Q&A: Tom Allen

8 July 2022

Tom Allen is managing director of TA Plant & Tool Hire in Stockton-on-Tees, which celebrated its first anniversary earlier this year. Previously, Tom spent 22 years at Allen Tool & Plant Hire, also located in the town, which was founded by his father in 1983. 

How’s business? 

It’s going from strength to strength and there is a lot of activity in the Teesside region, such as the massive Teesworks freeport project and associated infrastructure developments. 

What are some of the most recent additions you’ve made to the hire fleet? 

We bought some MHM Baby Lites which are compact, low-level units ideal for illuminating railway lines. You can put a generator on the back or run it from an electrical supply. Another recent addition is a dustless saw from Multiquip for cutting porcelain. We’ve also added scaffold trolleys from Permaquip for contractors to erect GRP aluminium towers for work under railway bridges. We’ve actually supplied them for a project in London – we’re certainly getting around. 

What do you think are the main challenges facing the industry? 

Hire rates. The cost of equipment and everything else is rising and customers have to realise that rates simply can’t remain at their old levels. Machines with Stage V engines, for example, are considerably more expensive. Rising costs are also a concern: builders are telling me that some homeowners are postponing having extensions done because of higher prices, and the change from red to white diesel is also making projects more expensive. 

What’s the most unusual hire request you’ve ever received?

I once supplied some IBC fuel tanks and pressure testing equipment for an oil rig project in Africa. Another project closer to home was when I hired out a 15kVA generator to power lights on a ship as it carefully passed under the Gateshead Millennium Bridge at night. But the crew forgot to lift it off to give it back - and cruised right on to Norway. It ended up being on hire for three months, but when we checked the hour meter the machine had only been run for 33 minutes! 

What annoys you? 

Sales reps who don’t know their products. And customers who don’t show loyalty even when you’ve solved an emergency for them at 2am on a Sunday morning. 

What was your favourite school subjects?

I didn’t enjoy school much but I liked English. It was fascinating to learn how you could relate Shakespeare to the modern world. And basic maths was very useful in getting a job. 

How did you get into the industry? 

I was born into it! My father Paul founded Allen Plant & Tool Hire, having worked in the hire operation of a large construction and civil engineering firm which went out of business. He bought some of their machines and set up the company in 1983 with my uncle. I finished an engineering apprenticeship and joined in 1998, although I used to work for the business at weekends and during school holidays. When he sold it and retired in December 2020, I decided to set up TA Plant & Tool Hire.  

If things had been different, what other career might you have chosen?

Probably a welder. 

What’s the best piece of advice that you would pass on to others?

You can’t buy experience from a supermarket. 

Tell me a surprising fact about yourself or the business.

One of my passions is a particular Canadian red wine. It’s not easy to get hold of but I tasted some at a vineyard while on holiday there once. It cost the equivalent of £20 just to try a sample, but I couldn’t believe how good it was. It's called Mission Hills Oculus, a Bordeaux-style wine. Incredible. 

Anything else? 

Our corporate colour is pink. I was on holiday in New Zealand 15 years ago and saw some pink hire equipment on a site which really stood out. I thought, if ever I set up my own business, that’s the colour I’ll choose.

What’s the best part of your job?

The feeling you get when you help a customer in an emergency or on a rush job and they are really appreciative. 

Do you follow a particular sport or team? 

The mighty Middlesbrough FC. It’s my home town. 

What new skill would you like to learn?

A second language, maybe French. It would be so useful on holidays. I’d also like to learn to ski – but I just couldn’t afford to be off work with an injury. 

What’s the secret of success? 

Hard work, put the hours in and understand your customer base. 

What would you do if you won the lottery?

Buy some more machines! And have a good holiday in Canada. 

Picture shows Tom with a Shindaiwa PowerCenter 15 generator and an Eco300 welder generator from the hire fleet.