TRUCK and trailer rental firm Hireco, which is headquartered in Belfast’s Harbour Estate, has placed £13.5 million order with Toomebridge manufacturer SDC Trailers for 750 new trailers, the first of which will arrive at the end of February.
The Hireco group, which has a fleet of more than 5,000 trailers, has undergone a rapid growth in recent years, led by an ambitious growth strategy coupled with substantial investment in its fleet and a hi-tech customer management IT system.
Director Ricky Graham said: “These are positive times for the management and staff at Hireco and our sister company Serviceco. Over the past few years we've invested tens of millions into the business to ensure our fleet of trucks and trailers is up to date and in immaculate condition.
"We have ensured, through ambitious and strategically managed investment in IT and our fleet, that we are the best in our field, ensuring that our growing retinue of clients across the UK are well served.”
He added: “The key to our success is providing flexibility, offering the highest quality service possible, and ensuring that a range of different options is available to our customers, once they decide that contract hire is the best route forward for them.
"We can buy a customer's fleet and lease it back to them inclusive of maintenance. That's one solution that has worked for a lot of companies locally and in the UK. Our customers find that it frees up finance, is extremely tax efficient, and it provides peace of mind.”
SDC managing director Mark Cuskeran said: “We’ve been working with Hireco for almost 20 years now and are delighted to share in this announcement. We’ve watched and hopefully helped contribute to the success and growth of this outstanding company and we wish them every success as they continue their impressive growth.”
Hireco was established in 1971 and was then bought by Pat Carson & George Boyd in 1991 when they acquired the trailer rental business based in Belfast and owned by the O'Rourke coal distribution business. Back then, the fleet size was 65 units and turnover £400,000.
The company plans further growth, both within the Hireco and Serviceco brands (recently Serviceco invested £750,000 in installing and adapting IT systems to help it provide a speedy and cost efficient response to enquiries).
