BALLOO HIRE CHOOSE KUBOTA MINI EXCAVATORS TO BOLSTER FLEET

Kubota Construction has secured a significant order with leading plant, tool and equipment hire specialist, Balloo Hire.

Balloo Hire, which is based in Northern Ireland, has placed an order for 21 of Kubota’s market leading and high performance mini-excavators. The deal encompasses a mixture of units, including Kubota’s K008-3, KX016-4, KX71-3 and U48-4 series.

Balloo Hire needed to boost its fleet due to an increase in demand for mini-excavators. Customers using these machines span a wide range of sectors including civil engineering, film and TV production, utilities and facilities management. In spite of the recession, Balloo Hire has been successful in growing its business by offering high quality machinery, supported by excellent customer service.

Paul Lavery, managing director at Balloo Hire, explains more. “Through a strong product offering and a commitment to the highest levels of service, we’ve been able to tap into a number of growth markets.”

The decision to choose Kubota’s mini-excavators was based on a number of factors. Paul continues: “We offer a range of Kubota machines in our fleet, and have received excellent feedback about them. Build quality, reliability, an excellent warranty package, competitive pricing and a leading brand name that can be trusted were all important components in the decision making process.”

The Kubota mini-excavators were purchased by Balloo Hire from Kubota dealer F Rogan Ltd. F Rogan is one of only two Kubota dealers in Northern Ireland, and having won a number of orders in 2011 from Balloo Hire, F Rogan was keen to secure this most recent order. Brian Rea from F Rogan Ltd commented: “We have been working with Balloo Hire for many years now, and we know they – and their customers – are extremely satisfied with the Kubota equipment.

“As well as the reliability of Kubota mini-excavators, the anti-theft device that is fitted to all machines as standard increases security, which in turn ensures peace of mind for hire companies that have invested in the equipment.”

By ordering through F Rogan Ltd, Balloo Hire is also able to benefit from the onsite servicing that the dealer provides. This ensures machines are not taken out of commission for a lengthy period while they are shipped and serviced.

Kubota’s market-leading range of mini-excavators has been designed to offer maximum performance, combined with ease of use, comfort and safety. Investment in new technology ensure the machines can operate at a highly efficient rate without affecting reliability, while maintenance and service programmes are made simple through the easy to access components.

For more information or to hire an excavator from Balloo Hire visit our excavator section or call us today on freephone 0800 1 970 970.

For more information on Kubota and its extensive range of solutions for the construction, groundcare and agriculture sectors visi twww.kubota.co.uk or call 01844 268000.

UP TO 50% OFF SNICKERS WORKWEAR - This Thursday 27th September!! 25 September 2012

Balloo Hire are giving you the oppertunity to save up to 50% on all SNICKERS workwear with our ONE DAY ONLY SNICKERS OPEN DAY in all Balloo Hire Centres this Thrusday 27th September.

So make sure you get down to your local Balloo Hire Centre in Belfast, Lisburn, Bangor or Ballyclare as you cannot afford to miss out on these fantastic offers like 50% off Snickers Classic Trousers recuded to only £32.88 plus VAT......PLUS FREE KNEE PADS.

Also at this ONE DAY ONLY EVENT you can save up to 50% off all SNICKERS workwear with many more exclusive offers available in store.

For more information on this exclusive SNICKERS OPEN DAY at Balloo Hire Centresthen please contact us today on our freephone number 0800 1 970 970 or email us atacro@balloohire.com

http://www.balloohire.com/news/item/47/up-to-50-off-snickers-workwear-this-thursday-27th-september/

Balloo Hire Announced as Finalists at Export & Freight Awards 2012

Balloo Hire are delighted to be announced as finalists at the Export & Freight Transport and Logistics Awards 2012 for Greener Safer Fleet and Own Account Operator.

Paul Lavery Managing Director of Balloo Hire said, "We are really pleased to be finalists in such competitive categories at these awards.  It further demonstrates how Balloo Hire is committed to improving health, safety and quality throughout our business especially our fleet, to ensure you get everything you need to get the job done”

The awards will be held at the Ramada Hotel on Thursday 13^th September 2012.

For more information on Balloo Hire please visit www.balloohire.com or for more information on the awards please see www.exportandfreight.com/awards.

http://www.balloohire.com/news/item/45/balloo-hire-announced-as-finalists-at-export-and-freight-awards-2012/

Balloo Hire Awarded Top Quality ISO 9001 and OHSAS 18001 Certification

Balloo Hire; one of Northern Ireland’s leading equipment rental businesses; is proud to announce that it has achieved ISO 9001 and OHSAS 18001 accreditation. The accreditations confirm that Balloo Hire has implemented systems to continuously monitor and improve both quality and health & safety.

The drive towards accreditation of management systems has been a company wide effort at all levels and aspects of the company’s activities.  For customers, this measure will enhance their confidence in the high quality of Balloo Hire products and services and they will enjoy an even more efficient and effective business operation.

Paul Lavery, Managing Director of Balloo Hire states: “Whilst we are proud that our management systems for quality and health & safety have been accredited to ISO 9001 and OHSAS 18001 standards, we are aware that this is only part of our journey and not a destination.  I want all of our customers, suppliers and partners to know that we are continually striving to improve everything we do in the business.  This drive will keep going, to ensure we retain our position of providing industry-leading standards of service.  At this stage I would like to acknowledge all of the hard work undertaken so far by our team and in particular Stephen Weekes, our HSEQ Manager.”

For more information on Balloo Hire and for a full list of products and services please visit www.balloohire.com or call us on freephone 0800 1 970 970.  Also for more information on ISO and OHSAS please visit www.iso.org and www.ohsas.org .

http://www.balloohire.com/news/item/44/balloo-hire-awarded-top-quality-iso-9001-and-ohsas-18001-certification/ for more info!!

Balloo Hire Award Prestigious IPAF Rental Plus Quality Mark

At the recent Vertikal Days trade show for the powered access and crane industry, Balloo Hire was accredited with the prestigious Rental + quality mark by the International Powered Access Federation (IPAF). The respected IPAF Rental+ quality mark demonstrates to users of powered access that the rental company they are dealing with has been independently audited to meet the most stringent standards of training, advice, equipment and customer satisfaction.

IPAF Rental+is an IPAF initiative designed to promote continual improvement throughout the platform rental industry for the benefit of both rental companies and their customers. Annual repeat audits ensure that the level of service is of the highest quality at all times.

Commenting on this significant occasion for Balloo Hire, Managing Director Paul Lavery commented “We are delighted to be recognised by our industry association as being a leader in the field in terms of providing an elite level of service, engineering, product knowledge, delivery and health & safety to users of powered access equipment. We are fully focused on continuing to enhance the level of service we provide to our growing customer base, and the IPAF Rental + quality mark reiterates that commitment.

Giles Councell, Director of Operations at IPAF said “IPAF congratulates Balloo Hire for achieving Rental + status. The auditing process is extremely rigorous and in this is regard the team at Balloo Hire deserve special acknowledgement for meeting all the requirements with no non-conformities in their initial audit. At IPAF we are delighted to see new Rental + firms coming on stream as most importantly, this helps to improve standards throughout the industry.”

Click here for more information on IPAF Rental Plus and click here to view our powered access range at Balloo Hire or to talk about your powered access solutions email access@balloohire.com or call freephone 0800 1 970 970

Balloo Hire Nominated for 3 Awards at The Export & Freight Transport and Logistics Awards 2012

Balloo Hire is delighted to have been nominated for three prestigious awards in the upcoming Irish Transport and Logistics Award 2012, hosted by Export & Freight Magazine. Balloo Hire has been nominated for the Safety Award, Transport Manager of the Year and Own Account Operator of the Year.

The event will take place in the Ramada Belfast on Thursday 13th September 2012.

For more information on the awards please visit www.exportandfreight.com

Balloo celebrate Gunnebo partnership with up to 50% off chain products until end of June!

Last month we announced that Balloo Hire had been appointed official Gunnebo Lifting distributor for Northern Ireland, and the partnership is going from strength to strength.

Balloo Hire are now exclusively stocking all of Gunnebo’s high quality lifting components, shackles, rigging, screws, chain, polyester, lifting and lashing, lifting blocks, stainless steel products and much more.  These state-of-the-art lifting components are now available to hire and purchase from Balloo Hire’s depots in Belfast, Bangor, Lisburn and Ballyclare.

Balloo Hire is also offering a full inspection and maintenance service on all lifting equipment covered by the Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations (1998), or LOLER Regulations, as they are commonly known.

Paul Lavery, Managing Director of Balloo Hire said, “We continually strive to provide our customers with an ever greater range of market leading products and services to meet their ever changing needs.  We pride ourselves in providing top quality equipment, and when it comes to lifting gear, Gunnebo equipment was the undoubted leader in the market.  Our belief that the combined strength of Gunnebo Lifting and Balloo Hire, has proved very beneficial for all lifting gear users in Northern Ireland. This is especially true when you consider that we will be a full range supplier, offering not just hire and sales but inspection and maintenance service also.  Furthermore, we are delighted that another exclusive partnership with a leading brand such as Gunnebo is proving so success, reaffirming our position of strength within the market and our ability to meet customer demands.”

To celebrate the success of this partnership to date Balloo Hire / Gunnebo are offering more than 50% off selected chain products and accessories available at all Balloo Hire Centres while stocks last.

For more information on these offers please visit www.balloohire.com, call free on 0800 1 970 970 or call into your local Balloo Hire depot today.

Balloo Hire invest in 10 new Manitou telescopic handlers!

Balloo Hire have recently taken delivery of 10 new Manitou telehandlers from Northern Lift Trucks, representing an investment of over £500,000.  These new state-of-the-art machines are welcome additions to their ever growing fleet and are required to meet increasing customer demand.

Balloo Hire are continuously expanding and revitalising their fleet with market leading equipment.  Manitou are innovators of rough terrain telehandlers and the 10 new 14-18m machines are welcome additions to an already highly utilised plant equipment fleet at Balloo Hire.

Brian Bradford, sales director for Northern Lift Trucks said “We are delighted to have supplied Balloo Hire with these innovative, top of the range machines.  Despite this challenging economic climate it is great to a local company making an investment within Northern Ireland, further helping to bolster our economy.  We look forward to doing much more business with Balloo Hire in the near future.”

Commenting on the new addition was Paul Lavery, Managing Director at Balloo Hire “The purchase of these new telescopic handlers shows that we are dedicated to ensuring the best quality equipment for our customers.  This new investment follows on from major investments in powered access, generators, excavators, rollers and tools in the last year.  They will be of great benefit to the wide range of sectors and industries that we serve with plant, tools and other specialist equipment from Balloo Hire”

For more information or to hire a Manitou telehandler please call us today on freephone number 0800 1 970 970 or visit the website www.balloohire.com 

http://www.balloohire.com/news/item/37/balloo-hire-are-continuously-expanding-and-revitalising-their-fleet-with-market-leading-equipment-manitou-are-innovators-of-ro/

MTV Presents Titanic Sounds Concert Huge Success Thanks to Balloo Hire Equipment/Services

Balloo Hire took centre stage last week by supplying all the event power, powered access, lifting equipment, lighting, crowd control barriers, and additional services to the MTV presents Titanic Sounds Concert, on the Slipways at Titanic Belfast.

Paul Lavery, Managing Director of Balloo Hire said, “We were obviously delighted that Balloo Hire was successful in winning this prestigious contract. We are delighted that the event was such a resounding success, and powered completely by our top class generators.

“The event was staged in collaboration with Belfast City Council and Northern Ireland Tourist Board (NITB), and will be broadcast across 153 countries around the world as part of MTV's World Stage. Responsibility for an event of this magnitude perfectly demonstrates our ability to provide high quality products and services with exceptional customer service and value.”

The festival style concert will took place against the beautiful backdrop of the iconic Titanic Belfast, as part of Belfast’s Titanic Festival to mark the centenary of the historic ship’s launch.

For more information or to view Balloo Hire’s products and services then please visit www.balloohire.com or call the freephone number 0800 1 970 970 today or for more information on Northern Ireland 2012 events please visit www.ni2012.com        

http://www.balloohire.com/news/item/36/mtv-titanic-sounds-concert-a-success-thanks-to-help-from-balloo-hire/    

Balloo Hire appointed as exclusive Gunnebo Lifting Equipment Distributor for NI.

Balloo Hire are delighted to announce that they have been appointed as the exclusive distributor of Gunnebo Lifting equipment for Northern Ireland. 

Gunnebo Lifting Systems are the world leaders in lifting gear and their products can be found across the globe in construction, engineering and manufacturing applications.

Balloo Hire will now exclusively supply Gunnebo’s quality range of lifting components, shackles and rigging screws, chains, polyester lifting and lashing, lifting blocks, stainless steel products and much more.

Darragh Hickey, Sales Director for Gunnebo Lifting Systems commented, “We are delighted to enter into this sole distribution agreement with Balloo Hire. It is an important partnership and I look forward to developing strong relationships with their valued customers. Through their proactive and quality approach to doing business, we are confident that many more businesses in Northern Ireland will be able to avail of the Gunnebo range”.

Paul Lavery, Managing Director of Balloo Hire said, “We are continually striving to provide our customers with an ever greater range of market leading products.  We pride ourselves in providing top quality equipment, and when it comes to lifting gear, Gunnebo equipment is the undoubted leader in the market.  We firmly believe that the combined strength of the Gunnebo Lifting and Balloo Hire brands will prove very beneficial for all lifting gear users in Northern Ireland. Furthermore, we are delighted that another leading brand such as Gunnebo had chosen Balloo Hire as their exclusive partner, reaffirming our position of strength within the market.”

This partnership marks the start of yet another exciting year for Balloo Hire following on from an excellent 2011, during which the company established significant partnerships with Polygon, Arco and Air Products.

For more information on the Gunnebo Range at Balloo Hire, please visit www.balloohire.com or call us free today on 0800 1 970 970.  Additional information can be found at www.gunneboindustries.com

See the full article at http://www.balloohire.com/news/item/35/balloo-hire-appointed-as-exclusive-gunnebo-lifting-equipment-distributor-for-ni/ 

2012 - Our Place, Our Time, Your Balloo Hire.

Nowhere in Northern Ireland can escape the vibrant exciting façade of the NI2012 Festivities ….including Balloo Hire. Our Titanic Quarter depot got a splash of colour this week with the addition of NI2012 imagery. We have donated our Titanic Quarter location to the Northern Ireland Tourist Board to further convey the vivid NI2012 Our Time Our Place message in the heart of the Titanic celebrations.

Balloo Hire Managing Director, Paul Lavery commented “With the Titanic Belfast Opening, Circuit of Ireland Rally Titanic Phase and the MTV Titanic Sounds concert and much more, The Titanic Festival is set to bring millions of people from all over the world to Belfast’s infamous Titanic Quarter.”

“We are delighted to offer the NITB our building to display their 2012 message, and they have done a fantastic job transforming the Northern Ireland image and showcasing exactly what we have to offer.  Our tools and equipment have been used in the transformation of the Titanic Quarter and it has been amazing to see what has been achieved by everyone involved – this really is Northern Irelands chance to shine and we are proud to say NI – Our Place, Our Time.”

This is set to be another massive year not only for Northern Ireland but also for Balloo Hire.  We have been going from strength to strength over the last year and 2012 promises to be no different.  We are dedicated to giving our customers to right tools, equipment and services they need to get the job done.  With our competitive pricing, excellent customer service, free site surveys, extensive product range, industry leading equipment, nationwide delivery, exclusive partnerships, expert support and advice coupled with 24hour engineer support; it is no wonder why Balloo Hire is the first choice  for tool and equipment hire for so many throughout Northern Ireland.

We don’t just have tools and equipment to help rejuvenate large scale projects….we cater for all projects no matter how big or small so for a list of hire products from Balloo Hire please visit www.balloohire.com or call us on our freephone number 0800 1 970 970 for more information and advice.  

If you want to join in the NI2012 Activities across Northern Ireland please visit www.ni2012.com. For more information please see http://www.balloohire.com/news/item/33/2012-our-place-our-time-your-balloo-hire/

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WEEKEND OFFERS on Gardening Tools/Equipment

Transform your garden this spring for less with Weekend Specials on gardening tools and equipment at Balloo Hire.

We are offering special weekend discounts on all our gardening/landscaping tools and equipment hire this spring.

Tools and Equipment on offer includes: lawmowers, rotavators, stump grinders, hedge trimmers, strimmers and much much more.

Call into you local depot today for more information or call us on freephone 0800 1 970 970 and see how little it will cost to transform your garden this weekend.

Check out our full list of gardening/landscaping tools and equipment available to hire

Balloo Hire - Technical Advice - Screed & Slab Drying in Construction

TIME IS MONEY IN CONSTRUCTION

The success or failure of a newly installed floor on a construction project is heavily dependent upon how dry the concrete slab and screed was prior to installation.  Whether the specific flooring is wooden, carpet, ceramic or rubber based, moisture trapped in the concrete slab can cause unsightly and costly floor damage.  In the end, these moisture issues can negatively impact the overall work schedule and final completion dates creating potential financial penalties.

The ability to dry the slab and screed quickly and efficiently is key to maintaining a schedule for all other trade activities on the project and also to avoid problems in later construction phases. Therefore it is also important that you accurately measure the level of moisture and put in place a plan of action to accelerate drying times of your concrete and screeds for example, based on project requirements.

ACCELERATED DRYING

Typically concrete slabs around 100mm thick can take up to 6 months to fully dry and screeds less than 50mm thick can take 4 - 6 weeks; and there is no doubt that accelerated drying will help maintain your tight schedules.  Drying these slabs and screeds is more complicated than “let’s just throw a lot of heat at it” as is often the case.  Care needs to be taken so the concrete and slab is not over dried, cracked or suffers increased moisture retention.  Drying these materials precisely and efficiently requires the delicate balance of dry air, air speed, heat, relative humidity and temperature. These interchanging factors must be constantly monitored to ensure your floor is drying without compromising other elements of construction.

By using a specialist in this field to specify a carefully selected mix of dehumidifiers and heaters, you will ensure dehumidification lowers the vapour pressure above the concrete to draw the moisture out, delicately balanced with air movement and heat to correctly speed up the evaporation process.  Specialist suppliers are also able to supply you with sensitive moisture measurement devices, which are used to monitor conditions and check progress.

BENEFITS

By using climate control equipment you can rest assured that you have controlled your relative humidity, dew point and temperature throughout the building whilst not compromising other work being carried out.   The benefits of employing temporary control methods far outweigh any alternatives.  Enhanced slab and screed drying methods offer a cost effective solution enabling you to maintain tight construction deadlines and reduces warranty issues due to failed floors (for example taking up flooring to remove wet insulation or cracked concrete is a lengthy and expensive process).

Each year we help a large number of contractors across Northern Ireland dry their concrete slabs and screeds, by designing innovative solutions using state-of-the-art climate control equipment to closely control and maintain the relative humidity, dew point and temperature throughout the project.  Our advanced solutions eliminate the risk of problems caused by excess moisture while protecting the overall project.

For more information on how we can help or to engage us to carry out a free, no obligation site survey, please contact us today on our freephone number 0800 1 970 970 or email jeff.scott@balloohire.com

Balloo Hire Bangor Arco Store Launch A Huge Success

http://www.balloohire.com/news/item/30/balloo-hire-bangor-arco-store-launch-a-huge-success/

Last week 100’s of Balloo Hire customers helped make the launch of our third Arco Outlet in Bangor a massive success, taking advantage of our special opening day offers, product demonstrations and all day catering.

Our new Arco store at Balloo Hire Bangor is already following the success of ourArco Outlet at Balloo Hire in Belfast and Lisburn, which was opened last year. All Arco outlets at Balloo Hire feature a vast range from Arco’s world class 22,000 strong product catalogue with special Balloo Hire offers available in-store.

Paul Lavery, Managing Director at Balloo Hire said, "We are delighted with the opening yet another Arco store and want to thank our customers for making this a success. Our partnership with experts in safety giants Arco Ltd is going from strength to strength and enables us at Balloo Hire to create a unique offering not just plant, tool and equipment hire but also of safety products and practical expert advice."

So why not pop into one of our Balloo Hire Stores and view our extensive range ofArco safety products and work wear, including Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), gloves, footwear and clothing plus a practical range of site consumables and Buffalo hand tools today.

Please click here for more information on the Arco Outlets at Balloo Hire in Belfast, Bangor and Lisburn.

Balloo Hire expands Arco partnership with new store in Bangor.

Balloo Hire is launching its third Arco branded store in Bangor on Thursday 2^nd February.  To celebrate, there will be hugely discounted promotions and offers running in store.

The innovative partnership between Balloo Hire and Arco Ltd was forged  in 2011 and the agreements sees Balloo Hire supplying Arco’s extensive range of safety products and work wear, including personal protection equipment, gloves, footwear, clothing and tools; from Arco’s 22,000 product strong catalogue.

Paul Lavery, Managing Director of Balloo Hire said “We are again delighted to be opening another Arco Clothing outlet at our Bangor depot.  This partnership has gone from strength the strength with each store is becoming more successful than the last and verifies that Balloo Hire and Arco have found a gap in the market for the hiring of equipment, coupled with the sale of safety clothing and protection.  Credit is due to Balloo Hire and Arco staff who have worked seamlessly together to provide a one-stop-shop and fantastic offers for all our customer’s needs.”

Balloo Hire is currently celebrating 25 years as one of Northern Ireland’s leading specialist plant, tool and equipment hire providers throughout Northern Ireland, offering an extensive range of hire products including excavators, access equipment, generators, trailers, dumpers, tools and horticulture equipment . So whether you are a trade or a DIY customer Balloo Hire has all the tools and equipment you need to get the job done – along with all the safety clothing and products you need as well.

The new Balloo Hire Arco store in Bangor will launch on the 2^nd February 2012. So come down and take advantage of the special opening day offers on the in-store selection of Arco’s 22,000 products, such as, 50% off Timberland Clothing and Footwear and CAT Dimen Safety Boots. For more information on Balloo Hire Centres and the Arco range please visit www.balloohire.com/arco or call our Freephone number 0800 1 970 970.

http://www.balloohire.com/news/item/29/balloo-hire-expands-arco-partnership-with-new-store-in-bangor/

Balloo Hire Lights Up Ulster Rugby

LEADING equipment rental firm Balloo Hire has signed a three-year agreement with Ulster Rugby to become the Club’s Official Floodlight Sponsor.

This new sponsorship deal comes as Balloo Hire increases its support for local business and sport within Northern Ireland.  In 2011, the local firm invested heavily in new equipment and partnerships, spending in excess of £2.5 million within Northern Ireland. 

Managing Director at Balloo Hire, Paul Lavery said; “We’re big fans of Ulster Rugby at Balloo Hire, as are many of our customers, and so we’re delighted to announce that we are now official sponsors of the floodlights at Ravenhill. I’d like to take this opportunity to wish the boys every success for the rest of the season.”

Philip Polack, Business Development Manager for Ulster Rugby said; “It wasn’t just the players that lit up the pitch at Ravenhill last Friday when we took on Leicester in Round 5 of the Heineken Cup, it was a great win for the team and we are indebted to sponsors such as our new floodlight sponsor Balloo Hire for the support they give the club. 

“It is great to be working with one of Northern Ireland’s leading hire firms.  There is an ever increasing strong link between sport and local business in Northern Ireland and I am confident that both Balloo Hire and Ulster Rugby will benefit from the sponsorship.”

Balloo Hire this year celebrates 25 years as one of Northern Ireland’s leading specialist plant, tool and equipment hire providers with depots inBelfast,Bangor,Lisburn and Ballyclare

For more information on Ulster Rugby please visit www.ulsterrugby.com or for more information on Balloo Hire products and services please call us today on 0800 1 970 970 or visit www.balloohire.com