Sunbelt’s quick start
8 May 2024
A recent open day at Sunbelt Rentals’ Flooring Solutions depot in Sutton-in Ashfield near Mansfield was an opportunity to get an update on the progress this specialist business has made since the hirer introduced it been performing since its official launch six months ago.
The location is on the same site as Sunbelt’s Product Sales National Distribution Centre and is one of currently three Flooring Solutions branches, the others being at Heathrow (featured earlier on the blog) and Kettering. I understand that others are in the pipeline.
Nick Burman (pictured below), Flooring Solutions Depot Manager at Sutton-in-Ashfield, told me that the operation has made a strong start, supplying equipment over a wide area and even into Scotland.
“A number of surfacing contractors have told us they are able to take on more work as they can now hire additional specialist equipment as required.
“Customers also look to us for advice, often sending us pictures of sites and the materials they are working with, asking us to suggest what they need for cleaning and grinding floors, or removing surface coatings.”
Products highlighted at the open day included the Tennant S16 battery powered sweeper with a high-tip capability which can reduce manual handling. Sunbelt is Tennant’s preferred UK hire partner, with the manufacturer being Sunbelt’s preferred floor care supplier.
Also on show was the compact Helix 16in planetary grinder from National Flooring Equipment, a 110V model that can undertake grinding and polishing tasks. The machine can work to within 6mm of walls and it folds down for easy transportation.
A number of Husqvarna floor grinders and polishers were displayed. Grinders are available in the fleet with widths of 500mm, 600mm and 800mm, including pedestrian and remote control models such as the T5, RX6 and RX8.
These can be connected to Husqvarna’s dust collectors such as the T4000 and T7500 which have HEPA class filters.
Nick Burman (pictured seated below) is a product of Sunbelt’s apprenticeship scheme, having joined the business eight years ago (when it was branded A-Plant). Initially based at the company’s tool and equipment depot in Rotherham, he did a two-year apprenticeship in customer service before moving into the hirer’s specialist rail business at its Doncaster branch.
“I love the hire business,” he said. “I can’t imagine working in anything else now and we have a great team here. The funny thing is that no-one ever left school wanting to get into the hire industry but once you’re in it, you’re hooked.”
Photos: Alan Guthrie
