hire news
HAE EHA Wins Gold for Battle Against Virus The vital support that Hire Association Europe and Event Hire Association (HAE EHA) provided to its members during the Covid-19 pandemic has been recognised at the prestigious National Association Awards 2021. CEO Paul Gaze and Marketing Project Lead Stuart Tyrrell collected the Gold for Best Covid Response award at the Copthorne Tara Hotel in Kensington on behalf of the organisation for members who hire or manufacture plant, tools and event equipment. Hosted by Sky TV sports presenter and entertainer Jonny Nelson, the audience represented trade associations from a huge variety of UK industry sectors. HAE EHA was on the front foot from the start of the first lockdown of the pandemic, creating a Covid-19 Response Team and becoming the go-to place for information, guidance and news, with numerous resources to help hire companies both small and large to understand
what was happening, how it affected them, and where they could turn to for help. In addition to Covid-19 email updates, HAE EHA supplied dedicated newsletters and communications carrying links to key information on the HAE EHA website, gov.uk, or to funding sources, political statements, guidance on HR and SSP, and message templates helping members to deliver information to their own customers. Covid-19 Response Workshops were also organised and held virtually using webinar platforms for numerous essential subjects. These covered mental health and wellbeing, practical guidance on social distancing, developing business resilience, event hire practical guidance and other related subjects - all designed to assist members during the crisis. Many businesses in the tool, plant, and equipment hire sector either remained open or have since reopened operations for customers after lockdowns. HAE EHA
lobbied the UK Governments during the pandemic to help ensure that hire and rental was deemed as essential retail, implementing appropriate measures to minimise the spread of infection, including social distancing and hygiene arrangements. The hire industry was rarely singled out in any of the government guidance or legislation, rather it was referenced in the broader context of construction, so HAE EHA says it was vital to cut through the generalisations and highlight the relevant matters to its members. Paul Gaze said: “Our response to the pandemic demonstrates a true understanding of our members and the people who work in hire. This award reflects the efforts of our member-led board and staff to deliver critical support for the hire industry during the most challenging times that most of us have ever faced. We are delighted that this has been recognised nationally in what has been a real team effort.” This could be the first half of a sensational double, as HAE EHA has also entered the Best Membership Support During Covid-19 category in the Association Excellence Awards, being held on October 7th at the Kia Oval in London.
CPA Announces Future Stars of the Construction Plant Sector The Construction Planthire Association (CPA) has announced the construction plant sector’s future stars at one of the industry’s first live events following the COVID pandemic. Over 220 people attended the CPA Stars of the Future Awards 2021 hosted at the Heart of England Conference and Events Centre in Fillongley near Coventry. Despite the many challenges that employers, training providers and apprentices have faced over recent months due to the pandemic, the CPA received almost 70 nominations for Stars of the Future this year. This represents one of the highest ever entry figures in the awards programme’s nine year history. On the day, the top accolades were won by: • National Plant Mechanic of the Year (Level 2) - Dean Johnston of Liebherr and NSCG Stafford College • National Plant Technician of the Year (Level 3) - Luke Thornton of GGR Group and Activate Apprenticeships • Plant Operative of the Year - Jim Baraclough of L Lynch Plant Hire • Plant Installer of the Year - Liam Basson of Falcon Tower Crane Services
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(L-R): National Plant Technician of the Year Luke Thornton of GGR Group, Judges’ Special Award Winner Lucy O’Rourke of Sunbelt Rentals, Hire Controller of the Year Amy Wicks of L Lynch Plant Hire, Plant Installer of the Year Liam Basson of Falcon Tower Crane Services, Best Personal Statement Winner Beth Doel of HSS, Plant Operative of the Year Jim Baraclough of L Lynch Plant Hire and National Plant Mechanic of the Year Dean Johnston of Liebherr.
• Hire Controller of the Year Amy Wicks of L Lynch Plant Hire • Best Personal Statement - Beth Doel of HSS and Reaseheath College • Judges’ Special Award - Lucy O’Rourke of Sunbelt Rentals and Reaseheath College Kevin Minton, Chief Executive of the CPA said: “The standard of entries for Stars of the Future this year was exceptional and we were delighted to welcome the nominees and winners to the awards ceremony and congratulate them in person.
The judges really had a difficult task choosing the winners, and it was reassuring to see that the future of the construction plant sector really is in safe hands.” Stars of the Future is a national awards scheme for apprentices and trainees in the construction plant-hire industry, organised by the CPA, the leading trade association for the plant-hire sector in the UK. The CPA has over 1,700 members who supply 85% of hired plant to the construction industry. The CPA Stars of the Future awards are intended to recognise
and reward outstanding apprentices and trainees who not only bring ability and commitment to their learning and their work, but also possess those extra capabilities which mark them out as being not only the foundations of the future of the industry, but also potentially its leaders - the Stars of the Future. Stars of the Future has expanded significantly from its origins of rewarding and recognising Plant Mechanics. Several national titles are now awarded and nominations have been made by training providers, plant-hire companies, manufacturers, contractors and others operating in the construction plant sector with apprentices and trainees in their workforce. The awards categories reflect the key occupations in the plant industry, and correspond with apprenticeships that are available, including new ‘Trailblazer’ apprenticeships in England. A new category for 2021 was Plant Installer of the Year. As well as receiving national recognition, Stars of the Future winners won a number of prizes on the day, including Snap-on tool kits, training courses, iPads, vouchers and an all-expenses paid trip to Germany to visit a Liebherr crane manufacturing plant.
