Telehandler hirers defy the housebuilding gloom

More evidence that plant hirers are avoiding the most serious impact of the doom and gloom in the housing market has been provided by one of the largest hirers of telehandlers in the country.

Peter Wythe, plant manager at Fork Rents, which recently placed an order for 2,000 JCB machines, said the company considered itself fortunate the impact hadn't been greater. "At the height of the housebuilding market, which was only nine months ago, we had utilisation rates of 95% to 98%. Now, in the depths of gloom, we're only down to 90%."

"We've not found a massive difference," he continued. "Certain companies have been downgrading their machines and there is cost-cutting going on, but utilisation is only marginally less."

One reason for the company's stability, which comes in spite of 70% of its telehandler business stemming from the housing market, is its national coverage. "There are certain areas, like Scotland and East Anglia, that are still OK. Social housing is still being built as well," Wythe added.

Nevertheless, the situation may still deteriorate further before it gets better, he warned. "I think there's still some hurt to come. We're trying to find other markets for our machines and to focus on what we do best."