Background
Allens Hire operates under the mantra “A Promise Delivered,” serving both professional caterers and private clients. However, their legacy website struggled to reflect this promise digitally. The platform faced performance limitations, inconsistent search functionality, and challenges managing complex inventory across multiple warehouses.
With a growing product catalogue and distinct B2B and B2C audiences, the business required a scalable solution capable of delivering accurate, real-time stock availability while maintaining a premium, inspirational brand experience. The existing site also carried a higher environmental footprint than desired, making sustainability an important consideration in the rebuild.
Solution
We implemented a headless Umbraco architecture, decoupling content management from the frontend to deliver improved performance, flexibility, and scalability. This approach enabled faster load times and established a future-ready foundation for growth.
To support complex hire operations, we developed a real-time API integration with InspHire, ensuring stock levels and pricing remained synchronised across warehouses. We also introduced Meilisearch to power intelligent search functionality, improving discoverability across thousands of products.
An atomic design system reduced code duplication and improved efficiency, contributing to a significantly lighter digital footprint while maintaining a visually rich, brand-led experience. A custom B2B account dashboard further enhanced usability, enabling business customers to manage teams, business units, and orders seamlessly.
Impact
The new platform delivered measurable improvements across performance, sustainability, and engagement.
Digital carbon emissions per page view were reduced by 50%, supporting Allens Hire’s sustainability ambitions without compromising user experience. Google Lighthouse performance scores improved from 73 to 89, while accessibility increased from 72 to 87, creating a faster and more inclusive experience.
Commercially, the impact was significant. In the first three months following launch, pageviews increased by 102% compared to the same period the previous year, with active users rising by 83% demonstrating stronger engagement and improved discoverability. The platform now confidently supports both the operational complexity of the hire industry and the brand’s promise to deliver excellence at every touchpoint.
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reduction in digital carbon per page view
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improvement in Lighthouse performance
“The new platform finally reflects who we are as a brand. It is easier for our customers to use, gives us confidence that what they see is accurate, and supports the way our business works. Improving performance while also reducing our environmental impact has been a significant win for Allens Hire.”
