During the coronavirus pandemic, plant hire deliveries and collections have continued across the UK. BPH Plant Hire has introduced transformative changes that constitute a brand new way of working.
The Sussex based plant hire business continues to remain open with a core team at each branch. The services they provide to the construction industry are critical to making sure that UK infrastructure stays operational during the national response to coronavirus.
BPH has taken numerous steps to mitigate the effects of COVID-19 from their normal business operations, working to ensure their customers can expect continued provision of the same great service.
On site, hand sanitiser dispensers and anti-bacterial hand wash have been provided at entry and exit points of depots, prominent personal hygiene and social distancing signs are on display, and screens have been installed at counters and desks. Staff are also required to wear face masks, and drivers have been equipped with appropriate PPE and face visors.
Customers can rest assured that plant hire tools and equipment are cleaned and sanitised to the highest standards prior to site delivery, with contactless deliveries and collections as standard.
Interestingly, BPH has noticed changes in their customer base over the last two months, with an increase in short hire domestic customers and smaller contractors during lockdown, and a decrease in demand for excavator ranges typically used for house builds.
Simon Bastable, Director at BPH, puts this change down to a drop in confidence. He said: “Whilst we’ve had more interest from domestic clients, the larger house building sites have almost ground to a halt, with house builders reluctant to begin new developments until they are certain of demand.”
So how will the plant industry change after the pandemic? Simon shares his perspective: “Certainly from a communications point of view, things will change. I think lots of business owners have had to employ a new way of working that will carry over once normal business resumes, including sales and admin staff working from home, and arranging meetings through conference calls and over video. From the customers’ perspective, I think the demand for self drive hires over operated hire will skyrocket due to lower requirements for staff on site.
“BPH has been lucky in that we’ve been able to keep going during a time of crisis. We’ll be sustaining these new business changes for the foreseeable future in order to ensure we continue to serve and support our valued customers.”
