Two of ES Broadcast Hire’s longest-serving employees recently celebrated a decade working for the company.
Annie Breislin, Operations Manager, and Charles Alexis, European Sales Director, both joined in February 2016 to help rapidly expand Hire’s operations.
“It was still a small team when I joined,” Breislin said. “But we soon started expanding quickly and built the team up. Every year since we have steadily got busier and busier.”
She emphasises how it was very much a collective team effort in those early days – and remains so to this day.
“We all help each other, do what needs to be done, whether that’s writing on the boxes before they go out or keeping up excellent communication with those working in the warehouse,” she added. “It’s like a family really.”
Breislin, who has worked in the broadcast industry for over 30 years, explains how the Hire team has always prided itself on the presentation of any kit it sends out.
“It’s always clean and taken care of. We make sure everything looks good before it goes out. We’re kind of known for this in the industry, with all our equipment well-received by our clients,” she said.
Breislin says it’s the bigger projects – in particular major sporting events – that are often the most rewarding.
“We first hear the quotes and the volume of equipment required and we go ‘oh no, how are we going to cope?’ But we make it happen. Bit by bit, we make it happen.”
She continued: “There’s a real sense of achievement when it all goes out, and a sense of relief! But it wouldn’t happen without the team. Everyone pitches in, everyone is important in making sure things run smoothly.”
As well as communication and teamwork, planning is also vitally important. “No sooner has the equipment gone out, we need a plan for when it comes back, how it comes back, and who needs it next. The planning never ends.”
Most of all, Breislin is eager to point out how quickly the decade has passed.
“It’s gone very fast. It’s a great team, very enjoyable to work with. We’ve had lots of fun, lots of laughs – stressful at times, but that comes with the territory.”
Alexis, meanwhile, has also enjoyed watching the team grow during his time with the company.
“When I first started, we only had three people in the team. Now we have offices all over Europe – Belgium, France, Spain – and operations in Orlando as well,” he said.
“It’s been very satisfying to see the company grow and also enjoy the many friendships we made along the way “
He says the company’s journey to become one of the biggest rental companies in the world has been a major achievement, but also one that has brought new and interesting challenges.
Brexit, in particular, was something of a game-changer for ES Broadcast Hire – not least for the company’s burgeoning European operations as higher costs and much greater logistical obstacles stood in the way.
“It was a big challenge” Alexis said. “But thanks to our offices and warehouses on the mainland, we were able to secure our position and adapt to the new rules of trade and goods movements.”
Alexis said one of the most fun and enjoyable parts of the job has been working across different European countries.
“It is very different in each country,” he added. “One of the biggest challenges has been keeping track with the different mentalities at play. Every country in Europe has their own way of working and communicating. The skill is how to navigate people thinking and reacting differently.”
Alexis expects things to change in the industry over the next 10 years in terms of how companies work and interact with the end user. But, from a rental perspective, he doesn’t believe it will change all that much.
“You still need cameras on site; you still need the equipment for the bigger productions. While the way customers view logistical challenges might change, I can’t see the rental side of things changing too much,” he said.
Warren Taggart, Managing Director of ES Broadcast Hire, said of the milestone achievement: “It's been a real pleasure working with Annie and Charles for all these years - they are very valued team members who have been absolutely integral to the growth of ES Broadcast Hire over the last decade.”
“Both have very much brought their personalities and skillsets to the fore, and been prepared to muck in and help wherever required. Here's to the next 10 years and beyond as we continue to grow and build."
