And finally, Sir Trevor Mcdonald was on hand to congratulate Speedy Hire for winning the EIM Marketing Strategy of the Year award on November 13 for its health and safety work.
Staff from the UK provider of tool and equipment hire services, based in Newton- in-Willows, received the award in front of 1,200 business leaders at London's Grosvenor House Hotel.
Speedy Hire's strategy highlighted how marketing can successfully get serious messages across to improve health and safety.
Speedy Hire's marketing strategy was to better align itself to its customer base and supply chain. It set its stall out as the number one hire company for health and safety. Its 'safety from the ground up' strategy was borne from the findings of independent research it commissioned. Undertaken to uncover how much understanding
industry professionals had of new regulations at the equipment user level, its results revealed that only 33% cent of operatives were reporting any awareness.
Now in its third year and primarily targeted at construction workers, it aims to increase the awareness of risk and promote safer practice when working. It has focused on a variety of issues, including dust control, Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome and the dangers of working at height. This integrated campaign makes use of communication packs, training and road shows and its 'Tool Box Talks' reached those with literacy problems and the growing number of foreign workers whose first language is not English. As a result it has grown market share to an impressive 27%, doubling it in less than five years.
Speedy Hire supplies to contractors, builders and the public sector from over 500 UK depots.
Speedy Hire was one of two firms from the construction industry honoured with gongs at the National Business Awards, which celebrated the efforts of 18 firms. Port Talbot-based GenSet won the Customer Focus award. GenSet is a supplier of portable generators, welders, pumps, lighting towers and accommodation units.
The National Business Awards is open to organisations of all sizes and from any industry sector and is designed to show off the best British businesses.