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JAMES OXENHAM HRIA CEO
INVESTING TO PROVIDE A SMOOTHER EXPERIENCE FOR MEMBERS
THE NEW FINANCIAL YEAR BROUGHT NEW OPPORTUNITIES WHEN IT CAME TO IT AT THE NATIONAL OFFICE. THE TEAM HAS BEEN BUSY LAUNCHING ITS NEW MEMBER MANAGEMENT SYSTEM WHICH WENT LIVE BEFORE THE FINANCIAL YEAR END, IN TIME FOR MEMBER RENEWALS.
WHILST TRANSITIONING IT SYSTEMS IS NOT USUALLY AN EASY task, the Board recognized the importance of this investment and the team have embraced the challenge. A big thanks to all staff who worked with developers on the launch and to members for coming on the journey, getting used to new logins and a different user experience. If you haven’t yet logged in, please follow the instructions that were sent via email or reach out to the membership team for help.
In August, we are also going live with a learning management system (LMS) for the EWPA Yellow Card and TSHA Gold Card. Having moved to an app and gone digital in 2013, we are taking the next step and launching a digital licence. The new licence will be available as a secure digital credential and can be saved in the Apple or Android wallet in operators phones. Not only will this provide instant proof of training, but it will also reduce the need for plastic cards to be printed and posted around the country. The LMS also can capture ongoing Verification of Competence, allowing operators to build on their training records and capture the different makes and models of machines they have used over the years. Check out Tempel Matterson, our Training Co-ordinator’s message in Access in Action on page 34.
When systems are working well, we have more capacity to connect with members and strengthen industry relationships. The International Leadership Exchange is a great way to learn from participants who bring experience from overseas and share their learnings through the program. Dillon Hughes from Texas company Only 1 Rentals, was hosted by Flexihire and joined us at HIRE24 in Brisbane. The HRIA also welcomed Steve and Maureen Mau from Brainerd General Rental in Minnesota. Steve served as ARA President and provided an update from the US market before our opening keynote Mark Bouris. We look forward to more travel, hosting and collaboration through our connection with the American Rental Association and encourage members to broaden their horizons when travel opportunities arise interstate or overseas.
The ARA Show is in Las Vegas 28 Jan — 1 Feb 2025 and the HRIA Convention, HIRE25 takes place 3-5 June in Melbourne — mark the dates in your calendar!
When systems are working well, we have more capacity to connect with members and strengthen industry relationships
CONTINUING THE JOURNEY OF RECONCILIATION
WHEN AGGREKO CELEBRATED THE LAUNCH of its second Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) during National Reconciliation Week in late May, they welcomed a very special guest speaker: Australian sporting icon and Olympic Gold Medallist, Cathy Freeman. Before an incredibly diverse group of Aggreko employees at their Australian head office in Melbourne, Cathy spoke about resilience, determination and cultural pride.
It's a theme that drives the team at Aggreko as they continue their journey towards reconciliation.
George Whyte, Managing Director Aggreko APAC, says the RAP represents the company’s commitment to making a positive difference to the lives and communities of First Nations peoples.
“Although we’re a relatively small company, we knew we couldn't just sit on the fence. We needed to do something about it.”
In 2020, their first RAP provided a blueprint for the organisation’s commitment to celebrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ cultures, acknowledge their history, build closer relationships, provide employment opportunities and focus on supplier diversity.
Now, their second RAP includes contains detailed actions that are both ambitious and achievable.
“We want to increase access to employment, and procurement with First Nations-owned businesses, and employee participation in training and days of cultural significance,” says George.
The RAP extends Aggreko’s efforts in the remote communities where they operate, particularly around their four renewable projects in Weipa, Gove and Laverton.
While it’s a significant step, Aggreko’s Communications and Indigenous Engagement Manager, Sofie Camili says it’s not an easy path to choose.
“I try not to get frustrated that people are not at the same part of the journey as I am,” says Sofie.
AGGREKO’S SECOND RECONCILIATION ACTION PLAN (RAP) IS KEEPING THEM FOCUSED AND DETERMINED TO CONTINUE THEIR RECONCILIATION JOURNEY.
“But it takes time to get commitment from people, so I have to be more patient and let them catch up to where we are now.”
In the four years between their first and second RAP, they’ve focused on Indigenous procurement, setting themselves a target of 3% of their total spend on First Nations businesses. Sofie says they’re tracking extremely well to hit their target and maybe even exceed it.
They also have eight First Nations employees but are aiming for 15 by the end of this RAP in 2025.
“We're trying to do what we can with local Traditional Owners and other groups, including land councils, to encourage employment and procurement from local businesses,” she says. “We’re hopeful that through our remote project locations, we can attract people even if they've got a lower skill set, to come and work for us and learn on the job.”
She suggests that other hire companies who operate in similar remote locations should consider the RAP process so they know whose land they’re working on and can work to provide local opportunities.
“Whether it’s through employment or procurement, it doesn't hurt to give a smaller business or a smaller group a go.”
Cathy Freeman (second row, third from left) with the women of Aggreko including Communications and Indigenous Engagement Manager, Sofie Camili (bottom row, first on right).
“Regardless of our view on an issue, as a company we reflect society and there will be people in our business who are critical of what we’re doing. Our job is to educate people and improve our levels of support. We're just a vehicle to progress things.”
To ensure everything goes smoothly on the ground in their remote locations, Aggreko also provide their teams with cultural awareness training, ensuring everyone is informed and knows how to respectfully interact with First Nations people.
It’s something that George says is essential.
“Regardless of our view on an issue, as a company we reflect society and there will be people in our business who are critical of what we’re doing. Our job is to educate people and improve our levels of support. We're just a vehicle to progress things.”
He says it’s similar to some of the push back they received when they first looked at gender diversity in the company. “You do find over time, there's a better understanding and acceptance so it's about education. People will get it at their own pace.”
They’re now planning for their third RAP in 2025. “We’re setting ourselves some stronger
targets for procurement and employment, because that's where we see the biggest opportunities for First Nations people,” says Sofie.
The focus is on four pillars.
“Where we can spend money, we’ll spend money; where we can employ, we’ll employ and where we can educate our staff, we’ll educate them,” says George. “The fourth is providing community support — such as in-kind resources — which is so meaningful to these communities and makes a difference.”
While Aggreko knows it’s a worthwhile journey, there’s also an appreciation that it’s a challenging process requiring time, resources and commitment. Their cautious advice is to focus on achieving small things.
“You don't have to put in a huge amount of effort,” says Sofie. “Pick one or two things you can do, such as educating your team or measuring your team diversity so you’ve got a benchmark from which to get better.”
For those thinking of embarking on their own RAP, Sofie recommends partnering with a company or people in the industry (or maybe outside of the industry) that have already done been through the process.
“You’re not alone because there is someone who’s done this before you,” says Sofie.
“We were lucky to connect with a RAP Working Group to get ideas and advice. We also connected with First Nations people because they're the ones you should be consulting when you're developing a RAP. Then when you’re ready, contact Reconciliation Australia who provide excellent support.”
While being able to convince others of the importance that reconciliation brings has been challenging, George says there can only be benefits in having the conversation.
“People know if you’re being authentic, so it needs to sit deep within your values,” says George. “You’ve got to win the hearts and minds of your people and get them prepared for it.”
“You’ve also to do it for the right reasons, believe and don't just jump into it until you really see the value for your business.”
To find out more about Aggreko’s reconciliation journey, you can read their RAP at www.aggreko.com/en-au/about-us/reconciliationaction-plan.
George Whyte, Managing Director Aggreko APAC with Cathy Freeman.
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ANDY’S 60 YEARS WITH THE ARA
ANDY KENNARD’S BEEN FLYING THE FLAG FOR THE AUSTRALIAN HIRE INDUSTRY IN AMERICA FOR 60 YEARS.
ANDY KENNARD NEEDS NO INTRODUCTION. He’s a legend of hire who’s shaped the industry, both here and abroad. This year, he celebrates 60 years with the American Rental Association (ARA) and here’s how it all began.
Back in 1964, Andy was 20 years old and travelling the world. His brother Neville owned the family business, which he had bought from their father, and asked Andy to come back and manage it. Andy decided to go to America to look at what was happening in their rental industry and on landing in Los Angeles, drove past a rental business, deciding to stop in to ‘say g’day’. They welcomed him in, showed him their business and introduced him to pioneers of the US rental industry.
A week after he arrived, he was encouraged to go to the ARA convention in Fort Worth, Texas. He jumped on a plane, attended the convention and became their first official international visitor, of which, Andy recalls, they ‘made quite a fuss’. On returning to Los
Angeles, he had opportunity to spend time with Sam Greenberg from Sam’s U-Drive, one of the most highly regarded rental pioneers in California. By the time he returned home to Australia, he was fired up with enthusiasm about improving the business.
He bought into the business in 1965, bringing the same entrepreneurial spirit as his father and driven by innovation and a customer-focused attitude.
“We saw what they did in the US, buying new equipment, buying in bulk, having really nicely laid-out stores, and said, ‘that’s what we have to do,’” Andy explains. “We copied, particularly what was happening in California at that time, and we transformed the business thanks to kind ARA and CRA members who opened their doors to us.”
Andy credits these trips to helping him get a head start over his competitors and suggests that in just five years, they’d caught up with the Americans, the California standards, because
"We saw what they did in the US, buying new equipment, buying in bulk, having really nicely laid-out stores and said, 'that's what we have to do."
Andy Kennard
they applied them, diligently and adopted them to adapt to their own requirements.
The rest of the Kennards Hire story, as they say, is history. For 75 years, Kennards Hire has grown and spread across Australia and New Zealand, raising the standard in the hire industry while maintaining its family values. The common threads of their success? People, standardisation and technology.
When asked what he wants the legacy of Kennards Hire to look like 75 years from now, Andy says: “I hope it’s still run by family and family owned. I know that’s not always easy, but I hope it’s owned by the family and professionally managed with high standards. Our board is critical to the ongoing performance of the business. The format of hire may look different 75 years from now. It’s going to be up to the next generation.”
In 2002, Andy was inducted into the ARA Hall of Fame. His citation at the time read: “Kennard is an exceptional entrepreneur. He joined the family business in 1964 and was a partner with his brother Neville for 27 years. During that time, Kennards Hire became the largest family-owned hire business in Australia. He was instrumental in identifying niche opportunities for Kennards Hire. Kennard forged a relationship with the ARA and supported bringing attendees to The Rental Show. The company also was involved with establishing the Global Rental Alliance.”
Congratulations Andy Kennard for reaching a remarkable milestone.
(Top) Andy at Kennards Hire Artarmon branch.
(Middle right) Andy with a Kennards Hire truck circa 1980s.
(Middile left) Andy at Greenwich, circa 1968.
(Bottom) Andy with a vintage Kennards Hire truck, 2005.
Andy Kennard (3rd from right) is inducted into the ARA Hall of Fame in 2003.
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By choosing to hire from a HRIA member you are ensuring the best possible hire experience. WITH OVER 500 CORPORATE MEMBERS, YOU WILL BE SURE TO FIND A HRIA MEMBER NEAR YOU. For more information or to join the HRIA visit www.hireandrental.com.au
DRIVING GREATER IMPACT TOGETHER
LAING O’ROURKE’S HAYLEY GILMOUR SEES THE BENEFIT OF WORKING CLOSELY WITH THE HIRE INDUSTRY.
HAYLEY GILMOUR IS HEAD OF COMMERCIAL
– Project Delivery at Laing O’Rourke, a global engineering and construction company delivering state-of-the-art infrastructure and buildings projects for clients in the UK, Middle East and Australia. She’s a qualified quantity surveyor with more than 20 years, experience in the construction industry. In June, Hayley joined our expert panel for HIRE24’s Future of Hire session.
“Many of the challenges we have in our individual organisations are often crossindustry issues and when we knowledge share and collaborate, we find we’re on the same journey and can drive greater impact together.”
She’s referring to issues such as ESG, sustainability, technology and talent where
HAYLEY GILMOUR FRICS Head of CommercialProject Delivery at Laing
O’Rourke
she believes it ‘absolutely makes sense’ to connect and collaborate with customers, suppliers and other partners to learn from one another and improve the industry.
“There’s no IP around safety and there shouldn't be any IP in what we're trying to do from a sustainability perspective,” says Hayley. “We’re all going to benefit as humans if we have a safe and sustainable industry, so it's quite comforting to realise that we’re all trying to help each other.”
That spirit of collaboration extends to how hire could also help ease some of the most common ‘pain points’ in the construction industry.
“As an industry, we are usually pretty late in sharing our views as to what it is that we would like to do,” she says. “We usually get a commission from a client, do the design and then turn our minds to construction.”
“It might be that we’ve got a really complex bridge or hospital that we’re building and we don’t leave a space to come up with innovative ideas or we come in with our own pre-fixed opinions which don’t allow the space and time for the hire industry to really bring their own ‘smarts’ to the project.”
She says it’s a missed opportunity, especially given the knowledge and learnings
The Future of HIRE panellists l-r: Richard Myles (JCB), Dave Cameron (Point of Rental), Amelia Pidcock (Onsite), Manelle Merhi (Kennards), Hayley Gilmour (Laing O'Rourke), Martin Sinclair (HRIA).
“Many of the challenges we have in our individual organisations are often cross-industry issues and when we knowledge share and collaborate, we find we’re on the same journey and can drive greater impact together.”
hire companies could bring from their vantage point of working across multiple industry sectors.
That’s especially the case with sustainability as companies seek innovative, cost-effective solutions to help reduce their GHG emissions.
“We’ve all been looking at our scope one and two emissions targets where we implement clear guidance about what we’re trying to do as a contractor,” says Hayley. “We have to be really vocal in what our targets are and what we want to achieve.”
It’s a challenge that involves every part of the supply chain, including hire companies, material suppliers and designers.
“We then need to bring our industry partners along for the journey to help us deliver on our obligations and drive industry change together,” she says.
While the construction and hire industry continue to embrace electric, solar and battery energy sources for their equipment, Hayley says there will also be opportunities to contribute to future renewable energy projects.
“The industry is going to be very big over coming years so how do we get ‘match-fit’ for the new energy generation sources that are coming — whether it’s solar, hydro or nuclear
— and ready to build the infrastructure required?”
That means using, for example, portable site accommodation that can be moved to different locations when building transmission lines or wind farms.
But if the industry is to successfully deliver on these projects of the future, attracting and retaining a skilled workforce will be key.
Hayley says that for the many young people coming into the industry, there’s an acute focus on the sustainability credentials of their employer and the projects they work on.
“There’s an absolute expectation from younger people,” she says. “I think they come in and can be a little disappointed if it hasn't yet got the traction they're expecting.”
Digital literacy will also be critical.
“Digital is a big driver as it helps to remove tasks that are not fulfilling, those repetitive, monotonous tasks that rarely increase skill levels,” says Hayley. “That will, by default, help solve some of the skill shortages we face.”
But while digital technology is already used on many levels to do things better, faster and cheaper, it’s also predicting what could happen if things don’t go to plan.
“For example, we use a safety tool that tells us when someone is entering a workspace
in a crash zone on a piece of machinery,” says Hayley. “So we’ll be looking for what else could hire organisations do for their customers in a digital space?”
Finally, it means attracting more people into the industry and ensuring there are viable career paths on offer. It’s a challenge that also resonates in the hire industry.
“Many industries are suffering from skill shortages, so how do we ensure that a career in construction carries the same kudos as being a lawyer or doctor and attracts the people and skills we need?”
One way is to go to the source and shift the perception through education in schools. As part of their push to increase the talent pipeline of the future, Laing O’Rourke builds relationships with local schools. The focus is on STEM (science, technology, engineering, maths) and it’s primarily targeted at girls, providing opportunities to visit the project and gain a better understanding of the careers on offer during their influential high school years.
Hayley says it’s helping to change perceptions about the construction industry… and not just for girls.
“I think there’s also a piece where we can show to male students that successful careers do exist in construction.”
CELEBRATING OUR NEWEST LIFE MEMBER, TONY CRANE
INDUSTRY ADVOCATE RECOGNISED FOR LIFETIME COMMITMENT TO HIRE.
It’s the most prestigious award that can be presented to an individual by the HRIA — Life Member. It’s so prestigious, in fact, that the award hasn't been presented since 2018. That all changed at the HIRE24 Gala dinner in Brisbane this year when HRIA National President, Jeremy Shaw presented the honour to Tony Crane, a 40-year veteran of the industry.
Jeremy has known Tony personally for more than 15 years, witnessing first-hand, his commitment to advocating for the Hire industry.
“Tony’s one of the biggest advocates of the HRIA you will ever meet,” says Jeremy. “He regularly drops in to meet Hire companies and suppliers, talking to them about the HRIA, the benefits of membership, the next convention or the next state meeting date, and personally inviting them along.”
“Members tell stories of him visiting their business when he was passing through town, even when on holidays, just to introduce himself and provide assistance where he could.”
“In the words of many, Tony is a true gentleman, respectful of everyone he meets, regardless of age, gender or the role they hold. He’s always the first to put his hand up to help in whatever capacity he can, and always offers sound business and personal advice.”
Jeremy told the Gala audience that Tony’s involvement with the HRIA was long running, with committee and board roles dating back to the early 2000's.
“As Queensland state president, he was so good at getting young people, both men and women, to join the HRIA Queensland committee,” said Jeremy. “He’s one of the main reasons why I took on the role of Queensland president.”
Jeremy recalled the two of them attending a careers night at a local Brisbane school to promote the Hire industry to school leavers. Tony has also assisted in judging the Hire Company of the Year awards in the past and is a long-term mentor in the industry, informally and formally, as part of the HRIA’s development programs.
“I can personally say he has been a mentor of mine, and I know I can call at any time and he'll give me his time and wisdom,” said Jeremy.
“However, it is the above and beyond support of others within the industry and the overall promotion of the hire industry that really stands out.”
On receiving the award from Jeremy, Tony acknowledged the industry that he calls a family.
“I was working at Flexi Hire and I asked the owner if I should get involved with the HRIA. He said, ‘if you do, just be the boss’ and I said, ‘Ok’.”
“The Hire industry has been like a family to me since I since I joined.”
He took on the Queensland presidency saying it was the best thing he could have done.
“Volunteering and being able to support people is an amazing thing,” said Tony. “It's what I enjoy most, the mentoring programs, developing people in the industry. I've been driven by that and had great support from the association to do it.”
“So, I'm blown away. I'll continue to do my best and I still want to be involved.”
Congratulations Tony!
New HRIA Life Member Tony Crane with his wife, Trish.
HRIA National President Jeremy Shaw with Tony Crane.
25TH AND 26TH SEPTEMBER, 2024
RACV Royal Pines – Gold Coast
• Hear from leading speakers
• Elevate your network through meaningful connections.
• Participate in interactive sessions designed to sharpen your skills.
• Immerse yourself in high-quality content
More details visit www.hria.com.au/events/ business-leadership-conference/
Waste Tank: 150 Litres
Fresh Water Tank: 110 Litres
Weight: 180kg
Dimensions : 1950mm (L) x 1950mm (W) x 2300mm (H)
AJM HIRE FIND NO SHORTAGE OF WORK FOR HIRE MEMBERS IN WA
COLLABORATION IS KEY TO UNLOCKING HIRE GROWTH IN WA, ACCORDING TO MANDURAH-BASED, HRIA MEMBER AJM HIRE. WE SPEAK TO AJM HIRE’S AMY MULLIGAN TO FIND OUT WHAT THEIR FIRST YEAR IN THE HIRE INDUSTRY HAS BEEN LIKE.
WIFE AND HUSBAND TEAM, AMY AND JACK Mulligan found themselves pushing into the Hire sector over time, recognising the opportunity and seeing an unserved gap in the market in Mandurah.
Amy, a qualified beautician, and Jack with a background in running a detailing business, were stood in good stead for building a company from the ground up, combining business acumen and customer service, two vital components for success in Hire. “We noticed there was a small gap in the market in Mandurah, a gap that we knew we could fill. We knew the core foundations of starting and running a business and we had ambition enough to be up for the challenge and learn the skills,” said Amy.
A year on from joining the HRIA, we asked them about their experience in the industry. For AJM Hire, the best part about the Hire Industry has been the ability to be able to make their clients lives and jobs easier. From hiring them a trailer to helping them move house, to an excavator to help finish a job.
In their corner of WA, Greenfields, AJM see a mixture of DIY Clients, who are renovating their yards and installing sheds to businesses including but not limited to electricians, plumbers, arborists, landscapers and your everyday people who may be moving, doing tip runs or going camping.
AJM Hire’s values of integrity, commitment and passion are embedded in their business culture.
“Customer service and customer satisfaction is the secret to success,” said Amy. “There are many hire companies around and plenty of work for new hire companies. The secret to standing out from the rest is in meeting your customers’ needs and making those needs a priority. You want to ensure you are your client’s first call when they need to hire a piece of equipment, and they are going to remember that time you prioritised getting that equipment to them on short notice or that you accommodated their needs when the job didn’t go as anticipated.”
Customer projects vary conderably for AJM. “Honestly, we find all our equipment goes through phases of high demand one week, where you can’t keep a certain item in the yard to the next week, when it will move on to another item. All in all, though I believe our Posi Tracks and Skid Steers are our most in-demand products, said Amy. “My personal favourite piece of equipment is my laptop, without which we would be up the creek without a paddle!
AJM stock everything from minis to scissors, saws, trenchers, boom lifts to loaders and much more.
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“In all seriousness it keeps everything and everyone on track and our company running smoothing,” she added. “Jacks favourite machines are the scissor lifts because of their versatility.”
For Amy and Jack, being a member of the HRIA has been critically important because of the opportunity to connect and create relationships with people who share the same interests and passion. Membership allows them to connect with services and suppliers who want to help their business succeed and who strive to make the running and management of the company effortless.
Supporting and advancing a safe and strong access industry in Australia through
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“Find the lesson in every setback”
As rewarding as the Hire industry is to work in, it is not without its challenges. “One thing I would love to fix, which is not limited to the Hire industry, but business in general, is the stigma around recommending competitors. In the hire industry in WA, there is no shortage of work for Hire companies, with new developments popping up everywhere.
“If your products and customer-care are the greatest they can be, you should have no hesitation around recommending your competitors for a product that you may not stock or currently have available for hire. The client will always return to you if you have impressed them with your service”.
The future looks bright for AJM Hire. With the population in WA projected to grow strongly, new developments are set to continue to keep up with demand. This will in turn have a snowball effect on projects outside of residential new building.
“We are fortunate in WA and, all in all, the demand for hire in our area within the hire industry will only continue to grow. And we have big plans for the future, but you’ll just have to wait and watch them unfold!” said Amy.
As founders who didn’t come from a hire background and little experience in the industry prior to opening AJM Hire, Amy and Jack’s advice to owners starting out is to “find the lesson in every setback”. “When starting out, you’re going to experience many setbacks, from damaged equipment to challenging customers. But use these events as tools to implement procedures for next time; because let’s face it, it will happen again.”
DILLON'S AUSSIE EXCHANGE
IT MAY BE A LONG WAY FROM NAVASOTA, TEXAS TO BRISBANE BUT FOR DILLON HUGHES, IT WAS WORTH THE JOURNEY.
DILLON HUGHES IS A SPIRITUALLY DRIVEN
man. As the owner of a small rental company, Only 1 Rental in Navasota, Texas, he believes that everything he does, in life and business, is part of his mission to be an ambassador for God at a local, national and international level.
He got that chance to go global in May and June this year when he travelled to Australia on an exchange as part of the HRIA and American Rental
Association’s (ARA) International Rental Business Leadership Program. It’s a three-week program designed to give young rental professionals the opportunity to grow personally and professionally and establish international connections within the industry. The program culminated at HIRE24.
For Dillon, that meant spending time with Australian hire company Flexihire — at their branches in Brisbane, the Gold Coast and Loganholme — comparing notes on everything from equipment to business processes, leadership and customer service.
“After the last few weeks, I couldn't imagine doing this trip or exchange program with anyone other than Flexihire,” says Dillon. They've got a good operation, a great team culture and that’s something they should be proud of.”
Dillon’s been in the rental industry since 2012. While he’d always planned to take over the family construction company which had been operating since 1948, the business unexpectedly closed in 2006 leaving Dillon with no clear idea of what the future could hold. Yet, he always knew he would be selfemployed, involved with equipment and work with the public. Rental was the industry that fulfilled that need.
“We’re in the country and people were always wanting to borrow a trailer,” says Dillon. “So l thought I may as well rent them.”
“I'm a firm believer that whether you're new to the industry or a seasoned veteran of 30 years, you've got to be open to new ideas”
He started Only 1 Rentals while still a full-time junior at university with a philosophy to never say no to a customer in case they never called again. He soon started getting calls for smaller equipment like mini-excavators and then got into roll-off dumpsters. Now, they hire everything from trailers to dumpsters, light towers, scissor lifts, forklifts, manlifts and up to 50-tonne excavators with demolition shears. They’re also the only hire company in the area that offers such a diverse range of equipment.
He says that participating in the exchange program was an opportunity to soak in everything to take it back to his own business.
“I'm a firm believer that whether you're new to the industry or a seasoned veteran of 30 years, you've got to be open to new ideas and new ways to streamline and simplify your own operation. That’s a key feature of the program for me.”
He’s also thankful for everything he has gained from the exchange.
“I hope Flexihire have also been able to gain from me a fraction of what I've learned by observing the way they operate. They’ve done a great job of growing and scaling their business over the last few years,” he says. “Having the opportunity to talk to their executive team about how they've approached things was so insightful. Our whole mentality is similar too – take care of your people and customers and everything else takes care of itself.”
As to his advice to other members thinking about participating in the program? Just do it.
“It is a leap of faith to make the journey and spend time with a company you don't know,” says Dillon. “But my biggest thing is if you're not growing, you're dying, whether it’s financially or operationally. An opportunity like this opens your eyes and will improve your business.
Dillon and his wife, Erin, at HIRE24.
THE FUTURE LOOKS CLOUDY… IN A GOOD WAY!
There are three big benefits to the Point of Rental’s, cloud-based version of Syrinx 365:
1. Increased data security
Point of Rental’s team of cloud engineers ensures your system is available when you and your customers need it to be. We monitor the hardware 24/7/365, allowing your team to sleep while our security team keeps your data safe.
2. Fewer hidden costs
When you’re using Syrinx 365 Cloud, here are some of the things you WON’T be spending money on:
• Labour & server costs
• Infrastructure design
• Hardware updates/improvements
• Maintenance
• Server end-of-life replacement/migration/disposal.
3. Always be up-to-date
Do you ever have an issue with your software and call in only to be told that your issue can be resolved if you simply update your software? Well, with Syrinx 365 Cloud your software (and your servers) are getting updated automatically, from operating system to code libraries. No more
“A lot of hire businesses are shifting their IT infrastructure to the cloud,” said APAC Managing Director Dave Cameron. “Going cloud-based allows them to immediately realise capital and operational expense savings while increasing their data security. Syrinx 365 Cloud takes the power of Syrinx 365 and puts it into the hands of any user with an internet connection.”
Great, it’s in the cloud — what’s Syrinx 365, though?
Syrinx 365 is the Syrinx software of the future, built on a modern tech stack. This will allow you to connect to the devices and tools your business is using now — and those that will be arriving in the next 10-20 years. Highlights include a global search bar and a public API, which allows for integrations to major accounting software and ecommerce solutions.
Customisable dashboards provide an improved user experience, allowing each user to bring to the forefront the widgets they need to easily conduct their business. Navigational areas make it easy to link activities and find at-a-glance information like weather, reports, and internal messaging to easily ensure your team is aligned.
Point of Rental’s payment processing allows for secure tokenisation and realtime payments at the store counter or online, while mobile apps for operators, workshop engineers, and drivers consolidate data and cut down errors that come with paper-based processes.
“365 Cloud’s advanced technology stack equips users with new features and apps through API integrations while simultaneously enhancing data security,” said Point of Rental CEO Wayne Harris. “Bringing it to the cloud ensures users are always on the newest, most feature-rich and secure version of the software without having to manually update each time.”
To learn more about Syrinx 365 Cloud, contact Point of Rental sales at salesau@ pointofrental.com or visit pointofrental.com/ syrinx365.
SHARING LEARNINGS ACROSS THE DITCH
FARMER, BUSINESS OWNER, PRESIDENT — AMY GILLIES IS DOING IT ALL.
ASK AMY GILLIES ABOUT HER DAY JOB AND THE immediate response is, ‘which one?’
She’s the President of the Hire Industry Association of New Zealand (HIANZ), director and shareholder of Putaruru Hire in New Zealand, a dairy farmer…and a mum of two young children.
Amy was recently in Brisbane to attend HIRE24, having previously been to two American Retail Association conventions in the United States.
“This was my first time coming here and while there are a lot of similar themes running across all three conventions, it's interesting seeing how each one does it differently,” she says. “Having spent some time with James (Oxenham) and Jeremy (Shaw) in America, I was also curious about how the HRIA do it and to see what ideas and resources I could leverage to the benefit of the HIANZ.”
Amy’s background is predominately in the agricultural industry. With her husband Steve, they’re sharemilking 500 cows near Putaruru in New Zealand’s North Island.
Three years ago, they decided to diversify, buying an established local hire business — Putaruru Hire — and seeking to improve it, puchasing better equipment, improving health and safety processes, and finally introducing technology into the business.
They’ve now expanded, establishing Putaruru Trade Supplies, to meet a community need and complement the existing business.
With no experience in hire when they purchased the business, Amy was keen to submerge herself in the industry, getting involved with the HIANZ board, first as a director and then as President.
She says that apart from the Australian market currently being more buoyant than New Zealand, there are many similarities.
“People are doing the same things; they’re still cutting concrete and digging holes. So, the fundamentals are the same, even in America, it's just that it’s on a different scale.”
As a relative newcomer to the industry, Amy’s biggest learning has been around the collaborative nature of hire.
“Coming from an agricultural background, I was surprised,” she says. “I thought it would be a lot more competitive but it's actually really collaborative, not only between neighbouring businesses but also internationally.”
“So if you don’t have a piece of equipment that your customer wants, you don’t need to worry because someone else will hire it to you so you can hire it to your customer. That's what I've found amazing, the collaboration and sharing of learnings.”
“People are doing the same things; they’re still cutting concrete and digging holes. So, the fundamentals are the same, even in America, it's just that it’s on a different scale.”
It’s what she found so valuable about attending HIRE24 – the opportunity to hear from other companies and learn from their experiences, and the chance to network with peers from across the ditch.
“Success in life is about who you know, not what you know,” says Amy. “That’s what you get out of networking.”
HIANZ’s annual convention HIRECON24 was held in July.
Amy Gillies, HIANZ President
Amy Gillies (3rd from left) joined by HIANZ CEO, Rodney Grant (2nd from right) and other HIANZ members at HIRECON in New Zealand in July.
UNDERSTANDING FAMILY TRUSTS: BENEFITS AND CONSIDERATIONS FOR HIRE COMPANIES
IN AUSTRALIA, TRUSTS ARE ROUTINELY USED AS AN INVESTMENT OR TRADING VEHICLE WITH SEVERAL DIFFERENT TYPES OF TRUST STRUCTURES AVAILABLE, INCLUDING THE MOST COMMON, A FAMILY TRUST.
What is a family trust?
A family trust, or discretionary trust, is an alternate investment structure to a company. It is usually set up to create or hold wealth to benefit multi-generational family members. At the creation of a family trust, there must have three groups of people: settlor, trustee and beneficiary.
The ATO has released several publications to curb the misuse of family trusts. While family trusts remain an appealing investment structure, you should seek tax advice to ensure it’s well suited to your situation.
Who is a trustee?
A trustee is the legal owner of assets in a family trust who can be a person or company. The trustee is responsible for managing a trust’s affairs including fulfilling the trust’s tax obligations, such as lodging an annual tax return. While a trust is not a legal entity like a person or company, it must be registered in the tax system.
When carrying out their responsibilities, a trustee is bound by the deed of the trust, as well as the relevant Australian tax legislation. These obligations can include distributing the net income or profit of the trust among the eligible beneficiaries at the end of each financial year.
The best way of doing this may vary, depending on the trust deed. Typically, a well-advised trustee would seek to ensure they distribute the trust’s net income by the end of the year, to avoid paying a high tax rate on the residual money.
Family trusts are popular for business owners and non-business owners, providing asset protection, flexible income distribution and various tax concessions.
Potential benefits of a family trust
Family trusts are popular for business owners and non-business owners, providing asset protection, flexible income distribution and various tax concessions. Benefits include:
• Asset protection: because the beneficiaries of a family trust don’t own any of the assets sitting in the trust, these assets can potentially remain relatively safe even if, for example, a beneficiary becomes bankrupt or owes money to someone under a court order.
• Income distribution flexibility: a trust usually has a broad class of beneficiaries which can be found in the trust deed. In any given income year, by splitting the trust income among several eligible adult beneficiaries, the family group can potentially result in an overall tax savings, rather than all income being taxed in one person’s hands.
• Tax concessions: a family making an investment using a trust structure can access the 50% capital gains tax concession. This remains a big incentive for family when choosing an investment structure to pass down wealth to the next generation
• Succession planning: a family trust can ensure continuity, minimise disputes and provide flexibility in asset management. The trust can also hold business assets, allowing for a smooth transition to the next generation without disruptions and bypassing the probate process for a quicker transfer of ownership.
• Preservation of wealth: family trusts can help in preserving family wealth for future generations. By keeping business assets within the trust structure, they may be more safeguarded against potential risks, such as divorce settlements or poor financial decisions by individual family members.
• Privacy: trusts can offer a level of privacy that other business structures might not be able to. The details of the trust and its beneficiaries are not publicly accessible, which can be advantageous for families wishing to keep their financial affairs private.
It is essential to consider the complexities and costs associated with setting up and maintaining a family trust. Professional advice from legal and financial experts is crucial to ensure a family trust is the most appropriate structure for the specific circumstances of the business and family.
If you have any questions or would like to discuss setting up a family trust, please reach out to the team at HLB Mann Judd on the dedicated HRIA hotline 02 9020 4211 or email kkelloway@hlbnsw.com.au.
TAKE THE STEP TOWARDS NET ZERO
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THIRD PARTY AND ATTACHMENTS AND LAW
THIRD PARTY ATTACHMENTS AND MODIFICATIONS ARE EVERYWHERE IN THE EWP INDUSTRY, FROM SIMPLE PIPE RACKS AND ANCHOR POINTS TO COMPREHENSIVE SECONDARY GUARDING AND ELECTRONIC SENSORS.
After-market devices can make life easier and safer for operators and hirers alike, but introducing and using them without a comprehensive eye to their safe use can create a range of new risks at the same time as they fix old risks. Hire companies are the meat in the safety sandwich as uses evolve to using new equipment, so while safety obligations and liabilities may be shared if multiple parties are involved in the modification process, they don’t go away.
Any EWP that has made it into the marketplace has already run the gauntlet of engineering assessments, design registration, safe work assessments and operational documentation. Those process ensure manufacturers, owners, hirers and operators can address their responsibilities to ensure all reasonably practicable steps have been taken to ensure the safety of all those involved in the EWP’s operations.
Once a platform is modified after manufacture, however, it is potentially a whole new piece of equipment that might need to run the gauntlet all over again. That means you need to ensure:
• the modification does not move the plant beyond the design standards for its class or the specifications of the OEM,
• you obtain confirmation, as far as possible, from the OEM that the modified plan remains within the design parameters from the manufacturer,
• alternatively, you have confirmation from the third-party supplier or through an engineering or other appropriate review that the modifications do not materially alter its specifications and safe methods of operation,
• your manuals, safe work method statements, training arrangements and hiring documentation reflect the new design, the operational changes that flow and address any potential risk issues arising from the design,
• users are alert to the changed design and the need for them to review their existing practices when they start using the modified plant.
David Quinn General Counsel HOLDING REDLICH
“hirers could be in the frame…. for failing to take all reasonably practicable steps to ensure safe operation of the plant.”
When you supply or use modified plant, as operator or hirer, you are effectively asserting that all practicable steps have been taken to ensure that use of the new modified plant will not create risks to health and safety.
That means you are the one taking responsibility for bringing together the old plant, the modification, the third-party supplier and the review process for the new modified plant.
As always, with responsibility comes liability.
If a modification contributes to an accident without confirmation from the thirdparty manufacturer or OEM assessment, hirers could be in the frame along with the manufacturer and designer for failing to take all reasonably practicable steps to ensure safe operation of the plant.
Likewise failing to modify manuals and hiring documentation to ensure users know how the modification changes
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the safe work methods for the plant, can render the hirer liable even if the delay in changing your manuals has been caused by the manufacturer’s delay in getting the information to you.
The steps hirers or operators need to take to meet their legal obligations will, of course, reflect the significance of the modification. Hire documents may limit the contractual liabilities to clients, but the fundamental obligation to take all practicable steps, and the liabilities that flows from it, remains set in stone even when using modified plant.
David Quinn LLB (Hons), BA, is an experienced General Counsel and Accredited Specialist in Workplace Relations at Holding Redlich www.holdingredlich.com
INSOLVENCIES (AND RISK TO THE HIRE INDUSTRY) ON THE RISE: THE WARNING SIGNS AND PRACTICALITIES
RECENT DATA FROM THE AUSTRALIAN SECURITIES AND INVESTMENTS COMMISSION (ASIC) AND THE AUSTRALIAN FINANCIAL SECURITY AUTHORITY (AFSA) HAS PROVED WHAT MANY OF US SUSPECTED – THAT BANKRUPTCIES AND CORPORATE INSOLVENCIES ARE ON THE RISE.
Data from AFSA indicates that bankruptcies are up 19.5% on the same time last year with 75% of those bankruptcies occurring on the east coast. Unfortunately, the insolvency statistics released by ASIC in May 2024 paint a similar picture. There have been 9,200 insolvencies year to date representing an increase on last year of more than 20% with the construction industry and hospitality industries making up more than 40% of all insolvencies in 2024.
Reasons for the increase in insolvencies include:
• the Australian Taxation Office resuming enforcement of federal taxation debts
• government COVID-19 stimulus and protection measures (such as the 6-month period for compliance with a statutory demand) having ended
• increased costs, supply chain issues and labour shortages in the construction sector.
Warning signs for the Hire Industry
With a significant amount of hired equipment being placed into the construction and hospitality industries, the risks of dealing with a company that is, or is likely to become insolvent, is on the rise. With the majority of corporate insolvencies in 2024 being voluntary (i.e. creditor’s voluntary liquidations), it is important for organisations to be prepared and identify potential warning signs that a customer may be in financial difficulties. Some of those warning signs include:
• seeking an extension on payment terms
• increased age of debtor’s balance
• applications for extension of further credit
• general silence.
Adam Cutri PARTNER
Gavin Stuart PARTNER
AUTHORS
the construction industry and hospitality industries made up more than 40% of all insolvencies in 2024.
If the early warning signs are not managed effectively, this can often see debts significantly increase prior to administration or liquidation.
Whilst most equipment which is hired will have the benefit of security interests registered on the Personal Property Security Register (PPSR), this protection only goes so far. Whilst you will be able to recover the equipment rightly belonging to you, you may otherwise only be an unsecured creditor in the administration or liquidation which could yield only a partial return, if any.
What to do when a customer goes into Administration or Liquidation
When faced with a debtor who enters administration, liquidation or is facing payment or cash flow difficulties, the following can also be considered:
• whether the debt will be treated as a secured debt (such as a mortgage, caveat or PPSR registration), in which case enforcing that security is the best way to recover without concerns of any clawback
• whether a personal guarantee can be relied on to pursue recovery separate to any claim that can be made on an insolvent corporate entity, noting that the personal guarantee will survive even if a deed of company administration is entered into or the company is placed into liquidation
• whether another party against whom action can be taken is jointly liable for the debt without the need to rely solely on any liquidation dividend or payment from a voluntary administration
• where you believe a debtor may be insolvent, two key considerations arise: - firstly, any payment from the debtor to you up to six months before the liquidation might be a preference payment and may be required to be repaid to a liquidator on demand. Defences against this include subjective knowledge of indicators of insolvency and whether a reasonable person in your company ought to have thought the debtor was insolvent at the time of payment; and - secondly, where you believe a debtor may be facing cash flow difficulties, extending further credit may be unwise. Alternative terms such as cash on delivery, additional security or a personal guarantee can be put in place. This will provide an alternative means of recovery and also some protection where funds received are deemed a preference payment.
• if you are concerned about payment, you should ensure any contract with the debtor is strictly complied with. Contracts often contain a provision which allows one party to terminate the contract where an “insolvency event” has been committed by the other. Any wrongful termination or failure to honour the terms of the contract could give rise to a claim for damages against you. Advice on these provisions can be sought before taking action
• if you wish to continue hire arrangements with a company that is in liquidation or administration, a new agreement with the administrator or liquidator will usually be needed. Typically, the liquidator or administrator becomes the contracting counterparty, and that person will be liable to pay your invoices
• parties likely to default on their payment obligations may try to create a dispute or allege breaches of agreements to counter their obligations.
In general terms, moving quickly and decisively when the first warning sign is noticed will often place you in the best position to recover your debts, or at least minimise the amount of loss which could be suffered if supply is to continue.
ACE Hire demonstrates the flexibility of one of their large, but nimble JLG knuckle booms in this submission from last year's EWPA Photograph of the Year competition.
Credit: Damien Rayner
Sinoboom introduces Super Booms
ASA partners with LiuGong
Almac's Oana Samoila talks UX
ELEVATING WORK PLATFORM ASSOCIATION OF AUSTRALIA INC
ABN 32 545 830 419
EWPA BOARD OF DIRECTORS
President John Glover Tel: 0419 663 863
Vice President
Tim Nuttall Tel: 03 9547 7700
Past President Doug Rawlings Tel: 08 9350 570
Chief Executive Officer James Oxenham Tel: 02 9998 2222
NSW President Luke Schubert Tel: 0458 770 002
VIC President
Keith Clarke Tel: 0400 369 900
QLD President Richard Gannon Tel: 0437 477 279
SA President
Ray Green Tel: 0473 217 310
WA President: Will Reilly Tel: 0408 474 261
TECHNICAL DIRECTOR: OPER ATIONS
Peter Davis Tel: 02 8796 50551
TECHNICAL DIRECTOR: ENGINEERING
Peter Wenn
Tel: 03 9568 7211
COMMITTEE
Bob Mules Tel: 0402 982 999
James Nightingale Tel: 0457 110 110
Tony Fish Tel: 0427 115 711
TELESCOPIC HANDLER ASSOCIATION OF AUSTRALIA (TSHA)
PRESIDENT Stuart Walker Tel: 0418 849 107
EWPA & TSHA PO Box 1304, Mona Vale NSW 1660 Tel: 02 9998 2222
Email: info@ewpa.com.au Web: www.ewpa.com.au
Opinions published in Hire & Rental Magazine do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the association or the Editor. The HRIA accepts no responsibility for the accuracy of any information contained in this magazine and readers should rely upon their own enquiries in making decisions related to their own interest. All rights reserved. ISSN 1838-1197
Max. Capacity: 4000kg Max. Lifting Height: 17.6m
Address: No. 2676, Kejia Road, Jinan, Shandong, China
Email: sales@lgmg.com.cn Tel: +86 531 6787 9283
Address: 27 Broadhurst Road, Ingleburn, NSW 2565
Email: sales@lgmgau.com.au Tel: +61 499 685 544
Max. Capacity: 3000kg Max. Lifting Height: 6.9m
Max. Capacity: 2500kg Max. Lifting Height: 5.94m
H1840
H730
H625
TEMPEL MATTERSON TRAINING COORDINATOR
Investment in training and improved service delivery
WITH OVER 200 ACCREDITED TRAINERS ACROSS THE COUNTRY, THE EWPA IS PROUD TO ANNOUNCE THE LAUNCH OF ITS NEW LEARNING MANAGEMENT SYSTEM (LMS).
The implementation of this system, delivered via the aXcelerate platform, upholds the Association’s commitment to training excellence and service delivery; ensuring the Association remains abreast of current technology and creates efficiencies for both operators and trainers.
Key features of the new LMS include:
• All new operators will receive a digital licence within hours of completing their EWPA Yellow Card® or TSHA Gold Card training. This alleviates the wait time for a physical card.
• The digital licence can be saved securely to the digital wallet on an apple or android device.
• Operators will be able to access and provide work sites with a comprehensive record of their training history and Verification of Competency (VOC) activity via their academic transcript in aXcelerate.
• The training can be easily verified online by employers through a link on the EWPA and TSHA websites.
• Trainers will have greater search functionality and can view the training history of all learners who have previously trained with their organisation.
• The new system ensures all training activity and qualifications are captured against the respective trainers and learners profiles for auditing and quality control.
• Trainers can more easily deliver Verification of Competency (VOC) which will appear in the learners academic transcript and enable sites to clearly see which make and models of machines operators are trained on as they build their VOC portfolios.
• Operators can request a statement of attainment through Industry Compliant Training (ICT) which is the registered training organisation affiliated with EWPA. The system allows for more efficient processing due to the online assessment process and system links to AVETMISS (the required reporting software for nationally recognised units of competency).
The new system will future proof the EWPA and afford us the opportunity to further develop and improve our service delivery and offerings for trainers and operators.
If you have any questions or are interested in becoming an accredited EWPA Yellow Card® or TSHA Gold Card trainer, please contact me. tempel@ewpa.com.au 02 9998 2222 www.ewpa.com.au
Sinoboom introduces new super boom range to Australian market
GLOBAL MEWP MANUFACTURER SINOBOOM INTELLIGENT EQUIPMENT HAS ITS SIGHTS CLEARLY ON THE AUSTRALIAN MARKET AND WILL SOON STRENGTHEN ITS POSITION WITH THE INTRODUCTION OF A SUPER BOOM MODEL RANGE.
Sinoboom Australia is introducing a range of super boom products across the telescopic and articulated boom markets.
According to Sinoboom National Sales Manager, Bruce McNair, it made complete sense to expand their product offering.
“Australia has always been a strong market for super booms,” says Bruce. “We believe that with our reputation for quality, safety and reliability, we are well positioned to make an impact.”
In telescopic booms, Sinoboom will offer the TB32NRJ, TB42RJ and the TB58RJ.
Bruce says the TB32NRJ has a 32m/105ft platform height with no extendable axles.
“We then push up to the TB42RJ 42m/135ft platform height and cap out with the TB58RJ with an impressive 58m/191ft platform height. The articulated range will also see the introduction of the AB46RJ with a class leading operating envelope and platform height of 46m/155ft.”
Sinoboom is renowned for quality and has applied everything it has learned about the Australian boom market to these new products.
The company’s intelligent control systems, including 4WD and 4WS, X-frame chassis and full-load sense hydraulic systems allow fast and controllable functions, coupled with high-capacity platforms and rotating jibs on the TB42RJ and TB58RJ.
“Engineering has completed the testing on these models and we are shipping our first units into Australia now,” says Bruce.
“We have already taken our first orders for the TB42RJ and TB32NRJ and will see our first AB46RJ selling into Western Australia later this year.”
“Sinoboom Australia plans to be a major player in this space and we are excited about the future and opportunity for our customers to receive class leading return on investment.”
Sinoboom Australia operates from facilities in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane, with a focus on quality products and backup. Sinoboom is considered a leading manufacturer of elevating work platforms across Australia and the world.
“Australia has always been a strong market for super booms.”
ClearSky Smart Fleet™ JLG's Award-Winning Software at HIRE24
AT HIRE24, JLG INDUSTRIES CLAIMED THE HIRE INDUSTRY EXCELLENCE AWARDS’ BEST NEW PRODUCT IN THE SERVICE PROVIDER/ SOFTWARE CATEGORY FOR THEIR INNOVATIVE CLEARSKY SMART FLEET.
ClearSky Smart Fleet represents a significant advancement in digital solutions for equipment management, providing a platform that enhances equipment management through real-time monitoring, analytics, and control of machinery via a user-friendly mobile app and web portal.
While JLG has long been award-recognised, this was the first occasion the company secured a prize in the Software category. Previously, JLG has been recognised for its access equipment range and offering, such as boom lifts or scissor lifts. This time, the nomination of ClearSky Smart Fleet marked JLG’s success in expanding into digital solutions.
"It was certainly a surprise. We didn’t know we had won until the envelope was opened on stage,” commented Luke Schubert, Technical Services Manager at JLG Australia.
Proudly developed in-house
ClearSky Smart Fleet™ showcases JLG’s commitment to their customer experience through innovation and autonomy in software development.
“Something we are very proud of as a business is that it was in-house developed,” said Luke. “In-house developed solutions are industry leading, for those OEMs that have made the investment.”
By keeping the development process internal, JLG ensures ClearSky Smart Fleet is uniquely tailored to meet the demands of their clientele.
Designed for the user
ClearSky’s mobile app and user-friendly web portal offer a suite of functionalities designed to streamline operations. From geolocation services and digital analysers to sophisticated machine status indicators and digital access control, ClearSky means that critical data is just a click away, facilitating better management and operational efficiency.
“What we also are pretty proud of is the simplified user experience. So, everything revolves around our online platform Online Express, where customers go for everything,” Luke explained. “This is where ClearSky is now as well. In my time at JLG, we've always had multiple platforms, and this is probably the first time I've seen in 25 years that we're really now at one central platform, which brings us back to that simplified user experience.”
JLG's ongoing commitment to innovation
Looking ahead, JLG plans ongoing enhancements to the ClearSky platform, with future updates aimed at further enriching user experience and expanding functionality.
“We're not stopping there. There'll be features that are going to be released on a regular basis," said Luke.
For those in the industry, the recognition of ClearSky Smart Fleet at the HIRE24 signals a shift towards more integrated and intelligent systems in equipment management.
As companies like JLG continue to innovate, the landscape of the hire and rental industry is set to evolve, promising enhanced efficiency and better returns on investment. T
"we are very proud as a business that it was in-house developed”
(above)
Luke Schubert, Technical Services Manager at JLG Australia receiving the Award from Tony Symons, General Manager Commercial, Kennards Group
The JLG team at HIRE24
JLG’s range of Compact Crawler Booms are ready to order and available in stock now!
Ranging from working heights of 12.9m up to 32.48m operators have the ability to go more places thanks to their low profile, non-marking tracks and compact dimensions. Models in stock & available now:
X20J
Installed in less than 5 minutes, the Range Extender is a removable generator solution that recharges the HA16 E batteries to 80% in 3 hours.
Romeo and Juliet 2.0
HAULOTTE EVOKES SHAKESPEAR’S FAMOUS BALCONY SCENE WITH THE LAUNCH OF ITS LATEST 16M PULSEO BOOM LIFT.
Haulotte rewrites the romantic saga of Romeo and Juliet by introducing the HA16 E, its new rough terrain electric articulating boom. An environmentally friendly machine that operates silently, with performance equal to a dieselpowered machine. Ideal for both indoor and outdoor use, offering unlimited duty cycles through its removable and interchangeable Range Extender.
The HA16 E PULSEO articulating boom is a 2-in-1 machine: its electric architecture, combined with rough terrain performance make it perfectly suited to both indoor and outdoor applications, while ensuring clean and quiet operation.
Equipped with optional non-marking tires, its low rear overhang and 4-wheel steer -available on the HA16 E PRO model — make the boom extremely manoeuvrable.
The HA16 E offers several charging solutions: main plug, three-phase outlet accelerated charger, or charging with the Range Extender*.
With the Range Extender, the HA16 E proposes unlimited duty cycles, allowing working on all types of construction sites, including those without access to the electrical grid. The Range Extender is 100% versatile and interchangeable with the HS15 E and HS18 E scissor lift models and future models of the PULSEO range.
The HA16 E boasts excellent rough terrain capabilities, identical to those of a diesel-powered boom. Its electric architecture combined with a mechanical axle drive makes it ideal for all types of terrain, even the roughest; capable of climbing 40% slopes and work on tilted grades up to 5°.
The HA16 E is designed to facilitate maintenance operations and optimize the total cost of ownership. Machine maintenance is made easy with its integrated diagnostic tool, direct access to components, AGM batteries, and maintenance-free asynchronous motors (AC). These structural elements, combined with the SHERPAL telematics solution, enable fleet managers fleet to maximize machine exploitation. Machine data transmission facilitates fleet management, optimizing machine availability and simplifying daily operations.
Allowing working at heights up to 16m, the HA16 E and all PULSEO generation models benefit from a 5-year warranty and a 360° service offering.
Haulotte’s PULSEO Range features 4 machine models – HS15 E, HS18 E, HA20 LE, HA16 E – expanding worksites possibilities and extending duty cycles.
Haulotte is phasing out all internal combustion models with new electric architectures. The HA16 E & Range Extender combo is ideal for supporting the energy transition on worksites. The Range Extender, a removable and interchangeable generator solution on all PULSEO models*, brings greater flexibility and possibilities to worksites without access to electrical grids.
*Except the HA20 LE
For more information, visit www.haulotte.com/en/haulotte-rewritesthe-story-of-romeo-and-juliet-with-its-newmachine-ha16-e
Haulotte gives Romeo and Juliet the power to relive the 16th centurytale with the new HA16 E rough terrain electric articulating boom.
Fall from height remains n°1 cause of fatalities on MEWPs.
FASTN IS THE FIRST UNIVERSAL & ACTIVE ANCHORAGE FOR MEWPS.
4 DANGEROUS SITUATIONS AVOIDED WITH HARNESS DETECTION POTENTIAL OPERATOR FALL OR EJECTION ANTI-BYPASS FUNCTION WAKE-UP FUNCTION
FASTN is the first universal & active anchorage for MEWPs, an intelligent solution developed by Haulotte to tackle the major cause of fatal accidents: operator falls.
The system delivers an audible and visual reminder if operator is not attached to the FASTN anchorage. Its also provides valuable data for safety management.
Dingli Launches T Series Modular Articulated Boom Range
MODELLED ON THE T SERIES STRAIGHT BOOMS, DINGLI HAS LAUNCHED ITS RANGE OF ARTICULATED BOOMS FROM 36 TO 44 METERS WORKING HEIGHT, WITH A LOAD CAPACITY OF 272KG.
The range joins the family of modular-designed Dingli booms, sharing 85% of their parts in common, with diesel, electric and hybrid models developed on the same platform, aimed at reducing customer costs.
The T-series articulated booms adopt the patented innovative one-click, in-situ axle expansion, which is also featured on the T series straight boom’s chassis, where the axle retracts and expands to fit through narrow spaces freely, with no tyre wear.
The series follows Cat 3 safety architecture of the T series straight booms, with full redundancy of software and hardware, physical redundancy of the communication bus, dual channels and dual insurance. All of which makes this boom series with the highest security in its class in the world.
With a maximum gradeability up to 45%; its chassis has four steering modes (front and rear wheel steering, crab steering, big U-turn), the different modes can be seamlessly switched to suit various working sites, optimising driving flexibility.
For large booms, the T series knuckle booms have outstanding reach and span. When the articulated boom is fully extended, the maximum up and over clearance is 18.8 meters and the maximum below ground reach is 9.65m, making them suitable for complex high-altitude working conditions.
Dingli's articulated T series BA44RT and BA41RT has been shipped; so with the launch of the full range of 9 articulated boom models of 36, 41, and 44 meters (diesel, electric, and hybrid power available), Dingli's T series boom spectrum is now complete, with a total of 18 models across the entire range.
To find out more, visit Dingli Australia www.en.cndingli.com
Dingli's T series boom spectrum is now complete, with a total of 18 models across the entire range.
LGMG introduce more telehandlers to the Australia market
LGMG TELEHANDLERS HAVE BECOME SUPER VERSATILE PLAYERS IN THE LOADING AND UNLOADING FIELD DUE TO THEIR UNPARALLELED FLEXIBILITY, EFFICIENCY, AND MULTIFUNCTIONALITY.
LGMG TELEHANDLERS AIM TO MEET DIVERSE HANDLING needs across a spectrum of sectors such as construction, mining, port logistics, warehousing management or agricultural production, with the aim of improving work efficiency and reduce labour costs.
At HIRE24, LGMG displayed two Telehandlers: the H1840 and H625.
H1840 was the first telehandler LGMG introduced to the Australian market in 2023. With a max lifting height of 17.6m and max outreach of 13.1m the H1840 is equipped with a Perkins engine boasting 74.4kw of power and can lift an impressive 4000kg.
H625 is another model introduced to the local market this year. Along with H730, it builds on the growing popularity of LGMG telehandlers in the Australia market.
The H625 has a maximum lifting height of 5.94m and the max loading capacity of 2500kg, while the H730 has the max
lifting height of 7m and the max loading capacity of 3000kg. The H625 only weighs 5 tons, while the H730 is only 6.89 tons.
The H625 and H730 feature Kubota engines, featuring four-wheel drive, giving high power and low fuel consumption.
H625 and H730 are equipped with a hydrostatic transmission system, providing comfortable operation and rapid response, while H1840 is installed with the torque converter power shift transmission system, offering stronger low-speed traction and improved rough terrain capabilities.
LGMG Telehandlers now have lifting heights ranging from 5.85m to 20.7m and a load range extending from 2500kg to 5000kg. They have three steering modes (frontwheel steering, crab steering and four-wheel steering), an emergency steering mode, a frame levelling function, and can be mounted with various attachments to meet diversified operational needs.
LGMG will soon introduce more telehandler models to Australia market
The H625 builds on the growing popularity of LGMG telehandlers in the Australia market.
Delivery Australia Wide
Ultra High Strength
Light Weight
Thermoplastic - No water absorption
Genie Promotes Major Inspection Program to Support Safety, Reliability and Total Cost of Ownership
UNDER DUTY-OF-CARE LAW, 10-YEAR MAJOR INSPECTIONS ARE IMPORTANT FOR MAINTAINING THE SAFETY AND RELIABILITY OF HEAVY EQUIPMENT. TO SUPPORT CUSTOMERS IN THIS VITAL ASPECT OF EQUIPMENT MAINTENANCE, GENIE HAS INTRODUCED A MAJOR INSPECTION PROGRAM, WITH FLEXIBLE FINANCING OPTIONS.
Australian regulations, AS2550.10, require a major inspection for all Mobile Elevating Work Platforms (MEWPs) after 10 years of service and every five years thereafter. This inspection involves a thorough dismantling and examination of the equipment to detect any signs of wear, fatigue, or damage that could compromise safety.
Key Benefits of Genie's Major Inspection Program
• Enhanced Safety and Compliance: Ensuring that equipment meets the Australian safety standards, Genie’s major inspection program helps to provide peace of mind that equipment is safe and reliable for use.
• Extended Equipment Life Cycle: Regular major inspections can significantly enhance equipment longevity. By identifying and addressing potential issues early, owners can maintain equipment in high condition, reducing the need for costly repairs or replacements.
• Total Cost of Ownership Advantages: A wellmaintained machine not only performs better but also retains a higher residual value. Investing in regular inspections helps avoid financial risks and ensures the asset is protected.
• Expert Accountability: Genie takes full accountability for the maintenance of the equipment. Their inspections are carried out by highly skilled technicians with extensive knowledge and experience, ensuring machines are thoroughly examined and maintained to the highest standards.
Flexible Financing Options
Recognizing the substantial cost associated with major inspections — often amounting to 20% of the equipment's original price — Genie has partnered with Terex Financial Services to offer a special financing program. This initiative allows customers to spread the cost of inspections over a 12-month period at 2.99%, easing the financial burden and making it more manageable for businesses to stay compliant and maintain their equipment.
"In this case, we realized we could add value for our customers by not only conducting the inspections for them but also by allowing them to pay for that inspection over the course of the year, rather than all at once," said Simon Thompson, Director of Services for the Asia Pacific (APAC) Region.
For more information about Genie's Major Inspection Program and financing options, contact Genie Australia on 1800 788 633 or visit www.genielift.com/en-au
GENIE ® MAJOR INSPECTION PROGRAM
ENSURE SAFETY, RELIABILITY, AND TOTAL COST OF OWNERSHIP
Key Benefits of Genie Major Inspection Program:
Enhanced Safety and Compliance
Stay compliant with Australian standards (AS2550.10) and protect your operators from risks with thorough inspections.
Extended Equipment Life Cycle
Regular inspections detect wear and potential issues early, significantly enhance your equipment's longevity and reducing the need for costly repairs.
Total Cost of Ownership Advantages
Well-maintained equipment performs better and retains higher residual value. Avoid financial risks and protect your investment.
Expert Accountability
Our skilled technicians ensure top-notch maintenance, offering peace of mind with expert, reliable inspections.
SPECIAL FINANCIAL OFFER!
Spread the cost of inspections over 12 months at just 2.99%* interest with Terex Financial Services, making compliance and maintenance more manageable for your business.
*2.99% finance offer is based on a chattel mortgage with a fixed 12-month term, no balloon, and subject to a 10% upfront deposit. The chattel mortgage shall be fully secured by the applicable funder taking a first priority security interest in the specified unit undergoing inspection, filed with the Personal Property Securities Register. Credit is provided by a member of our panel of funders to Australian business applicants only (GST registered) that have been duly approved by one of our funders. Please be advised that the offer is subject to specific terms, conditions, fees, and charges.
Access Service Australia announce regional partnership with LiuGong Australia
ACCESS SERVICE AUSTRALIA (ASA), IN ITS 24TH YEAR OF SUPPORTING OEM’S, HIRE COMPANIES AND END USERS WITH AFTER SALES SERVICE THROUGHOUT AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND, HAVE STRUCK A DEAL TO ASSIST IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF A FRESH RANGE OF ELEVATING WORK PLATFORMS, ESPECIALLY SUITED TO AUSTRALIAN WORKING CONDITIONS.
WHILE LIUGONG IS RELATIVELY NEW TO ACCESS equipment, the journey started in 1958 with the production of wheel loaders. Now a world leader in earthmoving equipment and compaction, the Australian division of LiuGong is celebrating their 20th year in Australia.
LiuGong pride themselves on safety and quality and a strong focus on customer focused product solutions. LiuGong has developed the widest range of electric construction equipment products in the industry, with a core focus on technology for a greener future.
With 1,500 R & D engineers, over 20 factories and 30 global offices, the 17,000 workers have built a reputation for tough machines, starting from a sustainable and ethical base, dedicated to achieving the highest possible standards for social responsibility.
“This decision for Access Service was made after considerable deliberation. It is a new direction for our company, whilst exciting, we needed to ensure our reputation
“it’s clear to see why ASA are the trusted service, sales and support partner of so many Tier 1 rental and hire companies”
and expectations aligned with LiuGong, for the betterment of both companies” said ASA’s John Oliver. “We came together by chance but are happy to say we are perfectly suited to each other; both sides of the same coin. We are thrilled to support a company that is invested in its people, the environment and the elevating work platform industry.”
“After 20 years selling Construction machinery in the Australian market, LiuGong Australia’s search for an access equipment partner spanned far and wide”, commented Louis Wei, General Manager of LiuGong Australia. “With the sole focus of collaborating with a partner that integrates into LiuGong’s current dealer network, dealers who are now approaching 18 years with Liugong, and epitomise Liugong’s position as the premium Chinese OEM, customer focused product solutions and service first ethos.
“Access Service was the one name everyone mentioned when referencing the market leader in the Access Equipment industry in Australian and New Zealand. After touring ASA’s vast branch network across Oceania and meeting with their highly experienced team, it’s clear to see why ASA are the trusted service, sales and support partner of so many Tier 1 rental and hire companies. It simply made sense to join forces to jointly develop and distribute the new LiuGong line of Elevating Work Platforms”.
To find out more, visit www.accessservice.com.au
LiuGong's popular LSC1012DE electric scissor
Why UX matters (and how Hire can have an influence)
ALMAC’S OANA SAMOILA SAYS HIRE HAS A ROLE TO PLAY IN INFLUENCING OEM AND THE USER EXPERIENCE (UX).
Almac’s Key Accounts Manager Oana Samoila returned to HIRE24 to address the Global Access meeting. She also found time to sit down with Hire and Rental magazine to share an OEM’s perspective on UX and the potential for Hire to influence design.
H&R: Oana, welcome back to Australia. Let’s talk UX. What is it and why is it important?
OS: UX is really the reality of a user’s experience — that is, the what, the when, the where, the who, the why and the how a person uses a system, which could be a product or website or app, or a service or interaction with your laptop.
From a manufacturer’s perspective, we need to be aware of how our users are actually using the product, not how we wish they were used based on the fact that we are all excellent users of our own products and know exactly why we put that feature in and how it should be used to improve the experience! At the end of the day, what's important is what the user is going to do with your service or product and the more you listen to the user, the more your product or service is going to meet their expectation.
For hire companies, UX could be how they structure their service offerings. For example, who’s picking up the phone when an operator is calling with a problem? Is it a technician? Is it somebody who’s a skilled communicator but not skilled in the technical aspects of the product? It’s really thinking about how to communicate with the customer — the end user — and give them a better overall experience.
H&R: How does Almac incorporate feedback into their overall design?
OS: We’ve been in a very privileged position because we have patents for our innovative technology and are able to react to
the market very quickly. That’s probably because we are not a huge manufacturer and are still very organic. We listen to what users are saying and can implement changes to our products within a few months, as opposed to a few years. These might not be huge changes but they’re sufficiently significant for customers to realise we’ve listened to them.
That also helps hire companies. Almac is a relatively small — on a global scale — Italian company and if we’re seen to be responding to feedback that improves the overall UX, our hire customers notice that we do our homework and are listening to what the market and service teams need. I'll give you an example: our machines have internally designed telematics software, MyAlmac, which provides 24/7 access to technical documentation, management and monitoring tools giving users all the information they need to maintain and manage their AlmaCrawler platforms. However, the main feature is not necessarily the telematics, but rather the service and diagnostics, which allows the service guys to be trained and have access to the machines they have on fleet. As a result, they’re able to update and diagnose machines and recalibrate the chips remotely. This potentially saves many trips to the client but also allows them to correctly assess what they might need to take with them when they do go and visit the client.
H&R: If hire companies are getting UX feedback from their customers, what’s happens next?
OS: There are two conversations that can happen. One is at a service technician level and the other is from a sales perspective. However, both should also involve statistical data. When we see something happening consistently across the board in different countries, we know there likely needs to be a change.
We’re constantly paying attention to statistical data so if we notice there are parts being changed more frequently than
others, we go back to the service teams first and then the fleet managers or depot managers and ask about their experience. Have you had a lot of customer calls? What have operators said? Has this impacted your overall return on this product? We then try to find a solution.
H&R: Is there a difference in the products that we buy here in Australia as opposed to in Europe or the US?
OS: Australia was the first market that truly embraced our products so we're very fond of you! You’re very strict on health and safety and have taught us a lot which we’ve incorporated into our products. As a result, we've been able to massively improve the health and safety of our products (and ultimately improve the UX!), because you're the first market for us and our products have to be certified in accordance with Australian Standards. We’ve also made the deliberate choice to not differentiate between Australia and our other markets so it’s the same product globally.
H&R: What’s the next big thing for Almac that hire companies can expect?
OS: There are a few things we're currently curious about. One of them is obvious, the continued electrification of products, and it has been an eye opener for us in terms of what you can do with our products. We thought they were pretty cool before, but now we've made them fully electric with electric drive, we're blown away. We’re also know lithium batteries are not forever so we are exploring hydrogen and if we can come up with a hydrogen pack in the next 2–5 years, then we’ll be able to swap out the lithium batteries. It’s making baby steps towards achieving a circular economy and is our way of trying to ensure that people won’t have to look at their machines and think they’re obsolete, just because something new and cool has come out.
The other thing is to move towards a full application of the Internet of Things. We believe there’s margin for improvement by actually studying how our machines are used, what their user experience is and trying to create a better design based on that information. It means incorporating as much technology as we can into the machine, even if it’s not clearly visible. It could be measuring the way somebody pushes a button and how hard they’re pushing it, giving us a better understanding of what part we should be installing.
“We listen to what users are saying and we can implement changes to our products within a few months as opposed to a few years. These might not be huge changes but they’re sufficiently significant for customers to realise we’ve listened to them.”
(right)
Oana Samoila speaks to Global Access Meeting delegates at HIRE24
United and Haulotte reach 5000 milestone
HAULOTTE AND UNITED FORKLIFT AND ACCESS SOLUTIONS ARE CELEBRATING A SIGNIFICANT MILESTONE THIS YEAR. UNITED ORDERED THEIR 5000TH MACHINE FROM HAULOTTE CONTINUING THE SUCCESSFUL PARTNERSHIP THAT FIRST BEGAN IN 2012.
Reaching 5000 machines is no mean feat as United join the ranks of only a few other retailers worldwide to reach the milestone for Haulotte. Asia Pacific Managing Director for Haulotte, Damien Gautier, visited Perth recently and took the time to congratulate United on the achievement.
“United are one of our top customers around the world and a true partner for Australia. Their feedback about the Australian market and support is critical to our success in the Asia Pacific region,” said Damien.
For United this milestone is a celebration of their humble journey from a smaller WA based business, and their growth to become one of Australia’s largest forklift and access equipment providers. United’s Managing Director, David Maxwell explains what the experience means to them.
“When I started we were a small Western Australian business with 2 branches and only 20 employees. Now we have 11 locations across Australia and one the largest rental fleets in Australia supported by 455 employees,” said David.
At the heart of this success story lies Haulotte's commitment to innovation and leading-edge technology. Haulotte machines are renowned for their cutting-edge features, including advanced safety systems, maintenance friendly designs, and environmentally friendly operation.
“The first machine we ordered was a HA120PX, which was a basic machine compared to the advanced versions available today. It was great to see that the Compact 10DX was our 5000th machine ordered, this machine is a true workhorse of the industry, with its 4WD capabilities and robust design,” adds David.
The significance of a partner like United to Haulotte extends beyond mere transactions; it hinges on trust and a shared commitment to common objectives.
Damien emphasises, “our relationship with United is founded on trust, collaboration, and mutual respect. Together, we drive innovation and excellence, in the pursuit of shared success."
United also see the benefit of a relationship based on open communication and feedback.
"We've had numerous instances where we've collaborated with Haulotte, providing feedback on their products, suggesting improvements, or adjustments tailored to the Australian market. Haulotte consistently takes this feedback seriously, incorporating it into their manufacturing process to deliver well-designed solutions that meet our needs."
“Our philosophy is having quality products with quality people, so together with Haulotte, we are continually aiming to deliver this everyday”, adds David.
Coates powers up Albert Park for the Rolex F1 Grand Prix
FEATURES
55 Coates' delivers Greener Choices at F1
57 Festival Hire wins Hire Company of the Year (Events)
59 A look back at HIRE24
ERIN JOHNSTON HRIA EVENTS DIVISON PRESIDENT
Be prepared to put yourself out there
AUGUST – HOW DID WE GET HERE? IT SEEMS LIKE ONLY YESTERDAY THAT WE HAD GATHERED IN BRISBANE FOR HIRE24 TO CELEBRATE EVERYTHING THAT IS INCREDIBLE ABOUT THIS INDUSTRY.
To everyone who made the journey to Queensland, it was fantastic to catch up and talk business, but most importantly, build stronger connections across the industry.
First up, I have to add my congratulations to Festival Hire who were awarded the HRIA Hire Company of the Year in the Events category. This is an outstanding achievement!
As Managing Director Shane Pope said on the night, the event is “an incredible opportunity to meet new people and reconnect with friends within the industry.” Shane also made a really important point about the events space – it’s an industry where we often spend long hours delivering amazing outcomes for our clients, but that also means we can be away from our families for extended periods of time. We literally couldn't do what we do without their unwavering support so on behalf of the entire industry, I say thank you. You can read more about Festival Hire’s experience on page 56.
To our other fantastic category finalists, Mid North Party Hire from Blythe (SA) and Bendigo’s Betta Bathroom Hire (Vic), best of luck next year!
I also want to take the opportunity to thank the participants on what can only be described as a brilliant HIRE24 events panel. Bernie Stephens (Harry the Hirer), Kym Schultz (Mid North Party Hire), Peter Thorpe (HTS TENTIQ) and Jeremy Sparks (Event Engineering) selflessly
gave up their time to share their knowledge, experience and learnings with the industry and it was greatly appreciated by all in attendance. Not sure how we could possibly improve on that panel but we are planning to deliver a bigger and better workshop for HIRE25 in Melbourne next year.
Finally, HIRE24 again demonstrated the importance of networking and building relationships across the industry. However, the real challenge is how we ensure it’s not a oncea-year thing. Like any relationship, you need to keep working at it to build genuine connections and have the opportunity to share challenges and learnings. Personally, I have an annual catch-up with the team at Harry the Hirer in both Melbourne and Sydney. It’s a day where we can talk through common industry issues — such as quality control, staff shortages and transport struggles — and learn from each other because regardless of size, we all share similar challenges. I’ve been doing this for a few years now and can see the long-term benefits to putting in the time to build a great, authentic relationship.
So my message to events companies? Put yourselves out there — there are benefits to be gained and fantastic relationships to be made that will benefit all parties. You just have to work at it.
“This year, we’ve had a great response from Events companies with a record number of entries in the Events Division award. "
Coates helps cut carbon emissions for the Formula1 Rolex Australian Grand Prix 2024
Amidst the exhilaration of delivering Australia's largest pop-up sporting event, sustainability was an important consideration for event promoter the Australian Grand Prix Corporation (AGPC).
To help stage the event, AGPC called on Coates to provide more than 1,400 pieces of hire equipment, from pumps and portaloos to portable buildings and power generation. By integrating Coates’ Greener Choices gear into the mix – specifically 15kVA hybrid power systems, 45kVA Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS), battery solar lights and hybrid lights, AGPC displaced 3.5-tonnes of CO2e (carbon dioxide equivalent, which includes greenhouses gases besides CO2) and saved 1,300 litres of diesel over four days.
In addition, all diesel equipment supplied by Coates was 5% biofuel compatible, helping to further reduce emissions.
THE FORMULA 1 ROLEX AUSTRALIAN GRAND PRIX 2024 PROVED ITS POPULARITY ONCE AGAIN THIS YEAR, DRAWING A RECORD-BREAKING CROWD OF 452,055 FANS OVER FOUR DAYS TO MELBOURNE’S ALBERT PARK.
“By using a 5% biofuel, we achieved reportable stationary combustion emission reductions for equipment including generators, light towers and hybrid units, which was a great outcome,” says Matthew Walton, Director of Infrastructure and Innovation at AGPC.
AGPC will continue to work alongside Formula 1® to reduce its carbon footprint, with sustainable power and lighting technologies remaining a focus for future events. “As Coates grows its asset base, we will expand our use of the Greener Choices products that they offer,” says Matthew. “As part of our sustainability journey we are also trialing hydrogen technologies, growing our use of biofuels, promoting public transport, reducing combustion emissions, and addressing waste reduction and resource recovery.”
Coates has partnered with AGPC since 1996 to help deliver 29 FORMULA 1 AUSTRALIAN GRAND PRIX events, supplying a growing range of equipment, services and solutions each year.
According to Sam Borthwick, Major Projects Manager for Events at Coates, having an experienced team on site from start to finish enables them to respond to extra equipment needs and maintenance requirements. “Being on site allows us to react very quickly to customer demands. We also know what needs to be done to induct and get new gear to where it needs to be,” says Sam.
Having a strong on-site presence also allows Coates to attend daily briefings and go the extra mile to ensure the event runs smoothly. “With so many years’ of experience working with the AGPC, Coates has developed a deep knowledge of the site and all customer touch points, and we continue to learn and improve our process at each event,” Sam says. “A high level of assurance and customer care is also provided to AGPC following the event, through our formal de-brief and project review process.”
As the event has grown, Matthew says there are certain outcomes AGPC could not have achieved without Coates.
“To deliver this event we need partners like Coates that work proactively, respond quickly to changing needs and have the flexibility to scale up and down to deliver on our event fundamentals,” Matthew explains. “I don't think there's another supplier in the market that has the all-encompassing capability to meet our needs in the way that Coates does.”
Coates also sponsors the AGPC’s annual Rotary BBQ for all event suppliers and invests back into Australian motorsport, adds Matthew. “It really helps to work with partners that share our passion,” he says.
Form more information, visit www.coates.com.au T
“As part of our sustainability journey we are also trialing hydrogen technologies [and] growing our use of biofuels”
Excellence Award validates business success
WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO WIN A HIRE INDUSTRY EXCELLENCE AWARD?
TO FIND OUT, WE ASKED SHANE POPE, CEO OF THE 2024 HIRE COMPANY OF THE YEAR — EVENTS DIVISION WINNER, FESTIVAL HIRE, ABOUT THE AWARDS PROCESS, THEIR BIG WIN AND WHAT IT MEANS FOR HIS BUSINESS.
H&R: Congratulations on winning the Hire Company of the Year Events Award at HIRE24. Could you share a bit about your journey in the industry and what motivated you to pursue excellence in your business?
Craving a change from corporate life, I took a chance on a business advert in the local paper back in 2002. It landed me in the events industry, a fast-paced world not for the faint of heart. But the reward? Seeing a vision, like a wedding, come to life for a fleeting moment,
leaving a lasting memory. This drives me and my team to strive to give each client the best experience possible.
H&R: What key strategies or initiatives do you attribute to your award-winning performance, and how have they contributed to your overall success?
I think a big contributor to our success is senior team members, including myself, being onsite, working alongside the crew and as the customer's first
Bottom L-R: Lachlan Symonds, Shane Pope & Ariel Gonzalez celebrate their award.
point of contact. That builds trust, especially for high-stakes events like weddings. My supermarket experience with their rock-solid systems translates directly to success here. Building relationships with suppliers, clients and even competitors has also been key.
H&R: Why did you enter the ‘Hire Company of the Year’ Awards?
Participating in the Hire Company of the Year award was a fantastic opportunity to gauge how Festival Hire stands against other businesses. The process generated an excellent vibe within the team and afterwards, there was a strong sense of pride among everyone for their contribution to our success.
H&R: Is there anything you’ve learned about the business/your team though the judging process? Yes, we've learned that our team and business practices are on the right track. Having never entered a competition like this before, it was
difficult to evaluate ourselves and be certain of our direction. This process has provided valuable validation and confidence in our path.
H&R: How valuable has winning the award been to your people and the business?
The Festival Hire team has been thrilled to be recognised as part of a successful industry-leading company. Often, businesses operate within their own sphere and may not fully realise the strength of their team and processes until they are tested against others. This award has affirmed our capabilities and boosted our morale.
H&R: What advice do you have for other events companies thinking about joining the HRIA and entering the Awards?
Definitely go for it! The process not only prompts you to critically assess your operations but also helps you identify areas for improvement and recognise
what you’re doing well. Having an external perspective on your business is always a valuable opportunity for growth and enhancement.
H&R: Why is being a member of the HRIA important to you?
It’s important because the HRIA offers excellent initiatives and provides essential support for hire businesses. This support is particularly valuable for smaller businesses that may not have large teams to handle various challenges on their own.
H&R: What does the future hold for Festival Hire?
We’ll continue to build strong relationships with our customers and develop an even more dedicated team that’s passionate about the hire industry.
Festival Hire has been operating for over 20 years in Adelaide and around South Australia.
Visit www.festivalhire.net.au
(L-R) The Festival Hire team (Lachlan Symonds, Shane Pope and Ariel Gonzales) with the President of the HRIA Events Division, Erin Johnston.
HIRE24 Highlights
Across 2 days in June in Brisbane, the HRIA showed just what it means to be a part of this magnificent industry.
Headline speakers play second fiddle to the real stars of the annual convention, the members.
From the top tier of our industry to the scores of independent hire companies and supplier members, who all contribute to supporting our vibrant sector; the convention
demonstrates the importance of connection to this critical industry.
The Hire Industry Excellence Awards paid tribute to industry stalwart, Tony Crane, who was award Life Member status.
And the HRIA captured the essence of the Hire Industry’s future, recognising participants from what is fast becoming the lifeblood of the Association’s development agenda.
BRISBANE PULLS OUT ALL THE STOPS FOR HIRE24.
HIRETECH ADDS TWO NEW PRODUCTS TO ITS RANGE
FLOOR SANDER SPECIALISTS, HIRETECH, HAVE LAUNCHED TWO NEW PRODUCTS THIS MONTH INCLUDING THE UNIQUE HT5 STAIR EDGER/DISC FLOOR SANDER AND THE ROBUST HT17 ROTARY FLOOR POLISHER.
The HT5 Edger with its glass-reinforced nylon construction, provides aggressive sanding performance in a lightweight, uniquely versatile package. The rotating handle, balancing wheel and bottom slip plate deliver unmatched control while sanding stair risers and treads. For floor edging, the low-profile nose and work light offer high efficiency with reduced operator fatigue.
The removable castor wheels can be fitted via a clip-on and clip-off system to allow both stability and manoeuvrability. The HT5 is the ideal sander for use on stairs, stair treads, kickboards, and around decking balustrades.
The 5-inch Velcro sanding discs are easy to fit and do not require the use of spanners. For
dust free operation, simply connect the HT5 to a vacuum hose.
The new HT17 Rotary Floor Polisher is a highly productive machine that can produce up to 650sqm of polished floor per hour. It has multiple uses including cleaning, scrubbing, stripping, concrete grinding and polishing, glue removal and floor prep. With its rugged, all metal construction, the HT17 also includes an optional solution tank and weight kit.
The new products will perfectly complement Hiretech’s existing product range of clamp-bar and expanding drum floor sanders, edge sander and orbital sander. Hiretech is the leading supplier of floor sanding equipment in Australia, with over 30 years’ experience servicing the hire and rental industry.
The HT17 Rotary Floor Polisher is a highly productive machine that can produce up to 650sqm of polished floor per hour
Hiretech
MORE SPEAKERS TO BE ANNOUNCED SOON
• Hear from leading speakers
• Elevate your network through meaningful connections.
• Participate in interactive sessions designed to sharpen your skills.
• Immerse yourself in high-quality content
More details visit www.hria.com.au/events/business-leadership-conference/
ire and ental ndustry ssociation
Daye Moffitt Executive Strategy Director Houston Group
Paul De Martin Corporate Training Facilitator Priority Management
Sean Gordon OAM Mindset Coach Boom Business Technologies
TRUCK HYDRAULIC SOLUTIONS DELIVERS FIRST KARGO KING C-SEVEN LIFTING SYTEM WITH 10 TON LIFTING CAPACITY
WITH THE NEW C-SEVEN MODEL RECENTLY LANDING IN AUSTRALIA, IT IS NO SURPRISE THAT FIFTY PERCENT OF THE STOCK HAS ALREADY BEEN MOUNTED, SUPPLIED AND PUT INTO SERVICE.
Kargo King’s new model has a rated lifting capacity of 10 tons, fitted to trucks with a 24t gross vehicle mass (GVM).
National product manager Donovan van Antwerpen recently attended the handover of two units and had this to say, “I am very impressed with the ease and smoothness of the operation of the unit, the added benefit of loading and unloading equipment which is secured at ground level takes safety to a new level”.
The Kargo King Rental System is a truck mounted roll off system specifically designed and engineered to meet the unique demands of present-day rental equipment fleets. Over the past twenty years the number of rental equipment pieces introduced to the market has increased dramatically in both volume and complexity. This increase has brought with it numerous challenges related to safe loading and transport of rental equipment. Be it small compaction equipment, scissor lifts or aerial devices, each piece of equipment presents its own potential safety concerns. The Kargo King Rental System addresses these concerns by design.
The applications to operate the Kargo King system are endless. Multi-use applications facilitate in the one truck being able to perform in different applications, minimizing the capital expenditure of buying multiple trucks fitted with lifting systems.
Truck Hydraulic Solutions believes the Kargo King system will gain momentum the more users get to see and work with it, with this in mind, THS are currently fitting a C-Seven unit for demo purposes.
To find out more, visit www.truckhydraulicsolutions.com.au or call 1300 80 30 70
30 & 31 OCTOBER 2024 | MCEC MELBOURNE
YOUR CHANCE TO BE PART OF AUSTRALIA’S BIGGEST INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS
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