SHB Hire announces some depots to open 24 hours

SHB will to extend the working hours at some of its depots, with the change being implemented immediately at the company’s Airdrie branch. 

The decision was made in-line with the business’s continued growth that has seen an increase in hire bookings and subsequently turnover for the past five years.

Last year, saw SHB complete more than 115,000 vehicle movements (on hire and off hires combined). To allow SHB to keep up with this rapid growth and to reduce our customer’s vehicle downtime in relation to maintenance, it said it was necessary to increase operating hours, particularly in locations such as Airdrie and Heathrow where expansion to the size of the facilities was not a viable option.

“Recognising that a number of our branches are currently at capacity and with us being unable to increase the size of these depots it was decided that we would look to increase our operating hours to help keep up with the demand,” explained Duncan Scillitoe SHB’s national operations manager.

“This latest move will enable us to continue to support our customers with their every vehicle hire requirement and also outlines our flexibility and willingness to adapt.”

SHB will be rolling out the permanent extension of hours across a number of depots throughout 2018, however, some of its larger depots will likely remain with their current operating hours of 8am – 6pm, Monday to Friday, and 8am-12noon on Saturdays.

“Demand will dictate the depots chosen to become 24 hour,” said Scillitoe. “We have already identified our Airdrie and Heathrow branches as two locations that operations and customers would benefit from these extended hours.

“Any depots to follow suit will be announced in the near future following a review of how Airdrie and Heathrow’s changed hours are working and based on customers operational requirements.”

The extension of operating hours follows on from additional depot acquisitions in Gloucester and Exeter as well as the purchase of Acklea, a supplier of Traffic Management equipment.

The national vehicle hire and management firm is continually looking to add to its 16 depots across the UK and it is hoped that additional locations will be secured in order to further support its large customer base across all corners of the country.