b'CHAPTER 07BUILDING THE CULTURETHE COMPANY GREW LARGER AND FASTER ACHIEVEMENTS AND ACCOLADESTHAN ANYONE COULD HAVE CONTEMPLATED. AndIn 2001, by which time Kennards Hire had grown tothough Andy had taken a step back from the day-to-day500 employees, the company was recognised as the running of the business, he remained on the board andNational Hire Company of the Year at the HRIA awards. was determined that the family culture that underpinnedThis award is voted on by other firms within the industry Kennards Hire would survive the explosive growth. from all around Australia, and it was clear that Kennards Hire had set itself apart as a leader; according to one Kennards Hire continued to add SBUs. First camecompetitor, They do it right.Lift & Shift, a materials handling equipment division in partnership with Allen Besseling, whod been aAlthough chuffed, the board was determined the Kennards Hire employee since 1989 and CEO from company would not rest on its laurels, and it recognised 2012 to 2015.that the reason they won the award was its people. The following year, Kennards Hire gave out the first Thanks In 2004, Angus Kennard started Concrete Care ina Million bonus (more on this later) to each and every partnership with Kennards Hire. It stemmed from anstaff member. opportunity Angus had recognised on a trip overseas where he saw larger, more productive equipmentThe accolades kept coming. In 2003, Andy Kennard was that wasnt available in Australia. It was the start ofgiven the great honour of being the first non-American to the inch-wide, mile-deep strategy, which focused onbe inducted into the American Rental Association (ARA) solving problems rather than just renting equipment.Rental Hall of Fame. This was an acknowledgement of Deep knowledge was needed to solve these problemsAndys pioneering role in the hire industry in Australia. The with the challenge of working in a hard product likeinduction occurred at the annual ARA convention held in concrete. In 2011, Angus sold Concrete Care back toLos Angeles in February 2003, in front of a huge crowd of Opposite The KennardsKennards Hire, after setting up a national footprint withindustry representatives from all around the world. It was team and friendsbranches in each capital city.of course a great personal honour, says Andy, but really receiving the FBA Familythe award was for everyone in the company.Business of the YearIn 2007, the company introduced a pump and power Award, 2014. division to their services, and in 2009 the traffic division.Not to be outdone, a few years later in 2007, Peter Meanwhile, Kennards Hire continued to expand operationsLancken was also honoured by the ARA with an award by acquiring competitors in each capital city and inthat had never been given to a person from outside the regional towns, always striving for profit and greaterUSAthe Meritorious Service Award, for his significant efficiency. contribution and leadership in the Australian hire industry. While accepting the award, Peter thanked Andy for his support, guidance and friendship over the years and echoed his sentiments that the award should be shared by everyone at Kennards Hire. Our success is made possible because of the loyalty and dedication of our great people Australia-wide, who, in my opinion,'