Helpful Hirings Limited

Thame: 01844 212468

OX9 3QB

Aylesbury: 01296 484384

CLOSED

About Us

Helpful Hirings is a third generation family business located just outside Thame. Established in 1963 by Eric Gladwin, the company was one of the pioneers of the hire industry. In those days the local competition was restricted to Ashtead Plant (now A plant) in Aylesbury, JHB Equipment (now Hewdens) in north Oxford, and LPH (now Speedy) in High Wycombe. It is true that the Company’s expansion hasn’t matched the multi-branch operations of the likes of Speedy or HSS preferring to grow organically with an emphasis on quality and service. Indeed for the first ten years the office was an old air-warden’s hut and the workshop a converted chicken shed.

The 1980’s was a prosperous period for Helpful Hirings. In 1988, Helpful Hirings took over the premises of Express Hire Services in Rabans Lane, Aylesbury. We are now the longest established hire company in that town.

With significant expansion of both the machinery fleet and an increase in staff levels the current facilities at the Thame depot were becoming woefully inadequate. Indeed the yard was so muddy, Margaret, our former office administrator, could only cross it in boots.

In 1989 the decision was taken to commence construction on the purpose built premises which still serve as the company headquarters. Back then, the company’s brochure made the somewhat grandiose and clearly inaccurate claim to be the biggest hire company in the universe. However with that in mind, a new 7000square foot building and large concrete yard was duly constructed, which was nearly four times the size of the then current requirements. Low wattage sodium lighting, latest technology oil interceptors and a Klargester Biodisc mini sewerage plant were installed and provision for recycling of cardboard, metal, and oil demonstrated an ecological awareness unusual for those days.

Unfortunately, our timing proved poor, the building being completed just in time for the recession of the early 1990’s with our mortgage finalised the day after the infamous Black Wednesday – yes, we had a mortgage with an interest rate of 15%!

The early 1990’s was a difficult period but it really laid the foundations for the Helpful Hirings of today. The economic circumstances required that efficient operating systems were established throughout the company. An MCS Insitu computer system was installed issuing, tracking and invoicing equipment from the front desk to the back office and workshop. A sales showroom was set up selling many well known leading brands of tools and equipment such as Karcher, Bosch, Draper, Stanley, Countax, and Tsurumi with safety equipment and work boots from SEP and Sterling.

With the view to providing a one stop shop for our customers, Helpful Hirings decided to move formally into the plant hire market. In line with the Company’s ongoing philosophy of quality rather than quantity, leading marque brands such as Kubota excavators and Thwaites dumpers were the initial acquisitions, quickly followed by Atlas Copco and Ingersoll Rand compressors, Niftylift access platforms and Bomag rollers. Over the years we have additionally added a full range of Merlo telescopic handlers, Genie platforms and a selection of Ifor Williams trailers.

In 2003 a new machinery store was erected to allow us to keep the majority of our equipment under cover. That largely is the Helpful Hirings of today but please do browse the site as our range is forever expanding.

The Team

Our Staff has a wealth of professional qualifications and training all relevant to the hire industry and, combined with an average length of service of over ten years, that enables Helpful Hirings to satisfy any customer requirements and queries promptly and efficiently.

We are not just a hire operation. Check out this website to view our enormous range of tools and consumable items. Otherwise why not pay us a visit?

Sales

We are not just a hire operation. Check out this website to view our enormous range of tools and consumable items. Otherwise why not pay us a visit?

Support

In the unfortunate event of a breakdown, our dedicated service van ensures a rapid response and a minimum of downtime if a repair is required. Often, the experience and extensive technical knowledge of our telephone operatives is sufficient to resolve the problem by telephone.

Price

We think what our clients are looking for is a competitive package with transparent pricing. If we give you free delivery the cost has to come from somewhere. If we give you ridiculously low rates, we’ll either go bust or have to claw it back with other charges. That’s why we don’t do any of that.

We know we are only as good as our last hire and what we strive to offer are fair prices for the best quality equipment delivered on time, each and every time.

Thame:

01844 212468

Mon-Friday:
07:30-17:00
Saturday:
08:00-13:00

Aylesbury:

01296 484384