Magazine - May 2022

MAY 2022 VOLUME 23 NO. 4

Barter Perrier discuss the consequences of false orStand #90 misleading advertising Page 45

FEATURES 06 The future of hire 16

Probuild collapse renews call for PPSA reform

12 Managing damage from bad weather 14 Debts referred on the rise 26 HRIA invites members to rethink solar power

INDUSTRY NEWS

MAY 2022

Contents 4 6 10 12 14 16 18 22 24 26 30

CEO’s message The future of hire Winch Hire opens NSW branch Bartier Perry Lawyers: weather damage Debts referred on the rise HRIA action on PPSA Automation’s role in plugging revenue leaks Seven tips to finding equipment finance Leadership training to inspire hire teams Considered solar 5 years ago Ahern appointed as Faresin distributor

31 34 36 38 40 42 44 46

Access in Action EWPA President’s message Almac anti-collision detection Chadwick Forklifts expands Ahern exhibits compact electric telehandler Booms from the Skyjack Platform JLG Industries launch Service Plus Ultrasonics detect crush hazards before they happen Hire Industry Excellence Awards / Dingli invites you to go eletric

48

49 50 51 52

Events Events President’s message Software added to HIRE22 awards list MetroMap is a game changer for outdoor events

54 54 55 56 58

Equipment HIRE22’s Best New Products T-Zero lighting towers EastWest forklift jibs Simon National Carriers buys 40 Toyota forklifts Aussie’s hire flood rescue Fecon forestry equipment

60 62

HRIA BOARD OF DIRECTORS President Mark Burton Tel: 0407 608 420 Vice President Tony Symons Tel: 0421 051 367 Past President Jeff Bernard Tel: 0439 885 188 Chief Executive Officer James Oxenham Tel: 02 9998 2255 Operations Manager Scott Mundy Tel: 02 9998 2255

10

NSW President Nathan Venables Tel: 02 4283 6733 VIC President Ken Maher Tel: 03 9369 880 Interim QLD President Tony Crane Tel: 1300 482 654 SA President Ben Quirk Tel: 08 8370 2488 WA President Craig Palmer Tel: 0457 308 066 EVENT DIVISION President Erin Johnston Tel: 02 4256 2439 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

40

PUBLISHER – Martin Sinclair Tel: 02 9998 2213 Email: martinsinclair@hria.com.au Web: www.hireandrentalnews.com.au EDITORIAL Editor: Virginia Laugesen Tel: 02 9998 2207 Email: VirginiaLaugesen@hria.com.au ADVERTISING National Sales Manager: Martin Sinclair Tel: 0417 450 662 Email: martinsinclair@hria.com.au CIRCULATION Circulation Enquiries/Customer Service Tel: 02 9998 2255

54

On the cover

the Barter Perrier discuss orStand consequences of false #90 misleading advertising Page 45

FEATURES

06 The Future of Hire 16 Probuild collapse renews call for PPSA reform

from bad weather 12 Managing damage the rise 14 Debts referred on to rethink solar power 26 HRIA invites members

3

HIRE AND RENTAL INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION LTD ABN 70 093 630 847

MONTH 2022 VOLUME 23 NO. 4

In a landmark first for Australia, Blue Diamond brings its GEH2 100kVA Hydrogen-powered generator to HIRE22. This equipment uses the latest advances in power generation technology, designed to deliver clean and quiet power solutions for the construction industry.

Hire&Rental

These units are produced by French manufacturer EODev and powered by a Toyota Fuel Cell. See the equipment for the first time on stand #90 at HIRE22 in Adelaide.

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

6.384 (Audit period Mar 2019) CAB Member since Mar 2010

4

Hire&Rental

INDUSTRY NEWS

MAY 2022

Your voice for industry and professional development

CEO’s message

BY JAMES OXENHAM HRIA CEO

A member survey is coming soon, and your feedback and news is welcome any time to help us represent your business needs as the hire sector strengthens.

The HRIA is pleased to be meeting members across the country after a long period of reliance on Zoom catchups. Recent state meetings have seen good attendance levels, with members keen to re-connect.

Returning to Adelaide for this year’s convention will be the biggest event we are involved in running and HIRE22 will provide members and customers of the hire industry an opportunity to see the latest products and services on offer. I look forward to seeing many of you there in person.

Working on programs to help hire industry staff develop has been a key HRIA focus.

The uptake in training courses given by our partner, Strategic Alignment Training signals that companies are investing in personnel development. It’s a sensible approach in a highly competitive job market, where recruitment is challenging and staff retention is critical.

HRIA’s training programs, Young Professionals, and Women in Hire and Access, are two more excellent benefits of membership. Participants have access to mentors so that the next generation of leaders can benefit from their experience and insight.

Thanks to all those involved for making these sessions such a success.

Lobbying and recognition

As a not-for-profit body, lobbying does not always feel like the best use of our time, particularly in the run up to an election.

However, it is important, whether we are addressing amendments to legislation, training and licencing requirements or funding and industry classification during a pandemic.

Progress can be slow but when our objectives are realised, it is satisfying to report on the success of our campaigns. Recently, our focus has been on licencing requirements for telehandlers as well as the lobbying for a final change to the PPSA. Post-election, we will have a renewed push and you can read

more about progress with the PPSA and the next steps on page 16.

At the Council of Small Business Organisations of Australia (COSBOA) summit in April, it was pleasing to hear that the event hire industry and the challenges it faced during the pandemic was recognised by key government bodies. The ABS acknowledged an issue with industry grouping and the current ANZSIC codes, which saw sectors such as event hire suffer due to their categorisation. Solutions are being discussed and the HRIA will continue to work will all levels of government to ensure this sector has a voice.

Updated strategic plan

Delivering operational goals and business as usual required an agile approach these past two years and a good deal more time spent online. One upside of not travelling and holding events was that it provided the Association an opportunity to revisit its strategic plan.

Our revised strategic plan sets the direction for the medium to long term and ensures our focus on members’ priorities, namely that we are a powerful voice for industry, providing direction and support to enhance the success and safety of hire businesses, working towards making the hire industry the preferred choice for sourcing equipment and services.

Feedback wanted

The national office is keen to hear from members that we are delivering on these objectives, and we will be sending out a survey to all our members. As always, we’re interested to hear from you at any point in the year, so please connect either directly with the team at the national office, or through your state committee. Keep an eye on all the Associations’ activities via emails, social media, meetings, events and of course, at our convention.

See you at HIRE22 in Adelaide.

See you at Hire22!

25-26 MAY 2022, ADELAIDE Grab your Inauro branded coffee cup at the HRIA stand and visit us at Stand #50 to see if your number is a winner!

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INDUSTRY NEWS

MAY 2022

on emission reduction is well underway The future of hire: Action in global equipment manufacture and overseas business operations. Australia is catching up, keeping your business and the hire sector has a lot to gain by joining sustainable the trend.

Pressure is increasing for hire businesses of all sizes to adopt sustainable practices. Below, three industry leaders describe their companies’ emission reduction measures and the options for hire equipment suppliers that want to develop sustainable practices.

Blue Diamond

Blue Diamond’s core business is supplying mid-to-large sized, rapidly deployable power solutions for construction and mining. The company’s chief sustainability commitment is for its Perth head office operation to be 100 percent carbon neutral by the end of 2022.

“Initially, this will be achieved by investing in a 77.5KW solar system and 60 kW of inverters,” said Justin Pitts, director. “That will cover 54 percent of our expected energy requirements, which are forecast to grow as we add equipment testing capabilities, primarily designed for our Net Zero range.”

“We’re exploring ways to offset the balance of our energy requirements at our Kewdale hub. It’s likely to be through the purchase of excess energy with LargeScale Energy Certificates.”

Next are emission reviews of the Melbourne and Brisbane premises, to create an entirely carbon neutral operation. On the supply side, there’s a sense of responsibility for selling equipment that doesn’t pollute.

“Given that our core business is power generation, we feel the biggest impact we can have is investing in new technologies to give our customers options that help achieve their sustainability targets in the mining and construction sectors,” said Justin.

“We have invested a significant amount in the latest emission reduction technologies from around the world, this will be led by our GEH2 hydrogen generator, powered by a Toyota fuel cell, and including lithium battery energy storage systems and solar.”

Expectations of change Blue Diamond’s actions were influenced by global trends and customer demand.

“We based our strategy on what’s happening in more progressive countries, such as France, the UK and parts of Asia,” said Justin. “The Australian Government is doing a lot in terms of offering grants for projects but there is no incentive or policy here that has so far influenced our strategy. We’re driven more by what our customers are asking for and what we see as our role, given our position in the power generation market.”

The company demonstrates leadership and commitment through investment. Justin says that while Blue Diamond customers are receptive to alternative power, the net zero solutions need to stack up economically, which is easier with some options than others.

“We are extremely conscious of promoting clean energy solutions, given the reality is our core business will be supported by traditional diesel-powered solutions for some time yet while we transition to new technologies,” he said.

Investing in net zero Two electrical engineers and a sustainable solutions specialist joined the Blue Diamond team, and over $3M was invested in their Net Zero Equipment range before receiving an order.

“Well over $200,000 has been spent on compliance for the new solutions,” said Justin. “And it’s taken hundreds of hours to get an understanding of the packaging, applications and customisation options for our unique market.”

“All of our solutions are related to hire and our focus is to assist clients to transition to zero emissions. Our offers will be led by our GEH2 hydrogen powered generator. We believe hydrogen will lead the energy

MAY 2022

INDUSTRY NEWS

Hire&Rental

7

transition on larger scale mines and construction, supported by solar and the Built Environment Sustainability Scorecard.”

understand the technologies and costs on offer. Some sectors are more progressive, which is driven by their customers or investors, such as events and mining.”

Advice for hire While sustainability challenges confront hire companies and the sectors they serve, Justin Pitts warns that it will become difficult to ignore the demand for climate-friendly choices.

“A lot of the technology is hugely expensive, and the ROI is far better on traditional diesel-powered solutions,” he said. “Blue Diamond is having to accept this to take a leadership position, but I understand why many wouldn’t.”

“Construction companies face the same obstacles.

They want to be ‘green’, but their margins are tight with no additional budget to reduce emissions. Clean power solutions need to stack up economically.”

Justin urges hire companies to take an influencer role in promoting environmental responsibility.

“They need to have more efficient equipment available to offer a choice,” he said. “Even if it is at a higher cost, some customers want to pay it to achieve their own targets.

“Change is being driven by tier 1 mining, construction and progressive customers. The risk is that if the government becomes more progressive in forcing change, you will get left behind. Hire businesses should understand the new technologies coming for power solutions. It’s not a matter of if, but when, some of the more niche solutions become mainstream.”

Testing for risk Aggreko’s actions are powered by stakeholder engagement. Field trials have led to innovations supporting company decisions and those of their clients.

“These include the introduction of alternative liquid fuels, gas fuels, re-deployable solar and energy storage systems,” said George. “Aggreko’s remote monitoring platform has been expanded to support our operations and our clients with more insightful data, helping us to optimise the financial and sustainable benefits. Moving forward, Aggreko will look to introduce technology advancements as they become more economic and mature, these may include alternative fuel sources such as hydrogen.”

Aggreko

Energy solution expert, Aggreko, has committed to becoming a net zero business by 2050, with three goals set to hit that target. Their plan was developed in alignment with the Paris Agreement’s to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius.

By 2030, fossil fuel used in Aggreko’s customer solutions will be down by at least 50 percent through cleaner technologies, halving emissions from diesel, gas and other fuels. Their business operations target for that year is net zero.

Activities undertaken to date include installing large scale solar plants, switching customers from diesel to gas, and using small-scale batteries and solar power.

“We’ll do much more between now and 2050,” said George Whyte, Managing Director at Aggreko. “Our energy evolution will be boosted by shifting our global fleet towards greener liquid fuels and gas. And there are many paths to explore, such as the potential of e-fuels, hydrogen-ready engines and fuel cells.”

“The energy transition is fundamentally changing the way power is generated and delivered. Our customers’ needs are evolving. They require cleaner solutions without compromising reliability, flexibility or cost efficiency. Many are looking for guidance to

Leadership from hire Despite present obstacles, George Whyte places hire in a strong position of influence to drive sustainability measures in the future.

“The hire industry uniquely works across each sector and is a great conduit to the best practices,” he said. “Safety is a good example where highly compliant customers and sectors have influenced the standard in the less compliant. I expect the broader sector base will benefit in time from sustainable products and services being introduced to early adopter sectors and help showcase changes.

“We expect governments, industries and consumers to continue their appreciation of sustainability, bringing it to the forefront of their decisions. The risk in delaying may create a bigger challenge to adopt new skills in the business to support the new products or services.”

Aggreko’s advice for small-to-medium hire businesses is to begin by looking inward.

“Be more self-aware of practices within your business that are sustainability opportunities,” said George. “Use data to measure improvements identified for your business or customer base and continue to educate yourself from the experiences of others regarding products or practices.

“I believe the hire industry has great relationships with its supply chain built on loyalty and trust.

My advice is that this needs to evolve further to a partnership where the operational and investment risk is shared on some new products. This will help accelerate the introduction of new sustainable products.”

Select Plant / Laing O’Rourke

In 2021 Laing O’Rourke launched global sustainability targets, committing to decarbonising operations by 2030 and achieving net zero for scope 3 emissions by 2050.

“The last 12 months was a baseline year for quantifying progress, and it’s been incredibly positive to see the

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INDUSTRY NEWS

business-wide collaborative enthusiasm for identifying areas for improvement and implementing practical solutions to achieve our targets,” said Omar Al-Khayat.

Omar is the Continuous Improvement, Innovation and Sustainability Manager at Select Plant Australia, the business originally formed as an internal plant supply company for Laing O’Rourke. Select is now a one-stop shop for multiple specialist plant requirements.

“The immediate focus has been to abate scope 1 emissions by transitioning our vehicle fleet towards hybrid and full electric products, adopting B5, where available, as the standard fuel on construction sites, and an ambition to expand on our use of biodiesel while exploring alternative fuels, and adopting modular smart power solutions to reduce total fuel consumption,” said Omar.

Targets and drivers Select Plant’s targets are aligned with their international jurisdictions and linking emission reduction to finances bonds the company’s commitment to the bottom-line.

“In Australia, each state government now has environmentally sustainable targets that are comparable with the UK and EU,” said Omar. “Our global sustainability targets were predominantly self-initiated, viewed as both a business need and a moral imperative, and informed by materiality assessments against global sustainability frameworks, construction industry trends and insights and the experience of our leadership teams.”

“In the UK, Laing O’Rourke introduced industryleading emissions reduction targets with its key financial lender, HSBC,” said Omar. “The Australian business is looking to do the same. This new funding arrangement incentivises or penalises Laing O’Rourke depending on its progress against key sustainability metrics, such as reducing carbon intensity, diverting waste from landfill, and increasing the number of women in project delivery.”

Clients, employees and suppliers are engaged, with feedback sought while exploring emission target milestones.

“We held an interactive supply chain engagement event in December 2021 with over 100 different suppliers and the sentiment towards our sustainability commitments was incredibly positive,” said Omar.

“During the tender development process, we provide alternative solutions to clients that can be implemented on projects to lift sustainability performance.”

The value proposition Omar sees sustainability as the chance for hire businesses to differentiate on something other than rates.

“Our targets enable suppliers in hire to demonstrate the value added by developing, understanding, and acquiring innovative technologies that tangibly address environmental challenges,” he said. “By leveraging and marketing these ‘sustainability credentials’, progressive hire companies can differentiate themselves and capitalise on the opportunity to become preferred suppliers.”

MAY 2022

The Laing O’Rourke view is that the hire industry is well-positioned to observe the changes and developments in construction activity over time, with the potential to influence the direction of technology and solutions adopted by the industry.

“As hire is ever present in the construction supply chain, we are well positioned to challenge international plant and equipment OEMs to invest in their Australian operations and bring forward plans to import more sustainable assets in line with European, Asian and American operations,” said Omar. “The experience and expertise in the hire industry can also be a driver for domestic development and manufacturing of sustainable technologies through the promotion and distribution of these products.”

“It’s still early days with most hire businesses focussed on meeting the rapid growth in demand for sustainable solutions from a standing start. To that end, we aren’t synchronised yet. There is a real opportunity for the HRIA to bring the industry together to consolidate market power and signal to international OEMs that demand exists in Australia for their products, but also to raise the awareness and build knowledge across hire businesses of any size as to what sustainability means for them and how it can fit into their operations.”

Start with fleet “Know your fleet and implement practices and systems that enable you to be aware of, and promote, your sustainability credentials,” is the first of Omar’s suggestions for hire companies to adopt if they are low on resources.

“Telematics technology is a relatively cost-effective method to track machine operation, fuel use and idle times. This information can be used to improve asset utilisation efficiency as well as offered back to clients in support of their reporting requirements. There are multiple vendors in Australia who specialise in tracking, monitoring and support services for both on-road and off-road assets.”

He adds that exploring the biofuels compatibility of your fleet with OEMs as an option for clients is common among large constructors.

“I’d encourage all businesses to challenge themselves, their supply chain, competitors, and clients to do more,” said Omar. “The biggest risk in delaying action is moral rather than commercial,” said Omar.

“The intention behind sustainability policy is to mitigate the destructive and international effects of global heating leading to climate change. By acting now, the hire sector can position itself as a leader of positive change that influences policy, rather than waiting on policy to influence a change.”

The HIRE22 Future of Hire workshop explores this topic on 26 May at 11.30am.

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INDUSTRY NEWS

MAY 2022

Winch Hire opens NSW branch The search for new premises in Sydney and revamping their website kept Winch Hire busy while the Queensland border was closed by COVID-19.

Proving the hire industry’s resilience against the pandemic, after two years of steady client growth spent supplying NSW projects from a distance, Brisbane-based Winch Hire Australia opened a branch at Guildford in March, near the geographic centre of the Sydney metropolitan area.

Its opening day followed 11 months of planning during the unpredictable COVID-19 lockdowns.

“It was a good time for me to really have look at the market in NSW and see whether it was commercially viable,” said Troy Moulder, National Sales Manager at Winch Hire. “Most of our clients in Queensland have operations in NSW, so it’s been a smooth transition for them to use us in Sydney.”

The new warehouse opened with a knowledgeable team onboard, at 182 Military Road, Guildford, which is close to Parramatta and 40 minutes from the Sydney CBD. “When it came to staffing, we have been very successful, with Trent Sweeney as State Sales Manager NSW,” said Troy. “Trent has more than 10 years’ experience in the hire and rental game. Brad Cini is our Branch Coordinator and Hire Controller. He will oversee all operations in NSW. Brad comes to Winch Hire with more than six years of crane experience.”

Having large Sydney contractors on their books, including for the $955M Lang O’Rourke Central Station commuter hub redevelopment, gave Winch Hire good credentials for its new local presence.

“Our first hire was to Fredon Electrical,” said Troy. “We were delighted that Fredon jumped at the opportunity when we spoke to them about specialist supply of equipment at the Central Station Lang O’Rourke project.

We’ve also had equipment go out from Sydney to Interflow. We have a long-standing relationship of more than 10 years with them.”

A new look online

It was a happy accident that a revamped website launch coincided with Winch’s opening at Guildford.

“The new website had been under construction for about six months, and we decided we would do all the photos of the equipment ourselves,” said Troy. “The team spent many hours going through pictures and touching them up. We engaged Jon Burke from Creative Digital Video to build the site and we are very pleased with the outcome. Jon was very much in tune with our marketing department and knew what we wanted.”

“I remember talking to Jon on the phone the night the

NSW marketing coordinator Angus Clark (L), and Troy Moulder (R) at the new Winch Hire warehouse

site went live, and he asked me if I was playing around with the ‘request a quote’ tab, I asked ‘no, why?’ and Jon said, ‘because a request for quote has just come through’. We both laughed, as the site had only been live for about an hour and we were already seeing traffic.”

The COVID-19 restrictions had provided the perfect timing to update the website and the process keep staff occupied with a task that may have otherwise been delayed.

“Our team worked tirelessly to get the website to where it is today,” said Troy. “All the staff had input regarding how it would function, especially from a client’s perspective. It was just luck that the border restrictions were relaxed, and we were able to launch the new site and open our NSW branch at the same time.”

“With the new branch in NSW, it was always going to be difficult as we were dictated to by COVID, in a sense.

We were lucky that Trent lived in NSW, he was our eyes and ears while we prepared equipment and had everything ready from IT and phones to signage.”

Tour the new Winch Hire Australia website and its impressive image gallery, at www.winchhire.com.au.

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INDUSTRY NEWS

What to do when premises are damaged by inclement weather Bartier Perry Lawyers have advice about negotiating with landlords for property repairs after heavy storms.

By Melissa Potter, Partner and Stella Sun, Senior Associate, Bartier Perry Lawyers.

With the heavy rains experienced in New South Wales and Queensland earlier in the year, some commercial and retail tenants found themselves dealing with leaking roofs and damaged property.

When these situations arise, a tenant depends on the details of their lease and check for agreements on who pays for damage, repair obligations and the landlord’s liability.

1. Check your lease for a damage/ destruction clause.

Most commercial and retail leases contain a damage/ destruction clause. Under this clause, rent and outgoings will abate if premises are damaged or destroyed and the property can’t be used or accessed by the tenant.

The amount of abatement is usually proportionate to the reduced useability or accessibility of the premises.

For example, if half of the premises cannot be used, then 50 percent of the rent will likely abate until the premises are restored and accessible.

Tenants are normally required to notify the landlord as soon as any damage has occurred, and under some leases, rent will not abate until the date such notice is given.

Damage/destruction clauses do not usually impose an obligation on a landlord to repair or restore premises however, normally either party can terminate the lease if the landlord decides that it is unpracticable or undesirable to repair the damage.

Tenants should note that if the damage was caused or contributed to by the tenant, then the rights under the damage/destruction clause are unlikely to apply.

MAY 2022

2. Can I claim compensation for any damage to my property or equipment?

In addition to claiming an abatement of rent and other monies (proportionate to the nature and extent of the damage), tenants may be able to request compensation for any damage to their property if it can be shown that the landlord is in breach of an obligation under the lease.

Tenants should check their lease to see who is responsible for structural repairs and maintenance.

Although landlords generally are responsible for the structure of the building, it is useful when negotiating a lease to include a specific obligation on the landlord to keep the building structurally sound and weatherproof.

Without such a clause, it may be difficult to require a landlord to carry out repairs to prevent any future leaks.

If your lease contains a similar clause, you may be able to request compensation for damage and loss incurred by showing that the landlord has failed to keep the building structurally sound and weatherproof.

If specific obligation on the landlord, then if the leak has caused the whole or part of the premises to become unusable, you may still be able to claim compensation, or even terminate the lease if it can be shown that the landlord has breached its obligation to give ‘quiet enjoyment’.

‘Quiet enjoyment’ clauses are implied by law in all leases. Landlords must give their tenants a right to enjoy the use of premises without substantial interference. Where a landlord has failed to repair a leaking roof, causing the premises to be damaged and unusable, this is likely to be a breach of the landlord’s obligation to give quiet enjoyment.

3. Can I terminate my lease?

Depending on the circumstances and the specific clauses in your lease, you may be able to terminate it, depending on the extent of the damage.

It is important to note that legal advice should always be sought before attempting to terminate a lease, to ensure such termination is lawful and does not result in a repudiation of the lease by the tenant. If a tenant unlawfully terminates a lease, they may itself be liable to pay compensation to the landlord.

Be prepared

If you have recently experienced property damage, check your lease carefully to see what rights and remedies are available to you. Or if you are about to enter into a new lease, obtain legal advice to ensure your lease protects you in the event of future damage.

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INDUSTRY NEWS

MAY 2022

Debts referred on the rise Mark Logue, Joint Managing Director of AMPAC Debt Recovery gives his observations about what’s ahead for the insolvency landscape based on recent events.

The fallout from the Probuild collapse will have far reaching effects for suppliers and subcontractors in the construction industry. It also serves as a warning for other sectors that have been impacted by COVID-19.

When a large building contractor falls over, it attracts a lot of attention which is widely reported in the media.

Most industries don’t attract such a high level of interest, but still suffer many of the same problems that are associated with a significant interruption to their trading activities. These include: • •

•

Supply chain issues resulting in material cost increases that flow straight through to profit margins; COVID-19 delays, lockdowns, wage pressures and staff shortages that have a long-lasting impact and continue to make it difficult to operate profitably and efficiently; Additional pressure on cash flow and working capital as a result of the aforementioned.

In March last year we wrote about the inevitable increase in insolvency and what factors might cause insolvency levels to rise. What we didn’t know (and neither did anyone else), was when this was likely to happen. As 2022 rolls on, we are noticing an increase in the volume of both commercial and consumer debt referred for collection, which for the past two years has been relatively subdued due to government stimulus measures and a generally softer approach to debt recovery by trade credit suppliers.

In February 2022, AMPAC recorded a 22 percent increase in the number of debts referred for collection when compared to the previous corresponding period and a 49 percent increase in the value of debts placed.

Such a large increase in the value of debts placed is perhaps a reflection of the forbearance afforded to customers throughout the pandemic but is a clear indication that suppliers are no longer willing to wait for payment.

We have also observed the ATO is less willing to entertain payment arrangements and is asking for a lot more information from an applicant before agreeing to extended payment terms. In other words, they are assessing the longer-term viability of the business before granting them extra time to pay. On top of that, we have seen an increase in the number of Directors Penalty Notices being issued.

The long-held view of both tax and insolvency accountants is that as soon as the federal election is over, the ATO will significantly ramp up its collection efforts. Businesses that have saved the stimulus payments or used them for the right reasons will survive, but those organisations that used the money to plug preexisting holes in their organisation may struggle to fully recover from the impacts of the pandemic.

Our advice to clients remains consistent particularly for unsecured creditors. Where a customer is identified as “high risk and likely to default”, close monitoring of the account and swift recovery action will significantly reduce the potential for a bad debt.

Ampac Debt Recovery regularly publishes helpful tips about recovery action for businesses affected by client insolvency: www.4ampac.com.au/blog.

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16

Hire&Rental

INDUSTRY NEWS

HRIA action on PPSA stalled but not deterred by election Australian hire companies remain at the mercy of a law that under certain circumstances can trap them into ruinous financial burden if a construction client goes bust. This update outlines the action taken by the HRIA to bring legal reform and what is being requested.

By Virginia Laugesen The push to amend the Personal Property Securities Act 2009 (PPSA), led by Hire and Rental Industry Association CEO James Oxenham, has been interrupted by the federal election. But HRIA members can be assured that the pressure will continue, regardless of the election outcome.

The PPSA operates in conjunction with the Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR), the record of equipment on hire at construction sites. This structure, linking the regulation to the register creates confusion about the financial ownership of hired assets by assigning that equipment the same status as assets belonging to the building company, in the case of voluntary administration.

Probuild’s impact

Probuild’s collapse in February was a catalyst for the HRIA’s renewed action to change the PPSA and exclude hire companies from unfair risk.

“When the Probuild liquidation was announced, the HRIA immediately surveyed its members and within days could confidently estimate that at least four million dollars’ worth of equipment was on hire to Probuild sites from among the responses we received,” said James Oxenham.

MAY 2022

The HRIA CEO was quick to alert Senator Stoker, who is the Assistant Minister to the Attorney General and has the portfolio covering the PPSA, about the financial impact of the liquidation on all hire companies.

James reiterated to her the legal advice already supplied to the government about the simple nature of the reforms required, hoping to have the regulations amended during the parliament’s final sitting of its term, pre-election.

Unfortunately, amendments to the PPSA were not on the government’s agenda for its closing session.

Simple changes needed

Instead, the law remains in place that currently treats your on-hire EWPs, floodlights, fencing, generators or anything else hired to builders who subsequently go into liquidation, as owned assets of a bankrupted company.

“The HRIA’s PPSA taskforce, with assistance from Bartier Perry Lawyers, made significant progress on behalf of members during the past two years, including attending a successful personal meeting in Canberra in March 2021 with Senator Stoker,” said James. “Our delegation explained the unfair imposition on hire companies and proposed our legally informed, 40-word amendment to remove the problem.”

“Lobbying politicians for reform is a lengthy process requiring a patient and well-managed approach.

Although our efforts will need to re-start, whether there is a Federal Cabinet reshuffle or a new government taking office mid-year, the case for PPSA reform is strong and our legal research backs this up. When construction companies collapse, their widespread negative impact on communities and businesses cannot be ignored by any government, and the hire sector represents a significant number of those affected parties.”

INDUSTRY NEWS

MAY 2022

How hirers lose

To be captured as a PPS lease under the PPSA, hire equipment must have been on-site at a construction project for two years or longer. The combined amount of post-COVID-19, large-scale construction and infrastructure projects underway, and ongoing economic volatility has the potential to draw more HRIA members into the PPSA web, making any potentially lucrative long-term hire contracts risky prospects.

“To illustrate the complexity and risk with PPSA for hire companies, particularly smaller businesses, I took a call in February from an HRIA member in Victoria, concerned because they had equipment on a Probuild site and the person who knew about the PPSA in their business was on leave,” said James.

“On this occasion, the hire was for less than 24 months, but with an option to extend the contract. A liquidator might pick up on this and challenge that the contract exceeds 24 months, leading to the asset being seized. Liquidators have previously been known to use the PPS Register against hire companies, placing emphasis on hire companies to prove they made a registration even when there was no PPS lease in existence because the hire agreement was less than 24 months, and no legal requirement to register. In fact, registering in this instance would be seen by the Australian Financial Security Authority as misuse of the PPS Register.”

Western Australia based hire company Haulmore Trailer Sales has been a victim of the PPSA and its asset register.

“Recently one of my clients went into voluntary administration and at that time they had a piece of equipment on hire from me,” said Alan Moody, Haulmore’s managing director. “When I contacted the administrators to arrange return of our equipment, they claimed the PPSR document we had filed was incorrect and that they would retain my property and sell it to collect funds for creditors.”

Alan was shocked to discover this action is permissible.

“I manufactured the unit, I own it, licensed it and it is totally unencumbered,” he said. “I have been informed it can be lawful for insolvency companies to seize rental equipment if the PPSR document is in any way flawed or not updated prior to the rental exceeding a two-year period.”

Alan encourages every hire business owner with the potential to be affected by the PPSA to contact their local Federal MP and express their concerns.

Understanding the PPSA Hire & Rental Industry Association members can explore details about the PPSA at: www.hireandrental.com.au/resources

Hire&Rental

A minor adjustment for major impact This summary of the HRIA’s 2017-2022 requests to government for PPSA reform, includes the proposed 40-word addition to the Act that would protect hire companies when clients liquidate: •

•

•

•

•

•

•

Removing the hire industry from the PPSA will not create more legal work for hire companies. Our submission means that in the ordinary course of hire or rental operations, a PPS Registration is no longer required as hire companies are not providing finance or creating in substance security.

If the PPSA remains unchanged, we are exposed to loss due to the complex nature of registering assets.

It is not a given that hire industry personnel will know about the PPSA or its intricacies. Staff in the hire industry who work in small businesses haven’t usually worked in credit, let alone finance or security.

If the submission proposed by the HRIA is approved, hire companies could return to business as usual following a voluntary liquidation, where the ownership of an asset would be quite clear to all the stakeholders including hire companies, their customers, the banks and liquidators.

Hire companies would not need to employ a lawyer to assess whether or not they should be registering on the PPS register, because they are not providing finance or in substance security.

There is no impact on other businesses that are not captured by the definition we provide as an amendment to the PPSA, which is one addition to the Act: “a hire or rental, not covered by sub-section 12(1), which is entered into in the ordinary course of a hire or rental business in which goods are usually hired or rented to more than one customer during their useful life.”

If a company has a true in substance security arrangement, such as a hire purchase or a finance lease, then they will not fall under the definition above, and therefore will remain in the PPS Act. Liquidators would continue to be able to use the PPS Register to identify who has perfected a registration, the only difference being they would not need to go searching for ordinary hire and rental operations, because these would no longer be captured under the definition of a PPS lease.

Given the ongoing issue of construction companies and sub-contractors going into liquidation and the likelihood of more companies going under, we ask that the hire industry’s proposed solution to PPSA-related loss is considered and dealt with as a matter of urgency.

17

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Hire&Rental

INDUSTRY NEWS

MAY 2022

The role of automated workflows in plugging revenue leaks Four years of economic growth is predicted for the hire industry but it’s the commitment to data that determines your share of the rewards, says Max Girault, Chief Commercial Officer at Inauro.

The vision of workflow automation company Inauro, is “to put people first and make their lives easier”. In their February 2022 industry report, “The Future of the Equipment Rental Industry: establishing a foundation for success”, the tech company co-founded by Angus Kennard and Craig Kesby identified five challenges facing hire operators today, and the function of automation in reducing the risks of being left behind.

The IBISWorld 2021 forecast of the Australian hire industry’s value is $9.6 billion by 2026. This is largely due to government stimulus and infrastructure funding.

A choked supply chain favouring equipment hire over purchase for the foreseeable future plays a significant part in the calculation, too.

Inauro’s report names five challenges for hire companies to consider for maximising profits from the good times ahead. We spoke with Max Girault about their challenge number one — a longstanding obstacle for hire operators — plugging revenue leaks.

“Revenue leaks is a common problem in rental and one that’s not easily seen, as it’s not reported on,” said Max. “Issues such has over-utilisation of equipment, toll recovery and stand downs were difficult to get a grip on before telematics made this data available, and these can add up. It is pure margin. But telematics doesn’t go far enough to solve this, and that’s where we come in.”

Max is referring to Inauro’s PerspioTM platform. It’s the software that connects telemetry with the business context, enabling automation to plug those gaps.

Planning with data

Many hire companies install telematics to capture asset data, but it’s what you do with the reports that leads to savings, according to Max. “Generally, taking the next step is in the category of ‘wouldn’t it be great if …’, and then the idea is quickly filed in the too hard cabinet,” he said. “’We know we are losing a bit of money but that’s how it’s always been right?’ is where they leave it. The technology is there today so it really comes down to business benefit.”

In Max’s experience, moving to automated workflows is mostly driven by improving client satisfaction, and cost control.

“Hire companies always need to develop their customer offerings to ensure they give the best possible experience and make it easier for their customers to rent rather than buy, but we know margins are getting thinner,” he said.

“Automation solves both those issues. It generally doesn’t come down to a single use case, although the ROI is generally achieved as quickly as implementation of the first use case. Collectively there is a lot of value to generate from leveraging data in the right way.”

Inauro’s hire industry clients have been surprised by some unexpected discoveries revealed by workflow automation.

“When you rent out a piece of equipment, no matter what it is you are expecting, you think the customer knows what to use it for and that the instructions you give them will be respected,” said Max. “They are not. Telemetry gives you that visibility to identify wrong uses. There are also lots of challenges with data in a rental operation, because a lot of it is still manual, and the amount of admin time saved and given back to the business is significant.”

Inauro often sees evidence of data challenges that are a result of clients putting information together from different sources that should be the same. Problems occur when data is wrongly entered in one system, or managed differently, making it hard to work with.

“Some are wildly different and that typically shows something is going wrong,” said Max. “Simply being able to show you how many assets are out from the yard and not on a contract generally gets people interested,” said Max. “But it’s not just about tracking devices, as these are now commoditised. The greater value comes from the integration of systems and the automation this enables.”

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Hire&Rental

Taking the leap

INDUSTRY NEWS

Feedback to Inauro from the hire industry shows there is still a perception that ‘automation is hard’, and ‘too different from traditional bricks-and-mortar ways of working’. But, like all things tech adopted by business, in the past decades, the incentives to change in efficiency, cost-savings, client demands and emission control will combine to drive change.

“Customers are demanding access to the data of the equipment, and if you don’t have a way to provide them access to their asset’s data only, and only for the rental contract period, then they’ll find someone else who can,” said Max. “A lot of this has been driven in the US where companies like United Rentals and Sunbelt are way ahead of the pack. Europe is not far behind, and we are seeing more and more interest in Australia, especially with the bigger hire companies.”

There is still wariness about committing to automation, adds Max. “Tracking has been a cost on the balance sheet for a while, and it’s now time to turn this around,” he said. “We know that some major contracts have been lost because of a lack of a telematics offering, which

MAY 2022

is becoming increasingly important. And it’s not necessarily only the big operations that benefit from the technology. We are working with smaller operations like Hire Express, who came to us to help with improving customer experience and better manage revenue leaks. We’ve worked with other customers who have gone from a three percent toll recovery to 97 percent from one day to the next.”

Inauro’s five challenges for equipment rental in 2022 1. Plugging revenue leaks 2. Lacking in-depth visibility of assets 3. Dealing with supply chain issues 4. Maintaining and servicing assets 5. Adopting technology Download and read the full report at https://www.inauro.io/rental

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22

Hire&Rental

INDUSTRY NEWS

MAY 2022

Seven facts about finding equipment finance today Take a smart approach to borrowing money in 2022 if it’s been a while since you visited a lender.

1. Shop around on interest rates

2. Spread debt over financiers

Often your bank will have a mortgage over your business assets, known as a General Security Agreement or GSA. They’ll consider any existing equipment finance already provided to your business (including any undrawn limits) when approving additional working capital facilities or loans to fund your business growth. Finlease often sees banks refusing to provide increased facilities simply due to the level of equipment finance exposure.

Furthermore, if you want to change banks, the one you are leaving will typically want to see you pay out all of their facilities (including their equipment finance loans) before they will release their securities such as mortgages and GSA, which will be required by the incoming bank. Paying out equipment loans early incurs additional interest charges. This would not be required if your equipment finance was with other providers.

Spreading equipment finance across a broad lender base not only creates competition between those lenders to ensure you get the right rates and the right terms, but you are also building a larger base of supporters who will typically continue to provide additional finance as needed.

3. No financials for loans under $1M

A large portion of finance under one million dollars can be arranged without providing financials and without any

4. Used vs new equipment finance

Used equipment purchased — auction through a dealer or private sale is often a viable alternative to buying new, especially in this current environment of significant delivery delays. Equipment aged up to 30 years at the end of the finance term may be considered.

5. Roll over residuals early

Miles Beamish, Partner, Equipment Finance at Finlease, gives his expert tips for finding the best deal.

Your bank may not be the cheapest option. Interest rates on equipment finance can vary by as much as two percent. Unlike home loans, these are open to competition between banks and finance companies.

It pays to shop around or use a finance broker who will save time by doing it for you.

A two percent interest rate saving on a $300,000 loan over five years saves more than $270 per month in repayments — or $16,000 over the life of the loan.

increase in the interest rate to do so. These products are known as Low Doc, Matrix or Replacement Finance.

For businesses that have not yet completed their final 2021 returns this can be a tricky time of year to source finance on a full assessment basis as their bank and most of the major lenders will require these after January 1 each year, making low doc alternatives (at similar rates) more appealing.

Miles Beamish Partner, Equipment Finance, Finlease

Many clients mistakenly believe they need to wait until their balloons, or residuals, are due before they can pay them out or rollover the finance for a further term.

But, most funders, using a low doc assessment, will consider rolling over balloons within the last six months of the end of the term and some as far out as 12 months.

Given we are quickly entering into a rising interest rate environment for equipment finance, now may a good time to look at any finance balloon/residual payments that fall due over the next 12 months and look at rolling over earlier.

6. Full equipment write-off

The next financial year offers a rare opportunity for a 100 per cent tax write-off on any new or used equipment purchased for a business with a turnover below $50 million. Unless altered in this year’s Federal Budget, the current requirement is that the equipment must be installed and ready for use prior to June 30, 2023. Chattel Mortgage and Commercial Hire Purchase financing is used to claim this deduction however it is not available if the equipment is financed via lease or Rent to Buy, as ownership of the equipment is not with the business.

7. Full write-off for assets too

Any company with a turnover below $10 million can also claim a 100 percent tax write-off for the remaining written down value on their existing equipment assets, provided they are using the simplified tax system. Any resulting tax loss can be carried back to 2019, for a possible refund on any tax paid during those periods. In the event you still have accumulated tax losses these can be carried forward to offset future years trading profits.

As always, speak to your accountant or tax professional for formal advice on any of these points.

Finlease sources competitive equipment finance rates. Find out more at www.finlease.com.au.

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Hire&Rental

INDUSTRY NEWS

MAY 2022

Leadership training to inspire hire teams HRIA’s training partner, Strategic Alignment Training recently welcomed Paula Lloyd as its new operations manager.

Some highlights from participant testimonials are:

Paula’s role is to manage and oversee the specialised programs offered to HRIA members, through the association’s training partnership.

“Paula brings a depth of experience, having spent 16 years working in the hire and rental industry, including being a member of the HRIA Victorian State Committee,” said Aileen Hiskins, the founder of Strategic Alignment Training. “Paula was at Waverley Forklifts for more than 14 years and has also worked at inspHire Software.”

Strategic Alignment Training works closely with the hire industry to ensure members have access to relevant learning experiences. Their courses are aimed at all employee levels, to build leadership capability.

The Women in Hire and Access, and the Young Professional Network Leadership programs have seen participants grow their selfawareness while establishing connections with mentors who generously share their professional experiences.

“I have a greater relationships and mutual respect from my co-workers, and no matter what problems may arise, we work through them together. I value their input and we resolve issues together.”

“The good thing is that I have recently employed a couple of new technicians and as a result of the training and methods I have been able to put into practice, my senior guys are passing down the same philosophy and methods that I was taught onto their new employees.”

“This has made it easier for me to supervise my mechanics and they have been given the confidence to share their input. Regardless how left-field it may be, no suggestion is dismissed as they are all included in discussions we need to have. It has also had a positive impact on my life as I’m less stressed over things I can’t control. I’m in a good place at the moment and communication is great between my guys out in the engine room, and with my managers.”

HATS

Managing work friends

‘Mate2Manager’ is a program Strategic Alignment Training specifically designed for the hire industry. The value of promoting from within is highly recognised in hire, but the reality of managing your mates can be a challenge.

While researching this program, HRIA members shared with Strategic Alignment Training their personal examples of workplace issues. The feedback received included, “I promoted my best mechanic to workshop manager, and he left because managing his mates was too hard”; “I got the leadership role that my mate also applied for, how do I lead him?”; and “I wish I knew how to set clearer boundaries between friendship and being a manager”.

The training prepares leaders to coach and develop a team by having a tough conversation, addressing performance issues, inspiring individuals, setting goals, and building a great team.

“Mate2Manager is a practical leadership program, offered face to face or online, covering topics such as managing your mates, understanding yourself and your impact on others, how to create a high-performance team, how to teach not tell, and how to manage workplace priorities,” said Paula. “While it was designed for those new to leadership, managers from all levels have attended and benefitted.”

Paula Lloyd

The HRIA Apprenticeship and Trainee Scheme, known as HATS, is a virtual program for those new to the hire industry. Participants work towards a nationally accredited Certificate III in Business, while gaining specific knowledge from expert guest presenters.

“HATS offers participants the opportunity to build strong networks across the industry,” said Paula.

HRIA members who enrol new staff in the HATS program prior to June 30, 2022, may attract wage subsidies of 50 percent or up to $7,000 per quarter for 12 months.

Participants from the 2021 HATS program gave positive feedback to Strategic Alignment Training about their improved confidence and connections, with one student saying, “This industry is so dynamic, I want to stay in it.”

To learn more email Paula Lloyd at paula@sa-training.com.au.

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Hire&Rental

INDUSTRY NEWS

MAY 2022

Sustainability — sponsored by Blue Diamond

Considered solar 5 years ago?

Here’s what’s changed and why solar could stack up for your hire business now.

If you’re a savvy hire and rental business owner looking to cut costs and better your bottom line, you will no doubt have investigated solar energy. But just as you and your customers adapt to new technology, better efficiency, and higher demand, so too has solar, which has continued to change and adapt at a record pace.

Options you explored five years ago may be considered relics in comparison to what’s available today.

Choice Energy prepared the following update for Hire and Rental Magazine, to help you re-evaluate going solar today.

A wider market

Commercial solar energy’s popularity has brought more manufacturers to the party, offering a range of budget to premium options in both commercial and residential solutions.

Like all machinery and appliances, you get what you pay for. While cheaper components are available and may knock a few hundred dollars off your panels and system, the past five years has proven where the real quality lies. A commercial solar system is designed to last 20 to 25 years, making it a long-game investment for significant savings on energy bills. Just as you invest in tools and machinery that can go the distance for your customers, solar functions similarly: invest in quality and reap the rewards for years to come.

Understanding quality and receiving support also requires certified experience and expertise. According to the Sunny Side Up report from the Consumer Action Law Centre, close to 700 solar companies have gone out of business since 2011. This leaves around 650,000 Australians with no assistance or recourse if their systems fail, and no answers about output. The past decade has challenged the longevity of ‘cheap as chips’ companies, revealing firms like Choice Energy

as those invested and available when it comes to the long-term run of your solar system.

Maximising output

Like all burgeoning tech, solar panel output met challenges in the past, that are now resolved with clever and affordable options. One critical advancement is optimisers.

Optimisers allow your solar system to overcome previously common issues with underperforming cells or panels. Once, a single panel in a semi-shaded spot would compromise the output of the entire system.

Now, a range of Panel Level Optimisers (PLOs) reduces this block by allowing the system to disregard the feedback from that reduced panel.

Solar Panel Optimisation means your new system can work harder to push up that output and potentially cut costs further. For hire businesses needing to maximise their rooftop footprint, this can be a game changer at locations challenged by neighbouring buildings or overhanging trees.

Government support

Investing in solar energy has gained support from the government for some time, but recent circumstances have made solar even more affordable. The Australian Government’s Renewable Energy Target (RET) offers two types of Technology Certificates, which act as a rebate on a solar system, giving an immediate discount.

The Instant Asset Tax Write Off (IATWO) scheme is a layer added to offer further affordability to solar, not seen five years ago. This tax write-off revision gives options for businesses, including the investment in your renewable energy solution. The IATWO allows businesses to write off the full cost of a commercial solar system installed and operating by June 2023 and was raised to an unlimited amount for purchases made after October 2020.

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Hire&Rental

INDUSTRY NEWS

MAY 2022

Sustainability — sponsored by Blue Diamond

Rising electricity costs

As solar prices have dropped, electricity costs have climbed at an alarming rate. Even if the price of solar panels and systems remained consistent, electricity prices are going up, year on year. Like most volatile markets, there are moments of relief. Most evident was the recent drop in the wholesale electricity price during the initial stages of the COVID-19 pandemic. But the trend shows an unrelenting mark upwards, especially in comparison to inflation in other markets.

Thanks to a range of causes, the cost of commercial solar has fallen in the past five years. A more competitive market, technology updates and engineering innovations have seen a reduction in cost, especially when coupled with government incentives. Hire and rental businesses are now able to make the most of a supported, affordable solar industry in contrast to a rising electricity market.

If it’s been a while since you’ve considered solar, you could be missing out because solar has continued to innovate, making modern solutions more effective and less costly. As Australia sees a continued rise in grid energy costs, solar is a proactive step in protecting yourself from a further pinch.

Choice Energy is an Australian owned and operated energy management firm and HRIA’s energy partner. Learn more about how high quality commercial solar could save you at www.choiceenergy.com.au.

50%

50%

50%

50%

Without an optimiser, a partially shaded panel brings down the output of all other panels

50%

100%

100%

Optimisers reduce this issue and allow panels to act independently FOR ILLUSTRATIVE PURPOSE ONLY

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Hire&Rental

INDUSTRY NEWS

MAY 2022

Ahern Australia appointed as Faresin Industries distributor An expert team is on board to manage the product line, Australia-wide.

As the new master distributor for Faresin Industries feed mixer wagons and agricultural telehandlers, Ahern Australia is now the sole importer of these products and associated spare parts and attachments into Australia.

Ahern has established a specialist agricultural division to manage the range and have appointed a dealer network to sell and service these products to end user customers. The dealer network has access to new Faresin product inventory and technical support from Ahern, as well as spare parts from their national warehouse.

The new agricultural division complements Ahern’s construction and hire operations and the company already enjoys a strong, well-established business relationship with Faresin Industries via the construction telehandlers marketed under the Snorkel brand.

Ahern Australia has been servicing the equipment industry since 1989 and is today part of the global Ahern Family of Companies. Privately held, the group is owned by Don F. Ahern, owner of Ahern Rentals, the largest independent rental company in the U.S.A. Ahern Family of Companies includes 24 businesses spanning equipment rental, manufacturing and international distribution, as well as financing, transportation, hospitality, engineering and fabrication.

Focused on sales, service and spare parts, Ahern Australia is also an official distributor for Snorkel™ mobile elevating work platforms, telehandlers and material lifts, and Ruthmann Bluelift tracked spider lifts. It operates four Australian branches in New South Wales, Victoria, Western Australia and Queensland and is part of the Ahern International division which includes eight sister companies in Argentina, Chile, Canada, Denmark, Germany, Ireland, Japan and Spain.

New management

(from top) Clayton Schmidt and David Soderstrom

Ahern Australia appointed two business development managers with specialist agricultural equipment experience to their new agricultural division: Clayton Schmidt joined Ahern from Haulotte Australia and brings 16 years of sales and dealer development experience from the farm machinery and construction equipment sectors. He has previously held positions at Grain King, Sunward, Hysoon Australia, as well as the John Deere dealer, Glenmac Sales & Services.

David Soderstrom started his career in spare parts at Caterpillar Australia in 1999 and has since held sales roles for agricultural and turf equipment dealers and manufacturers, including Godings, a dealer for Kubota, New Holland and Land Pride, as well as hay feed and spraying equipment manufacturers, HARDI Australia, Duncan AG, and BA Group Australia.

Glenn Martin, Managing Director of Ahern Australia, said of the appointment, “We are proud and excited to be appointed as the official distributor for Faresin Industries agricultural products. Faresin has had success to date in Australia and we are looking forward to build upon this strong foundation.”

Ahern Australia has added an agricultural section to its website, including a list of authorised dealers.

Visit www.ahernaustralia.com.au for more

MONTH 2021 VOLUME 22 NO. X

MAY 2022 VOLUME 23 NO. 4

One of the EWPA 2021 Photograph of the Year runners up from Specialist Access Equipment & Plant Hire.

Credit: Don Jessop

FEATURES

40 Ahern’s electric telehandler at HIRE22

38 Chadwicks opens in Sunshine

42 Skyjack’s journey back to booms

48 Access Best New Products shortlist

48 Dingli makes an electric statement

Access in Action

32

CONTENTS

MAY 2022

Contents

ELEVATING WORK PLATFORM ASSOCIATION OF AUSTRALIA INC ABN 32 545 830 419

EWPA President’s message Almac anti-collision detection Chadwick Forklifts expand in northwestern Victoria Ahern exhibits compact electric telehandler Booms from the Skyjack Platform JLG Industries launch Service Plus Ultrasonics detect crush hazards before they happen Hire Industry Excellence Awards / Dingli invites you to go electric

34 36 38 40 42 44 46 48

EWPA BOARD OF DIRECTORS President Doug Rawlings Tel: 08 9350 5700 Vice President Tim Nuttall Tel: 03 9547 7700 Past President Rick Mustillo Tel: 02 9817 7610 Chief Executive Officer James Oxenham Tel: 02 9998 2222 Operations Manager: Scott Mundy Tel: 02 9998 2222 NSW President: John Glover Tel: 0419 663 863 VIC President: Keith Clarke Tel: 0400 369 900 QLD President: Richard Gannon Tel: 0437 477 279 SA President: Jason Gaskin Tel: 08 8179 6700 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 Luke Schubert, Tel: 0458 770 002 Bob Mules, Tel: 0402 982 999 James Nightingale, Tel: 1800 457 145

36

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

39 38

48

42

MONTH 2021 VOLUME 22 NO. X

MAY 2022 VOLUME 23 NO. 4

On the cover

One of the EWPA 2021 runners up Photograph of the Year Equipment from Specialist Access & Plant Hire.

Credit: Don Jessop

FEATURES

Sunshine 38 Chadwicks opens in Products 48 Access Best New shortlist

r at HIRE22 40 Ahern’s electric telehandle to booms 42 Skyjack’s journey back statement 48 Dingli makes an electric

On the cover looks back at one of the strongest runner-up entries from the 2021 Photo of the Year competition.

Its time to start thinking about subjects for your entry into the 2022 Photo of the Year competition. Keep an eye out for notifications, entries will be due in September.

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

power

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Come and see the first lithium telehandler in Australia at Stand 26 at HIRE22. VOTE 1 FOR BEST NEW PRODUCT ENTRY. Call Ahern Australia today for more details on the entire lithium range 1300 900 700 or visit www.ahernaustralia.com.au

34

Access in Action

EWPA PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

MAY 2022

Re-emerging to strengthen connections For the majority of our access members, business has been doing well over the last 12 months.

President’s message

BY DOUG RAWLINGS EWPA PRESIDENT

Employing skilled staff has been difficult in many areas as mining and infrastructure projects have been pushing forward and travel restrictions during the pandemic have hampered the movement of workers.

Our members in Queensland and Northern NSW have been hit by several floods, which have devastated some regions and it will take time for them to get back on their feet. The East Coast Low weather systems have also been causing many challenges for the greater Sydney region as the rain just keeps coming.

Strategies for safety

Of course, safety is at the forefront of our minds and the EWPA Board has been working through our strategic plan with operator and machinery safety high on the list.

Our Technical Committee is well on the way to producing a Good Practice Guide for truck mounted EWP’s and an online learning module focussing on ground conditions will soon be freely available via the EWPA website.

We continue with industry consultation and education on Secondary Guarding Systems for MEWP machine controls. From a transport perspective, the HRIA has been successful in obtaining a second round of industry funding from the NHVR, which will allow the Association to provide load restraint training relating to Chain of Responsibility legislation.

The EWPA has been offered resources through our involvement with the Global Rental Alliance which will help fast-track producing further guidance documents such as more detailed load and unload procedures.

Supply chains around the world have been affected by Covid and war, and Australia’s are no different. Reports from members having trouble obtaining equipment and parts are common, so making your business as efficient and well prepared as possible is a must.

At the time of writing this report, most states were living with COVID-19 with few restrictions, except WA (my state). We have

managed through by locking boarders and isolating and are now open and dealing with increased Covid in the community.

I am sure WA would have learned much from the experiences of our other states, so here’s hoping we can have some ‘plain sailing’ in front of us regarding COVID-19 issues.

Connecting in person

As travel and meetings are once again a feature on our calendars, it’s great to see all the states planning their meetings and events for the rest of 2022. Please keep an eye on invitations from the Association to see when the next meeting in your area is coming up.

Whilst the supply chain has disrupted and slowed the availability of machines and parts, the resilience and agility of our members prevails. It may take some time to get back to pre-pandemic levels of supply, with some predictions being late 2023, but this has not stopped members getting behind HIRE22 in Adelaide. Thank you to all our sponsors and suppliers for supporting this event.

Looking forward, I can’t wait to see you all at HIRE22 in Adelaide in May. Getting together at the convention is a way to support each other, share ideas and build on a positive outlook, knowing that we are all in this together and there will be good times ahead.

You can visit the EWPA stand for a virtual reality MEWP experience, courtesy of the Serious Labs simulator. Visitors can browse through information and chat with some industry experts who will be volunteering their time to man the stand. There will be a focus on the Access industry in the social events too, including ClubHIRE at the InterContinental Bar, and an Evening with Doctor Richard Harris at the Adelaide Oval.

For a full program of events, please visit the convention website at HIRE22.com.au.

36

Access in Action

ALMAC

Almac anti-collision detection puts safety first Manufacturers are advancing EWP capabilities as quickly as new technologies emerge and evolve.

MAY 2022

Before operating an EWP in, around, or near fixed structures, SafeWork Australia has identified that a person conducting a business or undertaking (PCBU) must eliminate crush risks by identifying hazards and assessing and controlling risks where practicable to do so.

Secondary guarding

SafeWork Australia has developed guidance for managing the risks of EWPs. This includes avoiding the use of EWPs not fitted with secondary guarding when there is a risk of crushing. Various secondary guarding devices may help prevent crush or trap injuries, depending on the type of EWP and type of work being done.

AlmaCrawler is fitted with intelligent integrated anti-collision sensors (compliant to Australian and New Zealand standards) to prevent the movement of their EWPs into unsafe areas. This feature is available on the JIBBI (see below/opposite etc re boxed copy), Athena, and Billennium range of EWPs.

Safety sensors

Buyers of elevated work platforms balance many considerations when deciding their next asset purchase, including efficiency and productivity, total cost of ownership (TCO), utilisation, hire rates, and resale value.

However, the most critical component is operator safety. SafeWork Australia recently reported that incidents involving EWPs have resulted in death and serious injury, with at least nine fatalities and 355 workers’ compensation claims between 2015 and 2019.1 Common hazards related to the use of EWPs include uneven or unstable ground, machine failure, falling objects, weather-related hazards, and traffic or pedestrians.

The range of motion available on some modern EWPs introduces the increased possibility of a crushing incident for operators. Almac sees the risks as highest when: • equipment is used near overhead structures such as roofs, beams, trees, pipework; • a platform moves unexpectedly near an overhead structure due to uneven or unstable ground; • ineffective use of controls, or a controls malfunction; • the operator becomes distracted while manoeuvring the EWP.

During operation, Almac’s anti-collision sensors create a large proximity-detection zone above the operator.

These monitor for potential impact with any overhead obstructions that may result in injury or death and damage to the equipment or surrounding structures.

The main sensors are fitted to the top rail of the platform and are always active during operation. If a proximity breach is detected, the sensors trigger both an audio and visual alarm while simultaneously locking other machine’s functions except for the lowering ability. The operator must initially release the control and assess the surroundings to determine the detected proximity risk.

Should the operator decide to continue with elevation, a three-second delay is activated before continuing.

While secondary guarding technology will undoubtedly minimise the risks involved in working at heights, accidents can unfortunately occur at any time.

Employers must ensure that operators are fully trained on safe use of the EWP. Operation manuals and manufacturer specifications should always be followed, ensuring that safety features are not ignored, modified, or removed at any time. Safety standards, signage, PPE, training, and checklists all form part of controlling risks in relation to the use of EWPs. Emerging technologies such as AlmaCrawler’s collision detection capabilities, coupled with regular machine maintenance and other preventative measures against EWP hazards, will ensure more workers return home safely to their families at the end of the day.

Explore the AlmaCrawler product range at www.almac-pacific.com.au.

New Guide on Managing the Risks of Elevating Work Platforms, September 2021, SafeWork Australia 1

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38

Access in Action

CHADWICKS

MAY 2022

Chadwick Forklifts expands in northwestern Victoria Chadwick Forklifts relocated their Sunshine operations to larger premises after the business experienced continued growth.

Their new site at 14 Industrial Drive, Sunshine West (pictured) has a 1000 square metre factory and 350 square metres of office space. There are conference and boardroom facilities, a dedicated dispatch office, internal wash bay and overhead crane. A large truck turning circle makes pick-up and drop-off logistics easy and efficient.

“The large space facilitates our continued plans and strategy of growth in the northwest area,” said Sunshine Branch Manager Steve Wells. “The custombuilt asset maintenance and repair area and overhead cranes significantly improve our service offerings to the customers and market”.

Chadwick Forklifts, voted HRIA Rental Company of the Year — Under $5m in 2021, have gone from strength

to strength over the past 12 months. Building on their reputation as being market leaders for rail and tunnel spec forklifts, they’ve expanded their offering to include ecofriendly zero-emission all-terrain buggies.

“This is part of our ongoing commitment to our customers and the environment and gives Chadwick Forklifts a tangible point of difference in the marketplace,” said Rental Manager, Melissa Chadwick.

Chadwick Forklifts specialise in electric, LPG and diesel forklifts and telehandlers. Their southeast Victorian branch is at 9 Wyman Place, Braeside. Look them up at www.chadwickforklifts.com.au.

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40

Access in Action

AHERN

MAY 2022

Ahern exhibits compact electric telehandler Ahern Australia is showcasing a lithium-ion electric compact rough terrain telehandler at HIRE22.

Representing the first electric telehandler in Australia, the Snorkel SR626E is up for Best New Product at the Adelaide convention.

Powered by 80V 300Ah lithium-ion batteries, the SR626E can perform continuously for up to six hours, depending on jobsite conditions. The on-board charger provides a full charge overnight, while off-board options are available for up to 2.5 hours for a complete charge. The new Snorkel SR626E delivers a maximum lifting capacity of 2,600kg and a maximum lift height of 5.79m, with zero emissions.

The SR626E delivers a reduction of up to 60 percent in operating costs over the diesel equivalent, while also reducing noise. Built to handle rough terrain, it shares full-time, four-wheel drive and an oscillating axle with its diesel equivalent, and three steering modes ensure the compact telehandler is easy to maneuver, even in confined spaces.

For operator comfort, there’s a highly ergonomic fully enclosed cab with adjustable steering column and suspension seat. An intuitive multi-function colour LCD screen displays key parameters and integrated diagnostics.

Snorkel backs all lithium-ion electric lifts with a twoyear parts and labour, and five-year structural warranty plus a 2000 charging cycles or two-year (whichever comes first) lithium battery warranty. Batteries at the end of their life are returned to Snorkel for recycling.

See the Snorkel SR626E in action, at Stand 26.

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42

Access in Action

SKYJACK

MAY 2022

Booms from the Skyjack Platform After temporarily exiting the boom market, Skyjack has positioned itself as a mainstream player during the past 15 years.

In an interview with Corey Connolly, their Senior Product Manager (pictured), we hear where the journey began for Skyjack and what gets their booms noticed by the hire market.

In 2006, Skyjack re-entered the boom market by launching its 40’ telescopic booms, later updating to a line of 40’ to 80’ telescopic and articulating booms, and a 30’ electric/slab boom, while making continuous adjustments to meet the demands of emission and design standards.

Early Days

Based in Ontario, Canada, Corey has been with Skyjack for more than 15 years, with 10 of those in the product management role.

“Skyjack’s original booms were launched in the late 90’s which included the standard 40’, 60’, and 80’ telescopic booms and 30’ and 40’ electric or slab booms,” said Corey. “These early machines also included the unique 40’ and 60’ TK (telescopic knuckle) booms, that not only telescoped but also articulated. A hybrid version of both a telescopic and articulating boom.”

“Unfortunately, these were launched during a period of significant consolidation in both the rental and manufacturing markets, which limited the demand for niche products such as the TK booms. Due to industry circumstances at the time, Skyjack was forced to make the tough decision regarding its boom product line to stay competitive in a rapidly changing market.”

From Scissors to Booms

In 2002, Skyjack was acquired by Linamar Corporation.

“With new ownership, and a different customer base, Skyjack understood that to successfully re-enter the boom market it would need to offer a machine that met customer expectations and aligned with the company’s overall design philosophy,” said Corey. “This would later show to be the impetus for a number of key design features that Skyjack continues to employ on its current lineup of boom models.”

Booms that stand out Corey Connolly, Senior Product Manager at Skyjack

Several features introduced by Skyjack have separated its booms from the competition.

“All of the 40’, 60’, and 80’ booms use an axle-based drive system which provides the best performance available while also minimising the cost of maintenance throughout the lifecycle of the machine,” said Corey.

“Similar to Skyjack’s scissor lifts, a focus of the boom design was for ease in troubleshooting and repairs. A big part of that is the control system. While it has evolved over the years, it’s simple and reliable, while it integrates into Skyjack’s telematics offering, ‘ELEVATE’, providing increased insight into the machines and their operation.”

Analysing onboard data has made it easier to understand how the machines are being used and how they can be optimised to meet user and jobsite requirements, while reducing operating costs.

“In 2021, Skyjack made significant updates to their 40’ and 60’ booms,” said Corey. “These changes were driven by customer and user feedback and data from the machines themselves that showed how they were being operated.”

While addressing recent design standard changes in North America Skyjack made enhancements that have been updated for Australia.

“One change was to increase the platform capacities on all the 40’ and 60’ models,” said Corey. “This allows for more personnel, tools, and materials on the platform, making the machines more versatile and efficient.”

Last year, Skyjack made even further updates to its 40’ and 60’ booms — adjusting machine dimensions, reach envelope and engine selection.

“These changes were driven by not only customer and user feedback but also data from the machines themselves that showed how the machines were being operated. All these changes combined, not only aligned with performance expectations but helped to increase customer return by lowering maintenance and operating costs,” said Corey.

Learn more about at www.skyjack.com/en-au.

Book a demo

www.trackunit.com +61 2 7908 7704

44

Access in Action

SERVICE PLUS

MAY 2022

JLG Industries launch Service Plus Service Plus is the new customer support initiative giving JLG equipment users and owners a smarter way to maintain their machines, no matter their fleet size.

Available as part of JLG’s broad suit of aftersales services, Service Plus offers a choice of two plans, preventative and comprehensive, allowing operators to select the one that best meets their needs.

A key benefit of Service Plus is that it provides a known, monthly fixed price for servicing and maintaining equipment, providing greater budgetary control and minimising the risk of surprises at the time of servicing. A regular service plan also provides longterm savings and minimises the risk of costly downtime by pre-empting equipment issues.

Service Plus ensures all machines are regularly checked and compliant with Australian Standards and job site requirements.

JLG Industries (Australia) Service Manager, Ryan Pragnell, said the new program was the latest of many aftersales services the company has developed and designed to make ownership of JLG equipment as

efficient, hassle-free and enjoyable as possible.

“Service Plus was developed to allow our owners to concentrate on their core business, while entrusting the servicing and maintenance of their equipment to JLG,” said Ryan. “This not only means that every box is ticked in terms of what’s required for the ongoing performance of the machine, but it also ensures that applicable compliance standards are met, while providing full pricing transparency with fixed known costs.”

Service Plus is currently only available in metropolitan areas, but JLG Industries can cater to customers in other markets or regional areas with Fixed Price Service Plans.

Contact JLG in Australia on 131 JLG to find out more. Find out more at www.ahernaustralia.com.au.

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46

Access in Action

MEWPs

MAY 2022

Ultrasonics detect crush hazards before they happen Until recently, secondary guarding systems required an incident to be underway before controls activated, such as the dead-man switch, e-stop, or crush bar.

Thankfully, their technology has evolved.

Until recently, secondary guarding systems required an incident to be in the early stages of occurring before controls would activate, such as the dead-man switch, e-stop, crush bar, however technology has evolved.

Problem: Mobile Elevating Work Platforms (MEWPs) assist in making working at height safer however there are still risks present that can endanger life. There is a risk that the MEWP operator or platform occupants can become trapped or crushed between the MEWP platform and an external obstruction during the movement of the MEWP. In addition to this, the platform itself can cause considerable property damage when coming into contact with objects or hazards.

Solution: MEWP Shield Ultrasonic Secondary Guarding Systems, in conjunction with safe work planning, help to minimise the risk of crushing and entrapment plus reduce the property damage should contact occur.

Conventional secondary guarding systems prevent bad situations from getting worse. MEWP Shield prevents the operator from getting into a bad situation before it occurs. It detects danger before you are in it.

Detecting hazards

MineTech Australia have released their new MEWP Shield for Scissor Lifts. The Shield uses ultrasonic sensing to detect potential crush hazards warning the operator before an incident arises.

The front and back sensors have a six metre range and are positioned to detect potential shear and collision hazards in that direction. The left and right sensors have a ten metre range along and above the side rails of the basket to detect collisions from these directions. All sensors can detect operators and objects overhanging the basket and minimum distance thresholds are configurable allowing the shield to be purpose fitted for any work environment.

These sensors feed back to the central Base Control Unit, which controls the output safety contact based on the current sensor distance readings and their corresponding minimum distance thresholds. The system controls the machine movement lockout, also

MEWP Shield for boom

known as interlock, through a pre-existing safety switch such as a dead-man switch or E-Stop circuit. This is done by connecting a safety relay output to the desired stopping signal circuit.

The shield is easily retrofitted by an auto electrician and compatible with all major MEWP OEMs. MEWP Shield secondary guarding systems, in conjunction with safe work planning, help to minimise the risk of crushing and entrapment plus reduce the property damage should contact occur. Conventional secondary guarding systems prevent bad situations from getting worse. The MEWP Shield prevents the operator from getting into a bad situation in the first place, because there is no such thing as being ‘half-crushed’.

MineTech are running national product trials for the MEWP Shield for scissor lifts. Contact MineTech to find out how your organisation can take the next step in engineered safety solutions at www.mewpshield.com or call 1300 MINE TECH (1300 6463 8324).

48

Access in Action

HIRE AWARDS & ELECTRIC EWPs

MAY 2022

Hire Industry Excellence Awards – Best New Product, Access As always, the HRIA convention will see a strong showing from the powered access market at HIRE22 this month. Vote for your favourite products on display from our shortlisted access machines: Ahern (stand #26), introduced their compact rough terrain lithium-powered electric telehandler to the Australian market in 2022 as the first manufactured product in its category. The award-winning fully electric Snorkel SR626E is for indoor and outdoor use.

Almac (stand #7) presents the JIBBI U-1570 LTH. The latest addition to their range is a lithium-powered lightweight boom lift, with a total weight of 2.95T. With dynamic and pro-active levelling technology, this highperformance machine can navigate uneven ground and steep slopes of up to 22°.

Genie’s GS1432M (stand #10) is designed for low-level access on sensitive flooring and space-restricted applications. Its E-Drive scissor lift delivers quality and durability while improving total cost of ownership and productivity.

Launched in Australia in late 2021, the versatile SIGMA 16 is the latest boom from Haulotte (stand #5). It’s designed with two simultaneous movements and an ultra-fast elevation speed.

Niftylift’s HeightRider 12 Low-Weight HR12L (stand #15) self-propelled boom lift is one of the lightest, most versatile machines in its class. Weighing 2,540kg (a 2,470kg lithium battery option is available), the HR12L fits on a trailer, saving on site-to-site transportation.

www.hire22.com.au

Go electric and make your statement Diesel and petrol overheads are straining profit margins and ROI. There’s never been a better time to invest in fully electric EWP’s.

Investing in electric EWP’s is just one of a few favourable financially based incentives for your equipment needs right now, says Darren Baxter, Managing Director of Access Sales and Spares. The Sunshine, Victoria based company is the exclusive supplier of the full range of electric Dingli and Dinolift EWPs. “With battery technology evolving at a rapid pace, their replacement time is longer, and your replacement cost will be lower in regard to Lithium and Absorbent Gas Mat, extending the longevity for your equipment,” said Darren. “Running and service costs over the lifespan of diesel or petrol machines in a rental fleet can be astronomical in comparison to service maintenance costs with lithium and AGM powered batteries which are maintenance-free.”

Darren lists the main rewards of owning electric machines as being both cost-

efficient and cost-effective. He says the quick chargers for lithium batteries that are becoming available let you fully recharge a machine that is near to flat within two hours, saving on your electricity bill.

“You can also feel confident in knowing that you are doing your part for the planet to reduce your carbon footprint every time you purchase an electric machine over a combustion engine machine,” said Darren.

“Your statement by changing to electric shows your intent on a long-term sustainable emission-free environment, which in turn will give your business the upper hand when looking to partner with bigger clients and projects, who share the same vision of a greener planet.”

If you’re ready to make the change and invest in greener choices, go to www. accesssalesandspares.com or visit their team on booth 64-65 at HIRE22.

• Niftylift’s HeightRider 12 Low-Weight HR12L

MAY 2022 VOLUME 23 NO. 4

24 – 26 May 2022 ADELAIDE

The leading event for the equipment hire market

The Leading event for the equipment 52 Metromap helps manage outdoor events FEATURES hire market from the sky 50 Events President Erin Johnston welcomes the return of outdoor events

54 Shortlist announced for the Hire Industry Excellence Awards’ inaugural software category

50

Events

EVENTS PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

MAY 2022

Scaling up fast for the return of events Finally, events are booming again, but there’s still a lot to unpack before a return to ‘business as usual’.

President’s message

BY ERIN JOHNSTON, HRIA, EVENTS DIVISION PRESIDENT

This month, the Adelaide Convention Centre throws its doors open to the HRIA community, two years after it was forced to shut due to COVID-19. The hire industry has shown enormous resilience in the light of the pressures brought on by the global pandemic and while many members, who have feet firmly in the construction and mining camps, have grown through the last 24 months, members in the events sector faced near total closure, and there’s a mountain to climb with the expectation that the events industry can simply turn the taps back on.

Staff shortages

Events in focus

The biggest issue facing event and party hire companies right now is how to scale back up to meet surging demand. Successfully maintaining assets during the downtime is being put to the test as we see our assets being re-deployed, so safety must be the number one priority.

Many wedding bookings have been delayed through the pandemic, and we’re seeing a surge in mid-week ceremonies since there are still only 52 weeks in the year. This puts added pressure on businesses whose employees are effectively delivering double the number of weddings or events each week. This high demand for insane turnaround times on equipment, coupled with the staff shortages, are certainly presenting our industry with new challenges and forcing us to all think on our feet to evolve and make the most of the demand while also looking after our teams and maintaining a high standard. This trend no-doubt has knock-on implications for stock, so addressing supply chain issues will also be an emerging problem.

However, we remain confident that the industry can adapt to new working methods, and I encourage all HRIA event members to join us at HIRE22 where we can voice these challenges and share our tips on how to manage the next phase of these testing times.

A major focus for the Association in the coming months and at HIRE22 is assisting the events members as the sector begins to crank back to life. “If the travel industry has taught us anything recently it’s how challenging reopening the market can be,” said James Oxenham,

Events employees are effectively delivering double the number of weddings or events each week.

HRIA’s CEO. “While there’s no magic bullet for managing the surge in demand, we know that offering support through a network of peers is a good place to start.”

At HIRE22 the HRIA will be hosting a workshop, lunch, and tour of Adelaide Oval for events members. “We’re working hard to encourage suppliers back the convention, but we’re honest about the hurdles facing members in this sector.,” said Scott Mundy, HRIA Operations Manager. “The markets are getting stronger again, and products are in short supply.

We want members to use the show as a forum to let the HRIA and its partners know about their biggest challenges so we can help.”

Pre-Covid, around 250,000 casual jobs were filled every year by overseas labourers via the 300,000 working holidaymaker visas distributed annually. In March 2021, there we just 160 overseas visa worker arrivals.

Since the Federal Government re-opened the borders, student and wokring visa holders have started to return to Australia in the tens of thousands, giving hope to the sectors that rely on casual labour to deliver their events.

Scaling back up

Register for HIRE22 online at hire22.

Events

HIRE22 AWARDS

MAY 2022

Software added to HIRE22 awards list In recognition of the enormous contribution that software suppliers and IT services make to hire industry productivity, the HRIA is recognising best new products as a distinct Software and Services category at HIRE22 for the first time. The category has shortlisted products from HRIA Technology Innovation partner, Point of Rental, and safety technology innovators, Minetech, Teletrack, The Fleet Office and Trackunit.

Point of Rental (stand #16) is shortlisted for its Essentials Enterprise product that includes features designed to work with retail software, allowing for hire to expand into new markets.

Minetech’s (stand #3) MEWP Shield Scissor Lift system prevents crush and shear incidents using ultrasonic sensors directed at the area immediately around the machine’s basket.

Part of The Fleet Office’s (stand #41) cloud-based FleetAdmin asset management software, the Asset Documentation QR Code Stickers, uses QR codes enabling the user to easily access relevant information.

• Minetech MEWP Shield Scissor Lift

Trackunit’s Asset Utilization (stand #13) function is shortlisted for its Bluetooth enabled Kin tag. Bringing visibility into the way smaller, non-powered tagged equipment is being used, it redefines asset monitoring and management.

• Part of The Fleet Office Fleet Admin software

• Trackunit’s Asset Utilization

• Point of Rental Essential Enterprise

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52

Events

METROMAP

How aerial imagery solves problems for outdoor event MetroMap’s high-resolution aerial imagery and measuring tools are a game-changer for outdoor event managers.

South Australia’s biggest domestic cycling race, the Super Series, uses MetroMap to overcome many logistical and time challenges in putting on its nine events. It allowed Jake Thomas, Super Series Race Director and Event Coordinator for AusCycling in SA, to manage the months-long planning processes better, communicate more effectively with stakeholders, and grow the event through improved time management.

Remote inspections

The Super Series has a significant footprint across seven different race locations, five different local government areas, and four events situated more than 50km from the Adelaide CBD. Courses range from a couple of kilometres in length to more than 100km.

MetroMap’s broad capture program ensured Jake and his team could remotely examine and take ground-level measurements of every road and host location without leaving their office.

“MetroMap has been really useful for the Super Series this year,” said Jake, “especially with planning, because it’s meant that we can do things like venue inspections, road inspections, and all other the things that normally involve a trip out to the site. Being based in Gepps Cross makes it difficult to get to every location while we’re trying to organise nine events at once.”

MAY 2022

MetroMap’s remote inspection and measurement capabilities simplified the planning for a completely new Super Series course in a complex Adelaide CBD location by streamlining parts of that intricate event.

“One of the races we developed for this year’s Super Series was the East End street race,” said Jake.

“MetroMap allowed us to map the exact distance of the barriers needed for that venue, meaning we didn’t need to pay for a stack of barriers sitting unused. We were able to do that without taking a walking wheel and measuring open roads in the middle of the city. We would have done a lot measuring on foot without MetroMap.”

Stakeholder communication

Aus Cycling SA made MetroMap imagery a crucial part of the participant and other essential stakeholder communications. Participant manuals showed the course layout and site plan so the event would run smoothly. Basing event assets on quality imagery enabled communications to be about more than location and infrastructure information, benefiting the way the event and AusCycling was perceived.

“Having a better image than anybody has ever seen legitimises what you’re doing,” said Jake. “Turning up with a super detailed map to meetings with council, residents, or traders’ groups tells them we know what we’re doing and gave us an air of authority.”

Better time management means better events

MetroMap better uses the event managers’ finite resources. For Jake, it meant using recovered time to support improvements.

“Super Series being an annual race means we get an opportunity to take what we’ve done year-on-year and constantly make it better,” he said. “We want more people to come out. We want the event experience to get better.

It’s tricky when to find more time before the event day, but recovering 15 minutes here, two hours there, and half a day elsewhere frees up time to take on those extra projects that might have been on the backburner for a couple of years.

You don’t save time necessarily, you just use time better do things that you otherwise wouldn’t be able to.”

Everyday tools for event managers

The Super Series has crowned its winners for 2021, but MetroMap has become an ongoing part of Jake’s and the AusCycling SA office’s workflow.

“We’re using MetroMap at least 10 times a week,” he said. “It’s become my first stop when I’ve got a question about what something looks like, or where I’m going to put something at an event. It’s become second nature that I’m curious about something and I go to MetroMap and look it up.”

Learn more about how MetroMap can help your business at www.metromap.com.au.

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Equipment

BEST NEW PRODUCTS

MAY 2022

Technology and Innovation — sponsored by Point of Rental

HIRE22’s Best New Products Innovation is powering the hire market and these products are leading the pack.

• Taman Tools TDE2-AC Dust Extractor

This year’s Hire Industry Excellence Awards saw the highest number of entries in many years, particularly reflecting the appetite for efficiency and low-carbon-led technologies both home-grown and from overseas.

Below we summarise the shortlisted products and invite exhibition visitors to vote for the best products on show.

• Atlas CEA

General Equipment

United Equipment (stand#7) will show the versatile, heavy duty Almac 3T flatbed tracked carrier. The ML 3.0 FX can be fitted with AGM and/or lithium batteries. Both options are housed inside an extractable battery pack, allowing interchangeable efficiency on site.

Atlas CEA (stand #6) is exhibiting the ZenergiZe Energy Storage System for applications requiring continuous and demanding electrical power - ideal to properly size cranes and other electric motors in noise sensitive locations.

Flextool is shortlisted for its TuffTruk mini dumpers, on display on stand #9. Operator safety is optimised with the two-stage self-tipping skip and automatic motor brake system, wide profile mud gripper tyres, excellent load capacity and heavy-duty construction.

At stand #71 you can vote for the Satellite 480G4, from the new range of triple disc concrete floor diamond grinders designed with CAD technology and referencing 20 years of customer feedback.

Forkforce’s shortlisted ENFORCER Lithium Rough Terrain Forklift is on display at stand #33. Engineered with next generation lithium technology to deliver a highpowered driving experience with instant acceleration, a low-profile design (as low as 1985mm) and no emissions.

Generators Australia (stand #32) introduces its newest Globe Power solar powered lighting tower, the Metro GP43K. This unit features the latest safety features and audible warnings to prevent misuse and unsafe operation.

Husqvarna (stand #61) is showing their K1 PACE high power battery cutter, which has the power and performance expected from equivalent petrol-powered cutters. It’s equipped with X-Halt™ brake function for operational safety.

• Forkforce Enforcer Lithium Rough Terrain Forklift • Generator Australia Metro GP43K

• Manitou 1050RT

• Floorex Satellite 480G4

• Flextool TuffTruk mini dumper

Kanga (stand #35) are shortlisted for their HALO auger alignment system, built into the hood of the auger drive.

Visit Makinex at stand #70 to see the DPC2200 all-in-one dual-function pressure cleaner that combines a 450mm (18 inch) rotary surface cleaner and a pressure wand in a lightweight and compact machine.

Manitou (stand #21) is showing their 1050RT Pilot Series. Its update on the Manitou Compact Track loader range is the benefit of being loadable to the back of a small plant trailer and towed by a Hilux or Ranger.

First-time exhibitors Taman Tools are shortlisted for their TDE2-AC HEPA Dust Extractor with it’s twin motor HEPA filter vacuum, featuring an auto pulsing filter cleaner for continuous use. See Taman Tools on stand #69.

Vermeer (stand #18) show off their SPX25 Vibratory Plow, which they say is a “game changer” when it comes to cable, hose or pipe installation. There is no more need for messy and time-consuming ground disturbance by way of open trenches and back filling.

Also in this year’s General Equipment category is Wacker Neuson’s versatile SM100 Utility Track Loader.

You can see this excellent all-rounder on stand #65.

MAY 2022

Reduce your carbon footprint with T-ZERO lighting towers The latest European sustainable lighting tower technology is now available from PR Power.

PR Power works with industry leaders to provide greener choices, with the goal of achieving zero emissions. Their new T-ZERO PRO range of solar and hybrid lighting tower options will support hire companies in meeting their sustainability goals and those of the industries they supply with rental equipment.

PR Power is the exclusive Australian distributors for Italian manufacturer TRIME, Europe’s lighting tower specialists and market leaders in developing low emission lighting and power technologies. TRIME are the supplier of choice of environmentally friendly lighting products for many of the world’s largest rental companies.

PR Power has a collaborative working partnership with TRIME. Combined, TRIME and PR Power’s team of engineers and technicians have completed years of research and development resulting in the T-ZERO PRO range which demonstrates the extensive capabilities and performance of zero-emission mobile lighting.

LIGHTING

Equipment

“The range isn’t limited to lighting towers,” said Craig.

“There are T-ZERO hybrid generators, developed to reduce fuel consumption by up to 89 percent compared to standard diesel generators. Their smaller engine works mainly to re-charge the batteries, resulting in less noise when compared to standard diesel generators. The T-ZERO hybrid and solar models permit the end user to use only the power required, avoiding oversizing issues and meaningless CO2 emissions.”

A decade of hire support

PR Power has been supporting rental companies in Australia for more than 10 years, providing premium equipment and expertise to the hire industry. They have an established national branch network with an experienced team dedicated to providing quality products, service, spare parts and technical support.

“PR Power has distributorships with market leading companies including TRIME, JCB, Cummins and Powerlink,” said Craig. “We continue to work with industry leaders to provide greener choices with the goal of achieving zero emissions.”

To find out more call the PR Power team on 1300 399 499 or visit www.prpower.com.au

Hitting sustainability targets

The launch of the T ZERO PRO product line into the Australian rental industry brings PR Power closer to achieving its own zero carbon target.

“The range includes fully solar powered units which operate in complete silence, with no exhaust fumes while still achieving the equivalent power generated by diesel engines,” said Craig Parker, Director at PR Power.

“Low emission hybrid lighting options are also available providing high light output, extended run times, and efficiency. Minimal maintenance is required, with the range containing features such as the latest telemetry, safety controls, tracking and geofencing technology.”

The T-ZERO PRO batteries use an intelligent control system which monitors individual cell temperature to deliver optimal recharging with high recharge speeds.

When one battery is in use, the other will recharge.

To avoid overheating, freeze technology cools the batteries by absorbing thermal energy, maintaining the optimal temperature.

55

Green World Award winner TRIME’S T-ZERO X-SOLAR HYBRID lighting tower, which is similar to the T-ZERO tower pictured above, is a 2022 winner of the prestigious UK Green World Awards for its exceptional energy management.

It has a fold-out solar lighting panel to power the tower as well as simultaneously charging the battery pack. Backup power is sourced from a combustion engine which provides a run time of up to 3,000 hours from a single tank of fuel.

The X-SOLAR HYBRID only needs to be refuelled once a year and has a 99 percent fuel saving when compared to a traditional metal halide lighting tower. PR Power has exclusive distribution of the X-SOLAR HYBRID unit and the T-ZERO PRO product line.

56

Equipment

FORKLIFT JIBS

Big jobs need big jibs When moving heavy loads from containers, you need the right forklift and lifting equipment or things can go wrong.

Handling materials in the workplace has become easier thanks to the many lifting attachments available in the market today. But when you’re dealing with loads weighing up to 12 tonnes, you could hardly be blamed for wondering where to start.

Forklift jibs are one of the most common lifting attachments used to lift and move heavy loads around a work site. They come in a range of styles and sizes to suit the lifting requirements of most weights.

With the largest range of forklift jibs available, Australia’s leading supplier of material handling equipment, East West Engineering, has extended their range to include a massive 12 tonne jib for those heavier lifts.

The SFJCL120 Lifting Jib is a 12T general purpose telescopic jib designed to suit most lifting and maintenance requirements of larger forklifts.

MAY 2022

Featuring seven lifting positions and a four-metre reach when fully extended, this jib includes wide 275mm pockets with 1000mm centres suitable to handle the big 250 x 100mm forks often fitted on the larger 16-20T forklifts.

The first product developed at East West Engineering was in fact a jib.

“When we first started out in 1974 as a steel fabrication and installation company, we experienced a lack of quality engineered and certified lifting equipment needed to efficiently and safely run operations on large government projects.” said Ron King, the company’s founder.

“This resulted in the development of the first of many jib attachments and the evolution of East West Engineering in 1981. It seems fitting that we have continued this passion and now offer 24 specialised forklift jib attachments in our range.”

East West Engineering has dedicated 41 years to developing material handling solutions for Australian businesses. Designed to optimise operational productivity and safety, all products are certified to Australian standards.

For product information, contact East West Engineering on 1800 061 998 or visit www.eastwesteng.com.au.

WHY HIRE FROM A HRIA MEMBER

ire and ental ndustry ssociation

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

Hire Industry Mag Bimonthly •

•

WITH OVER 500 CORPORATE MEMBERS, YOU WILL BE SURE TO FIND A HRIA MEMBER NEAR YOU.

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For more information or to join the HRIA visit www.hireandrental.com.au

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58

Equipment

FORKLIFTS

Toyota forklifts keep on trucking Simon National Carriers has bought 40 Toyota forklifts to help keep its warehouses running at peak capacity.

Their new fleet, supplied by Toyota Material Handling Australia, has been split between 7700 electric reach trucks and 32-8FG25 gas counterbalance forklifts.

Simon National Carriers run a start-to-finish service for customers where they will store stock in their warehouses until required by customers. Their assistant fleet manager, Scott Horwood, says they needed to upgrade the forklift fleet and canvassed products from a range of brands to find the equipment that best suited their needs.

Following an exhaustive testing process, Toyota was chosen for both its reach trucks and counterbalance forklifts, with a number of features standing out.

“Toyota was definitely one that I liked from a point of view of what they offered in their reach trucks,” said Scott. “Toyota offers a sit-stand-lean product where they can sit down or fold the seat up and stand up. For me that was a big bonus, in the way it would suit our fleet.

If we needed to move a forklift from depot to depot, we didn’t have to worry about whether it is a sit-down or stand-up forklift.

No emissions

Combined with the reliability and zero operating emissions of the reach truck’s electric powertrain, the TMHA offering was too good to pass up.

MAY 2022

The gas counterbalance forklifts also impressed Simon thanks to a couple of factors including the safety features and easy maintenance of the 32-8FG25 units.

“TMHA has a product that offers everything Toyota,” said Scott. “From bumper to bumper, all the parts are Toyota,” said Scott. “That is a pretty important thing when it comes to maintenance. No other product could offer that, Toyota genuine throughout.”

“The other thing they offer is the System Of Active Stability safety system. It’s a bonus for the operators because it means they are less likely to put the forklift in a predicament where it is going to roll over.

Scott also praised the inbuilt weight indicator, speed limiter and the ergonomic machine design.

The operators feel comfortable after working 10 hours a day, said Scott. “You have to look after the guys that use them, you don’t want them to be fatigued, you don’t want them to be unsafe.”

Service and performance

A strong relationship has been fostered by the Simon team and TMHA, with TMHA Queensland major account manager Martin Gross helping to facilitate sale of the correct equipment, thanks to his 35 years of experience with Toyota products.

Martin said the legendary reliability and class-leading safety of Toyota forklifts was a big factor in convincing Simon National Carriers to increase its fleet, after seeing the consistently excellent performance of the machines over a number of years.

“The reliability and safety were key factors to their decision making this time,” he said. “Safety is critical, and it’s critical to the industry really. We could offer some things that their competitors couldn’t.”

Martin added that the relationship with Simon is cherished by TMHA, and that he was looking forward to furthering their strong partnership.

Scott Horwood noted that Martin has been a treasure trove of knowledge for the company.

“Martin’s been great right from the get-go,” said Scott. “His knowledge is second-to-none, he knows his products back-to-front and dealing with Martin has been really easy, it’s been smooth, and he’s tried to help us in every way possible, even down to making sure the forklifts were delivered to the right depot.”

“The machines are brilliant,” said Scott. “They just keep going and going and going. They’re good, solid forklifts that are built to last. They’re backed by the factory and the service is there to back it up.”

The origin of Simon National Carriers can be traced back to the 1920s when it began as a timber company.

By 1973 it had expanded its business to include trucking and transport.

Over the decades it has evolved into the Australiawide operation it is today, with depots across the nation offering services from warehousing to project logistics and fleet operations.

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.

60

Equipment

PUMPS

MAY 2022

Aussie’s hire flood rescue Hire industry suppliers like Aussie Pumps move fast during natural disasters to save people and properties.

We’re not sure why climate change occurs but it certainly does seem to be changing. We suffered through the fires of Black Summer in 2020 and are now helping in the devastating floods that don’t just happen once or twice but seem to keep happening on a regular basis.

Aussie Pumps moved into high gear to build more Trash Pumps, High Pressure Water Blasters and similar equipment to keep up with demand.

“We know that hire has a responsibility to spring into action for all these natural disasters” said Aussie Pumps’ HP Manager, Hamish Lorenz.

“The problem is it’s difficult to forecast when you’re going to need hundreds of pressure cleaners or loads of 2”, 3”, 4” and sometimes 6” Trash Pumps. One thing is for sure, in a flood, you need to move dirty contaminated water fast.”

Trash pumps

You’ll find Aussie’s heavy duty first-world Trash Pumps, either Honda petrol or diesel drive versions, in many hire fleets. They are unique in that they come with a free five year pump end warranty in the models up to the big 6” Kubota powered in QP60TD, a heavy duty cast iron self

Aussie Pump’s 6” Kubota pump moved water at 6,000 litres per minute during the Horsham flood of 2011.

priming Trash Pump that moves up to 4,200lpm.

The machine is powered by a Kubota water cooled diesel engine and comes skid-mounted with an integrated lifting bar. It’s portable and weighs in at only 680kgs. But it moves an awful lot of water.

For even more grunt, the Kubota-powered pump’s big brother is a huge 6” cast iron self priming trash pump that delivers 6,000lpm and heads as high as 47m.

Powered by a 80hp Deutz air-cooled diesel engine, the machine is fitted with 152L fuel tank built into the skid base that allows it to run, without refuelling for up to 11 hours. This model can come with a construction style, heavy duty trailer and is famous for having saved the town of Horsham from flooding in 2011.

Not everybody needs a 6” pump to save their home or clean out their shop but Aussie’s Transfer Pumps, will move dirty water fast while their 2”, 3” and 4” Trash Pumps will handle up to 2,000lpm of solids laden water at up to 1600lpm.

These portable Honda petrol engine or Yanmar diesel drive machines are widely used on quarries, mine sites and are indispensable in flood events. Dirty water, sometimes laden with sewage can create a massive health issue. Contaminated liquid can be moved fast by a battery of heavy duty Trash Pumps.

The big clean up

All of us are only now starting to realise the enormity of the task involved in cleaning up after the recent floods. We also don’t know if we’re going to have reoccurrences in the coming weeks but believe this is possible and likely.

Engine drive pumps, big wet/dry vacs like the Aussie Eco Clean machines used by Coates Hire, are all indispensable in the clean up process.

“A Bunnings DIY special may perform some useful task but it will be a slow and very time consuming process” said Hamish. “On the other hand, getting one of our big 13hp 4,000psi Aussie Scuds on the job will make all the difference in the world” he said. The Scud is preferred by renters and popular with hire. It’s designed to be ‘hireproof’.”

The Scuds are available with a wide range of attachments as well that make flood clean up faster and more efficient.

“Extension wands, flat surface cleaners, even turbo lances are all available as part of the Aussie Pump kit,” said Hamish. “They cut cleaning times dramatically. A Telewand with a 5.5m reach is far safer than climbing up a ladder with a pressure cleaner gun in your hand.”

“That’s a stark reminder that the floods are not just a television show, it’s a real event affecting real people and we who are committed to the hire industry can really help.”

Go to www.aussiepumps.com.au for information about hire rescue packages.

ire and ental ndustry ssociation

WHY HIRE?

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.

ENSURE EFFICIENCY

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.

Visit www.hireandrental.com.au

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Equipment

MACHINERY

MAY 2022

Fecon forestry equipment is built tough for Australian conditions There’s a new solution for Australian timbers that are extremely hard to refine and difficult to mulch. means more bites per second and finer material sizing.

With heavier material, the Bull Hog delivers more rotor torque, keeping the rotor turning when other heads may stall.

Mulching tractors

Many European, and even some Australian-made units, struggle to perform effectively and reliably in harsh Australian conditions. The Fecon range of forestry attachments are made for the job.

Fecon is the USA’s premier manufacturer of skid steer and excavator mulching heads, world-renowned for building the toughest attachments in the industry and with more than 30 years’ experience in forestry and vegetation management. Despite being made in the USA, however, Fecon products are engineered and constructed with the durability and power to tackle any Australian timber.

The Bull Hog

Perhaps the most famous member of Fecon Australia’s attachment family is the ‘Bull Hog’ mulching head.

Designed to be powerful and versatile, various Bull Hog mulcher models suit track and skid steer loaders offering anywhere from 53 up to 191 LPM of hydraulic flow, plus mini and large excavators sized from five tonne and above.

Bull Hog mulchers are built for durability, performance and value for money. Innovative engineering, premium quality steel throughout, reinforced rotors and mulching teeth and exceptional welding processes combine to deliver strength and longevity. Variable motor speeds maximise the overall performance. For lighter material loads, higher RPM

The FMX36 Hydradig in action

Fecon’s all-new FTX150-2 mulching tractor was recently released in Australia. It’s the next generation version of the popular FTX150. Engineered as a tough, formidable and versatile tractor running high flow hydraulics with loader arms, the FTX150-2 can tackle many different tasks including mulching, tree felling, bucket work, grappling, asphalt grinding, mowing, stump grinding and more.

With 155hp, 227 LPM of hydraulic flow, optional winch, rubber or steel tracks and a robust D3 undercarriage with its massive 533mm of ground clearance, the FTX150-2 is for the many industries needing a supremely powerful and versatile track loader. It has a spacious, ergonomic and climatecontrolled cab with easy-to-use joystick controls and a 7-inch touchscreen IQAN controller, allowing operators to control everything — from air-conditioning to the intelligent Fecon Power Management System and machine troubleshooting.

Getting attached

Fecon’s vegetation management attachments include the revolutionary Stumpex for skid steers, track loaders and excavators; an auger-style stump grinder that uses slower but more efficient grind rotations to minimise mess and deliver a clean final result. Fecon’s tree shears are designed and constructed to nimbly shear, lift, bunch and carry multiple trees with a single attachment, also compatible with CTLs, SSLs and excavators.

Nationwide parts, service, sales and support is provided for all machines and attachments, ensuring that any scheduled or unplanned downtime is resolved quickly and easily. Support needs are catered for swiftly with no waiting weeks for replacement parts or service requests.

View the Fecon Australian range at www.fecon.net.au or call 1300 332 661.

Book your tickets at hire22.com.au

The Leading Event for the equipment hire market in Australia 24 – 26 May 2022 ADELAIDE

Point of Rental Sets New “Best Employee” Records MELBOURNE - At some hire stores, it’s their longesttenured staff member. At others, Point of Rental is their new up-and-comer.

Regardless of how long Point of Rental has been handling their hire operations, though, thousands of businesses named it their Employee of the Year in 2021. Different reasons were given - “It works 24/7.” “It helps train our employees.” “It’s made our team more efficient.” One owner even wanted to give Point of Rental a hug.

The 40-year industry veteran continues to be available to other businesses, too. See how you can put Point of Rental to work for you at pointofrental.com.

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Pictured: Point of Rental Software considers how it’ll innovate, grow, and who it can help to continue its streak in 2022.