RPM Hire

What RPM Hire does

RPM Hire is an Australian privately-held traffic management equipment hire company founded in 2011 by Ash Woodcock with three Variable Message Signs, now operating seven branches across Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Sunshine Coast, Perth, Adelaide, and Tasmania. The company rents a comprehensive fleet of electronic signage (VMS, Variable Speed Limit Signs, arrow boards, radar speed signs, advertising and video boards), portable traffic lights (including pedestrian and TriLight variants), mobile CCTV trailers, the Portaboom portable boom gate, lighting towers (diesel and solar variants), and an extensive barriers portfolio spanning steel, concrete, water-filled, HighwayGuard, Klemmfix, hostile vehicle mitigation barriers, and crash cushions. Equipment is largely trailer-mounted, solar-powered where feasible, and equipped with GPS tracking and tamper alarms, with select products integrating Mooven for real-time dynamic messaging and BARTCO VMS Web Studio for remote programming.

The business operates a quote-based, usage-based equipment rental model with flexible hire periods from single-day events to multi-year infrastructure projects, augmented by an optional Gold Equipment Protection plan that functions as a recurring subscription-style add-on. Its go-to-market is sales-led through direct branch engagement and quote-based pricing, supplemented by event-driven industry participation (HRIA membership since 2018, Hire Company of the Year 2025), and serves five primary customer segments: civil infrastructure and construction firms (Westgate Tunnel, Metro Tunnel, Level Crossing Removal, City Tulla Widening), government and public sector (VicRoads, Queensland Local Buy), major events and venues (Australian Open, Moomba, White Night), retailers and SMBs (LED advertising signs), and mining and remote operations (solar-powered self-contained units). The company is founder-owned and bootstrapped with no external funding rounds disclosed, holds ISO 9001/14001/45001, ASHTAS, ARRB, and RMS certifications, and has been awarded HRIA Hire Company of the Year 2025 with an NPS of 90 across 2024 and 2025.

Name

RPM Hire

Legal name

RPM Hire

Website

https://rpmhire.com.au

Company type

Private

Founded year

2011

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

RPM Hire is an Australian, founder-owned equipment hire company that rents traffic management assets — VMS signs, traffic lights, CCTV trailers, lighting towers, and road safety barriers — to civil contractors, government, and events across seven branches nationwide.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Thomastown

HQ country

Australia

HQ region

Oceania

Offices8 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Traffic Management Equipment Hire: RPM Hire generates revenue through short-term and long-term rental of traffic management equipment including VMS signs, barriers, lighting towers, traffic lights, CCTV cameras, and related accessories. Equipment hire includes delivery, setup, and collection services. Pricing is quote-based with flexible hire periods available.
2. Gold Equipment Protection: Optional equipment protection plan providing coverage for theft, vandalism, accidental damage, collisions, and natural disasters. Provides peace of mind and reduces hire risk for customers.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

RPM Hire is an Australian traffic management equipment hire specialist providing trailer-mounted, solar-powered electronic signage, portable traffic lights, lighting towers, road safety barriers, crash cushions, and surveillance equipment on flexible hire terms. The company delivers turn-key solutions including consultation, delivery, setup, and collection, supported by GPS-tracked equipment, remote programming via BARTCO VMS Web Studio, Mooven real-time dynamic messaging integration, and an exclusive Gold Equipment Protection damage waiver covering theft, vandalism, accidental damage, collisions, and natural disasters.

Product overview

RPM Hire operates a comprehensive traffic management equipment hire business offering a diverse portfolio of electronic signage, barriers, lighting, and traffic control products across Australia. The core offerings include Variable Message Signs (VMS) and Advertising Signs for dynamic communication with road users and event audiences; Variable Speed Limit Signs and Arrow Boards for active traffic management; Portable Traffic Lights (including standard, Pedestrian, and TriLight variants) for intersection control; CCTV Camera Trailers for surveillance and monitoring; and Portaboom boom gates for access control. The barrier portfolio encompasses Steel Barriers, HighwayGuard Steel Barrier (exclusive product), Water Filled Barriers (Armorzone), Concrete Barriers, Klemmfix, and Hostile Vehicle Mitigation (HVM) Barriers, complemented by Crash Cushion end treatments (Absorb-M, Absorb 350, QuadGuard CZ, Raptor, Smart, SLED). Additional products include Portable Light Towers (diesel, 360°, X-Solar, X-Pole variants), Steel Road Plates, FLEYG Ramps, Road Quakes, Track Mats, and Cone Trucks. The Gold Equipment Protection add-on provides comprehensive coverage for damage and theft. Equipment is available for hire across Victoria (Melbourne), New South Wales (Sydney), Queensland (Brisbane, Sunshine Coast), Western Australia (Perth), South Australia (Adelaide), and Tasmania (Hobart, Launceston) with turnkey solutions including delivery, setup, and maintenance.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Variable Message Signs (VMS) Trailer-mounted, solar-powered LED display boards for traffic management, roadworks warnings, advertising, and event coordination. Features full-colour LED matrices, remote programming via BARTCO VMS Web Studio, GPS tracking, and Mooven integration for real-time dynamic messaging based on journey times, delays, and average speeds.
• Advertising Signs LED outdoor advertising displays on trailers for businesses to promote products, services, events, and retail promotions. Dynamically updated in real-time with vibrant visuals to attract customers.
• Video Boards 6 sqm outdoor LED screen trailers for events, festivals, sporting events, and advertising. Features built-in audio, plug-and-play operation, cloud-based content management, fully solar powered, and screen dimensions of 2.56m x 1.28m.
• Variable Speed Limit Signs (VSLS) Trailer-mounted electronic speed limit signs for temporary speed restrictions at roadworks and construction zones. Solar powered with 6-day battery backup, remotely programmable, ultra-bright LED displays visible in all weather conditions, with linear actuator lift raising display to 2.1m above ground.
• Arrow Boards Trailer-mounted LED arrow boards providing directional information to motorists for lane closures and traffic guidance. Solar powered with 120-watt system, multiple configurations (left arrow, right arrow, double arrow), and Vicroads/RMS approved.
• Evolis Radar Speed Signs Radar-based speed display signs that show drivers their real-time speed to encourage safer driving. Features optional data logger for traffic analysis, IP66 waterproof rating, anti-UV and anti-corrosion treatment, and EVOCOM software for configuration.
• Portable Traffic Lights Solar-powered, trailer-mounted traffic signals for temporary traffic control at roadworks, construction, and events. AS 4191:2015 compliant, RMS Type Approval, radio link communication between units, automatic or manual control, setup time under 10 minutes.
• Pedestrian Portable Traffic Lights Solar-powered pedestrian crossing signals for temporary pedestrian control at roadworks, school crossings, and areas with disabled traffic signals. Features manual, sensor, and automatic control modes with remote monitoring capability.
• TriLight Portable Traffic Lights Compact tripod-mounted traffic light system for rapid deployment in short-term situations. Features 20-hour battery life on 12V LiFePO4 battery, remote-controlled operation via hand remote, weather-resistant design with OLED display, and three operation modes (shuttle, plant crossing, single signal).
• CCTV Camera Trailers Mobile surveillance trailers for traffic monitoring, construction site security, and event monitoring. Up to 1080p HD resolution, 10x optical zoom, continuous 360° pan, 30-day recording capability, GPS tracking, VicRoads STREAMS software compatibility, Axis Zipstream viewing.
• Portaboom Portable Boom Gate Portable electronic boom gates for temporary traffic control and worksite access management. Controlled wirelessly from a safe distance, TIPES certified and ARRB approved, setup time under 3 minutes, no tools required.
• Portable Light Towers Diesel-powered LED mobile lighting towers for construction sites, roadworks, and events. 129,500 lumens output, 4200 sqm coverage, 200-hour operation time, 8.5m mast height, GPS enabled, 48V extra low voltage system.
• 360° Portable Light Tower LED mobile lighting tower providing 360-degree non-glare light dispersion for uniform worksite illumination. Energy-efficient operation and high visibility for night works and events.
• X-Solar Light Towers Solar-powered light towers with zero emissions, featuring 4x 360W retractable solar panels and energy-saving LED lamps for year-round all-weather operation.
• X-Pole Solar Light Towers Compact solar light towers with 200W solar panel and 8m telescopic mast. Zero emission, silent operation with energy-saving LED lamps for flexible placement.
• Steel Barriers Temporary steel road safety barriers with quick-link connection system for easy installation. Available in BG800 model and JJ Hook configurations for roadwork safety management.
• HighwayGuard Steel Barrier Next-generation portable steel road safety barrier with low-deflection design and fewer components. Exclusive to RPM Hire, offering enhanced safety performance for roadwork zones.
• Water Filled Barriers (Armorzone) High-quality plastic water-filled barriers requiring only steel twin pin connectors for installation. Reusable and portable for temporary traffic management applications.
• Concrete Jersey Barriers Heavy concrete road safety barriers including J-J Hook and DeltaBloc (DB80) models for temporary and long-term traffic management and worksite protection.
• Klemmfix Crash Cushions High-impact plastic barriers that restore to original state if struck by a vehicle. Cost-effective solution for temporary traffic control with easy deployment.
• Hostile Vehicle Mitigation (HVM) Barrier BLAX V2 3.5T hostile vehicle mitigation barrier for high-level security and protection at public events, cultural gatherings, and national events. Rapid deployment, no ground anchoring required, modular design.
• Absorb-M Crash Cushion Crash cushion barrier designed for safe deployment in narrow working spaces to reduce impact severity of errant vehicles.
• Absorb 350 Crash Cushion Water-filled crash cushions that connect to concrete barriers, providing impact absorption for barrier end treatments.
• QuadGuard m10 Crash Cushion Relocatable crash cushion offering latest technology for shielding hazards 610mm to 915mm wide. MASH approved.
• Raptor Crash Cushion Crash cushion barrier designed to reduce impact severity with utility poles or trees. Specifically aimed at protecting roadside infrastructure.
• Smart Crash Cushion MASH TL-3 rated crash cushion with unique design allowing impact absorption from all directions including front, side-on, and reverse angle during contra-flow with no structural damage.
• SLED Crash Cushion Narrow non-redirective gating crash cushion, TL-3 MASH approved for temporary barrier end protection.
• Steel Road Plates Heavy-duty carbon steel plates for covering trenches, excavations, and broken road surfaces. Available in small, medium, and large sizes with non-slip coating and secure lifting points. Made from 25mm thick AS3678-250 GRADE carbon steel.
• FLEYG Road Plate Ramp Revolutionary alternative to cold mix asphalting for covering steel road plates. 100% reusable and cleaner solution with non-slip, water-repellent surface and reflective markings. Quick to install and eliminates trip hazards.
• Road Quakes Temporary Rumble Strips Temporary portable rumble strips (TPRS) alternative to speed bumps to alert drivers of changes in road conditions. RoadQuake 2F model available for hire.
• Track Mats (Ground Protection Units) Ground protection mats for temporary access over soft terrain, protecting surfaces during events and construction.
• Cone Trucks Specialized vehicles for efficient deployment and collection of traffic cones for roadwork zone setup.
• Gold Equipment Protection Optional equipment protection plan providing transparent, cost-effective coverage for theft, vandalism, accidental damage, collisions, and natural disasters. Covers selected equipment including Arrow Boards, CCTV Trailers, Light Towers, VMS, VSLS, and Traffic Lights.

Quantifiable outcome

• NPS score of 90 in 2024 and 2025
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers11 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration4 records

Feature7 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• MoovencoreTechnology or IntegrationRPM Hire has partnered with Mooven to integrate real-time dynamic messaging with their VMS boards. This integration enables live journey times, dynamic detour advice, and adaptive speed warnings based on real-time metrics such as journey times, delays, queue lengths, and average speeds. The technology uses an adaptable rules engine to change message content as circumstances vary.
• Local Buy (Queensland Government)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRPM Hire is a prequalified supplier for Traffic Management Services through Queensland Government's Local Buy program (Vendor Panel code LB325). Local Buy provides impartial probity services to Queensland Government entities, ensuring efficient, transparent, and reliable procurement processes.
• Hire and Rental Industry Association (HRIA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerActive member of HRIA since 2018, participating in Young Professionals in Hire and Women in Hire programs. Won Hire Company of the Year 2025 through HRIA recognition.
• Transport Infrastructure Product Evaluation Scheme (TIPES)coreTechnology or IntegrationPortaboom received full certification from TIPES on 15th July 2016, enabling national approval for use on all federal, state, and local roads in Australia through ARRB.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Emerging players

• Mooven: New Zealand-based intelligent work zone software platform that integrates with RPM Hire's VMS boards for real-time dynamic messaging. An emerging technology player in the same traffic management value chain whose software stack increasingly defines category expectations.

Broad incumbents

• Coates Hire: Australia's largest general equipment rental operator (now part of Onsite Rental Group), offering cranes, earthmoving, access, and traffic management equipment on national contracts. Overlaps with RPM Hire on traffic management hire but competes from a broad-line, larger-balance-sheet position targeting the same tier-1 contractors and government buyers.
• Kennards Hire: Major Australian family-owned equipment hire chain with nationwide branches serving trade, construction, and infrastructure customers. Carries traffic management equipment as part of a wider portfolio and competes for the same civil contractor and government customers, though its core focus is broader.
• Sunbelt Rentals Australia: Australian arm of one of the world's largest equipment rental groups, offering a broad range of traffic management and infrastructure equipment hire. Competes for tier-1 contractor and government work with the backing of a global parent and significantly larger balance sheet.

Direct peers

• WARP Traffic Management: Australian traffic management services provider offering traffic control plans, equipment hire, and on-site traffic management for civil and government projects. Comparable to RPM Hire on equipment side and competes for the same contractor and government contracts across Australia.
• Saferoads: Australian manufacturer and supplier of road safety barriers, end treatments, and traffic management products used by the same contractors and road authorities as RPM Hire. Directly comparable on the barrier/crash cushion hire and supply side, with overlap in highway safety product categories.
• Altus Traffic: Australian traffic management services company providing traffic control, equipment hire, and event traffic management to civil contractors and government clients. Closely comparable business model focused on the same infrastructure customer base.
• A1 Roadlines: Australian traffic management equipment hire and road services company serving civil construction, government, and event markets. Direct overlap with RPM Hire on VMS, barriers, and traffic light hire across metropolitan and regional Australia.

Regional players

• Hirepool: New Zealand's largest equipment hire operator with traffic management and infrastructure equipment across NZ branches. Comparable product set and operating model but geographically separate; useful proxy for cross-Tasman expansion potential.

Others

• BARTCO Traffic Equipment: Australian manufacturer of Variable Message Signs (VMS) whose Web Studio platform is integrated into RPM Hire's fleet. Functions as both an equipment supplier and ecosystem participant in the same connected-VMS category RPM Hire competes in.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks3 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/rpm-hire

Compliance5 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 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 RPM Hire