Seymour Hire, an established name in the vehicle hire industry, has grown significantly over the years, expanding its fleet and service offerings. This family-run business, which initially was a bolt-on to a haulage company, has undergone significant transformation since its acquisition by Hayden Murrell in 2017. Under Hayden’s leadership, the company has flourished, boasting a modern fleet, expanded premises, and a dedicated team providing excellent customer service.
As the Managing Director of Seymour Hire, Hayden is integral to maintaining customer and supplier relationships, expanding the business, and continuously seeking opportunities for improvement. His deep involvement in the company and passion for customer service have been key drivers of its success.
Hayden and the Prohire team
A Journey of Growth and Transformation
Hayden describes, “The company has been going since 1986. I bought the business in June 2017 (4 months before my daughter was born, so maybe not the best timing) when it had 18 vehicles and two members of staff. We now have over 150 vehicles, from 7.5-tonne lorries to cars. Our fleet now is 90% under 3 years old.”
The company now operates out of a spacious facility with a large office, workshop, and parking for up to 100 vehicles. “We have moved premises from a site with a small office and 10 car parking spaces to a site that has a large office, a workshop, and space to park up to 100 vehicles,” Hayden explains. They handle almost everything in-house, from vehicle maintenance to body repairs, with a dedicated team of 10 staff members. This rapid expansion, combined with a focus on high customer service standards, has been the cornerstone of Seymour Hire’s continued success.
The Power of a Strong Team
One of Seymour Hire’s most notable features is its strong, close-knit team. From Hayden himself to Neil, the longest-serving employee, the staff is dedicated, experienced, and passionate about delivering exceptional service.
As Hayden points out, “I think the thing that makes our team special is the bond we have within and with our customers. We could do everything automated, but I am a big believer in customer service and having that human interaction. We like to make our customers feel comfortable, have a good laugh, and make the day fun.” This focus on customer interaction has been essential in building lasting relationships with their clients.
Seymour Hire’s Most Significant Achievement
Seymour Hire has achieved a lot in recent years. Still, according to Hayden, the company’s greatest success is its ability to expand and improve without compromising the high standards and level of customer service the business is known for. “There are many things we could pinpoint, but I think the overriding feeling for me is how we have expanded so much while maintaining our high standards and customer service. This is crucial.”
Discovering Prohire Software
When Hayden acquired Seymour Hire, Prohire was already in place as the company’s software solution. Prohire quickly became an integral part of the business operations, and Hayden can’t imagine how they would function without it. “When I took over this business, Prohire was already in place, and I don’t know what I would have done without it. If it weren’t, it would have been a no-brainer. It is a fundamental part of the business.”
The transition to Prohire was smooth, and any issues that arose were swiftly dealt with by the Prohire team, reinforcing the company’s trust in the software. “The process was seamless and any issues that arose were dealt with immediately,” Hayden recalls. The comprehensive features provided by Prohire have made it an essential tool for Seymour Hire, streamlining many critical processes and ensuring the business operates efficiently and effectively.
How Prohire Software Transformed Seymour Hire
Prohire has become the backbone of Seymour Hire’s operations. Hayden explains that the software is the “brain” of their business, managing everything from fleet tracking to customer relations. “Prohire is the core of what we do, the brain, the whole database, whichever way you word it, everything. I personally don’t know how we would operate without it.”
One feature that stands out for Seymour Hire is the Companion module, which they adopted four years ago. Initially seen as a tool for protecting the business, Companion has become a much more valuable resource. “We took on Companion four years ago, which was also a no-brainer. People may often see this as just protection for the company, which it is, but it also protects the customer, and over time, we have filtered it to our specification and we utilise it way beyond just check-ins and outs.”
Another essential aspect of Prohire for Seymour Hire is the Prohire Tracker. This feature has helped them improve fleet management and operational efficiency. “We also use Prohire trackers, which are brilliant. The more we have under one roof, the better; with the quality of Prohire and the service provided, that roof needs to be Prohire’s for us,” Hayden notes.
By having all its systems under one roof, Seymour Hire has streamlined its processes and boosted the overall quality of its operations. Hayden appreciates that Prohire offers such a comprehensive suite of tools, all of which work together seamlessly. They continue to rely on the software as the foundation of their business operations.
Recommendation to Other Businesses
When asked about his advice for other businesses considering Prohire, Hayden has no hesitation. “Everybody I come across in our industry who doesn’t use it, I recommend. I tell them all the benefits we use it for, but I don’t need to. As soon as they use it, all the answers are there, and they will never look back.”
For Seymour Hire, Prohire isn’t just a software solution—it’s a critical partner that has helped them streamline operations, improve service quality, and support their continued growth. As the business expands further, Prohire will continue to play a key role in enabling them to meet customer needs and maintain their high standards.
Seymour Hire’s partnership with Prohire Software Ltd. is a shining example of how the right software solution can transform a business. With Prohire in place, Seymour Hire has been able to streamline operations, reduce costs, and improve efficiency, all while enhancing the customer experience. For businesses in the vehicle hire industry, Prohire offers a powerful solution that can help them achieve similar success.
