Clyde Tool Hire Owner Robert Ward On His Business Journey
Elaine, Robert, Jack and Paul are looking ahead to big things for Clyde Tool Hire. (Image: Amy Shearer)
How many of us have had a Saturday job? Whether it was working in a local shop, maybe as a dishwasher, perhaps serving customers in a takeaway or many other things that might not necessarily have been the most glamorous - it meant more to you than anyone would ever have realised.
It was perhaps the first time in life you've ever earned your own money, and even though it was likely no more than minimum wage, you felt like the richest person in the world.
For some, the Saturday job was just a way to get experience during your teenage years and tide your bank account over from one night out to the next.
But for a few, it is the very foundation of who you become and the trajectory of your entire career - to the point where you're now creating your own local empire to pave the way for others like yourself.
"I started in CID Hire as a Saturday boy and then got a summer job there," explains Robert Ward, who opened his business Clyde Tool Hire on Dempster Street in 2017.
"I'd always wanted to become a car mechanic, but then I was offered a full-time role, and that was that really.
“After working there I moved on to another few tool hire firms in the area where I got to know lots of great people and customers.
"Lots of people always told me I should start up on my own, so in 2016 I started laying the foundations for the business: I arranged meetings with Business Gateway and my wife Elaine and I started planning, officially opening the doors to our new venture in 2017."
And in the years that have followed, the business, which also employs local man Paul McIntyre, has gone from strength to strength.
Elaine was previously a well-known face at Ardgowan Hospice, but in 2022 she left that role and, along with Robert's son Jack, joined the team full-time.
Now the dream team are embarking on their biggest venture yet: building their own premises at Bogle Street/Terrace Road, working with local firm Rebecchi Architectural.
"We cannot say enough good things about our current premises," says Elaine.
"It's served us well since we started and our landlord and neighbours have been great.
"But we've now got to the point where we've outgrown it. We no longer have the space to bring in the equipment we want and we really want to future-proof our business for both Jack and local people who support us.
The plans for Bogle Street
"It's been a lengthier process than we initially expected, but we're looking forward to having a place that's custom-built, eco-friendly and offering everything we need and more."
Building works are set to start as soon as possible on the former Salvation Army site, and Elaine says customers are already telling them how excited they are for the move.
"We're planning a two-storey premises, with a view over the water - how we'll get any work done, who knows!" laughs Elaine.
"We think timeframe-wise we'll be ready to move everything to the new place over the Christmas break.
"It's a great move for us. We've been well-supported since we opened and it means a lot to us that we're so well trusted by so many people.
"We're the preferred supplier for everyone from Inverclyde Council and River Clyde Homes, and customers have also said they'd be up for helping us when we move too, so it's nice to know we're valued in the community."
The team regularly go above and beyond to support local businesses and good causes where they can, too. But this week they got perhaps one of the most exciting phone calls to date.
Elaine explains: "DIY SOS are currently undertaking a big project in Glasgow and I actually got in touch with them about us supporting in some way after reading about it in the paper.
"Just yesterday we had someone come down to collect tools and we've also been invited to the reveal date next week as well.
"It's a big thing. I was actually in tears. We were all so excited that we've been able to support such a great cause."
“What's coming up is what's keeping them going during this busy but exciting time.
"We're juggling a lot," she says, "but knowing that we've got local buy-in and so many people behind us makes it all worthwhile.
"We've got big plans, and we're looking at bringing on new staff, including apprentices, as well.
"Considering Robert started as just a young boy, I know it means a lot to us to give other young people opportunities too."
This article and images appeared in the Greenock Telegraph.