Redpath has it covered

25 August 2020

Far from lowering Alan Redpath’s profile, the need to wear face coverings to reduce the spread of Covid-19 has positively raised it.

Alan is managing director of Redpath Tool Hire in the small Scottish Borders town of Duns. He has invested in some branded snoods (a more versatile face covering which doubles as a neck warmer, pictured below) to offer to customers, combining safety protection with a marketing message.

“They’re going down like a dream. I knew they were a success when I went to the local supermarket and saw three other people wearing them!” he said when we spoke a few days after the company’s fourth anniversary.

Setting business records

The business stayed open during the lockdown to serve essential sites. In April, hire revenue equalled the company’s record month last November, then in May sales revenue set another record, and June exceeded April.

“We were also serving many homeowners who were tackling jobs while furloughed. They were hiring compaction plates, mixers, pressure washers and alloy towers, often just for a single day or half day, and our cash flow has never been as good.

“Several other hire companies have also closed depots near to us and we have picked up more business as a result. April saw a monthly record in the number of new accounts added,” he said.

More sites reopening

“Demand is now for equipment across the board, from garden machinery to diggers and dumpers,” said Alan, who has previously worked for A-Plant (now Sunbelt Rentals), Speedy and GAP. “Business is growing now that more sites are reopening in Scotland.”

Redpath Tool Hire also has a thriving retail operation, which I plan to mention in a future blog post.

The business serves a wide area, chiefly in the Borders region, but has customers as far afield as Stirling. And Alan tells me there is potential for opening more Redpath depots in the future.