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Groundhog will have three reasons to celebrate when it returns to the Executive Hire Show in February 2027, marking 40 years since its first mobile welfare unit left the production line, 20 years of exhibiting at the show and a personal milestone for Peter Beach, who joined the company on the very first day of the event.
On the opening day of the first Executive Hire Show, Peter Beach began his career with Groundhog. Twenty years later, Peter is still very much part of the business, and Groundhog remains one of the show’s longest-standing exhibitors.
The 2027 event, taking place at the CBS Arena in Coventry on 10 and 11 February, will mark the show’s 20th anniversary, making it a particularly fitting occasion for Groundhog to look back at its own history.
The company’s story stretches back to 1987, when the first Groundhog mobile welfare unit left the production line in South Wales. Four decades later, Groundhog has become an established name in the construction and equipment hire sectors, manufacturing a wide range of mobile and static welfare accommodation.
An important chapter in Groundhog’s history came in November 2024, when Groundhog UK acquired its long-standing sales partner, Genquip. Established in 1993 by the late Dennis Hughes, Genquip had worked alongside Paul Ratcliffe CEO of Groundhog for more than 30 years, handling sales and customer service while Groundhog concentrated on manufacturing. The acquisition brought the two businesses together under the Groundhog name, with operations based at the company’s headquarters in Aberdulais, South Wales.
Over those 40 years, both the equipment and the expectations of the hire industry have changed considerably. Site welfare has developed from relatively basic facilities into increasingly sophisticated, energy-efficient accommodation, with customers placing greater emphasis on running costs, reliability, environmental performance and ease of maintenance.
Groundhog has continued to develop its product range in response to those demands, with hybrid power, solar technology and battery systems becoming an increasingly important part of its offering.
The Executive Hire Show has provided a regular platform for many of those developments. At the 2025 event, Groundhog introduced its Genuine Replacement Parts offering, while the 2026 show saw the launch of the new e360 diesel-free mobile welfare unit.
Powered by swappable batteries and supported by solar panels, the e360 represented another step forward in the company’s approach to reducing fuel consumption, emissions and noise on construction sites.
And of course, no Groundhog anniversary would be complete without a mention of Daisy the Hog, who has become something of a mascot for the company. Adding a little personality and humour to the Groundhog name, Daisy has become a familiar character in her own right and another part of the company’s story.
For Peter Beach, Director of Marketing at Groundhog, the anniversary brings together two decades of personal involvement with the show and a period of significant change for the business.
Peter commented: “It’s hard to believe it’s been 20 years since I joined Groundhog on the very first day of the Executive Hire Show. A lot has changed since then, both in the hire industry and in the equipment we’re producing.
“The show has always been an important event for us. It’s a chance to catch up with customers, hear what they think and find out what they need from us. We’ve had some great times at the show over the years, and I think 2027 will be a particularly special one.
“With Groundhog marking 40 years since our first welfare unit and the Executive Hire Show celebrating its 20th anniversary, it’s a good opportunity to look back at how far we’ve all come.”
Chris Moore, Publishing & Event Director, Executive Hire Show, added: “Groundhog has been part of the Executive Hire Show from the very beginning, and it’s fantastic to see the company celebrating three milestones alongside our own 20th anniversary.
“The fact that Peter joined Groundhog on the very first day of the show is a great part of the story. Groundhog has been a loyal supporter of the event over the years, and its continued commitment says a lot about the relationship between the show, its exhibitors and the hire industry. We’re delighted to be celebrating these anniversaries together in February.”
Groundhog’s continued support of the Executive Hire Show reflects the close relationship between manufacturers and the hire businesses they supply. As equipment and customer requirements have changed, those conversations have remained an important part of product development.
With 40 years of manufacturing history, 20 years at the show and Peter’s own 20-year milestone, Groundhog has plenty to celebrate when the doors open in Coventry next February.
The Executive Hire Show takes place on 10 and 11 February 2027 at the CBS Arena, Coventry. For further information, visit www.executivehireshow.co.uk.
Source: Executive Hire Show press