Demand for quality trailer hire keeps growing
6th May 2021
A Lincolnshire-based machinery hire specialist has invested in additional trailers for its hire fleet to meet growing demand. David Williams reports.
Lincolnshire-based GCS Machinery has new and nearly new Stewart bulk and flat-bed trailers available for hire.
GCS Machinery is based at Baumber, near Horncastle and also has a base in Kent. The family owned business has been trading for almost 35 years and specialises in agricultural and construction plant machinery hire and sales. A specialist fuel bowser refurbishment service is offered and used bowsers are bought in, reconditioned and checked, and sold in the UK and overseas.
Growing business
In 2017, the first two agricultural grain trailers joined the hire fleet and strong demand meant additional trailers were needed. Hire bookings continued to increase through 2020, and for this year the fleet size was doubled.
“The first two trailers were bought following requests from local farmers who were existing customers, but then we gained enquiries from new customers further afield as they heard we had added quality trailers to our fleet,” explained owner Michael Gallacher.
“We have a reputation for offering modern, reliable machinery and we made sure that the trailers we selected complement the rest of our business. We considered several brands but selected models from Stewart Agricultural Ltd. These are known for their high specification and build quality and another attraction was their availability through our local main dealer Lincolnshire Motors – part of the Burdens Group. We have a very good relationship with the team there and are looked after well by the Brigg depot sales manager, Adam Reynolds.”
Forage, grain and flat
The Stewart trailers are a mix of 14-, 16- and 18-tonne tippers and 15t, 32ft flat models. Dump trailers are also being added this year. All have a high specification including dual air and hydraulic ABS braking and 560-series tyres.
Super-single tyres can also be specified for intensive road use including biomass and root crop transport. Rollover sheets and silage sides are available for all the bulk trailers.
Dealer view
“We took on the Stewart trailer franchise in 2018,” explained Adam. “It’s a great brand to offer for our trading area as it includes types and sizes for all applications. The owners – James and Mandy Stewart, are always enthusiastic and interested in the views of customers and dealers, and although they have built up a large and successful business they remain willing to carry out bespoke modifications where customers have a particular requirement.
“The build quality is excellent. They are not the cheapest trailers but for the specification and quality they remain good value for money. For a company like GCS Machinery offering trailer hire across the UK they are ideal, and I know Michael can send them out confident that customers will be impressed by their performance.”
GCS Machinery owner Michael Gallacher with Lincolnshire Motors Brigg depot sales manager Adam Reynolds.
Competitive and reliable
GCS Machinery currently has trailers on long-term hire with biomass contractors and anaerobic digester plants, and confirmed bookings from farmers and contractors for silage trailers for the grass harvest. Confirmed bookings are also in place for grain and bale trailers for the cereals harvest, as well as for this autumn for wholecrop and maize harvesting plus root crop transport.
“We deliver anywhere in the UK, or customers can arrange their own transport if they prefer,” continued Michael. “Our typical hire charge is £225 per week for a 16t grain trailer for six weeks minimum, or £250 per week for shorter periods, but we try to be fair and are always competitive.
“We have additional trailers on order which are due to join our fleet shortly and continue to welcome hire enquiries for this season.”
