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How Welfare Hire Is Supporting the Scottish Construction Industry in 2024

Industry experts have told Scotland’s construction industry it should prepare for a “resurgence” in activity in the coming months – and what better way to prepare than learn about innovative strategic equipment?

To further support our dedicated Scottish depot, Welfare Hire is thrilled to announce our attendance at ScotPlant 2024. Held across 26-27th April at the Royal Highland Centre, Edinburgh, the event brings together thousands of industry professionals and over 200 exhibitors – making it the biggest event of the year for Scotland’s construction industry.

Discover Our Innovative Welfare Products at stand D14

Our exhibition stand will feature our advanced welfare products, including:

Welfare Units for Hire - Portable Site Cabins For Construction Sites

Each product embodies our five pillars:

Quality

Scotland’s construction industry is rightly proud of its high standards. But top-quality welfare units are still widely unavailable across many areas in the countries.

Welfare Hire established our Scottish depot to solve this problem. Our innovative range is now easier to deliver to firms working in more remote regions – helping everyone of our partners access the quality equipment you deserve.

Service

Research suggests that a third of project failures are the result of poor communication, while maintenance activity can run to 30% of a vehicle’s total costs. But with Welfare Hire, Scottish construction companies get a true partner throughout their projects.

While all of our products feature inclusive maintenance and support, our dedicated Scottish depot has made this service even more effective for our Scottish partners. Our engineers and support can reach your site quickly and minimise downtime.

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Environment

According to recent studies, demand for sustainability in construction may be slightly higher in Scotland than England. But many firms still struggle to manage the emissions from their strategic equipment.

Welfare Hire’s product range provides the perfect solution. We are so confident in our products’ ability to deliver measurable reductions to your carbon emissions that we create a tool to help you calculate the expected savings each mobile welfare unit and tower light will produce:

Try our eco calculator

WellbeinG

Scottish construction has faced staffing issues for several years now, and just a quarter of people would recommend a career in the industry to young people. But much of this is down to the perceived physical difficulties and mental health challenges workers face.

Our welfare units are designed to combat this problem. With extra space, high-quality facilities and comfortable seating, they help construction workers rest and bond – ultimately improving the wellbeing of the workforce.

Value

With rising costs and staffing shortages, Scottish construction firms need more from their suppliers – and Welfare Hire is the partner to achieve that. Through the combination of improved quality and service, environmental savings and enhanced wellbeing, our mobile welfare units and tower lights deliver unparalleled value for firms across the country.

Want to learn more about the pillars at ScotPlant 2024?

BOOK YOUR PLACE

For more opportunities to partner together, check out our other company, Access Hire Nationwide, the UK’s leading hirer of vehicle mounted access platforms. Kelling Group is a leading provider of specialist access, welfare and lighting equipment hire and services to key infrastructure and construction sectors.

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Paint Shop Assistant

Type: Permanent, Full-time

Location: Huntingdon

 Working hours:  Mon – Fri, 40 hours.

Job Function: To ensure company Units are prepared for painting to the required company standard.

Reporting to: Depot Manager.

Liaising with: Painter, Valeters, Yard Operatives.

The ideal candidate will have good interpersonal skills and a good understanding of the importance of excellent service.

Responsibilities:

  • To ensure the exterior of the Units are clean prior to commencing work.
  • To fill, sand down and prepare bodywork.
  • To carry out quality checks.
  • Maintain required stock levels of all paint and preparation products via Depot Manager.
  • Ensure that the company’s health and safety policy and procedures are adhered to in relation to all depot operations.
  • Follow company’s Employee handbook policies and procedures.
  • Any other duties requested by your manager.

Requirements:

  • Previous experience in a similar role.
  • Attention to detail.
  • Excellent time keeping & attendance.
  • Ability to work alone or as a team.

For more information on this position, please apply today with your latest CV hr@kellinggroup.com

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Regional Sales Manager – Scotland

Type: Permanent, Full-time

Working hours:  Mon – Fri, 8am – 5pm.

Job Function: Deliver growth targets, maximise sales revenue and opportunities with accounts and prospects in your region. Supporting National Account Managers on developing key strategic accounts at site and project level in your territory. Working closely with existing Senior Sales Team helping to steer the sales focus and support company strategic objectives.

Reporting to: Senior National Sales Manager

Liaising with: Senior Sales Team, Hire/Service Support Controllers, Business Intelligence Analyst, Accounts Dept.

The ideal candidate will have previous experience in a similar role coupled with excellent communication and organisational skills. The individual will have a proven track record in Sales and New Business Development, within either the welfare or affiliated sectors with the ability to build credible, lasting relationships to ensure long-term strategic growth.

Responsibilities:

  • Develop new business and existing customers in line with budget requirements and the strategic plan
  • Comply with approved sales process when qualifying prospects, nurturing leads, and identifying opportunities to produce budgeted order conversion ratio
  • Prepare and deliver customer regional sales plans to maximise profitable revenue growth and compliment company objectives whilst managing customer expectations
  • Comply with company guidelines regarding the maintenance and updating of customer contact databases (CRM)
  • Promote the Kelling Group brand and core values to maintain market leading image
  • Develop strong network of contacts within key accounts and project teams
  • Any other tasks commensurate with this post

Requirements:

  • 3 years+ field-based sales and new business development experience required; industry or affiliated industry experience
  • Strong sales capabilities and a proven track record in new business development
  • Highly organised self-starter with strong work ethic and drive to manage your territory
  • Results-orientated with the ability to work to targets and deadlines
  • Strong communication skills; both verbal and written
  • A professional and polite approach to Customer Service, ensuring accuracy of information and ensuring that all parties are effectively communicated with
  • Excellent self-organisation and attention to detail, to ensure accurate enquiry logging
  • Ability to work closely with colleagues at all levels and build rapport with internal and external customers
  • Ability to sell premium propositions, demonstrate effective negotiation skills to ensure business is won on viable commercial terms
  • Ability to prepare a proposal or service level agreement in line with commercial objectives
  • Presents yourself and company vehicle in an acceptable and tidy manner
  • Good IT literacy for production of presentation, sales analysis and management reports

Overview:

Welfare Hire Nationwide Ltd is the market leader in mobile ECO welfare and lighting, with the largest and most modern fleet in the UK. Following significant investment, the business is continuing to expand and is currently recruiting for a Regional Sales Manager to join the sales team covering Scotland and supporting our existing Senior Sales Team. This role will suit an ambitious, dynamic salesperson capable of developing new business opportunities and optimizing sales growth in line with strategic objectives. This is a customer facing, field-based role targeted on new business development from prospects, as well as developing and maintaining a base of existing customers.

You will identify new business and develop relationships with target customers to maximise all opportunities with the portfolio of Welfare Hire Nationwide. You will have the ability to understand the client’s needs and be able to introduce WHN’s innovative, value added proposition. You will keep in regular contact with your customer base using the CRM system and customer plans so that progress can be maintained and monitored.

What are we looking for?

We are looking for a target-driven sales hunter with account management capabilities. You must have a proven track record in Sales and New Business Development, within either the welfare or affiliated sectors, however the right aptitude and work ethic is more important than direct sector experience. You will have the ability to build credible, lasting relationships to ensure long-term, sustainable strategic growth. Project pipeline and new business planning is a key skill you will be required to demonstrate. You must be an excellent and confident communicator with the ability to sell value-added, differentiated products.

The role benefits include a competitive salary and very attractive bonus scheme and benefits package.

For more information on this position, please apply today with your latest CV hr@kellinggroup.com

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Depot Repair Engineer

eco welfare unit

Type: Permanent, Full-time

Location: Huntingdon, Normanton & Monmouth Depots

Working hours:  Mon – Fri, 40 hours, overtime available.

Job Function: To undertake major refurbishment and repair projects.

Reporting to: Depot Manager

Liaising with: Lead Engineer, Depot Managers and Depot Engineers

The ideal candidate will have a strong work ethic, have a flexible and ‘can do’ approach, attention to detail and the ability to work quickly and efficiently in a fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities:

  • Carry out in-house major repairs i.e. Bodywork / Chassis / Towing Mechanisms
  • Fault diagnosis on equipment.
  • Diagnosing, repairing, and building generators.
  • Carry out planned maintenance for all equipment in the depot.
  • Ensure optimum parts stock level is achieved, always maintain and review.
  • Allocation of any parts used on to the works mobile tablet.
  • Correctly process all jobs on the works mobile tablet and in a timely manner.
  • Provide back-up support in other areas and depots.
  • Ensure work area is kept clean, tidy and maintained at all times.
  • Follow company’s Employee handbook policies and procedures.
  • Any other duties requested by your Manager.

Requirements:

  • Experience in a similar role.
  • Good communication skills.
  • Attention to detail.
  • Ability to work alone or as a team.

For more information on this position, please apply today with your latest CV hr@kellinggroup.com

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Customer Experience Administrator

Type: Permanent, Part-Time

Location: Normanton

Working hours:  Mon – Fri, 5 Hours per day, 25 hours per week.

Job Function: To support the Customer Experience Manager through daily activities enabling the business to capture customer feedback and investigate customer complaints.

Reporting to: Customer Experience Manager

Liaising with: Customers, Head Office, Depots, Customer Ops Desk.

The ideal candidate will have excellent customer service skills with good communication. Who is comfortable talking to customers through a diverse mix of sectors to gather feedback. You will need a good standard of IT skills especially with Microsoft packages and the ability to effectively operate and manage our in house hire system. Previous experience of the Hire sector is preferred.

Responsibilities:

  • Making Outbound calls to gather a good portfolio of customer feedback.
  • Ensuring the accurate administration of feedback is stored for analysis.
  • Supporting the business with periodic reports.
  • Dealing with Customer Invoice Queries and identifying common trends.
  • Building great working relationships and product knowledge.
  • You will be an ambassador for our “Customer First” culture, resolving any issues quickly and keeping our customers informed, so that they feel truly valued.
  • Follow company’s Employee handbook policies and procedures.
  • Any other duties requested by your Manager.

Requirements:

  • 2 year+ Customer Service experience.
  • Proven ability to work to targets and deadlines.
  • Strong communication skills; both verbal and written.
  • A professional and polite approach to Customer Services, ensuring accuracy of information and ensuring that all parties are effectively communicated with.
  • Excellent self-organisation and attention to detail, to ensure accurate document management.
  • Ability to work closely with colleagues at all levels and build rapport with internal and external customers.
  • Sound Analytical and problem-solving abilities.
  • Good IT literacy for production of presentation.

For more information on this position, please apply today with your latest CV hr@kellinggroup.com

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Field Service Engineer based in Berkshire, Sussex and Kent

Location: Remote working

Type: Permanent, Full-time

Working hours:  40 hours.

Job Function: To provide on-site engineering support.

Reporting to: Field Service Engineering Manager

Liaising with: Customers, Depot Managers, Field Service Engineers, Service Controllers.

The ideal candidate will have a strong work ethic, have a flexible and ‘can do’ approach, attention to detail and the ability to work quickly and efficiently in a fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities:

  • Implement routine servicing schedule for all equipment out on customer sites.
  • Attend breakdowns on site, fault diagnosis and correct rectification.
  • Carry out planned maintenance for all equipment out on customer sites.
  • Ensure optimum van parts stock level is achieved, always maintained and reviewed.
  • Allocation of any parts used on to the works mobile tablet.
  • Correctly process all jobs on the works mobile tablet and in a timely manner.
  • Report any potential customer recharges to the Service Controller.
  • Provide back-up support in other areas and depots.
  • Ensure company vehicle is kept clean, tidy and maintained as per the manufacturer’s guidelines at all times.
  • Follow company’s Employee handbook policies and procedures.
  • Any other duties requested by your Manager.

Requirements:

  • Experience combined with relevant mechanical / electrical knowledge.
  • Drivers licence.
  • Attention to detail.
  • Flexible with regards to travel, tasks performed and working hours.
  • Ability to work alone or as a team.
  • Excellent time keeping.

For more information on this position, please apply today with your latest CV hr@kellinggroup.com

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Towing Driver – 5 out of 7 days

Location: Normanton / Huntingdon

Type: Full-time

Working hours:  40 hours per week – consisting of 5 out of 7 days.

Job Function: To provide timeous professional loading/delivery/collection of hire equipment to/from site.

Reporting to: Depot Manager.

Liaising with: Customers, Depot Staff and Hire Desk administrators.

The ideal candidate will have a proven track record of driving experience in a similar environment, always driving responsibly and safely within the law.

Responsibilities:

  • Deliver/collect equipment to site and complete handover process with customer.
  • Conduct thorough inspections of units for any damages/shortages on collection and ensure they are noted correctly on the tablet, pictures are taken and signed for wherever possible by the customer.
  • Carry out daily vehicle checks and reporting any defects. Including correct manufacturers service intervals are adhered to.
  • Ensure digital tachographs are used and downloaded in line with current legislation.
  • Ensure that the company’s health and safety policy and procedures are adhered to in relation to all operations.
  • Follow company’s Employee handbook policies and procedures.
  • Any other duties requested by your manager.

Requirements:

  • Experience in a similar role.
  • Excellent communication skills.
  • Attention to detail.
  • 2 years driving experience on a UK driving licence.
  • Must have experience in towing and a digital tachograph card.
  • Be always polite and well-mannered.

For more information on this position, please apply today with your latest CV hr@kellinggroup.com

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Towing Driver

Locations: Huntingdon

Type: Permanent, Full-time

Working hours:  40 hours, worked 5 days over 7.

Job Function: To provide timeous professional loading/delivery/collection of hire equipment to/from site.

Reporting to: Depot Manager.

Liaising with: Customers, Depot Staff and Hire Desk administrators.

The ideal candidate will have a proven track record of driving experience in a similar environment, always driving responsibly and safely within the law.

Responsibilities:

  • Deliver/collect equipment to site and complete handover process with customer.
  • Conduct thorough inspections of units for any damages/shortages on collection and ensure they are noted correctly on the tablet, pictures are taken and signed for wherever possible by the customer.
  • Carry out daily vehicle checks and reporting any defects. Including correct manufacturers service intervals are adhered to.
  • Ensure digital tachographs are used and downloaded in line with current legislation.
  • Ensure that the company’s health and safety policy and procedures are adhered to in relation to all operations.
  • Follow company’s Employee handbook policies and procedures.
  • Any other duties requested by your Manager.

Requirements:

  • Experience in a similar role.
  • Excellent communication skills.
  • Attention to detail.
  • 2 years driving experience on a UK driving licence.
  • Must have experience in towing and a digital tachograph card.
  • Be always polite and well-mannered.

For more information on this position, please apply today with your latest CV hr@kellinggroup.com

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Don’t Compromise: Eco Welfare Units made for Winter

eco welfare toilet unit

Imagine running your strategic equipment with completely clean energy.

No emissions from energy sources, no expensive running costs.

For many contractors, this is an almost irresistible prospect. Especially given that projects are under increasing pressure to become more sustainable – with worksites currently responsible for nearly 4% of all energy usage worldwide.

But while some providers advertise their units as meeting this goal, there is only one that actually delivers – and that is Welfare Hire.

the challenge of clean on-site power

A mobile welfare unit needs lots of power to properly run its various facilities: kettles, microwaves, fridges, power sockets, offices, heaters and more. This is why they have traditionally been a considerable source of carbon emissions and energy expenditure. While many welfare units can literally run without a generator, the level of energy needed means their power source gets sapped incredibly quickly, resulting in a requirement to turn off appliances and welfare facilities and undertake onsite recharging and maintenance

The Result:

Either the welfare unit stops running or users can’t use certain appliances… or both. 

At best, this is a serious inconvenience. At worst, it could actively delay your project and fail to meet the legal requirements for welfare provision to provide warm water and means of heating drinks and food.

Moreover, to correct this, the cost and carbon footprint of remotely servicing these units with site attendance can actually produce up to 10 times more carbon emissions than simply using a backup genset in the first place, which is counterproductive when striving for bigger, better and greener welfare facilities onsite.

welfare hire solves this problem

So how do we deliver on both providing proper, modern welfare facilities and the best carbon reduction for a practical solution for modern ESG goals?

Welfare Hire’s mobile welfare units deliver both silent, green energy and reliable running. Our innovative units, such as the EcoXi, run on next generation solar/lithium battery hybrid power, with capability to cover 100% of the onboard power requirements for the majority of requirements. However, we also recognise that there are many variables onsite affecting solar yield, as well as power demand as project requirements are dynamic, especially in the darker, colder months.

That’s why we fit our welfare units with a backup biofuel generator to cover any potential recharge requirements. As a result, there is zero risk of the units running out of energy – and your project can go on unimpacted. In fact, this guarantees provision of the largest, most modern welfare facilities in the market.

Better still, the smart eco system features auto start/stop power management that enables users to easily control the usage of energy, avoid wastage and proactively manage the power supply without creating extra complications.

Don’t compromise on performance

The result is the best of both worlds: optimal silent, green running with bigger, better welfare facilities. And with unrivaled volumetric data and reporting from real sites performance, the benefits of our smart ECO systems can be quantified. A single week using the EcoXi instead of a standard welfare unit saves your site £163, 109 litres of fuel and reduces CO₂ emissions by 151 kg. 

This translates into dramatic savings on larger, longer projects. Using three units across sixteen weeks would save nearly £8,000, over 5,200 litres of fuel and over 7,000 kg of CO₂! Use our eco-calculator to estimate your energy savings:

TRY OUR ECO CALCULATOR

Like what you see?

Your site could make the switch within days, and start seeing measurable improvements to your ESG scores and bottom-line immediately.

For more opportunities to partner together, check out our other company, Access Hire Nationwide, the UK’s leading hirer of vehicle mounted access platforms. Kelling Group is a leading provider of specialist access, welfare and lighting equipment hire and services to key infrastructure and construction sectors.

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Three Ways Mobile Welfare Units Can Help Construction Firms Prepare for 2024

After a decline in project starts this year, experts predict the UK’s construction sector will see a 12% recovery in 2024. This will create huge opportunities for successful firms, but there will also be an increase in competition over contracts.

How can firms remain competitive, and what should they do today to win more contracts in 2024?

In this article, we explore three ways mobile welfare units can help firms in the new year:

1. Focus on ESG

The challenge:

Pressure to decarbonise construction supply chains and create a more sustainable way of working is nothing new. But 2024 will see Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) scores go from a growing concern to a crucial competitive advantage. 

Firms must already show their net zero commitments to bid on contracts worth £5 million or more, and the new year will only see this trend towards ESG-focused tenders grow, especially as the Government seeks to regulate ESG ratings agencies in January and produce more reliable, consistent measurements.

What you can do today:

ESG is inherently complex, but factors like adopting eco-friendly mobile welfare units and tower lights can only have a positive impact on your score. The EcoXLi is a perfect example: it runs on 100% solar power and uses next generation lithium battery cells to negate the need for a generator. But it also features a smart telemetry system to guarantee optimal usage of power, as well as rainwater harvesting to minimise water waste.

2. Invest in staff wellbeing

The challenge:

Two factors will converge to make staff wellbeing a priority in 2024: the ongoing mental health crisis in construction and talent shortages. A recent study found that over 50% of construction workers suffer with mental health issues, while 63% of trades are struggling to find new staff in the UK.

As a result, there will be an even greater premium on employee retention. Firms that attract and retain workers will be better equipped to deliver projects on time, and face fewer issues around shortages, absenteeism and low morale.

What you can do today:

There are many factors that influence staff wellbeing, from site safety to schedule flexibility. However, one of the most decisive is the quality, size and comfort of your on-site welfare units. 

Welfare Hire’s ECO XLi mobile welfare unit supports employee wellbeing and retention in several ways:

  • The XL internal space enables more staff to use units at the same time. This encourages team bonding and ensures important conversations around mental health can be conducted in a safe, comfortable environment.
  • Improved non-chemical XL wash facilities improve hygiene for smarter, safer working and cater for more dynamic workforces.
  • The investment in higher quality, technologically advanced welfare units signal to employees that you value their wellbeing.
CONTACT SALES TODAY

3. Build stronger supplier relations

The challenge:

With a large dip in output and an increase in project delays across 2023, the new year will see many firms racing to make up for lost time. The challenge then will be staying on schedule and keeping costs under control – both of which put firms at the mercy of their volatile supply chains.

The solution is to build more robust relationships with your suppliers, including everything from raw materials to strategic equipment like mobile welfare units. But how can firms achieve this?

What you can do today:

The key is to select suppliers that provide comprehensive support and treat the relationship as a partnership, collaborating to add further value.

At Welfare Hire, we take pride in the strength and durability of our customer relationships. From specialist support and dedicated services to strategic collaboration on how to deploy our mobile welfare units and tower lights most effectively on projects, we offer the kind of reliable, added value service our partners need.

Prepare for 2024 with Welfare Hire

Build a robust partnership with Welfare Hire to improve ESG and employee wellbeing – and support your tendering process in the new year.

CONTACT SALES TODAY

For more opportunities to partner together, check out our other company, Access Hire Nationwide, the UK’s leading hirer of vehicle mounted access platforms. Kelling Group is a leading provider of specialist access, welfare and lighting equipment hire and services to key infrastructure and construction sectors.