On 2nd October 2009, One Stop Hire was founded with a clear purpose: to build a hire company that truly listened to its customers and delivered what they needed, when they needed it.
Founders Steve and Danielle Hitchen had both spent their entire working lives in the construction equipment hire industry. Between them, they had seen every side of the business, from large mobile cranes to small tools. After years of helping others grow, they decided it was time to do it for themselves.
That decision sparked the beginning of what would become one of the UK’s fastest-growing independent hire companies.
The Beginning: Built on Local Roots
One Stop Hire began when SJS Hire Tools was acquired. SJS was a well-known name in the North West, with 25 years of trading history and depots in Wrightington, Chorley and Bolton.
Just one week later, on Friday 9th October 2009, a second acquisition followed: PSL, originally known as Power Supply Ltd. This added depots in Manchester, Liverpool, Blackpool, Bolton and Wigan, instantly expanding One Stop Hire’s reach across the region.
For Steve Hitchen, this was more than a business move. He had worked at PSL for seven years early in his career, from 1986 to 1993, and those years shaped his understanding of great customer service and operational excellence.
With these two acquisitions, One Stop Hire launched with seven depots, a small team and a big vision: to be the company that always finds a way to say “YES”.
From Local Business to National Network
Sixteen years later, One Stop Hire now operates 25 depots across the UK, covering the North, Midlands, South West, London and South East.
What started with plant and tool hire has grown into a complete service offering. Today, customers rely on One Stop Hire not only for hire equipment but also for:
- Sales of new tools, consumables and site equipment
- Training that keeps operators safe, skilled and certified
- Total Solutions for full site support, from power to welfare
- Lifting equipment and inspection services
- Non-Mechanical Plant, including fencing, lighting and site essentials
This growth has been driven by a simple mindset: if a customer needs something, we will find a way to deliver the right equipment to the right place at the right time. That is what “The Answer’s Always YES” truly means.
A New Chapter: The Training & Commercial Centre
As we celebrate 16 years in business, we have also reached another major milestone with the opening of our new Training & Commercial Centre next to our Chorley Head Office.
This new facility brings together our Hire, Sales and Total Solutions teams, as well as National Training Booking & Admin, Sales Support, Marketing and Business Systems. It creates a central hub where collaboration can thrive and ideas can move faster.
With Sales & Commercial Director Darren Smith and Business Director James Brown leading operations from the heart of the business, this new site strengthens our ability to support customers nationwide and continue delivering the service our name has become known for.
Built on People, Passion and Progress
Every part of One Stop Hire’s story comes back to people. From Steve and Danielle’s first vision in 2009 to the hundreds of employees who make it happen today, our growth has always been about teamwork, trust and shared commitment.
We have built long-term relationships with customers, suppliers and partners across the country, and those relationships are the foundation of everything we do.
Looking Ahead
Sixteen years later, the ambition that started it all is stronger than ever. We are continuing to invest in our people, technology and infrastructure so we can keep growing, keep improving and keep saying yes.
From seven depots to twenty-five, from local roots to national reach, the One Stop Hire journey has been built on hard work, determination and belief in what is possible.
Here’s to 16 years of growth and to the many more still to come.
