Colin Cuthbert, managing director of Northern Light, said: "Since early in 2007 Northern Light has invested over a quarter of a million pounds and hundreds of hours of staff time in improving our hire and events departments. The ethos behind this programme of continuous improvement stemmed from an upturn in business for our hire department and our successful expansion into technical event production."
Investment has been spread over various areas of the business, covering equipment, staffing, training and process management. Increased business has meant employing further experts for the team. Northern Light is delighted to welcome Al Dalgarno as hire operations manager, Galo Dominguez and Jon Pike as technicians, Marcin Buczek as sound technician and Chris McNelis as event sales manager. In addition, to keep up with the workload Northern Light has had to increase the database of freelance technicians by 100%.
Substantial outlay has gone towards new equipment including Source 4 Revolutions and Profiles, Midas Heritage and Venice mixing desks, d&b loudspeakers, Thomas PixelLine 1044 battens, Avolites ART 2000, Pulsar ChromaCubes, Martin MAC 600s, ETC Congo and SmartFade lighting control desks, Prolyte truss, Selecon Acclaims, Super Korrigan followspots and a vast range of mains distro, staging and rigging equipment.
An overhaul of the hire department itself has taken place including examination of existing systems, equipment audit, training needs analysis of all staff and establishment of best practice. "As a result, the department now functions more efficiently and effectively, meaning increased service levels for our customers, as well as more streamlined business process for the company," said Cuthbert.
Finally, Northern Light is poised to launch a brand new product catalogue which includes listings of all hire equipment and has been redesigned to improve ease of use for customers. Already available in PDF format on the company's website, the printed version will be ready for distribution over the coming weeks.
Cuthbert concluded: "The period of change and investment has resulted in a slicker, more functional and better equipped hire department, which complements our events division perfectly. An increase in the volume and scope of hire and events work, and the satisfaction levels of our customers, tells me that this investment has been a wise one. I feel confident that we will continue to go from strength to strength."
(Lee Baldock)
