Many companies start off small and then get bigger RS Industrial Services has, in some ways, reversed that trend. Although there is no doubting the business has grown, going from strength to strength over a number of years, it started out supplying and servicing cranes and lifting equipment - a business it still excels at - but has grown with the addition of a tool retail outlet to its premises.

When the company first started it occupied a small office in a business centre, quickly needing to move to larger premises of 2500 square foot, before moving to the massive site that is its current location.

As the initial business took off, installing cranes and lifting equipment the company soon found there was also a demand for training, with many customers wanting their workers to be trained to use the equipment the company was supplying.

The training for use of cranes proved a success and customers aware that the company gave training started to ask it to provide it in fork lift use. The company was rapidly gaining a reputation for providing first class training as part of its service and the move to the current premises provided the opportunity to build a training centre as part of its own buildings, which is now a fully developed and accredited operation, the company employs two trainers.

Again other areas of business offered themselves up, customer bringing lifting equipment in for repair would be looking for temporary replacements a hire division made sound business sense, and a hire centre is now a substantial part of the company's space.

Never able to miss a trick RS Industrial Services also realised that there growing customer base all needed and used tools, and as these same customers were coming to the premises opening a tool shop there was a logical way to improve the company's offering and profits.

Two years ago the tool shop was opened at the front of the premises.

This undertaking was given an enormous boost by the involvement of THS. Helping the company get contracts with major suppliers that otherwise would have taken years to get on board.

Personal protective equipment and clothing is one of the biggest elements of the stock, with a lot of masks and gloves in stock, scaffolding tools and equipment are also popular lines. But in fact the shop is stocked with a wide range and an impressive number of big name brands, such as Makita, Wera, Dickies, Mascot, Harrison and Clough, Draper and Toolbank, to list just a small selection. And because they have the benefit of THS membership the company is not only able to stock this impressive range but is able to compete against bigger companies on quality and service.

Because of the nature of the business the company is in much of the tool sales trade is done over the phone with footfall in the shop itself only accounting for a fraction of sales. A short while ago two reps were taken on and having them out making sales has seen business go up month on month ever since, meaning there is a possibility the company will have to take on extra reps and expand further.

RS Industrial Services is able to handle any lifting equipment. With a huge amount of space given over to maintenance, each item of returned hire equipment is inspected repaired and certified.

The company is unique in its area, as no other business is able to offer customers the combination of cranes, training and the trade counter.

The owners of the business put its success down to 'jumping in with both feet' and there can be no doubt visiting the place that they have taken on every challenge and seen it through successfully. Wherever there has been a possibility of growing or improving the business it has been grasped firmly and with impressive dedication and hard work has been made a success of.

Another policy of RS Industrial Services also accounts for its popularity with the trade. "Make it easy for your customers to do business with you," they say, "And they will come back."