Welcome to Rabbit & Dowling Plant Hire, where your project success is our top priority. As part of our commitment to transparency and excellence, we invite you on a unique behind-the-scenes tour of our operations. From the meticulous maintenance of our fleet to the expert advice that guides your project selection, discover what makes us more than just a plant hire company.
A Day in the Life at Rabbit & Dowling Plant Hire
Our day begins at the first light of dawn, as our dedicated team embarks on a series of thorough checks and preparations, ensuring our fleet is primed and ready for your projects. Here’s a glimpse into the rigorous pre-delivery inspection process that every piece of equipment in our fleet undergoes:
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- Safety Checks: Safety is paramount at Rabbit & Dowling Plant Hire. Each machine is scrutinised for any safety concerns, including checks of all safety guards, emergency stop buttons,and signalling devices to ensure they are in perfect working order. We also conduct a thorough inspection of the hydraulic systems and brakes for any signs of wear and tear that could compromise the machine’s safety.
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- Maintenance Reviews: Our maintenance team performs comprehensive reviews, focusing on engine performance, hydraulic systems and electrical systems to ensure everything operates smoothly. This includes checking engine oil levels, coolant levels and the condition of filters and hoses. Any signs of potential issues are addressed immediately to prevent downtime and ensure reliability.
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- Operational Checks: We test each machine for proper operation, including starting the engine, testing control responsiveness, and verifying the efficiency of the hydraulic and lifting operations. These operational checks help us ensure that the machinery will perform optimally under the demands of your specific projects.
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- Cleaning and Sanitisation: Once a machine passes all safety, maintenance and operational checks, it undergoes a thorough cleaning and sanitisation process. This step is crucial to ensure that you receive a machine that is not only in top mechanical condition but is also clean and hygienic.
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- Final Inspection and Approval: The last step before a piece of plant leaves our yard is a final inspection by a senior technician, who verifies that all checks have been completed and that the equipment meets our high standards of quality and reliability. Only after this final approval is the machine cleared for delivery to your site.
In addition to these equipment checks, our team gathers every morning for a briefing to discuss the day’s projects. This meeting ensures that we provide a personalised and efficient service tailored to each client’s specific requirements, from equipment selection to logistical planning.
The Rabbit & Dowling Difference: Our People
The strength of Rabbit & Dowling Plant Hire lies not just in our fleet but in our people. From the management team to our workshop staff and drivers, everyone plays a crucial role in delivering the exceptional service our clients have come to expect.
Leading the Charge
At the helm, Steve Charman, our Managing Director since 2015, brings a wealth of experience from his 15 years’ running a building contracting company. Steve’s deep understanding of our clients’ needs, stemming from his own experiences as an end-user of plant hire, ensures Rabbit & Dowling consistently delivers services that truly meet client expectations. His philosophy that ‘variety is the spice of life’ is reflected in the dynamic challenges we embrace daily.
Working closely with Steve, Ian Brown, our Sales Manager, plays a pivotal role in both nurturing client relationships and driving new business. With over 25 years in the plant and tool hire industry, Ian’s extensive knowledge and commitment to customer satisfaction are invaluable. His ability to face new challenges each day with a positive outlook and ensure all staff work together in a friendly and supportive manner is central to our success. Ian’s and Steve’s leadership complements each other, weaving a strong fabric of dedication and expertise that spans the entire company.
Plant Hire Heroes
In the workshop, Andy Kinchin, our Workshop and Transport Manager, ensures every piece of equipment is in top condition before it leaves our yard. Andy’s journey from lorry driver to Workshop Manager and now Transport Manager, underscores his integral role in our operations, covering everything from breakdowns to servicing.
Simon Whitelock, our Hire Controller, managing our hire desk, brings 22 years of hire industry experience to the table. His dedication to providing a great plant hire experience is a testament to our customer service ethos.
Chloe Brown, our Office Administrator, keeps the wheels turning smoothly behind the scenes. Her expertise in purchase ledger, credit control and general administration ensures our operations run seamlessly.
Jacob, our lead maintenance engineer overseeing initial inspections, alongside Colin, tasked with cleaning duties, play crucial roles in preparing our equipment for hire. This teamwork ensures each machine adheres to our exacting standards before it is dispatched to you.
Our delivery team, Stavros, Dave and Jason, are the faces many of our clients meet, delivering machinery directly to sites and providing essential handovers. Their dedication to timely and safe delivery is pivotal to our operation’s success.
Meet our team and learn more about the people behind your plant hire solutions here https://www.rabbitplanthire.co.uk/meet-the-team/
The Plant Selection Process: How We Ensure You Get the Right Equipment
Choosing the right equipment is crucial to the success of any project and at Rabbit & Dowling Plant Hire, we’ve honed a selection process that makes finding the perfect fit as straightforward as possible. Our approach is rooted in a deep understanding of the diverse needs of our clients, ranging from large-scale commercial undertakings to personal domestic projects.
Understanding Your Needs
Our process begins with a chat to grasp the scope of your project, the specific challenges you face and what you aim to achieve. This could involve site visits, with our experts coming out to your project site to assess the physical constraints and requirements firsthand. Whether it’s tight access points that demand compact equipment or large-scale operations that require heavy-duty machinery, our team is adept at identifying exactly the right equipment that your project needs.
Tailoring Solutions
Armed with this information, we delve into our extensive inventory to recommend plant and equipment that not only fits the project’s technical demands but also aligns with your timeframes and budget. Our recommendations are not just about the immediate task at hand; we consider the broader context of your project, advising on equipment versatility, potential future needs, and ways to optimise efficiency and reduce costs.
For instance, when a homeowner approached us for a backyard renovation, we didn’t just suggest a compact excavator hire; we provided a solution that included additional attachments for versatility, ensuring the homeowner could tackle multiple aspects of their project without needing to hire different machines. This holistic approach to equipment selection exemplifies our commitment to delivering value beyond the hire.
Beyond the Hire
But our service doesn’t stop at the recommendation stage. We ensure that you have a comprehensive understanding of the equipment’s functionality and safety features. Our team is available to support you throughout your project, ensuring you feel confident and prepared to use and operate equipment you have hired from us. This level of personalised service and support is what sets Rabbit & Dowling Plant Hire apart. We’re not just providers; we’re partners in your project’s success.
Your Project, Our Priority
As we conclude our behind-the-scenes journey, you will know that Rabbit & Dowling Plant Hire is more than just a supplier; we are your partner in success. Our dedication to maintenance, coupled with our expert team and commitment to your project’s success, sets us apart in the plant hire industry. For your next project, big or small, choose Rabbit & Dowling Plant Hire. Let’s make it a success together.
Rabbit Plant Hire:
Rabbit & Dowling Plant Hire is an established and expert supplier of plant hire for commercial and domestic building projects throughout Sussex, Surrey and Hampshire.
To find out more about Rabbit & Dowling Plant Hire’s plant hire services contact our expert and friendly team on 01903 851957 or info@rabbitanddowling.co.uk.
Rabbit & Dowling Plant Hire is part of The Rabbit Group of companies, which includes Rabbit Demolition, Rabbit Skip Hire and Rabbit Toilet Hire.
