03.06.2005

Hewden integrates further

Hewden has announced the promotion of Brian Sherlock, operations director of Hewden plant and tool since January, to “managing director of Hewden”.

In his new role Sherlock will be responsible for overseeing all aspects of the Hewden business including delivering the company’s objective to be a “total rental solutions provider” and ensure consistency of service across all sectors. Developing the ‘One Hewden’ strategy.
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Brian Sherlock Hewden managing Director

At the same time Martin Hender, general manager of Hewden cranes and Access has been promoted to General manager of contract services and lifting.

Hender’s new role includes Cranes, Access, Accommodation, Hoists and Power. His key priority in the coming months will be to “develop the nationwide offering by delivering increased synergy and consistency across these areas, and greater clarity of communication with plant and tool hire”.
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Martin Hender, general manager contract services and lifing

Mike Penn continues as Director of Sales & Marketing, reporting to Sherlock.

Hewden’s executive board will continue to be chaired by Nick Lloyd, Managing Director of Finning Group (UK) and includes Brian Sherlock, Mike Penn and Bob Netherway, Finance Director.

“This announcement is in line with the ‘One Hewden’ strategy outlined at the end of last year. With a more focused and streamlined approach to the different business units we are becoming ever closer to our customer’s needs" said Brian Sherlock.
See Hewden announcre major changes Jan 4 click here
Hewden detail plant and tool merger May 9thlink[/en/stories.php?id=1541](click here)
Vertikal Comment:

Finning is moving Hewden steadily towards being a single entity, in its aim to eliminate duplication of backroom and other support functions, not to mention locations. It recognises though that the specialist Crane and Access rental businesses are different to plant and tool hire and that an immediate and forced integration could damage them.

However the bi monthly restructuring announcements since January, without a clear statement of the ultimate goal, can hardly be settling?

Combining specialist hire businesses with general rental is not at all easy, few if any companies have succeeded in doing it at all, let alone well. Powered access has been combined with general rental, albeit within specialist divisions, by companies such as HSS, Ashtead and the larger American rental companies.

I can not think of a single company anywhere that has truly managed to combine crane hire with tool hire, but I am sure someone somewhere has done it?

Just about every aspect of these specialist businesses is different: from the expertise required of the staff, to the way the service is sold, delivered and supported, not to mention the size and location of depots.

Hewden are wise to be taking the integration of its specialist divisions carefully, but in order to risk spoiling them by a thousand reorganisations, it might be better to publish its long term integration strategy in a very clear and concise format, that all employees and customers can understand.