Sunbelt Rentals win at the HAE 2024 Awards

The Hire Awards of Excellence recognise the achievements of hire and supply companies and outstanding individuals across the UK's Plant, Tool, Equipment, and Event hire industry.

Alex Andrews, Sunbelt Rentals’ Marketing Director, acknowledged the commitment and hard work that resulted in these shortlists: “Gaining recognition in four of the six categories we were shortlisted in is testament to the commitment and dedication of the entire Sunbelt Rentals team. The event was a true celebration of the excellence within our industry, and I want to extend my congratulations to each and every person who was nominated.”

Sunbelt Rentals has been awarded:

• SafeHire Plant, Tool, and Equipment Hire Company of the Year (T/O £10m+)

2023 has been a monumental success for the Sunbelt Rentals team. They have provided exceptional support to customers at some of the world's largest events, contributed to thousands of construction projects throughout the UK, and expanded their range of products and services to meet the diverse needs of their customers.

Sunbelt Rentals continues to push the boundaries of what a hire company can achieve, making strides in multiple industries while also taking a leading role in sustainability and social impact. This is demonstrated through their commitment to providing green and low-carbon solutions to customers and communities, transforming the lives of people who need it most.

The company prides itself on creating an inclusive and supportive workplace for all teammates. Prioritising their health, safety, and wellbeing, Sunbelt Rentals has implemented training and rewards programmes to ensure their employees can be the best they can be.

It was commented that Sunbelt Rentals’ Equipment Hire Company of the Year submission notably stood out as the most impressive entry ever submitted for this category.

• Young Apprentice of the Year – Ben Behai

Ben Behai is an exceptional young man who works at the Sunbelt Rentals Glasgow Lifting depot, where he is currently completing his Lifting Technician Apprenticeship.

In his first year as an apprentice, he was recognised for his performance and nominated for the 'Outstanding Apprenticeship Award' at the Lifting Equipment Engineers' Association (LEEA) Awards 2022. He was also shortlisted as one of only two national finalists in the Lifting Technician of the Year category at the Construction Plant hire Association's (CPA) Stars of the Future Awards 2023. Most recently, Ben won the 'Rising Star Award' - one of the most prestigious and coveted awards at the Sunbelt Rentals Apprentice Awards 2023.

In addition, they received highly commended in the following two categories:

• SafeHire Event Hire Company of the Year award (T/O £10m+)

2023 proved to be a remarkable one for the Sunbelt Rental events team. They were involved in several once-in-a-lifetime and large-scale events, drawing worldwide attention, supplying 95% of all major events in 2023 in some capacity. Their contributions to these events included providing equipment, team members, and expert knowledge.

Moreover, the team remained committed to minimising the environmental impact of the events industry. A standout example of this was their involvement in the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships. They supplied 3,000 pieces of equipment and implemented a clean power solution, resulting in a significant reduction of 24 tonnes of carbon emissions and substantial fuel and cost savings. Another noteworthy event in which they played a role was the 2023 London Marathon. The team supplied a total of 35km of Crowd Control Barriers and Police Barriers, ensuring the smooth and safe management of the event.

• Apprentice of the Year – Cody Matthews

Cody Matthews is a committed Apprentice Plant Fitter at the Sunbelt Rentals depot in Belfast, where he combines his work with his studies at South Eastern Regional College in Northern Ireland. In 2023, Cody was recognised for his outstanding achievements by winning the Apprentice of the Year Award at the Sunbelt Rentals Apprentice Awards. He was also a finalist in the Construction Plant-hire Association's Stars of the Future Awards 2023, where he was nominated for the prestigious Plant Technician of the Year category. At the age of 22, Cody has made phenomenal progress since joining the business.