Adding womans touch to plant hire start-up

Vicky Flanagan opens her one-woman operation, All Hire Midlands, buying two Kubota mini excavators to add to her other equipment.

When the owner of the plant hire company Vicky Flanagan worked for retired and sold off the assets, she bit the bullet and set up her own business.

The former plant manager at Priory Plant Hire in Southam, Warwickshire has now opened her one-woman operation, All Hire Midlands .

To get the business off the ground she has bought two Kubota mini excavators to add to her other equipment.

Vicky had been plant manager at Priory Plant Hire for six years.

It stocked 40 mini excavators and a similar number of dumpers and backhoe loaders.

"I knew in advance that the owner planned to retire and close down the business," said 34-year-old Vicky.

"As I had always set my heart on running my own company I saw the opportunity that presented and decided the time was right to go for it".

She bought the two Kubota mini excavators, a 1580kg KX36-3 and an 850kg K008-3, from local dealer Avon Equipment Sales.

"Things are going pretty well," she said.

"I have got off to a flying start as most of my former customers have come to me and I have also picked up lots of new business in the local area and beyond.

"I wanted Kubota minis because I have hired them out before and know what good tools they are and how much in demand they are with builders.

Avon Equipment Sales also provides a great after-sales service".

She said that running a plant hire firm was pretty much still a man's world.

"I still see the occasional astonished look on a customer's face when I deliver a piece of kit first thing in the morning, but attitudes are changing as people get used to seeing me on site2.

Vicky, who was married last September, is enjoying every minute of being her own boss, despite the long hours involved.

"My husband is 100 per behind me and has supported me all the way".

She plans to grow the business by adding more and varied pieces of plant.

"My long-term aim is to become a one-stop-shop for all my customers' needs.

With my contacts in the business I can source pretty much everything".

As the European and world market leader with the largest range of mini excavators from a single manufacturer, comprising 18 base models and spanning the weight categories from 0.85 to 8 tonnes, Kubota also offers the widest choice of highly versatile zero tail swing machines.

Kubota minis have a legendary reputation for quality, performance, reliability and excellent residual values, coupled with first-class dealer support.

Owners and hirers also benefit from the unique key-based 'ANTI-THEFT' security system now fitted as standard equipment on all Kubota machines from 1.5 to 8 tonnes.

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