About us
We have been a family-run business since 1982. Originally a building company called Fakenham Trading Company, we found locals asking to borrow spare diggers or mixers that they could see on our sites, and of course we let them. Current matriarch, Peter Howes soon realised that there was a gap in the market for the hiring of larger tools and equipment and branched off from the building by purchasing a few extra to rent out.
Over 40 years later we are still based on the same Fakenham industrial estate and it gives us great joy to have customers today that are the children and even grandchildren of our customers from the 1970s.
What we offer
FTC is a tool and equipment hire and sales company. The most important thing for us is the customer. We endeavor to be part of the local community and offer the very best customer service.
We use our product knowledge and understanding of DIY to ensure you get exactly what you are looking for. Just ring us up, tell us what you are trying to do and we can advise you on the equipment you need and talk you through the process. Anyone can hire tools and we are here to tell you what the professionals use, to ensure you that you are a DIY master.
Hiring is cheaper than purchasing expensive equipment yourself, especially if you only need it for sporadic or one off use! We offer low, competitive prices, with ease of use, convenience and quick results and we guarantee that all of our equipment is up to date, maintained and serviced regularly.
We offer special weekend rates tool hire
across Saturday and Sunday!
across Saturday and Sunday!
Delivery is charged on top of hire rate.
Meet the team
PETER HOWES
Peter is the former company director who is now retired, and is married with four children (all grown up!) and lives in Fakenham. Peter retired in November 2017, but he is still around. Failing that you can most likely find him at Fakenham Race Course.
He specialises in the plant tools, rollers and diggers but in his spare time you can find him cheering on Norwich City Football Club or at the horse racing, while dreaming about eating a nice, juicy Aberdeen Angus steak.
And his favorite thing about working at FTC?
Having a laugh with the customers! With a self-proclaimed wicked sense of humour, Peter never takes anything too seriously.
CINDY FUTTER
Peter’s daughter Cindy is now company director now he's retired. Previously, Cindy acted as company secretary but ended up mucking in wherever she’s needed. She’s the go to gal!
Out of work, Cindy enjoys looking after her horse, as well as horse riding and racing. Partial to running, she has completed the Newcastle run and raised over £1,000 for an Alzheimer’s charity. To reward herself for all that hard work, Cindy can’t resist a home cooked Sunday roast.
And her favourite thing about working at FTC?
The variety! No day is ever the same.
PAUL HOWES
Paul is also part of the family, being Peter's son, he is a director as well as the resident mechanic and handy man. He has worked at FTC for a number years. Paul is a huge motorsport fan, obsessed with all things Formula One and National Hot Rods Racing. Paul enjoys go-karting and although it’s just for fun.
And his favourite thing about working at FTC?
The family environment! He feels at home with his colleagues and enjoys the freedom they give him to experiment.
LEWIS WALTER
The youngest member of the team, Lewis is Peter’s grandson born in 1997, Lewis has been unofficially working for FTC since he was four years old!
Currently he drives the lorries and makes the deliveries, with a particular knowledge of the plant equipment hire, something he’s learnt from his Granddad.
In his spare time he enjoys go-karting and eating burger after burger!
And his favourite thing about working at FTC?
Working with his family, no day is ever the same and always being busy.
JOHNNY SADLER
Johnny has been working at FTC for a number years, making him part of the family. Johnny works in the shop selling the products and renting out tools; he has a strong knowledge of all of the products and currently lives in Fakenham with his partner of 25 years.
Johnny supports Norwich City Football Club but his real passion is cricket. He coaches the juniors at Fakenham Cricket Club and is partial to a nice meal out, although he says you can’t beat sausage and mash with onion gravy!
And his favourite thing about working at FTC?
Meeting new people and seeing long-standing customers become friends.
DAYNE MAYES
Dayne is newest member of the team working along side Johnny in the shop. Dayne also has his HGV license and you could see him on the lorry when Lewis or Tom are on holiday. Dayne is well known in Fakenham for previously being a postman and being part of Fakenham fire service. In his spare time he enjoys playing football.
And his favourite thing about working at FTC?
The banter with his colleagues.
TOM ALLISON
Tom started at FTC working in the yard and shop getting machines ready to be hired out again. In his spare time he enjoys socialising with friends and watching marvel films.
He has since work his way up getting his HGV license and now drives one of the lorries along side Lewis as a valued member of the team at FTC.
And his favourite thing about working at FTC?
Having banter with customers!
STEVEN HALL (WINGNUT)
Steven otherwise known by everyone as Wingnut works on the plant hire side of FTC cleaning machines and repairing/servicing and the small garden machinery. In his spare time he enjoys restoring and collecting horticultural machinery. His easy going and jokey attitude make him a valued member of the team by everyone.
And his favourite thing about working at FTC?
Working for a family run business and as a team!