Plant Equipment and Hire March 2020 | Page 31

HIRE Decent and high-quality training is non-negotiable,” says Wicks. He adds that the CPHA is engaged in negotiations with insurance companies and financial institutions to ensure equipment owners provide them with the assurance that their operators have the necessary skills and training to operate the machines. “How can you insure or finance a machine if you don’t know if the person operating that piece of equipment is capable of doing so?” asks Wicks. “Being a member of the CPHA will actually assist entrepreneurs in getting their fleets financed, as the association is a credible entity, known to provide proper guidelines and qualifications for operators,” he adds. Fighting for its members The CPHA is 50 years old this year. That says something of the advantages and benefits companies in the equipment and rental sector have gained throughout the years. Many have been members since the inception,” says Wicks. “Remember, the whole is bigger than its individual parts, and that is exactly what the CPHA is. We represent our members the best we can and fight for what our members believe will benefit them the most,” Wicks adds. The CPHA has even represented some of its members in legal battles, and in fact, has never lost a court case where our standard conditions of hire are concerned. The conditions of hire is an important document that protects both supplier and client, and this is something the CPHA can assist companies with if they are not sure, preventing a backlash and unnecessary legal fees when things go wrong. “Being a member of an association like the CPHA governs a company to operate according to best practice, which ensures the longevity of plant and equipment. Employing a properly trained and qualified operator also means he or she can take better care of the machines with the result that the life of the equipment increases exponentially. It may also make financing and insuring the equipment a lot easier in future. In today’s environment of so-called ‘fly-by-night’ companies, if you are part of an association such as the CPHA, there is the assurance of engaging with credible and legitimate businesses in the sector,” says Benjamin Brits, business unit lead at Plant Equipment & Hire. For Brits, the other significant benefits of being part of an association include the opportunity of building quality relationships with established companies and OEMs, and the myriad of networking opportunities. “Networking with industry players and working together with like-minded people opens doors, and that makes a very big difference when you are a new company just starting out and potentially facing challenges,” Brits adds. “The other main benefit is that associations represent companies Operators of machines need to have recognised qualifications to ensure that the equipment remains in a working condition. at government level on behalf of the industry. We represent the whole industry – this is a powerful tool and we’ve helped a lot of members in difficult situations,” Wicks concludes. The bottom line is that if you are an entrepreneur in the plant, equipment and rental space, and when the going gets tough, don’t turn your back on those who can assist you most. Being a member of the CPHA is not an unnecessary cost, it’s an investment, and will benefit any company in the long run. Damage to operating machines as a result of operator mistakes is a big risk to new rental companies. www.equipmentandhire.co.za MARCH 2020 29