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