15.04.2019

HAE splits into two divisions

The UK rental association the Hire Association Europe - HAE- is to restructure into two divisions, in order “to capitalise on the success of its SafeHire Certification scheme, optimise revenue and improve the efficiency of its training and recruitment services.”

The new divisions – which will go ‘live’ at the start of June - are Membership Services, essentially the original association and a Certification Services division.

General manager Rupert Douglas-Jones will be promoted to executive director of Member Services, responsible for managing and running the trade association division, while Carl Bartlett joins the organisation as executive director of SafeHire Certification Services.
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Rupert Douglas-Jones

Bartlett is currently general manager of Lords Hire Centres, having joined the company as a hire centre manager from Youngs Rewinds in 1989, and moving into his current role in 1999.
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Carl Bartlett

At the same time managing director Graham Arundell becomes chief executive on a part time basis, overseeing implementation of the reorganisation, along with working on achieving UKAS accredited status for the SafeHire business.
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Graham Arundell

Arundell said: “It is now four years ago that SafeHire became an integral part of the HAE membership package and there has been a huge take up by businesses keen to demonstrate safety credentials. SafeHire provides an ongoing business improvement programme and for those firms who have successfully passed the audit, additional credibility in the supply chain for the building, construction and event industries.”

“To tap into the potential for further revenue growth in this area, which will be reinvested for the benefit of the hire industry, the board decided that SafeHire and other HAE certification schemes will be split from the membership services, which can now focus on developing programmes for recruitment, training and career development.”

“The HAE will initially focus on further developing the SafeHire process and income through collaboration with other trade bodies and schemes. The eventual aim is to achieve UKAS accreditation within 18 months, offering a number of ISO certifications to members and non-members alike. Another catalyst leading to the change is the concern over the future of the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) and the potential negative effect on training that the loss of its grant may have. This is due to the fact that hire companies will potentially no longer have access to comparable sources of training revenue and is specifically why HAE, as the industry’s representative body, saw it as imperative to take action and address these concerns.”

“By providing services that help to retain revenue within the industry, and as a not for profit organisation, HAE is in a unique position to help members reduce overhead costs associated with certification, redirecting any surplus generated back to the sector for its future benefit. The HAE intends to do this through the Certification Service for the benefit of all members.”