Supermarket sweep

25 May 2021

We’ve heard much about supermarkets adapting to provide more online shopping opportunities and the trend is having spin-offs for some hirers. 

EPS Hire Centres, which has depots at Sowerby Bridge and Mytholmroyd in Yorkshire, has won long-term business from contractors working at stores operated by several chains across a large region. 

“They’re installing home delivery hubs at many sites,” director Jason Fielden tells me. “They’re taking diggers, dumpers and much more equipment typically for 20-week periods and then moving on to the next location. 

“For some years we’ve also served another contractor who maintains supermarket sites, repairing tiles and barriers, installing signs and the like. They hire a package of equipment like Hilti angle grinders and breakers with vacuums and dust collection attachments for clean working, plus plaster mixers and other items.” 

Like many other hirers, Jason says that demand for equipment is strong across the board. “Our four-wheel drive cherry pickers are in and out constantly and we’re buying more Takeuchi diggers when we can – but we still hardly have enough to meet demand.

“We’re also supplying mixers, floor sanders, compaction plates – it’s never been so busy. And people are spending a lot on home improvements and extensions.”