James Carrigan: Building a New Division at HSS: The Hire Service Company From the Ground Up

In a business redefining itself, growth rarely comes from maintaining the status quo. At HSS: The Hire Service Company, one of the clearest indicators of its next phase is the development of new capabilities, and at the centre of that is James Carrigan.

Carrigan joined HSS: The Hire Service Company just over a year ago with a clear remit: establish and grow the company’s mechanical, electrical and plumbing (MEP) offering.

His background reflects the demands of that role. With more than 20 years in construction sales, including time within established national businesses and experience helping to launch an independent hire company, he brings both structure and adaptability.

“I’ve come into the business to set up the mechanical, electrical and plumbing division,” he explains.

That combination of experience is particularly relevant in a role that sits across sales, operations, and supply chain, where technical understanding and commercial awareness are equally important.

HSS: The Hire Service Company is a well-established name in the hire industry, but its transition into an independent business has created space for new areas of growth.

The development of the mechanical, electrical and plumbing division reflects that broader direction, expanding capability while reshaping how the business operates.

Building From The Ground Up

At present, the mechanical, electrical and plumbing division is still being established: “We’re very much in the infancy of the business,” Carrigan explains. “The first year’s about setting it up, getting the right equipment into the business, getting the right people in.”

That early stage is less about scale and more about foundation.

Unlike more standard hire categories, mechanical, electrical and plumbing work often involves tighter coordination, more specific equipment requirements, and closer alignment with contractors’ needs. Getting that right from the outset is critical.

Carrigan’s role involves working across the business to ensure those elements come together, from defining what the equipment offering should look like to aligning operations and supply chain with how it will be delivered in practice.

Driving Growth And Expansion

With the groundwork in place, the focus is now shifting towards growth. The next phase is commercial: building revenue, strengthening customer relationships, and proving the model in live environments. From there, the ambition is to expand.

“There’s a five-year plan to take this nationally,” Carrigan says.

The approach is deliberate: establish credibility first, then scale into new regions as demand builds. It is a measured way of growing a new capability within an established business.

A Role Without Boundaries

Unlike more traditional management roles, Carrigan’s position is not defined by a fixed team structure. He works across existing teams, particularly sales and operations, to bring the new division together.

“I oversee a bit of sales and operations,” he explains, “but my main role is outselling the new mechanical, electrical and plumbing range and working with the supply chain to make sure the kit is right.”

It is a cross-functional role that relies on collaboration rather than hierarchy, aligning different parts of the business around a new capability.

Relationships At The Centre

Despite the focus on building structure, Carrigan’s approach remains grounded in relationships, and much of his customer base has been built over years in the industry.

“I’ve probably known a lot of my customers for 15 or 20 years,” he says.

That familiarity allows for direct, efficient communication. In many cases, a phone call replaces the need for formal meetings. For new customers, the approach is more hands-on, guiding them through the process and acting as a single point of contact.

A Business In Transition

As HSS: The Hire Service Company continues its shift towards a more focused, independent model, roles like Carrigan’s are becoming increasingly important. They represent not just continuity, but expansion, new capabilities that support the next stage of growth.

For Carrigan, the opportunity lies in combining the strength of an established brand with the flexibility of a business still defining its future, and in an industry where relationships often matter as much as resources, that combination is what will ultimately determine how that growth is delivered.

To find out how HSS: The Hire Service Company supports mechanical, electrical and plumbing division through a more direct, people-led approach, contact the team: https://www.thehireservicecompany.com/contact