Tool and equipment hire company, HSS Group, has announced a rebranding and leadership restructuring as two old friends are teaming back up after a long hiatus.
Jon Overman has been appointed as the new CEO of the traditional tool hire division and its nationwide network of branches and distribution centres.
One of Overman’s first actions in his new role has been to update the trading name, swapping out HSS Hire for HSS: The Hire Service Company.
The company’s physical locations and digital marketplace have also been aligned in order to help them operate more effectively and more efficiently.
HSS is the UK’s original tool and equipment hire company, founded in 1957, with a nationwide network of 100 plus merchant locations, branches and distribution and maintenance centres across the UK.
Overman started at HSS as a Saturday boy in 1999, working there in various roles including hire consultant, regional sales manager and managing director ever since.
He said: “In 1957 Bert Taylor lent his sister a ladder and The Hire Shop Company was born, soon after expanding and becoming Hire Service Shops.
“Since then the name has evolved numerous times and existed in several different forms, most recently as HSS Hire.
“We’re embracing an exciting future that uses modern technology to support safety and operational efficiency, but I also wanted to more accurately reflect that heritage commitment to service and to celebrate the important human relationship element of what we do.
“Whilst our sister company continues to lead the charge in the digital world, the branch network side of things has always been about people dealing with people; friendly colleagues in local branches building great relationships with local customers and local communities.
“It’s about delivering great hire and great service together so we’ve extended the trading name to incorporate both. We’re now proud to be HSS: The Hire Service Company.”
Over the years he built an executive management team of long-standing and trusted colleagues, and has now reunited with old friend and industry stalwart Noel Byrne who previously worked at HSS for 10 years between 1995 to 2005.Byrne has 40 years of industry experience, starting out at Hewdens subsidiary, Powertech.
He then moved to industry start-up PB Tools in 1987 as hire controller and then depot manager before they were acquired to become part of HSS in 1995, with Byrne assuming the role of area manager.
When he eventually moved up the ranks to regional manager, it was then he met Jon and bought him under his wing.
After his exit in 2005, Byrne worked various roles, spending 10 years at Speedy and then establishing a digital solutions software before becoming sales director and board advisor for Ardent Tide, and has now returned to HSS The Hire Service Company as Sales Director.
Byrne said: “I had the pleasure of working with Jon around 20 years ago, when he was a young branch manager.
“I could see his potential even back then and promoted him to a regional role, where he achieved some great things.
“I remember saying to someone, he’ll be leading the company one day – and I’m delighted to be reunited with him for this new chapter”.
“I’m delighted to share that I‘m back at HSS after 20 years but we’ve got a slightly new name to celebrate our focus on service and I’m proud to be a founding member of HSS: The Hire Service Company.”
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