What Alpha Hire does

Alpha Hire (with the detailed underlying data describing Kennards Hire) is described in source material as Australia's largest family-owned equipment hire company, founded in 1948 and operating more than 220 branches across Australia and New Zealand with over 1,600 staff. The company rents over 100,000 products across earthmoving and compaction, access, lifting, vehicles, concrete, pumps, traffic management, rail, site accommodation, power, and related categories to construction, civil infrastructure, energy, mining, government, trade, and DIY customers. Named enterprise engagements include Tier 1 contractors and government clients on projects such as the WestConnex M4-M5 Link Tunnels, M80 Ring Road, Sydney Metro Western Sydney Airport, Melbourne Metro Tunnel, Sydney Fish Markets, Dunedin Hospital, Adelaide North-South Corridor T2D, and the Fitzroy River Bridge replacement.

The company's product and technology platform spans dry hire equipment, an integrated Specialist Solutions bundle (water management, temporary fencing, site mobilisation compounds, power and renewables, site services, dedicated project management under Kennards Major Projects), and a growing sustainable equipment range that includes EODev GEH2 hydrogen fuel cell generators (zero-emission, deployed via a Blue Diamond partnership), Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) paired with diesel generators, solar/diesel hybrid systems, biodiesel-ready generators, and a sustainable range covering hybrid and battery-powered access, lighting, cleaning, and materials handling equipment. Specialty engineered offerings include a custom remote-controlled multi-hoist lifting system co-developed with Pacific Hoists and a wind-rated temporary fencing range certified to AS 4687:2022. Digital tools include a Plant Portal (QR-code-accessed service history and compliance documentation) and an online Account Portal for credit account holders, supplemented by the Trade Easy trade benefits program.

The business model is primarily usage-based equipment rental (daily or periodic hire) with a credit account / 30-day invoicing layer for recurring commercial customers and multi-year contract pricing for large infrastructure and mining engagements. Go-to-market is enterprise field sales through the national branch network, supported by dedicated specialist solutions teams (Power & Renewables, Site Services, Water Management, Earthmoving & Compaction, Kennards Major Projects) engaging Tier 1 contractors and government agencies on complex projects, alongside self-serve via the Account Portal and walk-in trade/residential hire at branch level. Marketing combines community sponsorships (Australian Boardriders Battle, Sydney FC, Eden Park), an annual Construction Confidence Check industry survey used as thought leadership, and earned media through trade press and ProductReview.com.au customer reviews. The company is privately held by the Kennard family, with the Kennards Hire Foundation funded by both the family and the operating business supporting youth and environmental causes across Australia and New Zealand.

Name

Alpha Hire

Legal name

Kennards Hire

Website

https://alphahire.com.au

Company type

Private

Founded year

1948

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Australia and New Zealand's largest family-owned equipment hire company operating 220+ branches and 1,600+ staff, renting 100,000+ products and integrated specialist solutions (water management, power, earthmoving, site services) to construction, infrastructure, energy, government, trade, 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

Services-Equipment Rental & Leasing, Nec (7359), Construction, Mining & Materials Handling Machinery & Equip (3530), Construction Machinery & Equip (3531)

akta.pro primary industry

Earthmoving & Excavation Equipment Rental/Leasing (TLABAFAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Site Services & Temporary Infrastructure Rental/Leasing (Portable Toilets, Fencing, Storage Containers) (TLABAFAH), Material Handling Equipment Rental/Leasing (Forklifts, Telehandlers, Reach Trucks) (TLABAFAF), Lifting & Hoisting Rental & Leasing (IMAHAJAN), Roadbuilding & Paving Equipment Rental/Leasing (TLABAFAB)

Keywords

• Construction equipment rental
• Earthmoving and compaction hire
• Specialist site solutions
• Power and renewables hire
• Industrial plant hire

Headquarters

HQ city

Sydney

HQ country

Australia

HQ region

Oceania

Offices8 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Equipment Rental (Dry Hire): Core revenue stream from renting equipment and tools to construction, civil, mining, and commercial customers. Equipment is hired out on a daily or periodic basis, with customers either collecting from branches or having equipment delivered to site. Dry hire (customer-operated) is the primary model, with specialist solutions including operator support available for complex projects.
2. Specialist Solutions and Project Management: End-to-end specialist services including water management, temporary fencing, site mobilisation compounds, power & renewables, site accommodation, and dedicated project management for major infrastructure projects. Provided as integrated turn-key solutions for complex projects including the M80 Ring Road, Sydney Fish Markets, Adelaide North-South Corridor T2D, and Dunedin Hospital.
3. Credit Account Invoicing: 30-day account invoicing offered to regular/commercial customers, enabling ongoing hire relationships and predictable billing cycles for businesses with recurring equipment needs.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Alpha Hire rents a broad range of construction, industrial, and infrastructure equipment — including earthmoving & compaction, access, lifting & materials handling, power, pumps, concrete, traffic, rail, vehicles, site accommodation, and tools — to commercial customers, government, and trade/DIY end-users across Australia and New Zealand through 220+ branches. Beyond core dry hire, the company provides specialist solutions and project management for complex projects, integrating power & renewables, water management, temporary fencing, site mobilisation, and on-site project management under turn-key engagements. Revenue is generated primarily through per-day/per-period rental rates and project-based specialist services, supported by 30-day credit account invoicing for regular commercial customers.

Product overview

Kennards Hire operates as Australia's largest family-owned equipment hire company offering a comprehensive range of rental equipment and specialist solutions across construction, industrial, and infrastructure sectors. The company operates over 220 branches across Australia and New Zealand with more than 1,600 staff. Its core offering includes over 100,000 products across equipment categories (earthmoving, access, lifting, site accommodation, power, pumps, concrete, traffic, rail, vehicles), supported by specialist divisions for Power & Distribution, Site Solutions, Specialist Solutions, Earthmoving & Compaction, and Water Management Solutions. Key customer programs include Trade Easy (trade benefits) and Account Portal (online account management). The company also operates the Kennards Hire Foundation for community and environmental philanthropy, and publishes the annual Construction Confidence Check industry research.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Trade Easy: Customer loyalty and convenience program offering benefits including easier hiring processes for regular customers
• Kennards Major Projects (KMP)
• Site Solutions
• Power & Renewables
• Temporary Fencing Solutions
• Specialist Solutions

Products and services

• Earthmoving Equipment Hire Rental of 1–35T excavators, heavy-duty rollers and earthmoving equipment for civil construction and infrastructure projects.
• Access Equipment Hire Rental of boom lifts and access equipment for working at height across construction, maintenance, and industrial access needs.
• Lifting and Materials Handling Equipment Hire Rental of lifting gear and handling equipment for moving heavy materials, equipment, and loads on complex worksites.
• Rail Equipment Hire Specialist equipment hire for rail construction, maintenance, and shutdowns built for high-compliance rail environments.
• Traffic Management Equipment Hire Rental of traffic control solutions including temporary traffic lights, barriers, and fencing for site access, roadworks, and pedestrian safety.
• Concrete Equipment Hire Rental of professional-grade concrete tools and machinery for high-volume mixing, cutting, grinding, and surface finishing.
• Pumps Hire Rental of industrial pumping solutions for water removal, fluid transfer, and dewatering across construction and utility sectors.
• Site Accommodation Hire Rental of portable site offices, crib rooms, first aid rooms, and ablution blocks for crew comfort and site convenience.
• Vehicles Hire Rental of vehicles for transportation and logistics needs on project sites.
• Test and Measure Equipment Hire Rental of advanced instruments to monitor electrical, environmental, and structural performance across commercial assets.
• Toilet Blocks Hire Rental of portable site toilets and ablution facilities for construction and industrial site accommodation.
• Water Management Solutions Specialist service providing end-to-end water management from planning and dewatering through to treatment, reuse, and compliant discharge.
• Temporary Fencing Solutions Certified wind-rated temporary fencing solutions compliant with Australian and New Zealand standards (AS 4687:2022).
• Power & Distribution Solutions Specialist power supply offering combining diesel generators, battery storage systems (BESS), hybrid setups, and distribution boards with expert support for construction, mining, utilities, and industrial sites.
• Site Solutions Complete site solutions including portable buildings, site toilets, temporary fencing, lighting, traffic management systems, and power distribution for safe, efficient project setup.
• Specialist Solutions (Integrated Major Project Solutions) Integrated turn-key specialist solutions for major infrastructure and complex projects, combining water management, temporary fencing, site mobilisation compounds, power & renewables, and site services under one provider.
• Kennards Major Projects (KMP) — On-site Project Management Service Dedicated on-site project management service from total equipment solutions through to maintenance and administration for major commercial projects.
• Earthmoving & Compaction Equipment Hire Specialist earthmoving and compaction equipment fleet including 30T excavators, 12T rollers, wheel loaders, watercarts, site dumpers, large mud buckets, and compaction attachments for large-scale civil construction and infrastructure projects.
• Hybrid Battery Generator Systems (BESS) Rental of battery energy storage systems paired with diesel generators for cycle charging, enabling battery-led silent power at night with diesel auto-start as backup.
• Hydrogen Generators (EODev GEH2) Rental of zero-emission hydrogen fuel cell generators (EODev GEH2 100kVA) producing electricity with only water as a byproduct, eliminating CO2, HC, NOx, and fine particle emissions.
• Renewable / Solar-Diesel Hybrid Power Systems Rental of solar-powered and hybrid renewable energy solutions for sustainable power generation on construction and project sites.
• Sustainable / Low-Emission Equipment Range Growing fleet of hybrid, battery-powered, solar-ready, and hydrogen equipment options for access equipment, landscaping tools, generators, lighting, cleaning machines, and materials handling to support lower-emission project delivery.
• Trade Easy Program Trade customer benefits program providing simplified account management, online ordering, and streamlined hire processes for regular equipment hirers.

Quantifiable outcome

• 91% of construction business leaders expressed confidence in the industry's performance over the next five years (2025 Construction Confidence Check, 608 surveyed).
• +7 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Blue Diamond (hydrogen technology)coreTechnology or Integration · 1 August 2023Blue Diamond partnered with Kennards Hire to deploy EODev GEH2 Electro-Hydrogen Generators on construction sites, providing zero-emission power solutions for clients including A W Edwards at the Edmondson Park Commuter Car Park project. Blue Diamond provides the hydrogen technology and technical expertise while Kennards Hire supplies the equipment and commercial relationship with construction customers.
• Pacific HoistscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 August 2022Pacific Hoists (world's first carbon-neutral lifting company) and Kennards Hire co-developed a custom remote control system allowing a single operator to control four JDN 30-tonne air hoists simultaneously for the Melbourne Metro Tunnel project. Pacific Hoists designed and built the JUUKO remote system; Kennards Hire supplied the hoists and now offers the combined solution to customers.
• Surfing AustraliaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerKennards Hire was the Official Major Equipment Hire Partner of the Australian Boardriders Battle (ABB) Grand Final for the second consecutive year. Kennards Hire supplied event infrastructure equipment, logistics, and on-site support from multiple branches including Burleigh and Labrador, with branded activations visible in broadcast coverage.
• Sydney FCminorGTM or Marketing PartnerKennards Hire partners with Sydney FC through the Kids Bay initiative, providing disadvantaged children and their families with matchday VIP experiences at Allianz Stadium. The Kennards Hire Foundation and Kennards Hire business co-fund the initiative, with Sydney FC providing the sporting event platform and player involvement.
• Kennards Hire Foundation — Charity PartnersminorOthersThe Kennards Hire Foundation (funded by Kennard family and Kennards Hire business) provides funding, in-kind equipment, and capacity-building support to 16 non-profit organisations. AU youth: BackTrack, Country Education Foundation, Dismantle, Ganbina, KidsXpress, Lighthouse Youth Projects, MITS, Our Place, The Smith Family, Stepping Stone House, TRACTION. NZ youth: KidsCan, Springboard. Environment: Australian Wildlife Conservancy, Bush Heritage Australia, Taronga Conservation Society.
• Eden ParkminorGTM or Marketing PartnerKennards Hire sponsors Eden Park (Auckland's major stadium), continuing its 'KEN OATH' community brand presence in New Zealand sports.
• Life Cycle (charity)minorOthersKennards Hire has supported Life Cycle for 20 years, a charity raising millions for young Australians impacted by cancer. Kennards Hire provides equipment and operational support for Life Cycle events.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Boels Rental: Boels Rental is one of Europe's largest equipment rental providers with broad construction and industrial fleet across multiple countries. Comparable as a multi-country generalist rental incumbent pursuing category expansion (e.g., specialist divisions) similar to Kennards' Specialist Solutions offering.
• Speedy Hire: Speedy Hire is a UK-listed equipment rental and services provider to construction, infrastructure and industrial customers. Comparable to Kennards Hire on multi-category fleet, account-based commercial customers, and investment in low-emission equipment.

Direct peers

• United Rentals: United Rentals is the world's largest equipment rental company, offering aerial, earthmoving, industrial and specialty equipment across North America. Comparable to Kennards Hire on national-branch distribution model, fleet breadth, and enterprise sales motion to construction and industrial customers.
• Herc Rentals: Herc Rentals is a North American full-line equipment rental supplier serving construction, industrial and infrastructure customers. Comparable on multi-category fleet model, branch network strategy, and enterprise customer motion.
• Aggreko: Aggreko is a global leader in temporary power generation and temperature control, with major operations in Australia. Directly comparable to Kennards Hire's Power & Renewables division, including diesel, hybrid BESS, and increasingly hydrogen offerings; Paul Nicholson (Power & Renewables at Kennards) previously spent 10 years at Aggreko.
• Coates Hire: Coates Hire is Australia's largest equipment hire company (part of Seven Group Holdings), operating a national branch network across general construction, industrial and infrastructure equipment. It is the closest direct competitor to Kennards Hire across dry hire, specialist solutions, and Tier 1 contractor relationships.
• Ashtead Group (Sunbelt Rentals): Ashtead Group owns Sunbelt Rentals, the second-largest equipment rental company in North America and a major UK player. Comparable to Kennards Hire on fleet diversification strategy, specialty solutions expansion, and Tier 1 contractor focus.
• H&E Equipment Services: H&E Equipment Services is a US-based full-service equipment rental provider serving construction, industrial and infrastructure end markets. Comparable to Kennards Hire on earthmoving, aerial, and specialty rental mix and on serving mid-to-large contractor customers.

Regional players

• Tutt Bryant Hire: Tutt Bryant Hire is an Australian equipment hire and sales business serving construction, mining, and infrastructure customers. Comparable as a regional Australian hire competitor with overlapping categories in earthmoving, lifting, and access equipment.
• Onsite Rental Group: Onsite Rental Group is an Australian equipment rental company focused on construction, mining, and industrial customers across regional and metropolitan Australia. Direct regional peer to Kennards Hire with overlapping earthmoving and industrial fleet categories.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/kennardshire
• Facebookfacebook.com/KennardsHire
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/alpha-hire
• Instagraminstagram.com/kennardshire

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 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 Alpha Hire