Having been in the game since 1982, GTAccess has evolved from a small electrical contracting company into the fourth largest powered access company in the UK. With 12 running depots across the UK, GTAccess are the experts when it comes to the hire or outright purchase of a powered access platforms, training or service plans for your own equipment. inspHire recently had the pleasure of meeting with the team at GTAccess to reflect on their unique journey, business successes and the relationship they hold with inspHire that dates back 20+ years.

A family empire built over the last 40 years

In the earlier days, GTAccess was once known as Geoff Till Electrical Contractors (GTE). Originally established to work in electrical installations, GTE had to buy its own access equipment due to hiring not being a huge concept back then. It wasn’t until 1990, when Jonathan Till, Geoff's son, saw the difficulty in hiring access equipment as an opportunity, and ‘Geoff Till Access Platforms’ was created.  

From this point, Geoff Till Access grew slowly over the next 10-years, owning five depots and 350 access machines, and the need for a rental management software solution became apparent. In 1999, Geoff Till Access became a customer of inspHire, although back then it was known as Maple Software. It’s safe to say that we have grown with one another over the last 20+ years, and it was 2005 when GTAccess was officially established as the new brand.  

GTAccess lead with a 'service over price' mentality 

Since Jonathan Till launched the company, GTAccess has overcome significant growth with 160 staff members, multiple apprentices, 12 depots across the UK, as well as 3,000+ powered access equipment - all while being supported by inspHire Office Edition. When speaking with Jo-Anne Till, Company Director, we discussed the importance of customer service, but also prioritising the GTAccess team.

"One of our company values is service over price. Now we are considered a big company, our team deliver a small business feel and approach; this allows our customers to feel valued and looked after. The level of customer service you deliver is ultimately down to the people you have on your team, that's why GTAccess aim to be recognised as a first choice employer. We have a culture of continuous improvement that allows us to nurture and promote talent from within, as well as investing in our apprentices. At the moment, we have 6 apprentices with an additional 6 starting later this year based across multiple depots, who will all be completing the full year 1-3 course.

GTAccess have many staff success stories, our Tech Director started off as an apprentice 20 years ago, one of the Transport Managers began as a driver and one of our Depot Managers started off as a Telemarketing Apprentice with no qualifications - that's just naming a few. Staff retention and attracting the best people supports our aims of exceeding customer expectations."

However, their service delivery doesn't stop there! GTAccess wanted to take its service to another level by launching MyGTA, a customer portal app powered by inspHire's API offering. This online solution allows their customers to instantly see what's on hire, the account status, make quick hire orders, as well as the ability the share key information with colleagues through multi-user setup. Having this digital solution in places has allowed GTAccess to offer the best of both worlds when it comes to customer service; speak one-on-one with the team or self-serve at any time, from anywhere. Find out more on MyGTA here: https://www.gtaccess.co.uk/mygta. 

It's not just about hiring, but ensuring safe-use of powered access equipment 

One of the biggest competitive advantages GTAccess hold is their ability to offer comprehensive range of accredited IPAF, PASMA and Workplace Health & Safety related training courses. This service is available from one of the 11 accredited training centres covering the Midlands, South East and South Wales. More recently, GTAccess were pleased to announce that they have become an accredited IPAF CAP Assessment Centre. 

"The IPAF Competent Assessed Person (CAP) one-day Training Programme is an advanced level of assessment leading to certification that candidates are proficient in undertaking statutory inspections of MEWPs, MCWPs or Construction Hoists (CHs),to the highest specification, as stipulated by legislation/regulations. This course is aimed at engineers wishing to competently plan, manage and conduct a thorough examination of a MEWP, MCWP or Construction Hoist." Find out more: https://www.ipaf.org/en/cap-certification-eligibility

What is the next step for GTAccess?

When speaking with Jo-Anne Till, Company Director, and Miang Tan, IT Project Coordinator, we were curious to find out what the next step was for GTAccess? Having covered multiple services and accreditations, we wondered what was left for the team to conquer in the powered access world. 

"GTAccess are looking to integrate more technology into our operations that drives sustainability. We take our responsibility seriously and believe the approach we are taking will ensure that the hire of a powered access machine from us will not only be easy and cost effective, but also safer, more efficient and will come at less of a cost to the environment. As part of our commitment we have installed 200 photovoltaic (PV) solar panels on the roof of our Bromsgrove Head Office, these produce 50Kw of power which is used to recharge all of our electric powered access machines, as well as providing electricity for the offices, workshops and a fleet of 6 electric company vehicles. This initiative is helping to reduce our carbon footprint by over 20 tonnes per year."

A big thank you to the team at GTAccess for speaking with us. It's a privilege to work with so many accredited market-leaders in the global hire industry, but even more so when it's been from the beginning! Here's to the next 20 years.