Tom HallAccess speaks to some key figures from the industry’s power suppliers, finding out about the demands of festival organisers, the impact of Brexit and the direction the industry is heading.
Tom Carr, managing director, Energy Generator Hire
Change
The power supply and hire sector is ever evolving, with customers more aware of what their individual requirements are for each occasion/event, and being more conscious regarding the environment, be it noise levels or conservation of the areas in which they are operating.
Demand is rising year on year, but at the same time, the level of service required is becoming more on point.
Organiser demands
Our clients / potential clients are becoming more technically astute with regards to what their requirements for each project are, and that gives Energy the opportunity to work together with them to find the most economical, and ‘fit for purpose’ solution. This ensures they have the best coverage for each and every event.
Cost is always a major factor with all of our clients, no matter how big or small, but we always stand by our beliefs that, although we may on occasion not be the cheapest, our 24/7 aftersales and backup service ensure that when each project is completed, we have been the most efficient and economical for our customers, which tends to see a relationship flourish and loyalties forged.
Brexit
Energy has an excellent business model in place, which will enable us to continue our growth, and allow us to keep servicing our customers’ requirements even through the most uncertain financial climates. We achieve this with time and cost specific re-investment.
Training
Our fully trained and experienced colleagues are constantly undertaking new product specific training, as well as operating administrative and safety courses when required.
We believe that we are never too old to learn, and we can pass our knowledge and experience on to our clients in the field.
We also believe that should the communication be on point from the start, and all parties are on the same page, relationships can be strengthened, not broken.
A solid agreed process from day one is always essential and there will always be challenges along the way, but with a plan in place, these can be overcome with the minimum of fuss.
Relationships are key to everyone’s success.
Apprenticeships
We always strive to invest in internal development for our staff, and although it may not operate under a so called ‘Apprenticeship guise’, we believe that constant training and development of our colleagues are key to our success and longevity as a group, holding us in good stead for the future.
Freelance work
We are constantly outsourcing at a relatively high rate, but in order to maintain our high standard of service to our clients, try to keep it a manageable level. When outsourcing, you tend to lose an element of control, which on the rare occasion may cause hurdles which normally would not be there.
Winning business
Energy are constantly proactive with regards to winning business, using technology to assist as we evolve and grow, but at the same time using tried and tested methods also. Being face to face with our clients ensures a more personal approach.
Shaun Pearce, managing director, Pearce Hire
Innovations
There continues to be an ongoing drive towards greener power systems and reductions in the carbon footprint. The demand for innovation in power supply is increasing, and you now see equipment with more monitoring systems.
We ensure our fleet of generators are top of the range, energy efficient machines, and we regularly install generator farms and load sharing systems to reduce fuel consumption. We also champion better-quality distribution and circuit protection on site for our clients.
There is a continual drive for energy efficient equipment which reduces power consumption, for example, replacing MBI & halogen lighting with LED low energy fittings and lamps.
Bouyancy
Cost vs quality is, and always has been, an issue for suppliers in the event production sector. Exceptional customer service, 100% reliability, on-site back up, maintaining green credentials and best practice all come at a cost.
Events are growing in size and in number, and so our clients (the event organisers) sit in a very competitive market and want to give their customers more value and stay in front of the competition. But this puts enormous pressure on suppliers as it reduces our margins. Of course for power suppliers, it is true to say that what we do goes relatively unnoticed until something inadvertently powers down.
We are experts on Greenfield sites where many festivals and outdoor events take place, and our clients expect the same power reliability in the middle of a muddy field as they do at home and at work without necessarily appreciating that getting it right can mean escalating costs – and that it isn’t always about the cheapest price or tender.
We are certainly busier than we have ever been, but with all the associated costs of kit, excellence in staff, quality systems and limited budgets to contend with, it isn’t necessarily the golden goose some people may think it is.
Brexit
To be honest, no, I don’t think that Brexit will cause us a problem. I am very philosophical about the Brexit issue and feel that people are worrying far too much about it. As a business owner and operator for over 30 years, I’ve been through several recessions and a number of difficult business years in that time.
What I have learnt is to keep focussed on what you are doing and what you know, keep providing exceptional service, maintain excellent production standards and we will learn to adapt to the new circumstances – what will be will be!
Development
We continually put our staff through BS7909, 18th Edition, Forklift, IPAF, rigging, moving light, motor courses and First Aid. We review our training policy annually to ensure all qualifications are kept up to date and ensure that the team have the relevant qualifications and training they need to do their day-to-day jobs.
We have an active and ongoing apprenticeship scheme at Pearce Hire and freelance staff pay a pivotal role especially in the busy summer festival season. We also run an intern programme with the performing arts department at Peterborough Regional College, which provides students valuable insight and learning on the job work experience. In fact as a result of the intern programme we have offered several students fulltime positions.
Organiser demands
We have excellent ongoing relationships with our clients – many of whom we have been working with for many years and so the planning process and timeline is well established. For new clients we urge them to involve us as their power supplier in their event planning from the onset. At the end of the day good planning in advance saves money and gets a better result.
Winning
We are definitely more proactive at sourcing and winning business. We have an integrated campaign for gaining new business and social media is making a big difference to the way we market and promote the production services Pearce Hire offers. This is complemented by regular involvement in industry networking events and at several industry trade shows throughout the year to ensure we have exposure to potential clients and the chance to meet them face-to-face.
Future-gazing
Overall I am confident that the event power industry will be in a good position in 10 years’ time. Although with the anticipated advent of readily available and more cost-efficient equipment it is likely to become even more competitive. New fuels and power sources will also play a major part.