HSS Hire has been awarded a major contract to supply tools and equipment to Northern Ireland Electricity (NIE).

The announcement follows a lengthy tender process and builds on a deal struck with NIE a year ago to supply emergency generators in the event of power cuts caused by bad weather.

NIE owns and manages the electricity infrastructure that serves 785,000 customers in Northern Ireland and its engineers are responsible for 28,000 miles of power lines, 20,000 of which are overhead.

The three-year contract with the UK’s largest tool and equipment hire chain will specifically fulfil NIE’s requirements for small tools to help maintain power throughout the network.

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“Obviously we were absolutely delighted to be awarded the contract after a highly competitive tendering process and to have demonstrated our ability to conform to the clients’ tight operational needs,” said Derek Mathers.

“Our success is not simply about hiring tools, it underlines our commitment to service value and to developing successful partnerships with our customers in order for them to achieve their goals.”

HSS recently underlined its commitment to Ireland – where it currently has 30 branch and agency outlets – by offering a wider range of tools and specialist products from its Powered Access, Professional Welding, and Safety ranges.

“We are pleased to sign this contract with HSS,” said Philip Allen at NIE Procurement. “The partnership with HSS will help us to deliver the high standard of service our customers across Northern Ireland have come to expect.”

HSS Hire, which celebrates its 50th anniversary this year, is the current Hire Company of the Year. It is also the only national hire company to be ranked in The Sunday Times’ Top Track 250 table of Britain’s biggest privately owned middle-market companies by turnover.

(CL)