The union sees GLS's very successful and well-established business - celebrating its 20th year - based in Southampton continue to function exactly as it is ... now having access to HSL's vast resources of equipment, personnel, knowledge, expertise, backup and support. The GLS day-to-day operation will further benefit from sharing HSL's administration infrastructure.
"It's fantastic to welcome GLS as part of our healthy and growing family," says HSL's MD Simon Stuart. "We are all like-minded individuals, passionate about what we do, dedicated to providing the very best and highest quality services and solutions for all our clients worldwide ... and ensuring that the HSL Group stays at the forefront of a fast-moving people-orientated industry."
Simon emphasises that there are numerous synergies between the two companies, and that fundamental to the deal is that "All the things that have made GLS a respected, distinctive, stand-out rental company and such a hit with its clients will continue.
"GLS will not be absorbed or 'disappeared' into the vortex of a larger parent company. We will work as one in the Group, and GLS is simply joining a bigger family full of positive energy and forward thinkers who share the same core values and future visions for success in the industry."
GLS director Ian Turner comments, "There are so many parallels in attitude and style between HSL and GLS and while spiritually it is a highly logical move to join forces, most importantly for our client base, it frees up all of us to do what we love best - being out there on the front-line and building strong, productive and enjoyable relationships."
This is part of HSL's planned medium-term commercial strategy built on solid partnerships and embracing an innovative, creative and lateral business model uniting and energising talented people and great teamwork to delivering the best tour, show and event productions.
This will help shape and drive HSL forward over the next decade.
It also gives HSL the massive geographical advantage of now having a facility located on the south coast in addition to the Blackburn HQ and the satellite operations in Belfast and Dublin.
This will further streamline HSL's physical structure, provide more opportunities for growth and be an ideally placed operational base to service London, the south of England and Wales as well as parts of Western Europe with access to nearby ports.
Any companies interested in joining the HSL Family are free to reach out to group strategy director Mick Seddon and start a conversation!
(Jim Evans)
