted Access Platforms (VMAPs) are essential for most infrastructure projects, enabling you to work at heights safely. But in order to make the most of them, contractors must ensure their workers know exactly how to operate their equipment. 

As market leading providers of Vehicle Mounted Access Platforms for hire and lease, we at Access Hire feel a duty to help our partners make the most of their vehicles. That’s why we created this instructional video for the 5.2T – 14.5M VMAP:

Following these best practices will improve your worksite in at least four ways:

1. Prevent damage and malfunction

Vehicle Mounted Access Platforms need to be carefully maintained to avoid damage or malfunction. If the vehicle is compromised, it can result in delays to your project and repair costs that eat into your budget.

The best way to keep your vehicles in proper condition is following a careful series of checks on each Vehicle Mounted Access Platform before using it. This will ensure the vehicle and platform operate correctly and are safe for use. Here at Access Hire, vehicles go through a rigorous 50-point pre-delivery inspection ensuring your vehicle arrives road-ready.

 

2. Keep workers safe

Onsite safety is a huge priority for any contractor – especially when employees are working at heights. Following correct operating procedures is vital to ensure both those operating the vehicle and those in the basket remain safe and secure at all times.

The operator of a Vehicle Mounted Access Platform is responsible for carrying out a full risk assessment before, during and after use. They should also undertake daily checks before usage; deploy stabiliser legs correctly; ensure anybody using the platform wears a safety harness; and be fully aware of all emergency procedures, to ensure they are able to quickly resolve any issues during operation.

3. Avoid worksite accidents

Worksites can be busy, stressful environments, and without proper safety precautions moving vehicles can be a serious safety hazard. That is why anybody operating a Vehicle Mounted Access Platform has a duty to continually check their surroundings for hazards, as well as assessing the ground conditions.

Not only will this keep those outside of the vehicle safe from harm; it will ensure the whole site is able to operate more smoothly.

4. Improves efficiency of work

When you are on a tight budget and deadline, even minor faults can cause significant difficulties. But from platform malfunction to miscommunication, issues around the operation of strategic equipment are a common cause of delays on infrastructure worksites.

Following a clear set of shared best practices ensures your Vehicle Mounted Access Platforms operate smoothly. This means each task is completed as quickly and effectively as possible – keeping you on schedule.

Learn more with Access Hire

At Access Hire, we provide the UK’s largest and most modern fleet of Vehicle Mounted Access Platforms. But we don’t stop at the point of delivery.

Instead, we are dedicated to ensuring our partners’ projects are successful. That is why we include 24/7 support with every vehicle and offer expert advice about the safe and proper operation of your fleet.

Reach out today to discover how our service could help improve your worksite.

Staying on budget is one of the biggest challenges construction and infrastructure projects face. 

Recent studies have found that 85% of all construction projects experienced cost overruns¹, with the average project exceeding its budget by a minimum of 16%² – and the majority overrunning by 28%³.

While there are multiple factors that cause budget problems, a major contributor is the cost of strategic equipment and vehicles, such as vehicle mounted access platforms (VMAPs).

In this article, we explore how leasing these vehicles can provide greater financial control and help projects stay on budget.

How does leasing work?

Leasing is the perfect alternative to buying access vehicles. Many contractors don’t want to tie up their working capital to buy top-quality access vehicles outright.  Access Lease provides a cost-effective way of sourcing the latest vehicles on a fully maintained basis. 

With fixed monthly payments – including no hidden fees – contractors can lease innovative, market-leading vehicle mounted access platforms whilst simultaneously protecting themselves from financial uncertainty.

The ways leasing improves your bottom line

1. Spread costs and improve cash flow

The leasing model allows contractors to spread the cost of their vehicles over a fixed period of months, resulting in more affordable, individual payments. When comparing leasing to loan repayments on the same asset, monthly payments could be reduced by as much as 50%.

The fixed monthly payments are predictable and clear, enabling you to create a long-term budget without constantly adjusting to fit unexpected hiring and maintenance costs.

2. Tax savings

84% of businesses are currently transforming their tax and financial operating model to make savings⁴. Leasing enables this, because contractors can generally deduct the full lease rental cost from their taxable income – or claim capital allowances on the asset cost. 

This makes leasing more financially efficient and helps contractors make their limited budget go further.

3. Inclusive maintenance and support

Maintenance is often undervalued in contractors’ budgets, yet it actually accounts for up to 30% of the total cost of a vehicle. 

Leasing with Access Lease comes with inclusive maintenance and 24/7 support, meaning we take away all the headaches of ownership – from breakdowns, replacement vehicles, LOLERs, MOTs, servicing, and specific asset advice. It also reduces the likelihood of on-site breakdowns, as vehicles are rigorously tested before being delivered to the site and fully maintained to the highest of standards. 

To discover how leasing our vehicles could help you, reach out to us today.

Street lighting is a vital part of the UK’s public infrastructure, and experts argue it could help contribute to a safer, greener future for the country. But the industry faces a number of tough problems in the coming years¹, from managing budgets to sourcing the right vehicle mounted access platforms.

In this article, we explore five key challenges that contractors must understand and tackle if they want to thrive in 2022 and beyond:

1. Budget management

Given that the UK government’s National Infrastructure and Construction Pipeline has promised £650bn for infrastructure schemes over the next decade, we might assume budgeting is going to be less of a problem in the coming years. But this overlooks two challenges.

First, public finances are under unprecedented pressure – and that means tough decisions are on the way. Projects which are deemed to be economically inefficient or lack a clear Return On Investment will likely be the first to be shelved.

Second, contractors often overlook ways they could improve their budgeting efficiency. For example, by switching to a leasing model for their Vehicle Mounted Access Platforms, many firms could gain far greater control over their spending – and make themselves a far more appealing proposition when bidding on contracts.

 

2. LED lighting

Street lighting typically consumes around 30% of a local authority’s budget², but this figure drops quite a bit if they have switched to LED lighting. It has been suggested that local authorities could save £100 million a year by making the switch³. 

Another reason demand for LED street lighting has grown is climate change. LED lights offer 100,000 hours of light, compared to 15,000 from normal bulbs, presenting a huge opportunity to reduce energy usage and create more sustainable public infrastructure.

This helps explain why local councils have spent nearly £500 million installing LED street lighting since 2016⁴. Experts estimate the UK’s streets will be 100% LED lit by 2035⁵, but it is smaller, less well-funded areas that contractors should look to for the biggest opportunities.

3. Public safety

While LED lighting provides huge cost and climate benefits, it also presents challenges in terms of reliability. In London, by far the most advanced area in terms of LED adoption, nearly 1,500 complaints have been made relating to street lighting since 2016⁶. 

This speaks to a larger issue of public safety. Recent studies have found that well-lit street can reduce crime by 36%⁷, meaning street lighting is not just a tick-box compliance exercise but a potential means of improving the safety and wellbeing of local populations.

Street lighting contractors have a responsibility to help local authorities make better use of street lighting as a means of improving safety. Doing so will not only fulfill social responsibility, but help contractors build better relations with their customers.

4. The Internet of Things (IoT)

Urban planners and local authorities are empowered by greater volumes of high-quality data. Smart, connected street lighting could be an unparalleled source of real-time information for them in the future, enabling everything from monitoring traffic to enabling more efficient energy usage.

Making this a widespread reality will require a great deal of innovation and investment. Street lighting contractors and manufacturers should champion this approach, making the case for better connected, technologically empowered systems.

A government report from June raised security concerns as a major roadblock to implementing smart street lighting technology⁸. The report asked for additional guidance on security matters, and those in the industry that are able to help resolve these concerns will likely position themselves well for future opportunities.

5. Reliability

Finally, street lighting contractors face a challenge ensuring they are able to deliver projects on time and budget reliably. The construction industry as a whole has developed a reputation for delays and budgetary problems, and overcoming these issues will help contractors win 

One factor to consider is procurement: plenty of problems arise not because of the contractors themselves, but a lack of transparency or reliability in the supply chain. Ensuring key equipment like vehicle-mounted access platforms are on-site when needed is vital to keep things ticking along and stay on target.

Contractors should therefore consider who they partner with – their reputation, delivery model and capacity. At Access Hire, we operate the UK’s largest, most reliable fleet of vehicle mounted access platforms, and with fully inclusive maintenance and support, we help our street lighting customers deliver reliable results every time.

Infrastructure output in the UK is set to increase by 8.8% this year – and a further 4.6% in 2023¹. But in order to keep pace with that growth, contractors must ensure they are not hit by unexpected delays.

According to research, large projects routinely take 20% longer than planned, with 69% of projects run over budget by more than 10%. And one of the most persistent causes of these problems is faulty equipment. 

From unexpected maintenance to failing motors, there are a range of problems, key assets like vehicle mounted access platforms routinely cause. But without the support of suppliers, contractors are helpless to prevent such setbacks. 

In this article, we explore three key factors that can ensure key equipment functions properly throughout a project:

1. Communication from suppliers

One third of project failure results from poor communication – including interactions with suppliers. Without consistent, transparent communication, contractors are left in the dark and issues with the equipment are not attended to quickly enough. 

This is a common fault with suppliers. In fact, the average B2B business scores less than 50% on the customer-experience index. But at Access Hire, we have made it our priority to change how things are done. 

We ensure key channels of communication are open at all times through our 24/7/365 operational support, meaning you can contact an expert advisor whenever you need to. And because we pride ourselves in hiring true industry experts, we are there to offer detailed strategic or technical advice that will help solve your problems faster.

2. Inclusive maintenance and support

Specialist equipment requires regular maintenance to ensure it stays operational.

Not only does this increase the likelihood of failure and delays, it hits your bottom line – as maintenance accounts for up to 30% of the total cost of a vehicle. Sourcing and paying experts is expensive, but entirely necessary to keep your project running.

Access Hire, however, undertakes regular planned maintenance on our entire fleet – to guarantee they are in top condition. Before delivering products, we undertake a rigorous 50-point inspection to certify they are in proper working order. As well as include breakdown and recovery as a standard, to ensure every one of our partners feels confident that any issues they face will be quickly resolved.

3. Seamless product delivery

Finally, strategic equipment like vehicle mounted access platforms need to actually arrive on your site when it is needed. Reliable delivery is not only important for keeping on schedule – it also enables a certain amount of flexibility, as you can more easily source extra equipment. 

This is where operating the country’s largest fleet comes in handy: we are able to deliver key strategic equipment across the UK. The result? Our clients are able to keep their site working and stay on schedule – always.

When Access Hire was founded in 2007, there was a clear strategic goal: to build a specialist, market-leading operation with the largest and most modern fleet, accompanied by the best-in-class service. 

As each new long-term customer partnership developed and became stronger, our fleet expanded. Access Hire’s focused approach has resulted in the business becoming the UK’s largest VMAP long-term hire and lease specialist.

This year marks 15 years since it all began. In recognition of that significant milestone, we wanted to take a look back at some of our key achievements.

 

Great products speak for themselves

Since the beginning, Access Hire has prided itself on continual investment and having the most modern and innovative fleet in the UK. This is proven by the fact that over the last 15 years, our fleet has grown from less than 100 vehicles to over 1,300 today, with an average age of fewer than 2.5 years. 

We have continually reinvested in improving our fleet and service. This has enabled us to deliver better, more reliable products for our clients consistently – and that level of quality simply does not go unnoticed.

We opt for high specification as standard for every single one of our clients, and provide 24/7 support across the entire hire.

And by augmenting our core van-mounted fleet with more specialised equipment (such as 4x4s and pole erection units), we can meet client’s needs across a wide range of sectors – from telecoms and local authorities to street lighting and power.

Here is our latest product review video of the 3.5t Renault Master.

Investing in people pays dividends

Throughout our journey, we have consistently put our people front and centre – whether that’s recruiting great employees and nurturing their talents, or building long-term relationships with our growing customer base.

We have always focused on being a true specialist in our chosen field, who can advise and help our clients. We are a specialist, not a generalist provider which affords our clients many benefits.

We are able to provide truly detailed, expert advice and support to our clients in many ways, including, inter alia, asset selection, the benefits of long-term hire vs lease, regulatory compliance, servicing and breakdown, and asset management. Our one-stop-shop, fully outsourced offering is unmatched, providing clients peace of mind and continuity of operations.

 

Innovation is never finished

The last few years have demonstrated that there is never a limit to innovation.

With the size of our fleet and workforce rapidly growing, the decision to move to a larger site was required to allow further growth.

This investment was made in 2018, through a new 50,000sq ft HQ and primary depot located in Normanton, surrounded by major transport links allowing for accurate and reliable nationwide deliveries.

By 2021, Access Hire boasted the country’s largest fleet of access vehicles and was widely seen as an industry leader in service and quality, and expertise for long-term VMAP hire.

This has been further augmented with the launch of Access Lease in 2021. Access Lease is a market-leading, fully inclusive, and maintained solution, allowing customers protection against financial uncertainty by locking into a long-term fixed price contract.

Thanks to our continuous investment resulting in a robust pipeline of new assets with agreed delivery times, our Access Lease proposition allows our customers to beat the current long lead times with access to brand-new, market-leading vehicles.

 Over the last twelve months, the company has added over 300 new vehicles to its fleet. As we continue to innovate and invest in our fleet, the total number in the fleet will grow to over 1,400 by the end of this year.

Never settle for second best

It has always been central to our ethos that truly great companies never compromise.

So, as we look back on everything we’ve achieved with our clients and within the Access team over the last 15 years we say thank you, and here is to making the next 15 even better!

To kick off our tea break with the team series, we had a chat with Harry Kidd, our recently promoted National Sales Manager. Harry looks after key accounts and works closely with the sales team to ensure everything sails smoothly.

Tell us a little bit about your role Harry

I have been with the company for around 2 years, starting as a business development manager. This role allowed me to work with clients all over the country in several different sectors. The responsibilities of the role included developing relationships with new and existing clients, putting me right in my element of getting out there and speaking to people!

I was very recently promoted to National Sales Manager; this new role includes managing key accounts and working closely with the sales team. I am very excited about this new challenge and can’t wait to get going!

What did you do before joining Access Hire?

I graduated from the University of Gloucestershire with a degree in sports science. However, I quickly changed my career path by going on a sales graduate scheme, allowing me to see how a business operates from every possible angle. Once I finished my scheme, I entered the hire industry, where I am today!

What do you enjoy most about working here?

Two things stand out to me. Firstly, it’s getting out there speaking to customers face-to-face, and building long-lasting relationships. The other is the team and culture of the company, it is an ever-growing, fast-paced environment meaning no two days are the same.

What do you like about what we do?

The willingness to provide the best possible service and quality of products makes it a privilege to work for the company. Knowing that the company is always heavily investing in improving the fleet and overall service makes speaking to customers very enjoyable as I can be upfront and honest at all times.

What do you do in your free time?

I play rugby league semi-professionally for the Dewsbury Rams, regularly play golf, and support Leeds United.

Tell us something we don’t know about you

I once met and sang with Paul McCartney in Paros, Greece!

The future looks bright for street lighting contractors. 

From 5G and the Internet of Things (IoT) to ongoing government funding to tackle street crime¹ and the climate crisis², there are a number of exciting projects on the horizon. The UK government’s latest National Infrastructure and Construction Pipeline promised £650bn for infrastructure schemes over the next decade³.

But with public finances under pressure, many contractors are being forced to find ways to increase efficiency and deliver greater value on projects.

One way of doing this is by rethinking the way they procure key strategic equipment and Vehicle Mounted Access Platforms. And in this article, we explore how embracing a leasing model can empower contractors in the street lighting sector.

The budget problem

Research from the Institute of Civil Engineers (ICE) shows there is a persistent gap between cost estimates and output from infrastructure projects⁴, suggesting that contractors and firms struggle to plan their budgets effectively.

There are a number of reasons why. For example, street lighting projects are very prone to disruption, with weather often slowing work down or making it too dangerous. This can create a cascading effect, leading to delays and excess spending.

However, one of the most challenging parts of the budgeting process is procurement.

The procurement problem

The majority of street lighting projects require assets like Vehicle Mounted Access Platforms, to enable them to work at heights safely. But because few contractors can afford to buy their own fleet outright, they are forced to hire it from a third-party provider. 

This tends to lead to rigid contracts that aren’t adaptable to their projects’ workflow, and limits their ability to afford top quality equipment. It makes managing their budget more challenging, as payments are fixed and often don’t fit well within the contractor’s income stream. 

But the reality is, this need not be a problem at all. Because there is a third option for street lighting contractors – the vehicle leasing model.

The leasing solution

Leasing Vehicle Mounted Access Platforms enables a level of flexibility that most contractors assume is not available to them. 

The model allows them to procure the highest quality vehicles without the prohibitive cost of buying, and update the model when a project is done – without ballooning payments. But it also helps them spread their payments more effectively, helping manage and adapt their budget to their income. 

There are also clear tax benefits. Many street lighting contractors even find they can deduct the full lease rental cost from their taxable income – or claim capital allowances on the asset cost. Across an entire fleet and multiple projects, this creates a huge improvement in financial efficiency – one that can either be passed onto the client or kept to increase the contractor’s bottom line.

Working with Access Hire

Access Hire has pioneered this leasing model with our market-leading Vehicle Mounted Access Platforms. We provide 24/7 support, ongoing maintenance and expert product knowledge to every one of our clients. And our vast list of long-term relationships is proof that the model works.

To discover how leasing our vehicles could help you, reach out to us today.

Switching suppliers can be extremely complicated, and many businesses stick with sub-optimal equipment simply to avoid the hassle. 

But what if staying with your current supplier is actually harming your business’s performance? And what if something as simple as changing the provider of your Vehicle Mounted Access Platforms  could have a significant impact on your bottom line?

In this article, we explore the dilemma contractors find themselves confronted with: when and how to change suppliers for key strategic equipment.

Why is switching suppliers difficult?

While every contractor will face their own specific difficulties, there are three key challenges all businesses face when switching suppliers:

1. Finding the right supplier

Finding the right partner to supply your Vehicle Mounted Access Platforms for your business is hard.|You want to source the best vehicles, but that isn’t the end of it. You also need to scrutinise the operating model of the supplier, including what kind of support they offer, how they interact with their clients and what level of expertise they can offer.

2. Managing the transition

Once you have chosen a new supplier, you need to ensure the switch is smooth and seamless. Even a few hours’ disruption can be detrimental to the outcome of a project, and managing the logistics so that the new supplier is available exactly when you need it can be very difficult.

3. Ensuring the supplier is reliable

Finally, you’ve got the new Vehicle Mounted Access Platforms on site. But what happens if there are technical issues or unresolved questions? You need to be confident that the new supplier will be reliably available to ensure that everything runs smoothly – not just during the transition, but at every moment of your project.

So why would you make the switch?

Given all of these potential pitfalls, it makes sense that so many businesses are hesitant to take the plunge. But there are plenty of extremely valid reasons why switching to a new supplier may ultimately prove less disruptive in the long run:

1. You need better equipment

Not all Vehicle Mounted Access Platforms are the same, and your business might simply require an upgrade. You might want to make use of more recent technology, change the specifications of your vehicles or simply improve the safety of your site.

2. You need more flexibility or control

Being locked into an undesirable contract can be a huge problem for contractors. But even if this isn’t the case, you may still want to change the length of your hires – or even experiment with leasing instead.

3. You need better technical support

If your current supplier isn’t doing enough to ensure their equipment functions effectively, it is more than reasonable to look elsewhere. Access vehicles require regular maintenance, and many suppliers don’t even properly fulfil their obligations in this regard – let alone providing the level of 24/7 support you deserve.

Is it time to take the leap?

Ultimately, the question to ask is not whether now is the right time to be switching suppliers. Instead, you should be asking yourself: what does my business deserve?

If you believe your business deserves true quality – both in terms of the Vehicle Mounted Access Platforms you use and the level of service and support you receive – then why settle for second best?

At Access Hire, we’ve helped countless businesses make a seamless transition. With the UK’s largest and youngest fleet, we provide the quality our clients deserve – along with inclusive maintenance, expert guidance and 24/7 support.

If you’d like to discover how we make those transitions happen, reach out to our team today.