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Big expansions plans are on the cards for Ireland’s biggest plant hire group HSS/Laois Hire. Expansion plans The HSS/Laois Hire Group is an award-winning tool and equipment hire company, providing a complete equipment management and hire service to big businesses, trade and DIY customers since 1957. As the only nationwide hire company, HSS/ Laois Hire Group has an established network of 24 hire branches and supercentres across Ireland and has recently launched two new branches in Ballymena and Galway. In addition, the company says it plans to open a further seven branches this year. Having such a large network of depots nationwide makes smooth, commercial and financial sense for BAM Construction’s Plant Purchasing Manager, Brian Behan. “It’s a huge benefit. Wherever we are they’re within a stone’s throw,” he says, adding that, in a business where safety is paramount, “HSS, Hire Service Group is second to none”. Investing in the fleet Michael Killeen, managing director of HSS Hire Ireland, Scotland and Isle of Man and the Laois Hire Group says it’s all about giving the customers what they want. “We have consistently invested heavily in our fleet, even during the recession years, in order to maintain a modern up to date fleet and to ensure our customers receive excellent service throughout Ireland,” he says. Survival instinct In 2005 the Laois Hire Group joined with HSS Hire Group and successfully navigated through the recession to see year on year growth. Michael Killeen’s leadership steered the group through the
worst the recession could throw at it and allowed to emerge from the collapse of the economy in good shape to do business. Part of the success has come from the company’s ability to work with clients on some of the highest profile projects in Ireland including the M50, M7 and M8 motorways, N9, Dublin Airport Terminal 2, Monasterevin Bypass and Intel. Growth and continued investment In February of this year the HSS Hire Group plc was listed on the London Stock Exchange. “This was a major achievement for the company and puts us in a very strong position to invest in the business on an ongoing basis,” states Killeen. Michael Killeen points out that the company is made up of a number of different sectors under the one umbrella, catering for everything from training, cleaning equipment services, powered access, power, plant, portable sanitation hire to VMS boards and vast expertise in cleanroom environments. Killeen highlights the company’s capability to “supply everything from the start of a site to the finish of a site.” Further success Galway native Michael Killeen has taken the group to new heights in terms of its business turnover, market share and international standing. By working closely with customers, providing them with a first class service at competitive prices and offering innovative hire solutions, Killeen and the HSS/Laois Hire team seem to have hit on a winning formula.
HSS Powered Access Division in operation at Dublin Airport.
New Laois Hire ECI JCB Fleet.
Michael Killeen, managing director of HSS Ireland, Scotland and Isle of Man and the Laois Hire Group.