Kennards Hire

What Kennards Hire does

Kennards Hire is Australia's largest family-owned equipment hire company, founded in 1950 and operating more than 220 branches across Australia and New Zealand with over 1,600 staff. The company rents a comprehensive range of equipment — from small tools and power tools through access equipment, lighting, pumps, temporary fencing and site accommodation, up to heavy machinery including 1–35 tonne excavators, heavy-duty rollers, and large stationary generators up to 1,250 kVA — alongside specialist rail, lifting, traffic-management, concrete, cleaning, safety, vehicles, test-and-measure, and landscaping equipment. Beyond dry hire, Kennards delivers integrated Specialist Solutions covering water management, site solutions and mobilisation compounds, power and renewables (including hydrogen generators, battery energy storage systems, hybrid solar/diesel systems, and biodiesel-compatible generators), certified temporary fencing, project management via Kennards Major Projects (KMP), and earthmoving and compaction. The technology layer comprises the Plant Portal (QR-code access to service history, certification, operating manuals, risk assessments and maintenance schedules), the EasyTrak telematics platform for fleet tracking and usage measurement, and an Account Portal supporting online ordering and account management. Revenue is generated through usage-based dry hire, managed-services and project-management contracts on major infrastructure works, and recurring commercial account agreements with 30-day invoicing; go-to-market is sales-led through the branch network, supplemented by enterprise field sales targeting Tier 1 contractors on large civil and infrastructure projects, with community sponsorships and an annual Construction Confidence Check research program supporting brand and demand generation.

Name

Kennards Hire

Legal name

Kennards Hire

Website

https://kennards.com.au

Company type

Private

Founded year

1950

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1,001–5,000 employees

Short description

Kennards Hire is Australia's largest family-owned equipment hire company, operating 220+ branches across Australia and New Zealand. It rents tools, heavy equipment, and integrated site solutions to construction, infrastructure, mining, energy, and DIY customers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Construction Equipment Rental

NAICS

Construction, Mining, and Forestry Machinery and Equipment Rental and Leasing (532412), Construction, Transportation, Mining, and Forestry Machinery and Equipment Rental and Leasing (53241), Commercial and Industrial Machinery and Equipment Rental and Leasing (5324), Other Commercial and Industrial Machinery and Equipment Rental and Leasing (53249)

SIC

Construction Machinery & Equip (3531), Construction, Mining & Materials Handling Machinery & Equip (3530), Services-Miscellaneous Equipment Rental & Leasing (7350), Industrial Trucks, Tractors, Trailors & Stackers (3537)

akta.pro primary industry

Earthmoving & Excavation Equipment Rental/Leasing (TLABAFAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Material Handling Equipment Rental/Leasing (Forklifts, Telehandlers, Reach Trucks) (TLABAFAF), Cranes & Heavy Lifting Equipment Rental/Leasing (TLABAFAD), Industrial Power & Energy Equipment Rental/Leasing (Generators, Light Towers, Compressors) (TLABAFAG), Surface Preparation & Compaction Equipment Rental/Leasing (Compactors, Rollers, Grinders) (TLABAFAJ), Site Services & Temporary Infrastructure Rental/Leasing (Portable Toilets, Fencing, Storage Containers) (TLABAFAH)

Keywords

• Equipment hire services
• Construction equipment rental
• Specialist project solutions
• Plant and tool hire
• Earthmoving equipment rental

Headquarters

HQ city

Seven Hills

HQ country

Australia

HQ region

Oceania

Offices10 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Infrastructure, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Equipment Dry Hire: Core revenue stream from renting equipment and tools to construction, mining, infrastructure, and commercial projects. Equipment ranges from small tools to heavy earthmoving machinery.
2. Specialist Solutions: Integrated project solutions including water management, temporary fencing, site mobilisation compounds, power and renewable products, and site services for major infrastructure projects.
3. Project Management Services: Dedicated onsite project management from total equipment solutions to maintenance and administration for complex projects.
4. Commercial Rates: Commercial project rates and long-term hire agreements for enterprise customers with dedicated account management and 30-day invoicing.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Kennards Hire rents construction, earthmoving, power generation, access, lifting, and site infrastructure equipment through 220+ branches across Australia and New Zealand. Beyond dry hire, the company delivers integrated Specialist Solutions (water management, site mobilisation, power and renewables, temporary fencing, project management) for major infrastructure projects, alongside a sustainable equipment range covering hydrogen generators, battery storage, and hybrid power systems.

Product overview

Kennards Hire is Australia's largest family-owned equipment hire company offering a comprehensive range of hire equipment across 220+ branches in Australia and New Zealand. The core offering is dry hire equipment across multiple categories (earthmoving, compaction, access, power/generators, lighting, pumps, site accommodation, temporary fencing, traffic management, lifting/materials handling, concrete, tools, safety, vehicles, rail, test/measure, and landscaping). Specialist Solutions are provided as integrated service offerings including Water Management, Site Solutions, Power & Renewable Energy, Temporary Fencing Solutions, Project Management, Earthmoving & Compaction, Test and Measure Solutions, and Site Mobilisation Compounds. The portfolio includes sustainable/alternative energy products (hydrogen generators, battery energy storage systems, hybrid power systems, and biodiesel-compatible generators) alongside digital services (Plant Portal for compliance documentation and Account Portal for online ordering). The TRADE EASY program provides trade customers with streamlined hiring processes.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• TRADE EASY: A benefits program included with all equipment hires, designed for busy tradies with features like faster hiring, skip admin, and account benefits.
• Solution Plant Hire
• Kennards Major Projects (KMP)

Products and services

• Earthmoving Equipment Hire
• Compaction Equipment Hire
• Generators and Power Distribution Hire
• Hydrogen Generators Hire
• Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) Hire
• Biodiesel Generator Hire (B5/B20)

Quantifiable outcome

• 91% of construction business leaders expressed confidence in the industry over the next 5 years (2025 survey)
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers11 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Surfing AustraliacoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 March 2026Official Major Equipment Hire Partner for the Australian Boardriders Battle (ABB) Grand Final for second consecutive year. Provides essential equipment to support event infrastructure, operations and broadcast requirements. Partnership focused on supporting community, family and grassroots sport.
• CPB Contractors United Infrastructure Joint Venture (CPBUI JV)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Principal contractor for Sydney Metro - Western Sydney Airport SCAW project using biodiesel across all generators supplied by Kennards Hire. Kennards Hire switched to B20 biodiesel achieving 200 tCO2e emissions reduction.
• Blue DiamondcoreTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2023Partnership with hydrogen technology company Blue Diamond to deploy EODev GEH2 Electro-Hydrogen Generators on construction sites. Blue Diamond provides the hydrogen technology expertise while Kennards Hire provides equipment hire and support.
• A W EdwardsminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Construction company using hydrogen generator technology from Kennards Hire and Blue Diamond at Transport for NSW Edmondson Park Commuter Car Park project. Award-winning construction company committed to sustainable solutions.
• John HollandcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Successful hydrogen generator trial on Sydney Water Upper South Creek Advanced Water Recycling Centre project. 100kVA GEH2 hydrogen generator paired with 90kVA BESS achieving 100% diesel reduction and 12.2 tonnes CO2 saved in 28 days.
• Pacific HoistscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022Long-standing partnership creating innovative lifting solutions including remote control system for air hoists used in Melbourne Metro Tunnel project. Pacific Hoists designed and built the JUUKO remote system while Kennards Hire supplied hoists and now offers the combined solution.
• Coleman RailcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022Long-standing relationship providing equipment and project management support for major rail projects in Shepparton and Williamstown. Kennards Hire Major Projects (KMP) embedded support with two representatives per major project.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Coates Hire: Australia's largest equipment rental company (part of Seven Group Holdings), offering a comparable full-range dry hire fleet (earthmoving, access, power, tools) and specialist solutions across ANZ construction and infrastructure. Most direct head-to-head competitor for Kennards' core branches and Tier 1 contractor contracts.
• Onsite Rental Group: Australian equipment rental specialist focused on construction, infrastructure and industrial customers with a national branch network. Competes with Kennards across general tool hire, access and small-to-mid earthmoving categories in the Australian market.
• Aggreko: Global temporary power and temperature control rental specialist; directly comparable to Kennards' power solutions (diesel, hybrid, hydrogen generators, BESS) on construction, mining and event sites. Notably, Kennards' Paul Nicholson previously spent 10 years at Aggreko.

Broad incumbents

• Sunbelt Rentals: Major North American and UK equipment rental business (owned by Ashtead Group) spanning general tool hire, specialty solutions and industrial rental. Comparable business model and Specialist Solutions bundling approach, including sustainability and telematics investments analogous to Kennards' Plant Portal and EasyTrak.
• United Rentals: World's largest equipment rental company operating a broad portfolio (general rental, trench safety, power and HVAC, fluid solutions) across North America and select international markets. Acts as a global benchmark for fleet utilisation, digital tools and Specialist Solutions pricing relevant to Kennards.
• Herc Rentals: US-listed equipment rental provider offering aerial, earthmoving, material handling and specialty solutions, including ProSolutions managed services. Comparable mix of dry hire plus integrated solutions and sustainability initiatives relevant to Kennards' Specialist Solutions model.

Others

• Ashtead Group: FTSE 100 parent company of Sunbelt Rentals, one of the largest equipment rental platforms globally. Strategic comparable and potential competitor on cross-border specialty solutions and a useful benchmark for ANZ-listed rental peer valuation and capital structure.

Emerging players

• BrandSafway: Global provider of access, scaffolding, industrial services and specialty rentals for construction and infrastructure projects. Relevant peer for Kennards' lifting, materials handling, access equipment and integrated site service offerings.

Regional players

• Speedy Hire: UK-listed equipment and tool hire provider serving construction, infrastructure and industrial customers with national branches and specialty services (lifting, powered access, environmental). Comparable in branch-network rental model and infrastructure end-markets, though UK-focused.
• Boels Rental: One of Europe's largest equipment rental companies operating a multi-category fleet (earthmoving, power, access, tools) with strong specialist solutions focus. Comparable in scale and category breadth to Kennards, though focused on European geographies rather than ANZ.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/KennardsHire
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/kennards-hire
• Facebookfacebook.com/KennardsHire

Compliance5 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Kennards Hire