Q&A: Kirsty Archbold-Laming
12 March 2021
As we near the end of the week in which International Women’s Day was celebrated, it’s fitting that Kirsty Archbold-Laming is my Q&A interviewee today. She is a Director of the specialist hirer, Southern Hoist Services, part of the Claude Fenton Group, which is based near Southampton and serves clients nationwide. Kirsty joined the business in 1993 and now also sits on several industry committees and groups. Despite having minimal free time, she has a remarkable number of interests…
How’s business?
Busy! Following the initial lockdown in March 2020 and subsequent social distancing issues, I believed we would be in for a quiet time and prepared for the worst. However, as the construction industry was deemed essential and works were allowed to continue, we, like other hirers, were able to support them. We have actually had our busiest 12 months in the company’s history. I’m thankful to be in this industry and I feel for those in travel, hospitality, etc who aren’t so fortunate, but hopefully there are brighter times ahead.
What products are in particular demand at the moment?
We offer a wide range of equipment including small goods hoists, transport platforms and passenger/goods hoist. Generally they are all very busy at the moment, but the larger transport platforms are in greatest demand. We have supplied these since 2004 when we saw a niche market for certain projects, given the tie loadings and electrical consumption compared against a traditional passenger/goods hoist. They include Geda, Maber and Alimak models and, with the current regulations on social distancing, these have provided good solutions with their larger cages and open sides for ventilation.
What are you most proud of in the past 12 months?
I have great pride in all that we accomplish, but we carried out the installation of two passenger hoists at Wentworth Woodhouse, a stately home in Rotherham that was being restored. The machines gave the public access to view the works. Another achievement was negotiating travel and transport during the pandemic to install a large transport platform in Amsterdam. Ultimately, I am most proud of how our team has weathered the storm over the last year. They have performed above what is asked of them and rallied together to ensure the safety of the company and each other.
What is the biggest challenge facing your business or the wider industry?
The training of hoist installers. Because the market is much smaller than many other trades, it is hard for people to achieve the necessary qualifications. A wider problem across the industry is attracting young people to work in construction. It still has the stigma that it’s a dirty, manually intensive job, but this is not the case any more and there are many avenues to explore. I worry for the future of the industry but I hope that, with more companies taking on apprentices, this will start to fill the gap.
And what’s the biggest opportunity?
To grow the business further, adding new items to our expanding fleet and always looking for that new niche market.
Who or what inspires you?
Anyone who has overcome personal issues to achieve their goals, despite being deterred by others. They make your own problems very trivial in comparison and encourage you to strive to succeed.
What annoys/frustrates you?
Apart from gents leaving the toilet seat up (!), people who blame others for their mistakes - take responsibility for your own actions!
How do you relax after a hard day?
That really only happens when I go to bed. I’ve got a busy life after work with the family, but ideally I’m curled up watching some crime documentary on Netflix.
What was your favourite school subject?
Art and music – still my passions today, when I have time. I learned to play keyboards and I love the paintings of Salvador Dali.
How did you get into the industry?
Accidentally! After leaving school, I had an interview to become a mechanical engineer working on helicopters. They put a nut and a bolt on the table and asked me to say what they were – which I did, adding firmly that I thought they were patronising me as a female. I failed the interview but soon afterwards saw an ad in the Job Centre for an administrative position with Southern Hoists. The rest, as they say, is history. I gradually took on more and more tasks and responsibilities - I even got promoted while I was technically on maternity leave. I fell in love with this industry because no two days are the same and there’s certainly never a dull moment! After 28 years in the business I can’t really imagine doing any other job now.
But say things had been different: what other career might you have chosen?
Many things! Originally I wanted to be a hairdresser/beautician on a cruise ship, then a lawyer (I watched too much L.A. Law and thought I was the next Harry Hamlin!), then a graphic designer. If I could sing I would have been a rock star…
What’s the best piece of advice that you’ve ever been given, or that you would pass on to others?
Always treat people how you wish to be treated and never end the day on an angry note. Tomorrow is another day, be thankful for that.
Tell me a surprising fact about yourself.
I have a keen interest in forensics and crime scene investigation. I’m fascinated by how detectives actually solve cases. I’m currently doing an online diploma in forensic science - again eating into my very little spare time, but I’ve only got three modules to go. The last assignment involved taking fingerprints and analysing them.
Do you follow a particular sport and/or team?
My husband Ade would say Pompey football club [Portsmouth] as he’s a lifelong fan and I follow them too, but I do prefer rugby – that’s a real game! I have been lucky enough to attend many England matches over the last few years, including a dinner with the team at Twickenham after they played Japan in 2018.
What new skill would you like to learn?
To play guitar. I recently purchased a beautiful red six-string acoustic number and hopefully when lockdown ends I might be able to sign up for local lessons. My daughter Izzy, 12, has been learning guitar for two years and we aim to form our own little band calling ourselves the Flaming Lamings! I also love photography and if I had the time would like to learn more about that.
What are you most looking forward to once life returns to normal?
Hugs with everyone! I’m definitely a hugger, as many people will know, and that has been a real frustration throughout. I’m also looking forward to being able to visit family and friends, and get back to going to gigs, another interest.
What’s the secret of success?
Service, service, service! If you can’t be at the beck and call of your clients 24/7, then you won’t succeed. I have many customers who are also friends now after steadily building business relationships. No matter what time of day, even when I’m on holiday, I always have time to speak with clients. Keeping that personal touch helps build success.
Also important is enjoying a good relationship with competitors. As the chair of CHIG (CPA’s Hoist Industry Group), I have found that we can often help each other and build strong contacts with many businesses. I’m also on the CPA Council, IPAF’s MCWP & Hoist committee and a BSI committee. We can all learn from each other and improve the industry.
Finally, is there anything you would like to add about the business, the current trading outlook or future plans?
Transport platforms are not a new product although some people might think that as more companies in the UK are buying them for hire. We cottoned onto these in the early stages back in 2004 and have been instrumental in developing a specific model with Geda. We have championed them in the UK as a niche market. Also, with current interest in re-cladding following the Grenfell Tower fire, as well as on new builds, we are looking at possibly including mast-climbers in our fleet due to the number of enquiries we receive.
• Previously on the blog I reported on Penny, a Geda 300 Z transport platform in the Southern Hoist Services fleet which has been painted bright pink (pictured below). 20% of Penny’s hire revenue goes to breast cancer charities, and you can also donate to this very worthy cause at a new JustGiving page here.
