When the answer’s YES
8 November 2023
Here’s a story illustrating what makes working in the hire industry so rewarding – and perhaps why Artificial Intelligence won’t be replacing frontline jobs any time soon.
Last Sunday morning, David Johnstone, MD of Your Equipment Solutions based in Falkirk, took a call at home on his mobile from a desperate contractor who was faced with what he described as a catastrophe.
He was working at a hotel in Glasgow and a large valve on the second floor had burst, causing a torrent of water to cascade through the building.
“He phoned at 11:17am and by 12:29pm we had opened up the Falkirk depot, loaded up and were on our way,” David told me. “They couldn’t come to pick up the equipment because they didn’t want to leave the site.”
Besides David, the YES response team included colleagues Alex Johnstone (David’s brother), son Ryan and son-in-law Connor Friel.
“The contractor had tried several other hire companies who weren’t answering on a Sunday morning. However, he plays for a team at Falkirk Rugby Club, which YES sponsors, and he remembered seeing our company’s signs at the ground so he rang us.
“We supplied a dozen dehumidifiers, pumps, fans, wet vacs, transformers, leads and other items, and they’ll be out on hire for some time,” said David.
It was a particularly praiseworthy effort from Alex and Connor as, earlier that morning and the previous evening, they had been supplying lighting towers and equipment for a local council firework display in Falkirk.
“But quite honestly, we enjoyed doing it because that sort of response is what hire is all about,” said David. “It revolves around unplanned events and finding the solutions. And people often don’t buy equipment because they know they will get that sort of response, as well as not having to test and maintain the kit and worry about utilisation.”
Now then: could Artificial Intelligence mobilise such a rapid and competent response, and in less than 75 minutes?
● David tells me that the second YES depot in Dundee, which opened 15 months ago, is performing so well that the company is actively seeking larger premises for it.
