Trade Tensions Are Shaking Construction — Is Your Hire Business Ready?
The 2025 global trade shake-up is here. With US tariffs reshaping supply chains, UK manufacturers pivoting production overseas, and construction forecasts showing only modest growth, equipment hire companies are under pressure to stay agile.
The question is — are your systems built to handle volatility, or are they holding you back?
In March 2025, the US hit steel and aluminium imports with 25% tariffs, plus a 10% baseline tariff on all imports. By June, most countries faced 50% rates, though the UK held onto its 25% rate under a new trade deal (UK Steel, White House).
UK giant JCB doubled the size of its upcoming Texas plant to dodge tariffs — a bold move showing how global supply chains are shifting fast
Meanwhile, the Construction Products Association predicts 1.9% growth in 2025 and 3.7% in 2026 (CPA). Steady, but far from booming — and every cost saving matters.
Challenge 1: Supply Chain Disruptioner Control Over Hires
Impact: Tariffs can drive up equipment and parts costs overnight. Manufacturer pivots can extend lead times and limit availability.
Risk: Customers face delays, substitutions, or sudden price increases
How our HHQ Connect Portal Helps:
- Editable Equipment Catalogue — add photos, specs, and availability to RMS-fed data so customers know exactly what’s in stock.
- QR Codes on Fleet Items — instant access to manuals, LOLER certs, and inspection records.
- Push Notifications & Banners — alert customers to changes in real time.
Challenge 2: Customer Retention in a Cost-Sensitive Market
Impact: Customers are price-shopping harder than ever.
Risk: Competitors win on speed and transparency.
How HHQ Connect Helps:
- KPI Dashboards — show spend, items on hire, and delivery performance.
- On-Hire & Spend Reports — empower customers with self-serve insights.
- Integrated Payments — easy invoice payments anytime, anywhere.
How our HHQ Spark CRM system Will Help:
- Quote Tracking — follow up the moment a customer opens a quote.
- Automated Workflows — keep leads warm without manual chasing.
- Activity Reporting — ensure sales teams are always proactive.
Why Hire Businesses Need Hire HQ
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Faster Customer Comms
Instant push notifications, banners & updates.
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Better Fleet Visibility
Real-time stock info, QR-code access to documents
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Stronger Sales Performance
CRM tools for quotes, tracking & follow-up with integrated AI
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Smarter Forecasting
Integrated KPIs and prospect mapping
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Frictionless Payments
Online invoice and balance clearance
Challenge 3: Forecasting & Decision-Making
Impact: Over- or under-investing in fleet costs money.
Risk: Missed opportunities or wasted assets.
How HHQ Spark Will Help:
- Centralised KPIs — see YTD, MTD, and YOY performance in one place.
- Prospect Mapping — plan sales routes efficiently.
- RMS & Barbour ABI Integration — merge operational and market insights.
Challenge 4: Operational Inefficiencies
Impact: Manual processes slow everything down.
Risk: Delays lead to lost hires and unhappy customers.
How HHQ Connect Helps:
- Instant Off-Hire Requests — free up fleet faster.
- Delivery Tracking — keep customers informed without extra calls.
How HHQ Spark Will Help:
- Sales Rate Approvals in-CRM — ditch the spreadsheets.
- Task & Reminder Systems — keep teams on track automatically.
Future-Proof Your Hire Business
The combination of political trade tensions, shifting supply chains, and modest UK growth means hire companies need agility built into their DNA.
With HHQ Connect and HHQ Spark, you’re not just digitising — you’re protecting profitability, improving customer satisfaction, and making faster, smarter decisions.
📅 Book a demo today to see how we can help your hire business thrive in a turbulent 2025.
