Lancashire Crushers provide rental solutions as tasty as hotpot

Sandvik Construction Mobile Crushing and Screening machines are proving to be a highly popular choice in the rental market. One such company that has taken advantage of this to provide an enhanced solution for its customers is Preston based Lancashire Crushers, which has since 1980 delivered a rental solution throughout the UK of the highest quality.

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Lancashire Crushers started life as Peter Slater Plant Hire in 1980 by purchasing its first equipment for rental. By 1994 the demands of the market saw the company name change to that they are so famously known today. Since then the company has gone from strength to strength now boasting a fleet of modern productive plant, an array of fully trained, fully certified operators, highly skilled plant technicians and a management team that continue to drive the company forward.

These strengths have enabled the company to capitalize on the growth of the UK rental market for construction equipment. It is now estimated that the industry is worth approximately £3.6 billion per annum, and is expected to continue to grow in the coming years. The economic downturn did negatively impact the sector during 2007- 2009. However, growth was yet again established in 2012, in part due to opportunities available from the London Olympic Games, as well as improved hire rates in some sectors.

Presently earth moving equipment represents the largest equipment sector, accounting for around 23% of hire value, with the top four companies accounting for around a quarter of the market. Increasingly companies such as Lancashire Crushers are now offering services in addition to the pure hire of equipment as a way to differentiate themselves from competitors. This also reflects the changing requirements of the market, with customers often requiring additional services in the form of back-up, and expertise.

Regional growth opportunities are also likely to continue to drive certain rental sectors, for example new road construction, coastal defense work and wind turbines, etc. Adverse influences do have a bearing on the UK hire market. These include cyclical trends within the construction industry that are likely to impact on different sectors of the hire market, and include the underlying long term growth in off-site manufacturing, rising fuel and energy costs and so forth.

Notwithstanding the market conditions mentioned above, and the highly competitive nature of the rental market itself, Lancashire Crushers has done well. With an annual turnover of £2.7 Million, the company has been able to recognize the opportunities in the market for its plant hire services, and work to its strengths. The company, and its 27 employees, possesses an active fleet of 32 rental machines: these include crushers, screens, excavators, loading shovels, shredders and low loaders which can carry up to 150 tons

The reliability of its equipment and application knowledge is what sets Lancashire Crushers apart from the rest. The management and staff understand that not all machines are suitable for all applications, and undertake a detailed assessment before assigning a machine to a site. This is always carried out by fully qualified operatives, with Peter Slater, founder of the company, playing a pro-active role, calling on his many years of experience in the industry.

Further aiding the business is that over the past five years a close relationship has been formed between Sandvik Construction and Lancashire Crushers. This has flourished enabling both companies to benefit, with Lancashire Crushers expanding its range of Sandvik equipment. Currently the company boasts one QH331 and QH441 cone crusher, two QJ241 jaw crushers, as well as three QJ341 jaw crushers, with the latest model being delivered in July of this year.

The reasons for using the Sandvik Construction's mobile crushers are best explained by Peter Slater himself. "We use Sandvik as the equipment is reliable and flexible. The machines have performed fantastically, production rates and fuel economy are good and the reliability is very good. We are very happy with the product." This has meant that Lancashire Crushers can now be found operating nationwide, from quarries to demolition sites to recycling operations; in fact wherever they are required. The QH441 cone crusher for example is currently working in a quarry in Cornwall - a long way from Preston - with other machines working in various locations all over the UK.

Specific hires vary from between three days to six months depending on customer requirements. "Our customers are extremely self-sufficient and we are extremely proud of our loyal customer base. 95% will crush the material and use it straight away in applications that they are currently working on." Explains Peter. This has meant the business has thrived on the loyalty of its customers, who have been happy to recommend Lancashire Crushers to other companies. Investment in a customer driven and focused website has also paid dividends. However it has been the emphasis Peter Slater has placed on customer service, a trait that Lancashire Crushers knows so well, that has really allowed the business to differentiate itself, and to reap the benefits.

"Stick to what you are good at", is a phrase often used, but seldom understood or followed. In order to stay competitive it is often considered important to be different or unique in order to differentiate from the competition. However, if you treat your customers the way they deserve to be treated the business will come. Lancashire Crushers has been sticking to this philosophy for the last 35 years and its business continues to grow. Its excellent customer service coupled with the large fleet of rental units ensures that Lancashire Crushers is now considered a major player in the UK construction equipment rental market.