Hire & Rental Magazine February 2024 by hireandrentalnews

FEBRUARY 2024 VOLUME 25 NO. 3

The new addition to the Lithium Electric Drive Scissor Lift range is here

FEATURES 06 Kennards partner with Lawns in Good Nick 10 Select Plant launches logistics solution

23 PPSA updates 42 Verification of competency explained 51 Hire Express hosts Beyond Bitumen

Contents

February 2024 Volume 25 No. 3 HIRE AND RENTAL INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION LTD ABN 70 093 630 847 HRIA BOARD OF DIRECTORS President Jeremy Shaw | 0467 770 331 Past President Mark Burton | 0407 608 420 Vice President Tony Symons | 0421 051 367 Chief Executive Officer James Oxenham | 02 9998 2255 NSW President Emmanuel Georgoudis | 0457 518 975 VIC President Ash Woodcock | 0419 321 128 QLD President Troy Moulder | 07 3376 2888 SA President Ben Quirk | 08 8370 2488 WA President Craig Palmer | 0457 308 066 EVENT DIVISION President Erin Johnston | 02 4256 2439

DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS

Investing in our people

MAKINEX

Making inefficiences extinct

HRIA PO Box 1304, Mona Vale, NSW 1660 Tel: 02 9998 2255 Fax: 02 9998 2299 Email: info@hireandrental.com.au Web: www.hireandrentalnews.com.au PUBLISHER Martin Sinclair | 02 9998 2213 Email: martinsinclair@hria.com.au Web: www.hireandrentalnews.com.au EDITORIAL Tel: 02 9998 2207 Email: editorial@hria.com.au ADVERTISING National Sales Manager Martin Sinclair | 0417 450 662 Email: martinsinclair@hria.com.au

SINOBOOM

Reaching new heights

WHAT IS...?

Vericification of Competency

Inside 04 President's message 06 Kennards partners with 'Lawns in Good Nick' 07 HRIA's development program 10 Select Plant Australia launches comprehensive logistics solution 12 Sustainablity reporting requirements 16 You do ute with Mazda 18 Making ineffeciencies extinct 22 Software support in hire 23 PPSA Reforms 26 Closing Loopholes Act 34 Situation: more normal 36 First X13SJ Plus Compact Crawler Boom 38 Haulotte's Women in Hire

40 Access Profile: Sinoboom 42 VOC explained 44 Dingli launches 12-meter narrow AC scissor 46 Snorkel's new Mini Lithium Electric Scissor 50 Events: New year, new opportunities 51 Beyond Bitumen and Hire Express 52 Hire Company of the Year: Barlens 54 Bullmax celebrates 10 years 56 Atlas Copco's Pac H high pressure pump 58 Illuminating the pathway to sustainability 60 Aussie Pumps: Lots more in '24

CIRCULATION Circulation Enquiries/ Customer Service Tel: 02 9998 2255 Printer: Bright Print Group Tel: 02 9757 3000 Distribution: D&D Mailing Services Tel: 02 9725 2114

Opinions published in the Hire and Rental Industry Association magazine — 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. The contents of this publication are subject to copyright and cannot be reproduced in any way or form without written consent from the Editor. All rights reserved. ISSN 1838-1197

INDUSTRY NEWS

PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE

JEREMY SHAW HRIA PRESIDENT

WHAT'S IN STORE FOR 2024

Hire&Rental

One of the many objectives of the HRIA board for 2024 is a review of our 5-year strategic plan. This is a focus for the coming months to ensure that it remains relevant and up to date with industry changes and the economic environment. This review will also coincide with a national board meeting at the national office in Sydney. 2024 will also see the roll out of the association’s new Customer Relationship Management (CRM) software solution, which will serve all three associations along with three new websites, and a new Learning Management System (LMS) to manage our EWPA & TSHA operators and trainers. Whilst the effort has be substantial, there will be many welcome benefits to all members and to the operations of the associations. These include a new self-serve members’ portal with ease-of-use access to our benefits and resources. In late 2023, we advertised a new member benefit for discounted pricing on Mazda BT-50 utes. This is the first time we’ve been able to offer this type of benefit and the feedback received from members has been extremely positive. Our hire company (Master Hire) has taken advantage of this benefit and we now have our very first Mazda BT-50 in the fleet. I am looking forward to the year ahead working with James and the National Office team along with our board of directors. I look forward to seeing you at this year’s convention. T

AS WE CAREER HEADLONG INTO ANOTHER FRENETIC TWELVE MONTHS IN THE HIRE INDUSTRY, WE LOOK AT WHAT'S IN STORE FOR HRIA MEMBERS IN THE COMING LEAP YEAR.

WITH THE FESTIVE SEASON BEHIND US, IT SEEMS EVERYONE IS

now back to work as normal. Whilst some people I’ve spoken to were able to get away on a long overdue family holiday, many more than usual had stayed local without significant spending. When asked why, the main reason was general household living costs having an impact on where they chose to spend their money. During the pandemic, the cost of new builds and home renovations increased dramatically, and with many sources predicting the RBA to begin cutting interest rates later this calendar year, while it will bring some relief to the wider community in repayments, what we don’t yet know, is how this will affect property values. More importantly, this could slow the housing market as buyers anticipate lower borrowing costs later in the year. 2024 is shaping up to be an interesting year for all. As I mentioned in my last article in August, there are plenty of initiatives underway for the HRIA Board and the National Office for 2024. One of the most significant events in the calendar is, of course, our annual convention, which will be held at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre (4 – 6th June). There are countless hours that go into planning and delivering this world class convention each year and with this one being in my hometown, I’m looking forward to it being the biggest and best one yet. Stay tuned for more information over the coming months on the HIRE24 website and social media channels as we begin to announce our speaker program.

“many sources [are] predicting the RBA to begin cutting interest rates later this calendar year”

FEBRUARY 2024

INDUSTRY NEWS

LAWNS AND LANDSCAPING

Hire&Rental

Nick Bransgrove Lawns in Good Nick

KENNARDS ANNOUNCES PARNTERSHIP WITH INFLUENCER 'LAWNS IN GOOD NICK' KENNARDS HIRE RECENTLY ANNOUNCED A DYNAMIC NEW PARTNERSHIP WITH RENOWNED INFLUENCER NICK BRANSGROVE OF 'LAWNS IN GOOD NICK' AS A GUEST BLOGGER ON ITS ‘GET INSPIRED’ CONTENT PLATFORM.

With over 77,000 Instagram followers, Nick has garnered a significant following on social media and various online platforms for his insightful gardening tips, practical howto videos, and engaging content about lawn care. "We are extremely excited to welcome 'Lawns in Good Nick' to the Kennards Hire family as a guest blogger," said Reshma Narayan, Digital Marketing Manager at Kennards Hire. "Nick’s wealth of knowledge and passion for lawn care and gardening is truly inspiring and easy to follow. We believe our customers will greatly benefit from his expertise as they plan and get into their outdoor projects." Bransgrove expressed his enthusiasm for the partnership, saying, "I'm delighted to be collaborating with Kennards Hire, a company that shares my dedication to helping people achieve their outdoor project goals. I look forward to sharing my experiences, tips, and ideas with the Kennards Hire community, and together, we'll make the world of lawn care and gardening even more exciting and accessible." Through the partnership, Kennards Hire and ‘Lawns in Good Nick’ aim to provide customers with a holistic resource that not only offers equipment solutions but also valuable insights on how to make the most of their outdoor projects. The guest blog posts by ‘Lawns in Good Nick’ will cover a wide range of topics, including lawn care, garden maintenance, landscaping, and DIY projects, offering a well-rounded approach to outdoor living.

“With over 77,000 Instagram followers, Nick has garnered a significant following.”

THE COLLABORATION BRINGS TOGETHER

the expertise of Kennards Hire and the passion and knowledge of ‘Lawns in Good Nick’ in the field of lawn care and gardening. Kennards is committed to supporting both professionals and DIY enthusiasts in their projects of choice. With a wide range of equipment for construction, renovation, and outdoor projects, Kennards Hire is dedicated to empowering customers to get the job done right. The partnership aligns perfectly with this commitment, as with 'Lawns in Good Nick' is widely recognised for his expertise in creating and maintaining stunning lawns and gardens. 6



For more information on how to make a lawn into the envy of the neighbourhood, visit Kennards Hire's website at kennards.com.au or follow 'Lawns in Good Nick' on his social media platforms — @Lawnsingoodnick / lawnsingoodnick.com FEBRUARY 2024

Hire&Rental

HRIA DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS

INDUSTRY NEWS

Natalie Lu with her HRIA mentor, Brad Able: “He continues to be one of my biggest supporters and consistently celebrates my career milestones.”

WHY YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE HRIA'S DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS 2023’S HRIA DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS HAD THE LARGEST COHORT AND BIGGEST GEOGRAPHICAL SPREAD TO DATE. TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THE PROFESSIONAL AND PERSONAL BENEFITS OF PARTICIPATING, WE CAUGHT UP WITH 2023 MENTOR, BRAD ABLE AND HIS MENTEE, NATALIE LU.

AT THE HRIA, WE SPEND MUCH OF OUR

time trying to figure out the biggest challenges facing our industry and how to address them. There are rarely silver bullets, but occasionally, we know we can make a difference to an individual, in turn, their employer and over time, the industry. The Women in Hire and Young Professionals Development Programs, now in their 6th year, are designed to propagate professional and personal development, cultural best practice, leadership qualities and confidence in the program mentees. Our aim is to foster the idea that the Hire industry is a destination of choice for employees and help members retain FEBRUARY 2024

“It's not just about giving back; it's about creating a positive ripple effect that can elevate the entire industry.” Brad Able, mentor.

INDUSTRY NEWS

HRIA DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS

Hire&Rental

individual needs. Mentorship also highlighted the significance of ongoing learning. While I shared my experiences, I also gained insights into emerging trends and perspectives from the next generation. It's a two-way street and I grew professionally and personally through these interactions. “Witnessing the mentees' progress was also incredibly gratifying, affirming the impact of mentorship on individual growth and the collective strength of the industry. It reminded me of the responsibility we have as experienced professionals to foster talent and contribute to a vibrant, forward-thinking industry.” Natalie Lu is a branch manager for Alfasi Hire in New South Wales. While she had self-doubt and was initially reluctant to participate in the program, she says it’s been invaluable experience. “The program pushes you out of your comfort zone,” says Natalie. “I’ve gained a significant confidence boost, professionally and personally, been able to hone my networking skills and forge friendships with peers and mentors. The program also exposed me to unique experiences such as travelling to New Zealand with HRIA CEO James Oxenham and HRIA President Jeremy Shaw to speak at the HIANZ conference. It’s been one of my career highlights.” She also has nothing but praise for her mentor Brad. “Brad sensed my initial intimidation and proactively reached out, creating a supportive environment that allowed us to be quite casual and relaxed in our approach. Despite having completed our program now, he continues to be one of my biggest supporters and consistently celebrates my career milestones.” Natalie says the program tests what you can achieve. “If you’re thinking of joining the program as a mentee, do it! For managers, make this investment in developing your people because it will ensure they are willing to invest back into the company.” Brad says it can be challenging to find the time to mentor, however, it’s a great opportunity to give back and have a profound impact on an individual mentee and the industry. “It's about creating a positive ripple effect that can elevate the entire industry,” he says. “By contributing your expertise, you're helping to shape the next generation of leaders and foster a culture of continuous improvement. There’s also immeasurable satisfaction in seeing your mentee succeed.” Having now completed the program, Natalie has decided to ‘pay it forward’ becoming a mentor for the Women in Hire Development Program. “Having experienced first-hand what can be accomplished, I want to empower others to do the same and contribute to the growth and training of our future industry leaders.” “For me, the program has instilled a new self-assurance and confidence, opened doors and provided insights that significantly elevated my career,” she says. It’s one of the reasons why Brad thinks the programs are so important for the industry. “These programs empower individuals with essential skills and confidence and cultivate a culture of mentorship and continuous development. This will ensure a vibrant and sustainable future for the entire hire and rental industry.” T

“The program has an ability to push you out of your comfort zone. I’ve gained a significant confidence boost, professionally and personally, been able to hone my networking skills and forge friendships with peers and mentors.” Natalie Lu, mentee.

talented, highly engaged staff who can clearly see a future in our industry. For Brad Able, APS Power’s General Manager, the decision to mentor the Young Professionals Development Program was significant although initially, he hesitated. “As a young manager in the industry, I questioned whether I had enough experience to guide others effectively,” says Brad. “However, having been a part of this industry for a significant period, I've witnessed its evolution and recognised the importance of mentorship in nurturing the next generation of professionals. The idea of contributing to the growth and development of talented individuals within the industry was compelling. It's incredibly fulfilling to witness their professional and personal growth throughout the mentorship journey.” He says his experience has been rewarding, reinforcing the importance of adaptability and open-mindedness. “Every mentee brought a unique set of challenges and aspirations, requiring me to tailor my guidance to suit their 8

FEBRUARY 2024

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INDUSTRY NEWS

LOGISTICS

SELECT PLANT AUSTRALIA LAUNCHES COMPREHENSIVE LOGISTICS SOLUTIONS SELECT PLANT AUSTRALIA HAS ANNOUNCED THE LAUNCH OF SELECT LOGISTICS SOLUTIONS HELPING TO REDEFINE PROJECT EFFICIENCY, IMPROVE SAFETY AND ELEVATE INDUSTRY STANDARDS OF CONSTRUCTION LOGISTICS.

Hire&Rental

LOGISTICS SOLUTIONS RESPONDS TO THE GROWING DEMAND FOR

bespoke logistics strategies in the construction industry. Select will collaborate with clients to create strategic roadmaps that cater to the unique requirements of each project. These personalised strategies include logistics strategy development, site setup and supply chain mapping. The new offering reflects Select’s commitment to improving safety and minimising incidents in the construction industry. The solution incorporates cutting-edge technology and world-leading safety procedures that empower projects to proactively manage regulations. This emphasis on safety ensures smooth operations and prioritises the well-being of project teams. Nathan Mitschuinig, Select’s Business Unit Leader, said, “Our dedication to innovation is at the heart of Select's Logistics Solutions. The offering enables us to provide transparent insights that drive operational efficiency by integrating real-time monitoring of material handling and haulage activities. The streamlined onboarding process for personnel and machinery ensures seamless operations, minimising downtime, and maximising productivity. “By merging safety and innovation, we can redefine logistics in the construction industry and provide clients and projects with industryleading solutions” said Nathan. T

“The offering enables us to provide transparent insights that drive operational efficiency by integrating real-time monitoring”.

FEBRUARY 2024

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Hire&Rental

Reporting standards and requirements

SUSTAINABILITY REPORTING REQUIREMENTS: WILL YOU HAVE TO REPORT?

By Jana Jevcakova, Managing Director, Head of ESG International at Morrow Sodali

CORPORATE SUSTAINABILITY REPORTING HAS BEEN A FEATURE OF REPORTING FOR DECADES. BUSINESSES THAT GRASP THE CONCEPT OF SUSTAINABILITY AS INTEGRAL TO THEIR PURPOSE AND BUSINESS STRATEGY WILL REAP THE BENEFITS IN THE FORM OF LARGER CUSTOMER BASE, NEW MARKETS, BETTER AND MORE DIVERSE TALENT POOL, MORE PRODUCTIVE WORKFORCE AND SUPPORTIVE INVESTORS WITH LONG-TERM PARTNERSHIPS.

HISTORICALLY, CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY (OR CSR) WAS A VOLUNTARY

report focussed on the ‘good’ that a company does and used mainly for marketing. However, over time, CSR has transformed into a more detailed, factual, balanced and useful report of a company’s environmental, social and governance (ESG) information, and in some cases, a legal requirement. 12

2023 marked a new milestone in ESG reporting standards. The International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB) issued new global voluntary sustainability standards — IFRS S1 General Requirements for Disclosure of Sustainability-related Financial Information and IFRS S2 Climaterelated Disclosures — making the ESG data auditable for the very first time. This has prompted many countries to adopt these standards as a regulatory requirement, mainly for large and listed entities. There is currently no requirement for specific sustainability reporting in Australia, but with two rounds of consultation undertaken by the Department of the Treasury during 2022-2023, new climaterelated reporting requirements (based on IFRS S2) are now imminent. Both listed and unlisted companies that exceed certain thresholds will need to meet the new reporting standards, with large companies reporting first. Companies can also expect further developments in general sustainabilityrelated disclosures that will become mandatory in due course.

The ripple effect of mandatory reporting While the compliance requirement will not apply to all companies, the impact will be felt by entities of all sizes across the supply chain. This includes companies providing raw materials, equipment and various services. To retain a competitive edge in tendering for contracts with large company customers, every supplier will need to adopt a data collection and reporting process. Specifically, large reporting companies will need to gain accurate data to calculate their Scope 3 emissions, which include Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions of their suppliers. This means they will start requesting emissions information from the nonmandated and non-reporting companies, who in turn may have their hands forced into measuring and reporting carbon footprints to maintain their position in the supply chain. While climate change is a relatively new area for mandatory reporting, there are other areas of sustainability that have been impacting non-reporters as part of the supply chain due diligence. This includes: FEBRUARY 2024

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The Commonwealth Modern Slavery Act 2018 establishing a national modern slavery reporting requirement, effective 1 January 2019. As a result, mandatory reporters started requesting their suppliers to provide data associated with modern slavery risks, leading to more frequent and at times more intense engagement. Anti-corruption and anti-bribery policies are now a compliance requirement for many entities and often include rules and training for suppliers. With a spate of recent high-profile cyber attacks, cyber security is also taking a prime spot, with heightened requirements and disclosures for suppliers to large entities at risk. There are also sector-specific requirements — such as safety regulations for mining and construction sectors — limiting suppliers with insufficient safety records, standards, practices and disclosures.

implementing sustainable strategies and business models that respond to the market demands. In a market with high competition, low price elasticity and constant innovation and new technologies, a customer will choose a supplier that can demonstrate the ability to help them make their own business more sustainable, profitable and viable for partnering in the long term. Employees are another stakeholder group that is demanding more in terms of sustainability from their employer. In a recent survey conducted by Deloitte, 69% of employees want their companies to invest in sustainability efforts, including reducing carbon, using renewable energy and reducing waste. More than a quarter (27%) said they will consider a potential employer’s position on sustainability before accepting a job. Not addressing these areas can seriously hinder a company’s ability to recruit and retain the best talent at every level, including executives.

This highlights that sustainability reporting is not just about compliance. IN many cases, it is a legal requirement because managing risks and opportunities associated with sustainability closely correlate with the financial performance of an entity. If not disclosed, this can limit the effective functioning of financial markets.

Investors are also key. Most large institutional investors now incorporate ESG into their decision-making process, not just investments/divestments, but also managing their investment in the form of engagement and voting at shareholder meetings. Private equity investors also understand that ESG is core to creating value and are increasingly assessing opportunities from this angle. The 2023 ASX Australian Investor Report found more retail investors are embracing responsible-investing principles, avoiding companies that do social or environmental harm and favouring those that have a positive impact.

•

The role of stakeholders The primary stakeholder for compliance is regulators. However, companies looking to be profitable and sustain their business, respond to a range of other stakeholders including customers. Understanding what drives the customer, aside from the need for products and services they buy (such as their own reporting requirements), is crucial in 14

69% of employees want their companies to invest in sustainability efforts, including reducing carbon, using renewable energy and reducing waste.

Conclusion Assessment of the sustainability risks and opportunities should be part of any review a business undertakes on a regular basis. Don’t consider the reporting of material ESG information as compliance and an additional burden. Rather it’s a business opportunity and source of competitive advantage. T

FEBRUARY 2024

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INDUSTRY NEWS

MAZDA

Hire&Rental

YOU DO UTE WITH MAZDA THE HRIA HAS BROKERED A DEAL OFFERING SPECIAL MEMBERSHIP DISCOUNTS ACROSS THE RANGE OF MAZDA BT-50S.

UNTIL THE END OF THE FINANCIAL YEAR, HRIA MEMBERS

can enjoy discounts of up to $6,200 on Mazda’s BT-50 range of utes through Mazda’s Complete Fleet program.

Rebuilt from the ground up The brand-new Mazda BT-50 is designed to get the job done in style. With a 3.0L turbo diesel engine packing an impressive 140kW of power and 450Nm of torque, the BT50 can carry over 1,000kg of payload or tow up to 3,500kg while boasting excellent fuel economy. It also boasts the latest advanced safety technologies including Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB) and Blind Spot Monitor (BSM) as standard, the very latest in comfort and cutting-edge design, plus 5-year Roadside Assistance. It’s a ute that’s truly the complete package. There’s never been a better time to see how your business can benefit from the Mazda BT-50 Complete Fleet program. To be eligible for the discount, HRIA members should let their Mazda dealer know upfront they are eligible for the Large Fleet discount, and have their valid HRIA membership number at hand.



To find out more, contact your local Mazda dealer today. Terms and conditions apply.

FEBRUARY 2024

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INDUSTRY NEWS

Hire&Rental

MAKINEX

MAKING INEFFICIENCIES EXTINCT IN 2024, MAKINEX CELEBRATES 20 YEARS OF DESIGNING ORIGINAL, AWARD-WINNING TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT FOR THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY. FOUNDERS RORY KENNARD AND PAUL WEAVER, AND CEO JOHN STEWART SAY THEY’RE DRIVEN BY A PASSION FOR MAKING INEFFICIENCIES EXTINCT BECAUSE ‘GOOD ENOUGH’ IS NEVER ENOUGH FOR THEIR CUSTOMERS.

ASK RORY KENNARD, CORE DESIGNER AND

Innovator, about the early days of Makinex and he’s frank about where they started. “We probably didn’t have much of a clue,” he says. “We were originally known as Work Smart Equipment and there were challenges. Then we decided to rebrand which leapfrogged our business into the future.” That rebranding decision — to call the company Makinex — was their turning point. “We knew we had innovations that were borne from trying to make inefficiencies extinct,” says Rory. “We had the ability to see these inefficiencies and the passion to try and overcome them so our plan was to make hard jobs easy.” 18

Paul Weaver, John Stewart and Rory Kennard with the product that changed the game for Makinex — the Powered Hand Truck.

They also made the decision to focus on the construction industry. “Being an entrepreneurial, inventions business, we could easily have been side-tracked into other industries,” says Rory. “But we are in construction and anything we do will fit in that area. That was a real driver.” From a team of two — Rory and Paul Weaver, Head of Strategic Sales — Makinex is now a company of 50 employees with offices in Sydney and Dallas, Texas, plus a network of dealers around Australia and the globe. Makinex products are carried by more than 4,000 equipment hire and rental companies and over 1,000 reseller and OEMs worldwide. Paul says the game changed for Makinex when Kennards approached them to create a product that would help alleviate back and shoulder injuries caused by lifting equipment in and out of vehicles. The culmination of that request was the Makinex Powered Hand Truck (PHT) which allowed one person to safely lift objects up to 140kg without the risk of injury. “Typically, customers are looking for return on investment,” he says, “so, allocating funds towards a safety product to benefit inhouse teams, wasn't always front and centre.” Yet today, the PHT has been adopted by hire companies around the world. It’s won multiple global awards, including the HRIA’s Product of the Year in 2014 and in 2016, the UK Innovation Trail Award. “The industry has recognised our products as great innovations,” says Paul. “To receive those accolades has really made us proud.” They also acknowledge the role of Hire in getting their products to market. “Every one of our products goes into Hire,” says Rory, “that’s the common thread.” CEO John Stewart agrees. “Hire is vital to this company. It has been for 20 years and will be for another 20 years.” “You build credibility and relevance with your channels over time,” he says. “With Hire, if you’re not relevant, robust and responsive, you won’t last.” They’ve also noticed a trend with Hire companies becoming more open to adapting innovation before the market is ready for them. “The industry values innovation more now than it did 20 years ago,” says Paul. “A lot of hire companies around the world are now leaders in product developments rather than followers.” FEBRUARY 2024

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INDUSTRY NEWS

Hire&Rental

MAKINEX

Rory Kennard, Paul Weaver and John Stewart at the Makinex office in Sydney.

“Hire is vital to this company. It has been for 20 years and will be for another 20 years.” John Stewart, CEO, Makinex.

As a company that develops unique and practical product solutions for contractors and tradespeople to do their jobs better, the Makinex team is always looking for the next big innovation. “In the early days, we’d encourage the whole team to get involved,” says Paul. “We’d start the idea off and ask everyone to contribute — from accounts to the warehouse and forklift drivers. It was a way of bringing innovation to the table and helped to develop our products. Our belief is if you think there’s a better way, speak up and let’s discover what it is.” It's part of what John calls ‘an amazing knack’ for being able to spot problems that other people don’t. “We like to solve a problem in the light of the problem we see, rather than the light of the problem that’s presented to us,” he says. “When we start and see some of these 20

issues around silicosis or the need for dust suppression on job sites, that drives us to invent new products or ensure our existing products are fit-for-purpose. As an example, our Jackhammer Trolley was invented 15 years ago but over the last year, we’ve launched a vacuum attachment to protect operators from dust and debris.” It's these emerging issues and trends that keeps the Makinex team focused and excited about the future. “The focus used to be on ensuring people didn’t hurt their backs, lifted correctly and worked more safely and productively,” says John. “Now, it’s about creating a better working environment that’s not going to harm them.” Around two-thirds of the R& D team are now working on battery and solar products for Makinex or their spin-off company, Makinex Renewables. “We’ve got a new portable power box range which is replacing small petrol generators on construction sites,” says Rory. “The Hybrid Power System (HPS) from Makinex Renewables is also replacing diesel generators on site. This will be a full solution to give our customers all the pieces of the puzzle the need for a green solution onsite.” At its core, Makinex is a hands-on practical company that’s transitioning from a product-driven innovation business to a people-driven business. As John explains: “Instead of ‘would you like to work on this product?’ it’s, ‘are you interested in the output of this product?’ That’s a compelling message for people looking to join our company. It also makes us ‘stickier’ and improves our culture.” Looking back over 20 years, they say it’s been a journey of perseverance. “I could name dozens of occasions where people weren’t interested and didn’t want our product,” says Paul. “We could have given up and said, ‘well that product is not going to fly, we’ll go and try something else’ but we always had passion and a belief that our products work.” It’s also about having fun and getting the balance right. “How can you persevere in the face of adversity unless you've got passion enjoying what you do, and having fun,” says John. “While we focus on the business and are serious about it, we also make sure we enjoy the journey along the way. It’s an exciting place to be.” With a number of new products currently in the pipeline, Makinex is hoping to showcase their new innovations at HIRE24 in Brisbane.

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www.makinex.com.au

FEBRUARY 2024

X-SOLAR POLE LIGHTING TOWER

ZERO CO2 EMISSIONS

YEAR-ROUND RUN TIME

REDUCE COSTS

MINIMAL MAINTENANCE

Introducing the X-SOLAR POLE by TRIME, Europe’s leading sustainable Lighting Tower manufacturer. Tailored for construction site entries, walkways and events, this innovative lighting solution is an excellent addition to rental fleets in Australia. Each unit is 100% solar powered, ensuring zero CO₂ emissions for sustainable and environmentally friendly operations. With a compact design, the X-SOLAR Pole can fit up to 20 units per truck, making transportation efficient and cost-effective. The unit has an all-year-round run time, easy to operate and has minimal maintenance. www.prpower.com.au

1300 399 499

TRIME

INDUSTRY NEWS

Hire&Rental

XXXXXXXXXX

TECHNOLOGY INNOVATION SPONSORED BY POINT OF RENTAL

THE CRITICAL ROLE OF SOFTWARE SUPPORT IN HIRE: NEAR, FAR, WHEREVER YOU ARE IN THE FAST-PACED HIRE INDUSTRY, WHERE PRECISION AND EFFICIENCY ARE CRITICAL, HIRE SOFTWARE IS AN IMPORTANT PART OF KEEPING EVERYONE ON THE SAME PAGE AND A COMPANY’S ULTIMATE KEY TO SUCCESS LIES IN THE HANDS OF LOCAL, KNOWLEDGEABLE SOFTWARE SUPPORT STAFF.

SOFTWARE SUPPORT PLAYS A PIVOTAL

role in ensuring the seamless operation of hire businesses, offering technical expertise, prompt solutions, and a human touch that transcends the digital divide.

Local Support Builds Connection & Deep Market Knowledge

Worldwide Support Provides A Bigger Knowledge Base Hire software companies with worldwide expertise bring additional advantages to a hire business: • experience from other territories can provide alternatives when local solutions aren’t working. • A worldwide team makes it possible to provide in-house support, so customers can always reach someone when queries arise. • A global team also has a larger resource base to draw from, with a wealth of experience in the challenges faced by hire companies.

Growing Tools of the Trade Hire users are experts in their own right — solving their own problems, rather than waiting for support. Online documentation makes it easy for customers to understand software processes in any situation. Some hire software businesses produce ongoing training to help users grow their personal software expertise. Consulting is also a growing feature for hire businesses. At Point of Rental, 100 percent of the Australian consulting team previously worked in the hire industry. Local consultants can sit with customers, identify inefficiencies, in and outside of the software, and make recommendations for better efficiency.

How Does Support Help Real Hire Companies? Conveying & Hoisting Solutions (Sydney) searched for a hire software support team that they had confidence in; they found it with Point of Rental. According to GM Stephen Boyd, "Their support is readily available, and they prioritise fixing issues quickly. Point of Rental staff provided exceptional availability, dedication, help, and support, making the migration process far more efficient than I anticipated". In New Zealand, Fulton Hogan’s Alisha Peter echoed the sentiment: “It makes you feel like you’re not really on your own. If you have questions, you can put it out there. Should we need someone urgently, it’s of great comfort to know Point of Rental’s support team will be there.”

Point of Rental boasts the largest in-house software support team in the industry that works around the clock to ensure customer are always supported. Contact Point of Rental to find out how we can help you at pointofrental.com.

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Having local software support means quicker response times and minimal downtime. Proximity allows local teams to understand regional nuances, providing context-specific solutions. Local staff can provide cultural understanding with cultural context, avoiding miscommunication and a better user experience. Understanding local business practices helps tailor software to meet specific industry needs. Local support also fosters a sense of community, establishing trust between a hire business and its support team, leading to stronger, more personal relationships. Good relationships give customers full confidence that their questions and challenges matter. 22

FEBRUARY 2024

Hire&Rental

PPSA REFORMS

INDUSTRY NEWS

PPSA REFORMS CHANGE ON THE HORIZON THE AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT IS PROPOSING TO AMEND THE PERSONAL PROPERTY SECURITIES ACT AND REGULATIONS TO ACHIEVE “A CLEARER, MORE CONSISTENT AND MORE ACCESSIBLE PPS FRAMEWORK”. AUTHORS: KAREN WONG / SENIOR ASSOCIATE & REBECCA HEGARTY / PARTNER

Government response On 22 September 2023, the Government provided its proposed response to the Report. Of the 394 recommendations, they propose to accept 345, some in full and some in part.

ackground

In 2012, the PPSA introduced a national regime for the creating, registering and enforcing personal property securities. While the intent of the legislation was to simplify securities law, replacing over 70 Commonwealth, state and territory laws and 40 registers, numerous concerns have been raised by industry stakeholders about the overall complexity of the PPSA.

The Big Review In 2015, Bruce Whitaker was commissioned to review the PPSA (the Whitaker Report). The Report found the PPSA was complex and unclear and made 394 recommendations. However, since its submission in 2015, only a small number of amendments have been made.

FEBRUARY 2024

Changes to the PPS Register — welcome news or not? The Consultation Paper released by the Government notes that a key focus of the proposed reforms is to reduce the complexity of the PPS Register, which will be welcome news for many HRIA members. While seemingly simple, the process of registering a finance statement contains traps for the unwary, where, for example, the failure to correctly identify a grantor could result in a registration being ineffective, or the failure to tick a box (such as the PMSI box) could result in a loss against competing creditors. Due to the complexity and uncertainty surrounding the registration process, there has been a practice where parties make multiple or duplicate registrations in respect of the same collateral, resulting in ‘clutter’ on the Register. Some high-profile businesses have fallen foul of the Register, inadvertently losing assets in circumstances where they either failed to register their interests, or the secured party registered against the incorrect identifier of the relevant grantor (Forge Group and OneSteel). Only time will tell if the proposed reforms, once enacted, achieve the stated intention of making the PPS Register more user friendly.

Proposed amendments likely to take effect A number of amendments have been accepted by the Government. These include:

INDUSTRY NEWS

• •

•

• •

•

• • •

clarifying the types of property that are excluded from the PPSA removing confusing concepts (‘chattel paper, bailments and distinction between ‘consumer’ property’ and commercial property’ for example) amending the definition of ‘motor vehicle’ to mean property with a vehicle identification number (VIN) reducing the number of collateral classes from 9 to 6 removing the requirement to register against a trust’s ABN, where the relevant assets are held by a trust removing the requirement for the Purchase Money Security Interest (PMSI) box to be ticked in a financing statement removing the ‘inventory’ tick box from the PPS Register amending the process for making amendment demands clarifying the rules relating to registration of a PMSI.

Hire&Rental

PPSA REFORMS

A key focus of the proposed reforms is to reduce the complexity of the PPS Register.

The PPS Lease The Bill seeks to introduce a new section 13 with respect to PPS Leases. While it replicates the length of lease periods that were in the old section, it seeks to clarify when a lease starts to be a PPS Lease.

Key recommendation rejected One of the key recommendations made by the Whitaker Report (that has not been accepted by the Government) was the repeal of sections 588FL and 588FM of the Corporations Act 2001. Under section 588FL, security interests granted by a company must be registered within 20 business days of the security interest arising. If not, and the company enters into administration (including liquidation) within 6 months of the interest being registered, then the security interest vests in the grantor company. Section 588FM allows the Court to extend the time for registration of security interests in limited circumstances. The Government’s rationale for rejecting the recommendation for those sections to be repealed, is section 588FL is said to serve an important purpose of discouraging and protecting against fraudulent registrations made prior to a company's insolvency. Interestingly, there has been no recommendation to amend section 588FN of the Corporations Act 2001, with respect to its continuing reference to the very narrow exception originally granted for PPS Leases (serial numbered goods), despite this reference no longer existing in the PPSA.

Public consultation and the HRIA The Government has invited public consultation on the proposed reforms. Feedback is sought on whether the proposed reforms will meet the needs of all stakeholders in the current commercial environment. The HRIA submitted its feedback during the consultation period and will be meeting with the office of the Attorney General in the first quarter of 2024. T 24

FEBRUARY 2024

Supporting and advancing a safe and strong access industry in Australia through EWPA Membership EWPA Yellow Card Program EWPA Accredited Trainers EWPA Stationery EWPA Safety Resources The EWPA provides a united voice for the industry, promoting the industry as the safest choice for carrying out work at height.

Visit www.ewpa.com.au to find out more or join today

WE LOOK TO A SUSTAINABLE BRIGHT FUTURE Towards the global energy transition, we provide the widest range of hybrid and environmentally friendly power products: generators, light towers, battery energy storage systems. Follow our evolution to more resilient, efficient and sustainable rental solutions for civil construction.

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V20 PRO 5-in-1 Light Tower corporate.pramac.com

INDUSTRY NEWS

Hire&Rental

EMPLOYMENT LAW

CLOSING LOOPHOLES ACT: WHAT’S CHANGING AND WHAT TO EXPECT LAST YEAR, THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCED AMENDMENTS AND PROPOSED CHANGES UNDER FAIR WORK LEGISLATION (CLOSING LOOPHOLES) LAW. HRIA MEMBERS SHOULD BE AWARE OF THE FOLLOWING KEY CHANGES INTRODUCED BY THE ACT.

Labour hire worker regulations

Effective 15 December 2023, employees, unions and host employers can now request the Fair Work Commission to issue orders concerning labour hire employees. Under these orders, labour hire employers must pay their employees the same rates as the host employer's enterprise agreement or some other kind of instrument that provides for terms and conditions of employment. 26

Any labour hire arrangement orders made by the Commission will apply no earlier than 1 November 2024.

• •

Host employer responsibilities If an order is made by the Commission, host employers must: • inform labour hire employers when a new enterprise agreement is approved and would fall under the order • apply to the Commission to vary the order if they engage a different labour hire employer and their employees to perform the same work as those already covered by the order • notify tenderers about the impact of the order.

•

Exceptions to the rule The Commission cannot issue an order in certain scenarios such as:

it is deemed unfair or unreasonable the arrangement involves providing services rather than supplying labour to a host employer the host employer qualifies as a small business employer.

The orders also do not apply to: employees in training arrangements under state and territory laws • certain short-term employment arrangements. •

Dispute Resolution and Penalties Disputes about a labour hire arrangement order which is not resolved at the workplace can be brought to the Commission for arbitration. Employers who fail to comply with the new provisions relating to labour hire arrangement orders may face penalties. FEBRUARY 2024

INDUSTRY NEWS

Criminalisation of intentional wage underpayments

From 1 January 2025, the intentional underpayment of wages by employers will be considered a criminal offence. Defining the offence Employers will be held criminally liable if they intentionally fail to pay amounts owed to employees under the Fair Work Act 2009. This includes wages and payments, such as superannuation, made on behalf of, or for the benefit of the employee. The key element of the criminal offence is an employer's intention behind the non-payment or underpayment of wages. Exceptions to the Rule For exceptions to the rule, login to www. hria.com.au to access the HRNet hotline in member services.

Enhanced workplace protections for victims of family and domestic violence

From 15 December 2023, the Act provides stronger protections against discrimination for existing and potential employees experiencing family and domestic violence. • It is now unlawful for employers to take adverse action against an employee because of their current or past experience with family and domestic violence. This protection extends to the hiring process. • The Act requires that awards and enterprise agreements do not include discriminatory terms against employees who are experiencing or have experienced family and domestic violence.

Redundancy pay laws for downsizing businesses

New changes to redundancy pay regulations, effective 15 December 2023, significantly impact downsizing businesses. Small business employers 28

Hire&Rental

EMPLOYMENT LAW

with fewer than 15 employees are not required to pay redundancy pay when making employees redundant. However, the Act has introduced an exception to this rule for larger businesses that downsize and become small businesses due to insolvency, bankruptcy or liquidation. Under the new laws, businesses with 15 or more employees that later downsize and become a small business employer, may still be required to provide redundancy pay to their employees who are made redundant. This change is intended to close a loophole where businesses reduce their workforce to fewer than 15 employees to avoid such payments.

Enhanced rights for workplace delegates

The Act has also introduced provisions to enhance the rights and protections of workplace delegates. Effective 15 December 2023, workplace delegates are employees appointed or elected under employee organisation rules to represent their members in the workplace. New entitlements Delegates: • can represent members' industrial interests, including dispute involvemen • have the right to communicate with members about their industrial interests • can access the workplace and its facilities for representation purposes. Protections and penalties New protections prevent employers from: • unreasonably refusing to engage with delegates • knowingly or recklessly making false representations to delegates • hindering delegates from exercising their rights.

Further, from 1 July 2024, all awards, new enterprise agreements and workplace determinations must include terms supporting these delegate rights.

Changes in protected action ballot procedures

From 15 December 2023, a new mandate in the process of protected action ballots requires all bargaining representatives to attend a mediation or conciliation conference when the Commission issues a protected action ballot order. A protected action ballot is a secret vote by employees on whether they want to take industrial action for a proposed enterprise agreement. This change means that for any future employee claim action or employer response action to be legally protected, the employee bargaining representatives who applied for the protected action ballot order, the employer and any of its bargaining representatives, must have participated in the mediation and conciliation conference.

HRIA members should also be aware of the following proposed changes in the Bill: 1. Clarifying the definitions of ‘employee’ and ‘employer’ The Bill aims to better define ‘employee’ and ‘employer’ by introducing an interpretive principle that emphasises the real substance and practical reality of the working relationship, rather than just contractual terms. This marks a significant departure from the common law approach held by the High Court of Australia that ‘contract is king’ by moving towards a new statutory test. This test will consider the totality of the employment relationship, including contract terms, execution practices and other relevant factors. 2. Revising the definition of casual employee The Bill amends the existing definition of a casual employee to focus on the real substance and practical reality of the employment relationship, rather than just the contractual terms of employment at the time of initial offer and acceptance of employment. Under this amendment, a casual employee is defined as someone without a firm advance commitment to ongoing FEBRUARY 2024

Are you really covered?

Hire Insurance Brokers are the new preferred insurance provider for HRIA Insurance.

HRIA Insurance is specifically designed to provide HRIA members with tailored insurance products for their business. As the preferred insurance provider of the HRIA, Hire Insurance Brokers provide added value to members by leveraging expert industry knowledge through direct input from the HRIA and their members, coupled with specialist insurance advice.

For more details or to contact HRIA Insurance visit www.hriainsurance.com.au

The information provided is to be treated as General Insurance Advice only. Your individual personal and financial circumstances have not been taken into account when compiling this information. To obtain a full insurance risk review please contact our office. Please also refer to our Financial Services Guide (FSG) and/or the appropriate Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) if required. The Insurance Broker (NSW) Pty Ltd (TIB) trading as Hire Insurance Brokers takes no responsibility if the information provided here is used inadequately or incorrectly.

INDUSTRY NEWS

Hire&Rental

EMPLOYMENT LAW

“The intentional underpayment of wages by employers will be considered a criminal offence from 1 January 2025.”

and indefinite work who receives a casual loading or specific casual pay rate. The assessment of an employee’s casual status will consider: • the ability to accept or reject work • the likelihood of continued work availability • comparison with part-time or fulltime roles • regular work patterns Note that no single factor will be decisive in the assessment. 3. New Commission powers to set minimum Standards for ‘employeelike’ workers The Bill empowers the Commission to set minimum standards for certain independent contractors such as ‘employee-like’ workers working on a digital platform (for example, Uber) or road transport contractors working in the road transport industry. The Commission will be able to establish enforceable minimum standard orders or non-binding minimum standards guidelines for these independent contractors. These orders can cover: • payment terms • deductions • record-keeping • cost recovery • insurance 30

However, the Commission cannot set terms on overtime, rostering or alter the form or status of workers covered by the standards order. The Bill also introduces a framework that enables collective agreements to be made by consent for ‘employee-like’ workers and road transport contractors. These collective agreements would be made between a regulated business and an organisation that is entitled to represent the industrial interests of one or more ‘employee-like’ workers or one or more regulated road transport contractors. These parties must consult and explain the terms of the proposed agreements to the workers covered by the agreement. A finalised agreement must

be registered with the Commission. Under this amendment, there also is a dispute resolution framework established for: • ‘employee-like’ workers who are unfairly deactivated from the digital platform on which they work • road transport contractors working in the road transport industry who are unfairly terminated. Under this dispute resolution framework, employee-like workers and road transport contractors will be able to file a claim with the Fair Work Commission, similar to the existing unfair dismissal claim available to employees.

QUESTIONS? HRIA members are encouraged to contact MST Lawyers through the HRNet hotline support service if they have any questions in relation to this article. HRNet is an initiative of the HRIA giving members free access to a dedicated workplace relations support service operated by MST Lawyers. HRIA members can speak to a specialised employment lawyer at MST Lawyers using the HRNet hotline in the member services area of the HRIA website www.hireandrental.com.au.

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FEBRUARY 2024

FEBRUARY 2024 VOLUME 25 NO.3

The new maximum capability Lithium Powered Electric Drive Scissor Lift S3013 Mini

FEATURES 36 JLG X13SJ goes to work with IN2 38 Haulotte's Women in Hire

40 Sinoboom reaching for new heights 42 VOCs explained 44 Dingli launches new 12m narrow scissor

Contents

February 2024 Volume 25 No. 3

40 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: OPERATIONS 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

Inside 34 President's messsage 36 First X13SJ Plus Compact Crawler Boom goes to work with IN2 access services 38 Haulotte's Women in Hire 40 Reaching for new heights 42 Verification of competency in the construction industry 44 Dingli launches new 12-meter narrow AC scissor 46 Introducing the new Snorkel Electric Mini Scissor Lift

TELESCOPIC HANDLER ASSOCIATION OF AUSTRALIA (TSHA) PRESIDENT Stuart Walker Tel: 0418 849 107

FEBRUARY 2024 VOLUME 25 NO.3

ON THE COVER Snorkel has raised the bar with a full line of scissor lifts suitable for indoor and outdoor applications. These lifts are engineered to deliver high-reaching performance at a low cost of ownership.

capability The new maximum c Drive Lithium Powered Electri Scissor Lift S3013 Mini

FEATURES

with IN2 36 JLG X13SJ goes to work Hire 38 Haulotte's Women in

for new heights 40 Sinoboom reaching 42 VOCs explained 12m narrow scissor 44 Dingli launches new

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

ARTICULATING BOOM LIFT

270kg large platform capacity Powerful axle-integrated 4WD system Excellent RT performance with full-time floating axle Advanced proportional electronic control system

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

Access in Action

PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE

JOHN GLOVER EWPA PRESIDENT

Situation: more normal WELCOME TO 2024, AS WE ALL GET OVER THE FESTIVE SEASON AND RETURN FROM HOLIDAY, THE COMING MONTHS SET THE TONE FOR THE WHOLE YEAR.

On the subject of rental companies and OEMs, there is a sense that there is a softening in utilization from very high to a more normal utilization percentage. OEM’s order books are still full and lead times for equipment are coming back to pre-covid levels on most products. Infrastructure building continues to drive the economy with many projects still having multiple years until completion. The most common gripe I hear is the lack of skilled labour, this is having a handbrake effect on all companies as we fight for the available labour to keep pace with customer demand for equipment. A good way to upskill your team is to take advantage of the HRIA’s development programs, Women in Hire, Young Professionals and the MEWP tech course, which is run in conjunction with TAFE. Keeping your workforce skilled and engaged is a key ingredient for success.

The economic indicators on company insolvencies, job losses and building approvals are very soft and the consumer sentiment is negative. I believe Australians are very resilient, and the underlying economic fundamentals are still good. We live and work in a global economy and we are not immune from the effects of the current conflicts. 2024 is the year for MEWP standards updates, the ANZ/AS 1418.10 MEWP Design Standard is in draft out for public comment, now is your time to have your say. The ANZ/AS2550.10 MEWP Safe Use and Maintenance Standard should be released as a draft for public comment in the first quarter 2024, keep an eye out as there will be significant changes and when it is out for public comment it is your time to have input. Look after your mates and stay safe in 2024! T

Australians are very resilient, and the underlying economic fundamentals are still good

FEBRUARY 2024

Access in Action

SPIDERS

First X13SJ Plus Compact Crawler Boom goes to work with IN2 access services SERVICING A RANGE OF COMMERCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL CLIENTS ACROSS VICTORIA SINCE 2006, IN2 ACCESS SERVICES IS NO STRANGER TO JLG EQUIPMENT, WITH AROUND 750 MACHINES CURRENTLY IN ITS HIRE FLEET.

“I saw the machine at HIRE23 earlier in the year and immediately liked the specification” said Brad Hunter.

The company’s most recent acquisition is an X13SJ Plus compact crawler boom, and it’s the first one to enter service in Australia. Although initially starting as an access equipment service, sales, transport and training business by owners Brad Hunter and Gary Vaughan, two years later, the company diversified when it began an equipment hire service and a third business partner, Sam Gumley, joined the team. JLG was one of the first brands that the trio invested in — the relationship has been strong ever since. The X13SJ features a compact and lightweight design, coupled with a small footprint, making it ideal for a wide selection of applications both inside and out. The versatile straight boom configuration has a working height of 12.9m, 6.4m working outreach and twoperson 230kg unrestricted capacity.

According to IN2 Access Services Director, Brad Hunter, it was the X13SJ Plus compact size that initially attracted him to the model. “I saw the machine at HIRE23 earlier in the year and immediately liked the specification — I thought it would fit in well within our fleet and offer extra options for our hire customers,” Brad explained. “Being lightweight and compact makes it ideal for smaller sites and for getting in and out of tight spaces, and being a new machine the X13SJ Plus features all the technologies we’d want and need in a machine.” The X13SJ has exceptional gradeability and one-touch self-levelling outriggers that provide convenient operator set-up and envelope tracking operation. The machine is also equipped with a ‘go home’ and ‘go back’ functions which allow the user to return the machine to the fully closed position at the touch of a button. The X13SJ PLUS has a lithium battery power source coupled with a electric drive motors — the first in its class to offer such a combination from JLG. The potent 4.15kWh, 48V lithium battery, which is matched to electric AC drive motors, optimises overall energy consumption leading to longer run times and hitorque operation. The machine comes standard with the SkyGuard Skyline enhanced control panel protection. Brad said that IN2 Access Services cater to a range of industries and clients. “Along with the usual customers in commercial and industrial sectors including construction and civil industries, we also cater to film and television production teams, who will often use access equipment to set-up scenes or to help get the perfect shot,” he said. T

“Being lightweight and compact makes it ideal for smaller sites and for getting in and out of tight spaces.” 36

FEBRUARY 2024

STOCK AVAILABLE NOW COMPACT CRAWLER BOOM

SALE 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.

32.48 m 16.50 m

Models in stock & available now:

X13J PLUS

X17J PLUS

Working height – 12.9 m

Working height – 13.30 m

Working height – 16.96 m

Available in Lithium Battery

Available in Diesel, Petrol & Lithium Battery

X13SJ PLUS

Australia 131 JLG

X20J PLUS

X26J PLUS

X33J PLUS

Working height – 20.05 m

Working height – 25.60 m

Working height – 32.48 m

Available in Diesel, Petrol & Lithium Battery

Available in Bi-Energy (Diesel & Lithium)

| www.jlg.com.au

HAULOTTE

Haulotte’s Women in Hire HAULOTTE’S SARA FAKHRAEI AND REBECCA UNDERWOOD WORK ON DIFFERENT SIDES OF THE WORLD YET SHARE A PASSION FOR THEIR COMPANY AND THE HIRE INDUSTRY.

Virginia Beach may be a long way from Melbourne but for Sara Fakhraei, Haulotte’s Marketing Director for the Americas, moving to the United States provided a great opportunity to think and aim bigger. “Relocating from one continent to another is a big move,” she says. “The culture in the US is very different to Australia but the rule I always apply is to work at what you have and make the most of it all the time.” Sara’s been a marketing professional for 20 years, with experience in the auto, food and flooring industries. She moved to the US to progress her career and hasn't looked back. “I want a career that fosters and value a same vision I have in life,” she says. “I can clearly see my future path in this industry.” At Haulotte, she looks after the Americas, including Canada, Central America and Latin America, and it’s an ever-evolving environment. “Every country is different with different customer needs and market expectations however the opportunities and potential are there to grab.”

Access in Action

products is a great example of how we listen and adapt,” says Rebecca. While Australia is a key market for Haulotte globally, it was an ‘eye- opening’ experience for Rebecca to catch-up with Sara in Melbourne recently to talk about the synergies and differences between the Australian and US markets. “We are lucky in Australia that our customers respect technology and the value it adds to the user experience,” says Rebecca. Like Sara, she sees the progress Hire is making towards a more diverse workforce and says the industry now offers something for everyone. “There are many benefits that come from diversity in the workplace including new ideas and perspectives. I’ve really enjoyed meeting so many different people in the industry and Haulotte offers great variety as we grow and expand. I see a lot of opportunities in the future!” Sara agrees. “One of the key skills required in the Hire industry is problem solving,” she says. “Whether you’re working in the field, creating and analysing blueprints or crunching numbers, we all have a common goal: make things work. That’s where women can introduce new methods or approaches that may not have previously been explored.” “Today, the Hire industry is not only open to women – it’s in need of them. Any women interested in this industry should knock on the door because that’s where the real progress begins.” T

Women in Hire: Haulotte’s Sara Fakhraei and Rebecca Underwood.

“Today, the Hire industry is not only open to women – it’s in need of them.” “The principals of marketing are the same anywhere you go. You need to know your product, your customer and what they need from you.” “However, my job is not done when the product is sold. To make the customer want to come back and do more business, it’s how you serve the customer after the product is delivered to create a positive experience.” In Melbourne, Rebecca Underwood is Haulotte Australia’s Marketing Coordinator, who’s been with the company for seven years. While she’s always gravitated towards companies that focus on technology and innovation, she’s been amazed by the Haulotte team’s passion for customer service. “Hearing stories from customers about how Haulotte listens to their feedback and builds that into future 38

FEBRUARY 2024

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haulotte.com.au

HAULOTTE AUSTRALIA PTY LTD, 51 Portlink Drive, Dandenong South - VIC - 3175 Australia Tel.: 1300 207 683 - salesau@haulotte.com

XXXXXXXXX PROFILE

Reaching for new heights FROM HUMBLE BEGINNINGS IN A SMALL CHINESE WORKSHOP TO GLOBAL MANUFACTURER OF PREMIUM MOBILE ACCESS EQUIPMENT, SINOBOOM HAS BUILT A REPUTATION FOR QUALITY, SERVICE AND AN UNWAVERING COMMITMENT TO MEETING THEIR CUSTOMERS’ NEEDS. CEO SUSAN XU RECENTLY VISITED AUSTRALIA TO MEET THE LOCAL TEAM, VISIT KEY AUSTRALIAN CUSTOMERS AND SHARE INSIGHTS INTO WHY SINOBOOM IS BOOMING.

Susan Xu is no stranger to starting a new business. With husband Steven, she’s tried many, including selling organic vegetables. But with Steven’s experience in construction machinery as a product development engineer, they recognised the prospect of a growing global market for MEWPs, founding Sinoboom in 2008. With the success of the company in China and across the world, a Sinoboom subsidiary opened in Dandenong, in Melbourne’s south-eastern suburbs in 2021, giving the company their first physical presence in Australia. Susan’s trip to Australia marked 15 years since Sinoboom began and her first since Sinoboom opened locally for business. 40

(above) The local Sinoboom team with CEO Susan Xu at their facility in Dandenong, Victoria.

With the Australian market growing increasingly important for Sinoboom, they continue to see significant growth in market share. Susan says it’s because of their unwavering strategy of quality equipment with localised support. “Sinoboom has a strong engineering heritage,” she says. “Our products are well engineered and focused on servicing the customer.” Her visit to local customers provided opportunity to understand their challenges, ensuring Sinoboom could continue to provide the right products, and that their parts and service business was on track with their global growth strategy. “The customer is at the centre of everything we do,” says Susan. “We believe that everybody, from the CEO to the sales, service and support teams, must remain close to our customers so we can continue to meet their needs and requirements.” It’s a philosophy that’s served Sinoboom well, particularly following the COVID lockdowns of 2020 and 2021. “COVID had a significant impact on our Australian and international businesses,” she says. “Covid impacted the whole industry, customers couldn’t access products from their existing suppliers. However, we continued to invest in our supply chain, they could access our products. That opened the door for customers to take a serious look at Sinoboom, many of whom were surprised by the quality and reliability of our brand.” She says their quality equipment backed-up by great service explains why these new customers stayed with Sinoboom. “Our team would go above and beyond in servicing customers,” she says. “This created confidence in the market and strengthened our brand.” FEBRUARY 2024

Access in Action

“The customer is at the centre of everything we do. We believe that everybody, from the CEO to the sales, service and support teams, must remain close to our customers so we can continue to meet their needs and requirements.” Sinoboom CEO Susan Xu

Another point of differentiation between Sinoboom and its competitors is how they sell in Australia. While other OEMs may use local dealers, Sinoboom’s business model is different. By setting up a subsidiary in Australia, they created a direct connection to their customers, to understand local needs and demands and ensuring they could respond quickly to any issues. They also hired local people to work with customers. Their Dandenong facility is one of three to be established across Australia (Brisbane and Sydney facilities will open in 2024). The expanded footprint will cater for the anticipated growth in sales over the next five years. “Expanding our parts and service is critical to our global strategy,” says Susan. “Customers expect OEMs like Sinoboom to meet their expectations with back-up support and our team members in Australia are very focused on this task.” It’s a strategy that’s worked with growth in Australia doubling year-on-year since 2021. Another important focus is sustainability. Sinoboom maintain a large R&D department at their headquarters in China, developing new and innovative products designed to meet changing customer needs and expectations. “We are committed to sustainability and have made a significant investment in electrification,” says Susan. “We know job sites and hire environments will change as sustainability becomes more important to large construction companies. While we’ll continue to develop new EWP products, we’ll also look at the infrastructure and support equipment needed to drive these initiatives.” To meet the demands of the Australian hire industry, and as part of Sinoboom’s commitment to Net Zero FEBRUARY 2024

solutions, they offer a range of battery-powered scissors and booms including the AB22EJ Plus, TB20EJ Plus and 1323RE. To provide more options for Australian customers, the local team will also introduce lithium batteries as a standard option in 2024. Susan says it’s important that customers know Sinoboom is in R&D and is always looking for a better way to do things. “In Europe, the United States and Japan, we’ve hired local engineers to collect information from customers to feedback to the R&D teams so we can improve current products and develop new products that meet specific customer needs.” They’re also planning to hire an engineer in Australia to collect information about the local market, including from the hire industry. “We’re committed to providing quality, reliable products which meet our customers’ return-on-investment expectations,” she says. As for the short term, Susan says Sinoboom will remain focused on increasing local market share. “With the new facilities opening in Brisbane and Sydney, we’ll expand our after-market support business with parts, stock and field service being introduced to our Queensland and New South Wales customers.” “That also means hiring and training more people in servicing our equipment and providing the best support to our customers.” “At the end of the day, we want to ensure our customers did make the right decision on partnering with Sinoboom.”

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www.sinoboom.com 41

Access in Action

TRAINING

Verification of competency in the construction industry VERIFICATION OF COMPETENCY (VOC) IS BECOMING A MORE COMMON REQUIREMENT FOR OPERATING AN EWP SAFELY ON A CONSTRUCTION SITE. VOC IS NOW REQUIRED ON ALL TIER 1 SITES IN QUEENSLAND AND IS BECOMING MORE PREVALENT ACROSS ALL TIERS NATIONALLY.

Author / EWPA Board Member & Accredited Trainer James Nightingale

In the realm of EWPs, safety is paramount. The Verification of Competency (VOC) is an emerging tool that utilises structured and documented procedures to evaluate an operator’s skills and knowledge to handle specific machine makes/models in a safe and efficient manner. A well-defined and executed VOC provides assurance to site safety supervisors, hire companies and operators that the site workforce is capable and safe. The industry is aware of the formal training options available to EWP operators (EWPA Yellow Card, High Risk (WP) Work Licence etc.). Most training providers offering these courses have only one machine make/model for each category of EWP available for training. Recent years have seen a sharp increase in the number of EWP manufacturers and machine types. Each of these machines have their own operational characteristics, so while an operator may have completed valuable formal training on a particular machine, are they familiar and competent with the unique operations of a specific machine that they will be operating on a given site? This is where VOC can

provide a degree of confidence over and above required formal training; by evaluating and skills specific to the unique circumstances. For example: a machine operator may be required to operate a 150’ Super Boom. State WHS/OHS legislation will require, as a minimum, that the operator must have completed the HRWL — WP class (for boom lifts >11m). This particular operator may have completed this required training on a 45’ boom lift. What the HRWL does not demonstrate is the operator’s competency operating a machine (such as the 150’ Super Boom) with more complex systems such as expanding axles and envelope management. In this (theoretical) example, the VOC is a useful tool to evaluate the operator’s understanding of the machine’s capabilities and skill to operate this more complex equipment. Typically, VOC training is done onsite with the machine being used. For an EWPA VOC, the structure will require the operator to demonstrate knowledge and skills across the major aspects of EWP operation. Starting from risk assessments and pre-operation inspections, through to operational checks, practical operation and the final shut down of the machine. A critical element of the EWPA VOC process is demonstrating the operation of the EWP’s Emergency Retrieval Systems. Should the basket become stuck in the air, knowledge of this critical system could prove lifesaving. As a member of the EWPA, Skyreach performs more than 100 VOCs a month and were part of the working group involved in developing the EWPA VOC model. The EWPA has developed a user-friendly VOC system which links to the Yellow Card database. This will allow operators to provide sites with a full transcript of what machines they have trained on and demonstrated competency. EWPA Training Coordinator Tempel Matterson said: “The EWPA VOC is a game-changer for the Australian access industry. As the peak industry body, with a network of over 200 EWPA Accredited Trainers, stakeholders can feel confident knowing that an EWPA VOC is a comprehensive tool that meets the needs of industry.”

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For all VOC and training enquiries contact training@ewpa.com.au

FEBRUARY 2024

YOU NOW HAVE A CHOICE

Sinoboom has gained global recognition as a premium brand, Quality rental focused products designed for the Australian market. 32-34 Marni Street, Dandenong South, VIC info@sinoboomaustralia.com.au VIC, NSW, SA, TAS - 0484 118 324 QLD, WA, NT - 0484 309 901 sinoboom.com

SCISSOR LIFTS

Access in Action

Dingli launches new 12-meter narrow AC scissor FOR SOME WORKING CONDITIONS, MINI SCISSORS DON’T OFFER ENOUGH WORKING HEIGHT, WHILE ORDINARY SCISSORS WITH A STANDARD WORKING HEIGHT ARE TOO WIDE.

To address the challenge, Dingli have launched a new 12-meter, narrow AC scissor lift, JCPT1208AC. The capable JCPT1208AC offers a maximum working height of 12m indoors and 9.2m outdoors, with maximum load of 250kg. Its width is only 0.83m, with numerous specifications exceeding competitive scissors currently available. The machine itself provides enough stability without additional outriggers, and can drive at full height, offering a cost-effective option at this specification. The height of this model, with a folded guardrail, is 2.05m, with an overall machine width of 0.83m, making it suited for narrow spaces and convenient transportation. In terms of endurance, Dingli’s JCPT1208AC is equipped with a 24V240Ah battery, designed for extended working hours. Part of the AC scissor family, the JCPT1208AC is equipped with a fully enclosed AC system, with dual AC for lifting and driving. Its motor is water-resistant, highly efficient, and designed to be low-maintenance. T

The machine itself provides enough stability without the need for additional outriggers.

FEBRUARY 2024

Access in Action

SCISSOR LIFTS

Elevating efficiency and safety with Snorkel's new Mini Lithium Electric Scissor THE NEW SNORKEL S3013 MINI LITHIUM POWERED ELECTRIC SCISSOR LIFT FROM AHERN AUSTRALIA OFFERS A COMPACT, YET POWERFUL SOLUTION FOR ELEVATED WORK TASKS.

Compact and manoeuvrable

5 year battery warranty

The Snorkel S3013 Mini boasts a compact design that allows it to easily navigate tight spaces and confined environments. Its manoeuvrability makes it the perfect choice for indoor applications, such as warehouses, factories, and retail spaces, while a small footprint enhances overall project efficiency.

Backed by a robust commitment to quality, the Snorkel S3013 Mini comes with a 5-year battery warranty. This industry-leading warranty underscores the confidence in the durability and performance of the lithium electric power system. Operators can trust in the longevity of the battery, reducing concerns about unexpected maintenance costs and ensuring a reliable power source throughout the life of the scissor lift.

Electric and hydraulic hose-free A standout feature of the Snorkel S3013 Mini is its electrically operated system, eliminating cumbersome hydraulic hoses, removing potential workplace hazards, streamlining the operation, and reducing maintenance.

Low step-in platform height and no folding rails The low step-in platform height ensures easy, safe access for operators, while minimising fatigue. Folding rails provide unobstructed access to the platform, simplifying ingress and egress.

Indoor/outdoor operation and orderpicking Whether navigating through a warehouse aisle or working on an outdoor construction site, the Snorkel S3013 Mini is a reliable and versatile elevated work platform that’s adaptable for both indoor and outdoor environments. The orderpicking capability further enhances its utility in various industries, allowing for efficient material handling and organisation. With large non-marking tyres ensure stability and traction, the S3013 Mini is designed to fit through standard doorways.

Specifications and performance The Snorkel S3013 Mini offers a 5.8 metre working height, providing operators an expansive reach. The platform capacity of 272kg ensures the lift can accommodate tools and materials, making it a versatile solution for various tasks. With an overall width of 760 mm, an overall length of 1.44 metres, and a closed height of 1.86 metres with guardrails in place, the unit is designed for easy navigation and storage weighing only 815 kg. The new Snorkel S3013 is equipped with a 610 mm deck extension, providing additional workspace for increased productivity. It is powered by a choice of a lithium battery or two 12-volt maintenance-free AGM batteries, offering flexibility based on user preferences and project requirements. The direct electric wheel motor drive and electric steering contribute to the lift's efficiency, limiting hydraulics to the lift function, which employs a self-contained hydraulic cylinder, ensuring a hydraulic hose-free machine. The Snorkel S3013 Mini Lithium Electric Scissor Lift from Ahern Australia is an indispensable asset for professionals seeking an efficient and cost-effective solution for their elevated work tasks. Experience a new level of productivity and reliability with the new Snorkel S3013 Mini Lithium Electric Scissor Lift today.

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Contact Ahern Australia on 1300 103 040 or more visit www.ahernaustralia.com.au

FEBRUARY 2024

First fully electric 18m self-levelling, tracked telescopic boom. Fully removable powerpack for continuous use. Drives and self-levels to 15 up to a height of 14m. Automatic Tensioning and Anti-Entrapment systems. Lightweight, under 6 tonne.

BEST NEW CESS EQUIPMENT

Are you really covered?

Hire Insurance Brokers are the new preferred insurance provider for HRIA Insurance.

For more details or to contact HRIA Insurance visit www.hriainsurance.com.au

FEB 2024 VOLUME 25 NO. 3

Barlens, 2023 HRIA Hire Company of the Year FEATURES 51 Hire Express host Beyond Bitumen in support of mental health

52 Barlens tells us about winning Hire Company of the Year

Events

president's message

ERIN JOHNSTON HRIA EVENTS DIVISON PRESIDENT

New year, new opportunities. WHAT DOES 2024 HOLD FOR THE EVENTS INDUSTRY? A BIG FOCUS ON SUSTAINABILITY.

With consumers becoming more socially aware and environmentally focused, they’re looking for ways to spend their money with companies that place real value and importance on sustainability. That’s why I think we’ll see more businesses within our industry focus on sustainability, not only as a point of differentiation but because it’s the right thing to do for our customers, communities and the planet. Given we are an integral part of the circular economy, we need to look at how we can be more sustainable. Whether it’s through transport, packaging, cleaning processes, storage, stock maintenance and repair, there are many ways we can all contribute to sustainability. In industry news, a review of the HRIA’s Marquee Weighting Guide is underway. The refreshed guide will be easier to reference and a wealth of information for every event company. You’ll hear more about the guide when it’s released later this year. As always, one of my highlights for the coming year will be the HRIA Convention, and I’m delighted to say that at HIRE24 in Brisbane, our events panel will return, bigger and better than ever. While we’re currently finalising details, you can be guaranteed it will be insightful, informative, entertaining and a rare chance to hear from other events companies about some of the big issues impacting us all. This is such a unique opportunity to make industry connections and learn from each other. Of course, HIRE24 is also the place to find out who wins the coveted Hire Company of the Year — Events Division award acknowledging outstanding service in customer 50

service, safety and performance. In 2023, Barlens were recognised as the event company of the year. You can read more from the Barlens team about how the award has enhanced their reputation on page 52. Finally, many of you already know about the HRIA’s Women in Hire and Young Professionals Development Programs. While our sector is unique and many skills can be transferred from other industries, these programs are a rare opportunity to be mentored by an industry member with expert knowledge and invaluable experience to share. It’s also a great way for mentees to build skills, knowledge and contacts within the industry. These exceptional industry programs are designed for people with a desire to grow and thrive in our industry and I can’t recommend them enough. I’d encourage any member of the events industry to nominate a young person from your team to be part of the next round which launches at HIRE24. While it means they’ll be pushed outside of their comfort zone, the personal and professional growth trajectory will surprise them…and you! See you at HIRE24 in Brisbane! T

“I think we’ll see more businesses within our industry focus on sustainability, not only as a point of differentiation but because it’s the right thing to do for our customers, communities and the planet.”

FEBRUARY 2024

Events

Beyond Bitumen and Hire Express: A Partnership Driving Change

HIRE EXPRESS RECENTLY HOSTED THE INAUGURAL EVENT LAUNCH FOR A CHARITY THEY HAVE BEEN THE MAJOR SPONSORS OF SINCE IT STARTED, A COLLABORATION BORN FROM MUTUAL VALUES.

mental health

with individuals who have attempted or contemplated suicide, offering them much-needed support and hope. The partnership between Hire Express and Beyond Bitumen is a shining example of how Hire Companies can effectively contribute to social causes. It goes beyond just financial support, embodying a shared ethos and a commitment to making a real difference in the community. As the rally enthusiasts gear up for the 2024 adventure, the spirit of camaraderie, charity, and hope will be the driving force behind every kilometre travelled. The rally is not just a journey through the physical landscapes of NSW; it's a journey towards greater awareness and support for mental health, championed by organisations like Hire Express and Beyond Bitumen.

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For those interested in this cause or looking to contribute, more information and donation options are available at beyondbitumen.com.au

The event marked the announcement of the 2024 rally route and was more than just a gathering for route reveals and rallying enthusiasm. It allowed for the presentation of a $500K cheque to Beyond Blue and was a testament to the enduring commitment of Hire Express as the major sponsor of the Beyond Bitumen Rally for the 7th consecutive year. The partnership reflects a deep-seated alignment in values, emphasising the importance of mental health awareness and support. The 2024 Beyond Bitumen rally, set to commence in Gundagai, promises an adventurous journey through western NSW. The rally is not just an exploration of thrilling landscapes; it is a mission-driven event that unites participants under the banner of raising funds and awareness for mental health, specifically supporting Beyond Blue's initiatives. The highlight of the evening was the presence of Beyond Blue’s CEO, Georgie Harman, whose inspiring words resonated with the audience. Her message outlined the critical importance of supporting mental health, particularly in challenging times. Her inspiring words echoed the spirit of unity and support that Beyond Bitumen aims to foster among its participants. Allen Besseling, CEO of Hire Express, echoed this sentiment in his remarks, stressing the importance of supporting Beyond Blue as a lifeline for those grappling with mental health issues. This sentiment is not just lip service but is backed by tangible support, as 100% of all funds raised from the rally directly benefit Beyond Blue's programs, including The Way Back Support Service. This service plays a crucial role in connecting FEBRUARY 2024

HIRE INDUSTRY EXCELLENCE AWARDS

Be in it to win it IN 2023, BARLENS WAS NAMED HIRE COMPANY OF THE YEAR — EVENTS DIVISION AT THE HRIA HIRE INDUSTRY EXCELLENCE AWARDS. BARLENS CEO PETER TAYLOR, GENERAL MANAGER, ALBURY, MORRIS MCKEEMAN AND BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER, ISAAC TAYLOR LOOK BACK ON THE WIN AND WHAT IT MEANS TO THEIR BUSINESS.

H&R: Congratulations on winning the Hire Company of the Year Award — Events Division. Peter Taylor: Thank you, it was an exciting accolade to receive and we’re grateful to the HRIA for allowing our industry and brand to be spotlighted in this way. Barlens has been lucky enough to win this award twice (2023 and 2017) and we have been beyond appreciative each time. H&R: What key strategies or initiatives do you attribute to your award-winning performance? Peter Taylor: Various puzzle pieces fit together to ensure our business performs at the highest level, from both a customer service and logistical side. Organisation and adaptability are key. We use our ‘off-peak’ periods to revise our structure and strategies to best set ourselves up for success in the peak season. H&R: It’s been an extraordinarily challenging period for the event sector — how did you get your ‘mojo’ back? Peter Taylor: The pandemic shook our industry. There was a period when everything was cancelled yet we still had staff on the books and bills to pay. During that time, our team was proactive, deciding early on that we needed to adapt to the changing environment. 52

Events

H&R: Why did you enter the Hire Company of the Year awards? Peter Taylor: As a business, we survived an incredibly challenging time following the pandemic. We adapted our business model to support our communities. Our award application acknowledged all that work and the amazing dedication and drive of our incredible staff. H&R: How valuable has winning the award been to your staff and the business? Peter Taylor: Winning the award has been a valuable accolade to list in recent tender opportunities, strengthening applications with an industry acknowledgment of excellence. Morris Mckeeman: This win has strengthened our already strong reputation in the community. Staff were proud of the win and clients celebrated just as much as us (well… almost!). H&R: What advice do you have for other events companies considering joining the HRIA and entering the awards? Peter Taylor: You won’t regret it! The application process was beneficial, giving us a holistic look at many aspects of the business, including what we were doing well and highlighting where there was room for improvement. I encourage applicants to take onboard the feedback from the judging panel, remembering they have valuable insights into the industry and how other event hire companies operate. H&R: Why is being a member of the HRIA important to you? Peter Taylor: The HRIA is helping grow the industry which ultimately, brings value to each member. H&R: What does the future hold for Barlens? Peter Taylor: Continued growth and reinvention. Every year, every event, we reinvent. Clients can expect outstanding service and high-quality hire equipment and structures to suit any event. Isaac Taylor: We recently invested in new products to better serve our clients’ needs, from sophisticated seating to largerscale marquee capabilities. The future is bright for Barlens. T FEBRUARY 2024

ire and ental ndustry ssociation

HRIA REFERRAL PROGRAM

Help us build a stronger hire industry Are you working for a HRIA member?

For every business you refer that joins the HRIA, we will reward you with a $50 gift card. Just make sure that the business mentions your name when they complete their application. The more businesses who become members of the HRIA the stronger and more influential the industry

becomes. Our existing members know how important it is to be a member of the HRIA – so help us get the message out. The more businesses you refer the more you are rewarded. Start referring other hire businesses now.

Visit www.hireandrental.com.au/hria-referral-program for more details. Terms and conditions apply – visit www.hireandrental.com.au/hria-referral - program for complete details.

Equipment

AUGERS

BULLMAX CELEBRATE 10 YEARS OF TRADE IN 2024 BULLMAX IS AN AUSTRALIAN OWNED BUSINESS AND IS CELEBRATING ITS 10TH YEAR OF TRADE IN 2024.

Bullmax is now offering its purpose-built heavy-duty range to the Hire and Rental Industry

Represented in over five hundred retail outlets across Australia and New Zealand, there are now over 10,000 plus Bullmax machines in use. Traditionally supplying products to the rural agriculture sector and industrial tool suppliers, Bullmax is now offering its purpose-built heavy-duty range to the Hire and Rental Industry. The Bullmax range of products includes a Heavy-Duty Post Driver and Heavy-Duty Earth Augers. All machines are fitted with Honda GX engines sourced from Honda Australia and have the Honda GX Engine 3-year warranty. All the machines have been designed and are assembled in Australia. Bullmax carries a full range of heavy-duty drills for the earth augers starting from 100mm through to 350mm, as well as replacement cutting blades and cutting tips. Also in the range of auger accessories is an adapter that will fit the Stihl auger drills making them compatible for use with the Bullmax earth augers. Bullmax has been trialing machines in several hire outlets across Australia for the last 16 months and is now offering their range to the Hire and Rental Industry.

For further information about the range of Bullmax products, please contact Bullmax on 02 9544 6700 or email info@bullmax.com.au or visit the website bullmax.com.au.

FEBRUARY 2024

NEW HIRE & RENTAL PRODUCTS

Available Now!

The Future of Portable Power Portable Power Box (PPB)

The Makinex PPB is a new product in portable power, delivering a quiet, clean, and safe energy solution ideal for indoor and confined spaces. With features like noise-free, fuel-free, and emissions-free power, coupled with a battery capacity of up to 15kWh, the PPB empowers operators across diverse industries and applications. Key Features: 8kw output power Charges via 240V mains or solar photovoltaic (PV) 3x15A outlets, 1xUSB-A, 1xUSB-C outlets RCD protection and a battery management display Thermal overload protection Easy manoeuvring and storage Durable frame for long-lasting performance 8hrs charge time

Introducing the HG Mini Dumper’s 1 tonne Electric Standard and Hi Tip Options

The HG E1000 is built for professional use in demanding urban environments. This high-quality dumper is user and service friendly and has been well known for its longevity since 1970. The HG dumper has complete safety measures that ensure the highest safety standards for users while being able to load 1000 kg. Key Features: Hi Tip Option enables container unloading at 125cm Lithium battery technology Very low noise operation No emission which reduces the environmental impact High quality and low service costs 12 hour run time, more than a full day’s work Fast charging – 20 to 80% battery charge in 90 min.

We have the solution to suit your needs. Contact us for a Plug & Play Demonstration Today! info@makinex.com.au

1300 795 953

We Make Hard Jobs Easy

makinex.com.au

PUMPS

ATLAS COPCO PAC H PUMP FOR HIGH PRESSURE APPLICATIONS PART OF ATLAS COPCO’S HEAD SERIES, THE PAC H IS A CENTRIFUGAL PUMP THAT CAN HANDLE LIQUIDS CONTAINING SOLIDS OF UP TO 89MM IN SIZE.

The PAC H is suited to industrial applications, such as water transfer in the oil and gas sector, quarrying and surface mining, construction, and municipal applications. The launch now completes the extensive range of pumps available from Atlas Copco and means customers can source all their pumping requirements from a single supplier. The new pump has been designed with several features to ensure it performs reliably, for longer and has a low cost of ownership. The exclusive closed impeller is equipped with deflector vanes that

Equipment

keep the mechanical seal clean and free of detritus. This helps the mechanical seal last three times longer. It eliminates the need to use flush water to keep the pump clean, offering significant energy and cost savings over the pump’s operational lifetime. The semi-cartridge seal design on the PAC H pump is unique. It allows changeout without dismantling the pump and makes the lip seal and impeller easily accessible, reducing downtime and simplifying maintenance. Unlike many competitor products who offer cartridge seals as an option, this feature comes as standard on the PAC H. Other features that minimise downtime and make maintenance easier include the innovative hinge kit — a ‘swing door’ that allows quick and easy access to the pump’s internal workings — and a single bolt to remove the impeller. Bolted wear rings make for precise and simple replacement compared to pressed alternatives, and link belts are used to enable changeovers without having to dismantle the entire wet end of the unit, reducing MTTR (mean time to repair) by up to 30%. The new pump range is fully EU Stage V compliant and features a 120% fully leak free structure, making it a clean and green machine. The standard diaphragm vacuum pump has no carry-over of pump media so the pump has zero contamination towards surroundings. The PAC H pumps are available in sizes up to 150m head, with a capacity of up to 1200 m3/h. Their compact design is up to 30% smaller than equivalent pumps on the market, which frees up valuable space and increases the operational efficiency of these pumps. PAC H pumps feature QR codes so that information about parts and spares is just a scan away. Users can also take advantage of the fleet link secured and remote monitoring feature that means they are always in control of pumping operations. The PAC H comes with full after sales support and ready availability of spare parts, as well as the option of product training, via the company’s global network of customer centres.

The PAC H can handle liquids containing solids of up to 89mm in size.

FEBRUARY 2024

The Leading Event for the equipment hire market returns to Brisbane in 2024

4 – 6 June 2024 BRISBANE www.hriaconvention.com.au

LIGHTING

Equipment

ILLUMINATING THE PATHWAY TO SUSTAINABILITY AS THE AUSTRALIAN RENTAL INDUSTRY SEEKS YEAR-ROUND, ENVIRONMENTALLY SUSTAINABLE LIGHTING SOLUTIONS, PR POWER UNVEILS THE X-SOLAR POLE LIGHTING TOWERS, A SIGNIFICANT ADDITION TO TRIME’S SUSTAINABLE T-ZERO COLLECTION.

This innovative solution supports the growing demand for sustainable illumination across the nation's rental sector.

X-SOLAR Pole: All Year-Round Solar Lighting The X-SOLAR Pole Lighting Towers embody a sustainable and compact lighting technology, powered by solar energy and free from emissions. This versatile solution caters to various scenarios, offering an eco-conscious lighting option year-round.

Combining Reliability and Sustainability

Power, underscores, "Our commitment to sustainability is a collective journey. Teaming up with Trime, we're forging a greener future that benefits one and all."

Embracing a Brighter, Greener Future The X-SOLAR Pole Lighting Towers not only address the immediate need for sustainable illumination but also represent a strategic investment in advancing Australia's commitment to environmental responsibility. PR Power invites the Australian rental industry to embrace the future of lighting – a future that is not only brighter but greener too.

The X-SOLAR Pole stands as an efficient, solar-powered light tower that eliminates CO2 emissions, providing the dual benefit of reduced operational and maintenance costs. With an all-year-round run time, these towers find suitability in pathway lighting, car parks, holding areas, security lighting and site entrances. Enhanced with a 24/7 PIR motion sensor, they intuitively adjust brightness in response to movement, ensuring optimal energy efficiency throughout the night. The compact cubed base can be weight adjusted and facilitates seamless handling, transportation, and storage benefits.

PR Power and Trime’s Partnership The X-SOLAR Pole Lighting Towers serve as versatile beacons for Australia's rental, construction, and event industries. The collaboration between PR Power and TRIME focuses on reliable green lighting and power solutions, empowering Australian rental companies to invest in a brighter, greener future. At the heart of this partnership lies a shared dedication to sustainability, harmonising with the principles held by owners, directors, and general managers. PR Power's joint efforts with hire companies aim for a significant 20% reduction in Australia's emissions by 2030. Craig Parker, Director of PR 58

To learn more about PR Power call 1300 399 499 or visit www.prpower.com.au

FEBRUARY 2024

Supporting and advancing a safe and strong access industry in Australia through EWPA Membership

EWPA Stationery

EWPA Yellow Card Program

EWPA Safety Resources

EWPA Accredited Trainers The EWPA provides a united voice for the industry, promoting the industry as the safest choice for carrying out work at height.

Visit www.ewpa.com.au to find out more or join today

PUMPS

Equipment

AUSSIE PUMPS: LOTS MORE IN '24 AUSTRALIAN PUMP INDUSTRIES’ MARKETING SERVICES MANAGER, HELEN MAHONEY HAS SEEN THE EVOLUTION OF THE AUSSIE PUMP PRESSURE CLEANER AND PUMP LINE BECAUSE OF THE FOCUS ON HIRE AND RENTAL COMPANIES IN AUSTRALIA AND EXPORT MARKETS.

The company started as four people in a garage on the outskirts of Sydney 30 years ago. “Our focus was to understand in detail the end-user requirements for our products, in particular in Australia’s dynamic hire and rental industry,” said Helen. “Product briefs have come from some of Australia’s most experienced rental operators, wanting machines that were reliable, fully supported and able to cut work times so the job was finished faster and better.” “From that was born our first 4,000 psi Honda 13HP pressure cleaners, built for Australia’s rental industry,” Helen added. Previously, the biggest rental machine was a 3,000 psi 15 litre job, still used by some hire companies today. Aussie Pumps was inspired to give more performance and to build something that was close to being ‘hire proof’. “Having seen first-hand some of the ‘wrecks’ in hire yards around the country, we knew that lightweight pressure cleaners and pumps from developing markets would never cut it in the rental industry,” said Helen. “A visit to one of Australia’s biggest hire companies showed us what can happen to lightweight portable trash pumps on a construction site. From there, we developed what we call the Mine Boss range of pressure cleaners and trash pumps.”

FEBRUARY 2024

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LATEST EQUIPMENT

Hiring gives you access to a huge range of the latest equipment. Trial new equipment and ensure you are always using the right equipment for your job.

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When you hire you are speaking to experts who can help you choose the right equipment for your job. Once the job is complete the equipment can be returned, no need to worry about whether that piece of equipment will ever be used again.

CONTROL COSTS

Don’t worry about machine maintenance costs or tying up your capital. Hiring equipment is also fully tax deductable which makes good business sense.

ENSURE SAFETY

When you hire, the equipment comes inspected and ready to go, ensuring it always up to standard and meets regulations.

PROTECT YOUR STAFF

All hired equipment is thoroughly checked prior to each hire and electrically tested and tagged as required.

SERVICE

When you hire you don’t need to worry about delivery, spare parts, accessories and more – you just want the equipment to be there on time and to work.

SAVE TIME

Hiring means you don’t have to spend time updating and maintaining machinery. Get instant access to the equipment you need when you need it.

SAVE MONEY

Owing equipment is expensive. By hiring you will always have access to the latest equipment without worrying about repairs, upgrades and borrowing costs.

SAVE SPACE

No need to worry about storage sheds, yards or equipment sitting idle. Hiring means you can return the equipment as soon as you are finished using it.

SAVE THE ENVIRONMENT

Equipment that is purchased often sits idle for long period of time. People are increasingly conscious of their carbon footprint therefore hiring makes sense for the environment as well as your business.

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AUSSIE PUMPS

Aussie mine boss Mine Boss units are built into heavyduty frames mirroring products seen out of a Caterpillar production plant in the US. “We beefed up the amount of metal involved, built in an integrated lift bar and included an e-stop, battery isolation and a fire extinguisher.” “When it comes to the pressure cleaners, we use heavy duty ‘Big Berty’ Bertolini triplex pumps with their big ‘cool fin’ crankcase,” she said. “These pumps last longer, run cooler and represent more value.” All hire industry, high pressure specials built today by Aussie Pumps — from 2,000 psi to 5,000 psi — are gearbox driven. The pumps run at around 1450 rpm, doubling their life when compared to low-cost imports with small pumps that are direct driven. “For a hire company to invest in sub-standard gear, they’re asking for trouble,” said Helen.

More in '24 Aussie Pumps engineers are watching the market and the developing economic conditions. Tough times in the past have presented a boom for hire with companies looking to do more with less. “The only answer is to rent instead of buy,” said Helen. “One of the major factors relates to the reliability and robustness of the products being hired. The machines must get the job done fast, safely and of course without breakdowns. Major companies are focused on top quality equipment.”

Equipment

“Our engineers are watching the market and the developing economic conditions…. the only answer is to rent instead of buy.”

Helen said they were astonished at the number of international operators who have signed on for their Safe Jetter and Safe Operator programs. “We know high-pressure water can be dangerous, irrespective of the brand of machine used,” she said. “Our free courses are based on experience gathered over the last 30 years and are open to all. It’s our contribution to not just hire but to pressure cleaner operators anywhere.” Aussie Pumps are currently working on a new portable highpressure, high-volume pump that will run off a GX200 Honda petrol engine. The machine will provide a 60-metre head and 500 litres per minute flow. It’s a unique combination designed for hire customers who need to move water out of a sump and to pump it at distance, rather than dumping it into storm water drains. “It’s a unique product that could also double as a two-inch fire pump. The new high-pressure gusher, yet to be formally named, is due for launch early in 2024,” said Helen. “We have loads of other new ideas that will help hire. Our unique heavy duty VAC range will be introducing new products, all firstworld and featuring round polypropylene barrels for added strength and with both wet and dry capability with 99.9% filtration. We’re also studying new VAC tools that will make the hire easier. There’s lot more in ’24 including high pressure accessories aimed at adding value to rentals.”

New product launches Aussie Pumps ‘More in ‘24’ program will see the launch of a new trailer mounted jetter, designed specifically for hire. The URBAN JETTER provides a low-cost, heavy-duty mobile 5,000 psi jetter. The unit is rated Class ‘A’, so RTO operator certification is not required. Safety is essential and the machines are supported with a free online safety training course which is available to all hire staff and their customers.

For more information on the Aussie Pump Hire product range contact the High Pressure Division on 02 8865 3500.

FEBRUARY 2024

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WHY HIRE FROM A HRIA MEMBER

By choosing to hire from a HRIA member you are ensuring the best possible hire experience. • HRIA Members will recommend the right equipment for your job • HRIA Members can provide instruction on use of the equipment • All equipment hired by HRIA members is thoroughly checked and maintained prior to each hire and electrically tested and tagged where needed

• HRIA members follow all Workplace Health and Safety requirements and have access to the latest safety legislation – ensuring the highest standard of safety for employees and hirers of equipment • Hiring from an HRIA member ensures equipment reliability and efficiency • HRIA members are committing to a code of ethics

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