Site for the new normal

24 August 2020

I’m impressed by the new HSC Group (Hire Supply Company) website. It’s been designed so that it meets many of the new ways in which people are now working.

Previously the Group had two separate sites, one for HSC and the other for HSC MSC (formerly Midland Power, which was acquired in 2013). The latter specialises in garden machinery and engine spares. Now hirers only need to visit one site and manage one set of paperwork, but there is now more functionality.

In the post-Covid new normal, people are ordering more online and seeking more items from one source, so the site’s launch could hardly be better timed.

Diverse items

Group Marketing Director John McGhee tells me that hirers have indeed been ordering many diverse items in one fell swoop since the site went live.

“One recent order comprised a fume extractor, ducting, some strimmer line, engine oil, spark plugs, filters, evaporative coolers and pressure washers.  Everything hirers need is in one place.”

Products are conveniently displayed along with technical specifications, manuals, Health & Safety documentation, associated equipment, parts lists and, in many cases, videos showing machines in operation.

‘Wish list’ facility

The site also has a ‘wish list’ facility, whereby users can email colleagues with details of products they are interested in.

“With more people working remotely, this enables them to quickly share the information with co-workers and buyers,” says John. “It’s a smarter way of working.”

HSC says it has seen greater demand for materials handling equipment like its Beamlifter (below), which reduces the need for two-person lifting and faciitates physical distancing.

I’m also told that a good number of new products from HSC are in the pipeline, ready for the autumn and winter months.