Q&A: Pat McCluskey
2 July 2021
Pat McCluskey is managing director of the independent hirer, Hireline, which currently has its main depot near Dalkeith, just east of Edinburgh, with a second in Linlithgow to the west. It offers a broad range of tools and equipment, and plant up to 9 tonnes, serving customers in Edinburgh, East Lothian, West Lothian, Midlothian, the Scottish Borders, Fife and across the Central Belt. Pat is pictured with his youngest son, Finn.
How did you get into the industry?
I applied for a job with Selwood as a hire controller 25 years ago and I’ve stayed in the industry since then.
How’s business at the moment?
Manic. Since February our turnover has been increasing each month with an average 20% rise. Getting kit to satisfy the demand is challenging but we’re just about managing. What’s also testing is that there are more short term hires than ever and the turnaround of kit from one hire to the next is making it logistically difficult. But I’d like to think we’re managing and keeping our core customers happy.
Are any markets or sectors particularly strong?
I think everything is busy, but house building in our main catchment areas of East and Midlothian has gone through the roof in the last year.
What are some of the most recent additions you’ve made to the hire fleet?
Micro, 2.5-tonne and 9-tonne diggers and telehandlers most recently, but we have already added 85 pieces of kit in 2021 from cut-off saws to more 9-tonne diggers. We have now passed the 50 mini diggers mark [the current number is up to 54] and our fleet of plant is now much bigger than I ever thought possible, to be perfectly honest.
What equipment did you supply for the three most recent hire orders you received?
Two welfare units, 1.5 and 2.5-tonne excavators, 1-tonne and 6-tonne dumpers and a telehandler.
What do you think are the main challenges facing the industry?
Supply of kit is an issue across the board just now. We’ve gone from being able to get kit pretty much the same day to ordering months in advance. I also think there is almost certainly going to be more of an emphasis on going green long-term, so a transition to electric machines may start to happen in the next few years.
What’s the oddest or most challenging hire request you’ve ever received?
Our biggest customer had a big job in Braemar [that’s near Balmoral Castle in Aberdeenshire and at the heart of the Cairngorms, for those south of the border – AG] a couple of years ago in the depths of winter, so being from the relatively calm east coast, having to organise deliveries around the snow gates was interesting. We sent a driver to collect some equipment and he got back just before the roads became blocked.
What annoys/frustrates you?
This might be controversial and I’m sorry if it upsets anyone but it frustrates me that Scotland is being governed by a government we don’t vote for, and it’s the same with regard to Brexit. I think Brexit is a big factor in the shortage of supplies of steel and other materials.
What was your favourite school subject?
PE and particularly football. I could play in any position but I liked being in defence. I also liked history and I found studying World War II fascinating.
If things had been different, what other career might you have chosen?
If I’d been good enough, a footballer. I’ve done a good amount of coaching over the years with Celtic and Hibernian, and I once actually flirted with the idea of selling Hireline and doing that full time. I even started a coaching business a few years ago in Musselburgh. I didn’t have the time to keep at it but I’m glad to say the business is still going and doing well.
What’s the best piece of advice that you’ve ever been given, or that you would pass on to others?
To treat people the way you expect to be treated yourself. One of my dad’s friends had a very successful career with KwikFit, which prides itself on excellent customer service and treating staff well, and he told me this when I was given my first managerial job with Selwood.
Tell me a surprising fact about yourself or the business.
This is the second Hireline. I worked for the original business based in Musselburgh. Long story short, when I decided to start Hireline as we are now, the previous guys were good enough to allow me to use the name which helped get us up and running quite quickly. We started in 2010 in the middle of the recession while I was recovering from testicular cancer. I think when I told friends and family what I was planning, they thought I was crazy. But Hireline is doing well and hopefully we will continue this way.
Do you follow a particular sport and/or team?
Most who know me would say Celtic and I would agree, but in all honesty it’s more what my sons do that is my passion now. My eldest, Niall (18), is an aspiring wrestler, while my youngest, Finn (9) loves his football (I coach the team, Musselburgh Windsor FC). However, at the moment, Finn’s main passion is golf and he’s doing very well. So I spend most of my time making sure the boys get to where they need to be and supporting them.
What music/performers do you enjoy listening to?
Stone Roses and Oasis.
What new skill would you like to learn?
Not a new skill really, but I would like to become a better golfer. Let’s call it consistency on the golf course.
What’s the secret of success?
People. If you have good people around you, then you stand a chance and I’m fortunate to have a great team at Hireline.
What would you do if you won the lottery?
Move to Florida. We holiday there every year (at least, we did before Covid). The weather is great and so are the golf courses.
Finally, is there anything you would like to add about the business, the current trading outlook or future plans?
I’m hopeful that the upward trend continues but also wary that the bubble could burst with all the uncertainty regarding kit, materials etc. We have opened a satellite depot now in Linlithgow and, while it’s been a challenge to get it going, I’d like to think we can make it work. With an impending move of our main depot to East Lothian, I would eventually like to operate from three premises in central Scotland. I’m not expecting to move to Glasgow as it’s a bit saturated through the west, so we may spread our net across the east coast if I can make it work that way.
