Network expansion strategy


Mini cranes, glass lifting and powered access hire company Hird has expanded its network by opening a new depot in the West Midlands.

The company’s Western Operational Hub on the Hayes Trading Estate in Halesowen, West Midlands, will offer a full range of mini cranes, glass lifting equipment, access platforms and training courses.

It fills a strategic gap in Hird’s hire network, the company said, allowing the company to offer its services more easily in Birmingham and the West Midlands and throughout the west of England along the M5, M6, M40 and M54 corridors.

The new depot has 20,000ft2 of indoor space for storage and machine maintenance, and is the regional centre for the company’s industrial training services.

Hird managing director Phil Hird said: “We’re located just 10 minutes from the M5 with fantastic transport connections throughout central and west England and into Wales, so we’re excited to take this opportunity now.

“The Covid-19 pandemic complicated our planning, but we’ve overcome this, and our new depot is part of much longer-term strategic plans, so we’re confident that expanding at this time is the right thing to do.”

Hird has appointed Alan Peck as its area manager in the West Midlands.

“Hird is bringing an unrivalled range of hire services and lifting expertise to the region, which has been welcomed by current customers and a fast-growing number of new ones,” he said.

“We’re stocking a complete range of new machines, lifting equipment and training expertise on site so we can quickly fulfil the requirements of our customers. The West Midlands is still the industrial heart of the UK so there is huge potential.

“We’re already ordering additional equipment to increase our fleet size as our stocks are been so highly utilised. Also, our ability to offer a one-stop solution to customers has seen our training courses become fully-booked within days.”