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Family run business

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New Modern Fleet

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24hr Emergency Technicians

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Environmentally Friendly

Honey wagon hire for the film industry

10 July 2023

Honeywagons are an indispensable part of the TV and film industry but what exactly are they and what are their benefits? Our latest guide tells you everything you need to know.

What is a honey wagon?

A honey wagon was originally a horse drawn carriage used to carry sewage waste, that derived its name from the colour of the waste. The term then became the slang expression for a vacuum pump truck used for waste collection, and today, a honey wagon is the name generally used for portable toilet units in the TV and film industry.

The benefits of honey wagons to the TV and film industry

Some of the UK’s most beloved TV shows have been filmed in locations that have been, to say the least, off the beaten track. Think Vera (Northumberland), Outlander (Scotland), and Game of Thrones (Northern Ireland) and now imagine if they had to be shot in a bustling suburban area because of lack of facilities. Honey wagon hire means no location ever has to be ruled out.

Even when a location shoot is happening where there are pre-existing permanent facilities in an area that serves a local community, the influx of a full production team, with actors, technicians, make-up and wardrobe staff plus all the other personnel involved can easily overwhelm them. Honey wagon hire relieves the pressure on community facilities and can remain open for overnight filming where public toilets may be locked.

Remote locations with no mains water or electricity supplies need not be overlooked either, as honey wagons have their own integral water supply.  We can also arrange for generator hire where there is no mains electricity, and we can provide fresh flush portable toilets which are powered by their own solar panels.

The presence of honey wagons onset also enables production companies to be compliant with HSE, while ensuring that the physical and mental wellbeing of everyone involved is looked after.

Honey wagon hire from Fortis Hire

We have worked on projects at several film studios, including Pinewood, Longcross, Elstree and OMA:X and we pride ourselves on our professional yet friendly service.

In addition to our fresh flush portable toilets, we have an extensive fleet of modern luxury toilet units for hire. The high end interiors offer the glamour and luxury that everyone, from your performers, directors, and producers to the camera crew, MUAs and runners, deserve. Spacious interiors offer recessed lighting, hot and cold running water, well-equipped vanity areas with luxury branded consumables, and heating for those colder months, plus a host of other features. From our luxury 1 plus 1 toilet unit, ideal for smaller spaces or as a complement to existing facilities, to our luxury 4 plus 2 trailer that will accommodate up to 450 people, we can offer single or mixed gender units, plus disabled facilities, and shower units.

We are Albert

Albert is an organisation that operates within the TV and film industry to tackle environmental issues. Since 2011 albert has supported the industry worldwide to reduce the environmental impacts of production by compiling a list of trusted and authorised suppliers who meet their environmental responsibilities while delivering market leading products in a sustainable way.

Fortis Hire is proud to be an approved We Are Albert supplier as it gives our clients the confidence that they can rely on our service and our products. If you would like to work with us on your next location shoot, our friendly sales team is available to discuss your requirements and can be contacted by phone on 01525 643850 or by email to sales@fortishire.co.uk

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