b'KENNARDS HIRE Since 1948TAKING HIRE HIGHER | 42TIME TO SPECIALISEAndy and Nev had a vision for Kennards Hire to enterThese are some of the SBUs that were established indifferent, specialised markets that required specific toolsthe 1970s and 1980s:and know-how. The Kennards Specialised Business Units (SBUs) were created to cater to these distinct needs, setCONVEYOR & HOIST RENTALSapart from general hire activities. When the economy slowed down in 1974, many construction firms went bankrupt, leaving behind a To make sure that these SBUs would be successful, theysurplus of unused building equipment. Andy recalls,hired experts in their respective fields as partner-managers.It was like a forest of hoists all sitting around the Three of the SBUs were headed by people they knew,yards, not doing much. and Andy and Nev figured the combined knowledge, aptitude, and trust between them would be a plus in theAround 1977, Barry Newton, whom Andy knew fruitful running of these new endeavours. Kennards Hirethrough the Hire Association of New South Wales, threw a lot of capital into the SBUs so they could remainwas looking for work. Andy told him, See all those competitive in the market; the risks might have beenhoists and brick conveyors? If you can rent them out, large, but they had faith in their potential. you can have a job. These business units flourished and soon Kennards Barry set about consolidating all the old hoists, Hire had a strong foothold in the specialised equipmentconveyors, and other specialised winching, pulling, hire industry. The partner-managers and their teamsand lifting equipment from the four Sydney branches kept on innovating and producing new useful pieces into the open yard at Moorebank. This became of equipment based on customerfeedback. Conveyor & Hoist Rentals, a partnership that served Kennards Hire well until it was sold in 2005.These business units flourished and soon Kennards Hire had astrong foothold in the specialised equipment hire industry.'