Uniting the hire industry

I recently attended the  Executive Hire Show in Coventry along with members of our leadership team. It’s fair to say that footfall was a little lower than last year, reflecting the challenging period the hire industry is going through. But there were plenty of positives, and one of the biggest for me was officially joining Hire United.

This is a brand-new association of passionate independent hire companies from across the country. I’ll be working closely with MDs and senior leaders, sharing knowledge, tackling industry challenges, and driving positive change together. And there are some real, practical benefits to this.

1. Cross-hiring of Equipment

One major advantage is the ability to cross-hire. If a Hire United member has a client working in London or the Home Counties, they can pass orders to us. Likewise, if one of our customers has a job in Birmingham, Bristol, or Manchester, we now have a trusted network to support them. The idea is simple: together, we’re stronger, and by working collaboratively, we can help customers avoid national hire companies – who often don’t share the same service ethos as independent firms like ours.

2. Collective Buying Power & Industry Insights

Another big benefit is leveraging relationships with top industry suppliers – both in terms of shared insights and negotiating better deals. With 17 members and over 50 depots across the UK, we already have significant buying power, and as more independents join, we’ll be in an even stronger position to compete with national hire companies in what is still a highly fragmented sector.

Looking Ahead

My hope is that Hire United becomes an extension of our own team – a community of like-minded hirers who support each other, share knowledge, and collectively grow stronger. As the network expands, so do the benefits – whether that’s better service for our customers, smarter buying decisions, or simply having a stronger voice in the industry.

It’s an exciting project, and we’re fully committed to making it a success.

Neil Graham – Managing Director of The Hireman

Image: Hire United members

Image: Executive Hire Show 2025