Open Source Community : VIT-AP
Kennards Hire is Australia's largest family-owned equipment hire company, founded in 1948 and operating 220+ branches across Australia and New Zealand with 2,000+ staff. It rents 100,000+ products across construction, rail, mining, energy, and DIY segments via branches, online portals, and dedicated project management.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1948
- HeadquartersBathurst, Australia
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Open Source Community : VIT-AP does
Kennards Hire is Australia's largest family-owned equipment hire company, founded in Bathurst, New South Wales in 1948 and operated continuously by the Kennard family. The business operates 220+ branches across Australia and New Zealand with 2,000+ team members, renting more than 100,000 products spanning power tools, earthmoving equipment, access platforms, pumps, generators (including hydrogen-fueled units), traffic management systems, rail threaders, and specialized lifting and concrete-care solutions. Customer segments include commercial construction, trade professionals, rail contractors, mining operators, energy projects, government and emergency services, and DIY consumers. Revenue is generated primarily through time-based usage rentals (hourly, daily, weekly), supplemented by 30-day credit-account invoicing for commercial customers, optional damage and vehicle waivers, and dedicated project management services for major infrastructure jobs. The company has no disclosed institutional shareholders and is funded through family ownership and operating cash flow.
The technology stack is operational rather than data-intensive: GPS-enabled telemetry on hire equipment for geolocation, speed, battery voltage, and ignition monitoring; a public-facing booking portal with real-time availability across 200+ locations; and an Account Portal that delivers credit-account customers custom pricing, online ordering, invoicing, reporting, and team management. Distribution is omnichannel, combining the physical branch network, online self-service, phone reservations, dedicated enterprise account managers, and on-site project management. Recent strategic emphasis has been on sustainability (hydrogen generator trial with John Holland and Sydney Water), accessibility (Sound Sensitivity Stations at Eden Park, Forsyth Barr Stadium, and Tamworth Festival), and digital self-service for trade and SMB customers.
The commercial model is a classic asset-heavy rental: fleet utilization, average hire duration, and branch density drive returns, while the family-ownership structure and 75-year operating history support long-tenured trade-account relationships and brand trust. The Kennards Hire Foundation, established in 2018, formalizes philanthropic activity through 16 non-profit partnerships, and rail-industry memberships (RTAA, ARA) underpin compliance for specialized rail equipment hires. No external capital, M&A activity, or institutional investment is disclosed in the source material.
Open Source Community : VIT-AP firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Open Source Community : VIT-AP
- Legal name
- Kennards Hire
- Website
- https://oscvitap.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1948
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- Kennards Hire is Australia's largest family-owned equipment hire company, founded in 1948 and operating 220+ branches across Australia and New Zealand with 2,000+ staff. It rents 100,000+ products across construction, rail, mining, energy, and DIY segments via branches, online portals, and dedicated project management.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Open Source Community : VIT-AP industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Equipment Rental Services
- SIC
- Services-Miscellaneous Equipment Rental & Leasing (7350), Construction, Mining & Materials Handling Machinery & Equip (3530)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Material Handling Equipment Rental/Leasing (Forklifts, Telehandlers, Reach Trucks) (TLABAFAF)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Industrial Power & Energy Equipment Rental/Leasing (Generators, Light Towers, Compressors) (TLABAFAG), Surface Preparation & Compaction Equipment Rental/Leasing (Compactors, Rollers, Grinders) (TLABAFAJ), Lifting & Hoisting Rental & Leasing (IMAHAJAN)
Keywords
Where Open Source Community : VIT-AP is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Bathurst
- HQ country
- Australia
- HQ region
- Oceania
Offices3 records
Markets served
Open Source Community : VIT-AP business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Equipment Rental: Core revenue stream from hiring equipment including power tools, earthmoving equipment, access equipment, pumps, generators, traffic equipment, and specialized industrial equipment. Charges based on hire duration (hourly, daily, weekly rates) with self-selecting rate system.
- Project Management Services: Dedicated on-site project management services for major commercial projects, providing single point of contact for equipment expertise and total solutions across the national network.
- Commercial Account Services: 30-day account invoicing for regular customers, with custom trade account rates, credit limits, and online account management. Additional waiver options (Vehicle Waiver Plus, Equipment Waiver Plus) available as optional extras.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Usage-based | Pay-as-you-go | Time-based rental tiers with automatic best rate selection |
| Usage-based | Daily | Vehicle Waiver Plus reduces excess for motor vehicle hires |
| Usage-based | Daily/Weekly | Equipment Waiver Plus reduces excess for medium/large equipment |
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | After Hours Returns service for convenient equipment return |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels6 records
Marketing channels9 records
Open Source Community : VIT-AP product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Equipment hire and rental services offering over 100,000 products across 220+ branches in Australia and New Zealand. Core business spans power tools, earthmoving equipment, access equipment, pumps, generators (up to 1250kVA), traffic management, and specialised industrial equipment. Supported by dedicated on-site Project Management for commercial customers and the TRADE EASY benefits program for trade professionals.
Product overview
Kennards Hire is Australia and New Zealand's largest family-owned equipment hire company offering a comprehensive equipment rental platform. The core offering includes over 100,000 equipment products from trusted brands, supported by the TRADE EASY trade customer program and Account Portal online services. The company provides specialized solutions across Power, Traffic, Site Solutions, Access, Concrete Care, Lifting Solutions, Test and Measure, Pump, and Earthmoving categories. Additional services include dedicated Project Management support, Credit Account facilities, and After Hours Returns options. With 220+ branches across Australia and New Zealand, the company serves construction, infrastructure, mining, energy, rail, and emergency services sectors.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Trade Easy: Exclusive hire benefits program for Trade customers including streamlined hiring processes and dedicated trade-focused services.
- Kennards Hire Foundation
Products and services
- Equipment Hire
Quantifiable outcome
- 36% of construction businesses rent more equipment from hire companies than previous year
- +6 more outcomes
Companies that use Open Source Community : VIT-AP
Customer profileNamed customers10 records
Segments7 records
Ideal customer profiles7 records
Open Source Community : VIT-AP technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
Open Source Community : VIT-AP partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
17 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.
- Tamworth Regional CouncilminorLocal government partnership to bring Sound Sensitivity Stations to Tamworth Country Music Festival for first time in Australia, making the event more accessible for neurodivergent attendees.
- SpringboardcoreNon-profit charity dedicated to uplifting disadvantaged youth in New Zealand. Partnership since 2018. 49 young people completed A Mua Ake Employment Preparation program in FY24 with 54% finding employment or further training. Kennards Hire Foundation funds programs while employees volunteer and mentor.
- North Harbour Rugby UnionminorSports venue partnership hosting community events for Springboard youth program. North Harbour Rugby hosts Springboard team at VIP seats during NPC matches to provide positive role models and experiences for disadvantaged youth.
- Forsyth Barr StadiumcoreSouth Island's first Sound Sensitivity Station installation at Dunedin stadium for sensory-inclusive events. Partnership extends accessibility initiatives from Eden Park to additional major venues across New Zealand.
- Eden ParkcoreIcon Partnership with New Zealand's largest stadium. Launched Sound Sensitivity Stations - first of their kind at a major NZ venue - dispensing free earplugs for sound-sensitive attendees. Eden Park CEO Nick Sautner committed to accessibility and inclusive venue experience.
- John HollandcoreConstruction company partnered with Kennards Hire for hydrogen generator trial on Sydney Water's Upper South Creek Advanced Water Recycling Centre project. Successfully trialed 100kVA hydrogen generator with BESS for zero-emission construction site power.
- Sydney WatercoreGovernment utility company delivering Western Sydney water infrastructure. Partnered through John Holland project to trial hydrogen power solutions for construction sites as part of sustainability initiatives.
- Kennards Hire FoundationcoreEstablished in 2018 by the Kennard family to formalize philanthropic activities. Vision: create a better future for Australians and New Zealanders by empowering disadvantaged young people and improving the environment through land and species conservation. Partners with 16 non-profit organisations providing funding, in-kind equipment support, and capacity building.
- The Smith Familycore25+ year partnership supporting disadvantaged Australian children through Learning for Life program. 214+ Learning for Life students supported plus 43 tertiary students. Foundation provides scholarships, Digital Learning Essentials program support, and in-kind equipment for fundraising events.
- BackTrackcoreYouth organization keeping kids alive, out of jail, and chasing hopes. Partnership since inception. $150,000+ in-kind donations plus 13 pieces of equipment in 2023. Supports Core Education, Works, and Tracker Network programs.
- KidsCan Charitable TrustcoreNew Zealand non-profit supporting children affected by poverty with food, clothing, shoes, and health products. 2024 funding helps provide essentials for 550+ children across 5 Waikato/Bay of Plenty schools. Buddy School Program supports 100+ schools.
- Australian Wildlife ConservancyminorLargest non-profit wildlife conservation organisation in Australia. Support for Waulinbakh Sanctuary near Stroud NSW protecting 170+ vertebrate species and 20+ threatened species including Koalas and Greater Gliders.
- Taronga Conservation Society AustraliaminorConservation organisation with Australia's largest conservation science team. Focus on Plains-wanderer conservation and breeding program at Western Plains Zoo. Previous support for Little Penguins, Rhino, Platypus, and Tasmanian Devil projects.
- Country Education FoundationminorNetwork of nearly 50 local foundations supporting rural and regional young people with education and career opportunities. Grassroots approach to unlocking pathways for rural youth.
- GanbinaminorAustralia's leading Indigenous school-to-work transition program for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people aged 6-25. Education, life skills, cultural appreciation, career guidance, and financial assistance.
- Melbourne Indigenous Transition SchoolcoreMITS provides transition support for Indigenous students from remote NT communities. Partnership helped expand boarding program to 100 beds, establish Year 8 program, and help 13 students attend Year 12 in 2024.
- Bush Heritage AustraliaminorConservation organisation protecting Australian landscapes by purchasing and managing land, partnering with Aboriginal communities to safeguard ecosystems for future generations.
Scale indicators12 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Open Source Community : VIT-AP competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Loxam: France-headquartered European equipment rental leader with a broad construction and industrial equipment range; similar multi-segment, branch-based rental model to Kennards at larger scale.
- Coates Hire: Australia's other major equipment rental company, directly competing with Kennards Hire in construction and industrial equipment hire across the same Australian geography with a similar branch-based model and product range.
- Herc Rentals: US-focused equipment rental provider (formerly Hertz Equipment Rental) offering general and specialty equipment across construction, industrial, and infrastructure segments — directly comparable in fleet composition and customer mix.
- Boels Rental: European equipment rental specialist operating 950+ locations with broad construction and industrial equipment offerings; comparable to Kennards on a smaller scale in a different geography.
- H&E Equipment Services: US-based heavy equipment rental company serving construction, industrial, and infrastructure customers with a branch-based model; comparable to Kennards in earthmoving, material handling, and aerial equipment rentals.
- Speedy Hire: UK equipment rental firm focused on construction, infrastructure, and industrial markets; comparable to Kennards on customer verticals, account-based commercial model, and specialist product categories.
Broad incumbents
- United Rentals: The world's largest equipment rental company, offering a comprehensive general-equipment and specialty rental portfolio across multiple geographies; comparable to Kennards in business model and product breadth but vastly larger scale.
- Ashtead Group (Sunbelt Rentals): UK-listed equipment rental group operating Sunbelt Rentals in the US/UK/Canada; competes across general construction and industrial rental categories similar to Kennards, with comparable specialty solutions and a multi-vertical customer base.
- The Cat Rental Store (Caterpillar): Caterpillar's dealer-based rental network offering earthmoving, material handling, and power generation equipment globally; comparable to Kennards' earthmoving, generators, and industrial equipment categories via a dealer/brand-affiliated model.
Regional players
- BrandSafway: North American specialty rental and access services provider focused on scaffolding, access equipment, and industrial services; comparable to Kennards' Access Equipment and lifting solutions specialty categories.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Open Source Community : VIT-AP social profiles
Digital presenceOpen Source Community : VIT-AP compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance2 records
Open Source Community : VIT-AP financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Open Source Community : VIT-AP leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Open Source Community : VIT-AP funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Open Source Community : VIT-AP M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Open Source Community : VIT-AP
What does Open Source Community : VIT-AP do?
Equipment hire and rental services offering over 100,000 products across 220+ branches in Australia and New Zealand. Core business spans power tools, earthmoving equipment, access equipment, pumps, generators (up to 1250kVA), traffic management, and specialised industrial equipment. Supported by dedicated on-site Project Management for commercial customers and the TRADE EASY benefits program for trade professionals.
Is Open Source Community : VIT-AP a public or private company?
Open Source Community : VIT-AP is a private company. It is classified as family owned and is currently operating.
When was Open Source Community : VIT-AP founded?
Open Source Community : VIT-AP was founded in 1948. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is Open Source Community : VIT-AP based?
Open Source Community : VIT-AP is headquartered in Bathurst, Australia, in the Oceania region.
How does Open Source Community : VIT-AP make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Equipment Rental is the primary driver. The others are project Management Services and commercial Account Services.
Who are Open Source Community : VIT-AP's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Loxam, Coates Hire, Herc Rentals, Boels Rental, H&E Equipment Services and Speedy Hire. Broad incumbents are United Rentals, Ashtead Group (Sunbelt Rentals) and The Cat Rental Store (Caterpillar). BrandSafway is listed as a regional player.
Does Open Source Community : VIT-AP have an API?
No public API is recorded for Open Source Community : VIT-AP.
What industry is Open Source Community : VIT-AP in?
Open Source Community : VIT-AP's product category is Equipment Rental Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is TLABAFAF, Material Handling Equipment Rental/Leasing (Forklifts, Telehandlers, Reach Trucks), with a secondary code of TLABAFAG, Industrial Power & Energy Equipment Rental/Leasing (Generators, Light Towers, Compressors). Its SIC code is 7350.