b'KENNARDS HIRE Since 1948TAKING HIRE HIGHER | 16BUILDING A STRONGER INDUSTRYThe Kennard brothers used an adopt and adapt approach to innovation, adjusting products and ideas until they met customer needs. As a result, the business grew, not just in size but in influence too, changing the hire industry across Australia. The forward-thinking brothers recognised that there were instances where it would be better to work with their competition rather than against it. The idea of a state association was met with enthusiasm by most other operators. A constitution was drawn up and the Hire Association of New South Wales was officially established. Neville was the founding president and Gordon Esden of Silverware Plant Hire was the first vice-president. Other hire companies involved at the time included Coates, Wreckair, Atlas Copco, Construction Plant Hire, Macbro Hire and 7 Days Plant Hire. The association had a vision to create an industry body that kept members informed and fostered relationships among peers. Companies who usually competed for business came together to share important industry information that would benefit all. That included a register of bad debtors, which provided a fair warning of customers who refused to pay their bills.The Association is working for the industry and all in the industry will benefit. We will always have those who sit on the fence and those who stay out. The go-ahead people, the people who see the future possibilities of the hire industry, are the ones who will joinand get most benefit, Nev wrote to members. Above Walter Kennard Agencies advertisement, c. 1960.Andy and Nev worked well together, and they soon saw that the business had real potential to grow from a hodgepodge backyard operation into a viable concern.'