Global Recognition for Australian Hire Industry Legend

It’s one of most prestigious awards in the global rental industry - the ARA’s Rental Hall of Fame, an honour created in 2000 to recognise individuals who’ve changed the trajectory of the equipment and event rental industry. To make the cut, you must be an outstanding industry leader who’s made a substantial and lasting impact on the industry’s success and growth at the national and/or international level.

In January 2025, at an ARA ceremony in Las Vegas, former CEO of Kennards Hire, Peter Lancken, was one of three new inductees to the Rental Hall of Fame.

He’s only the second Australian to have received the honour, joining his great friend and colleague, Andy Kennard, who was inducted in 2002.

“It was pretty special,” says Peter, “there’s really no higher honour in this industry.”

It’s an industry that’s been Peter’s life – and in his DNA – for more than four decades. Initially training as a civil engineer, his hire career began in 1978 with formwork and scaffolding company, GKN. He moved to Southern California to set up GKN’s rental business and in just four years under his management, it grew to a US$50 million business.

On returning to Australia, he became Managing Director of GKN Australia, a position in which he remained until 1994. “It was 18 years of ‘getting my feet wet’ in the world of hire and it was a marvellous experience.” 

With GKN looking to divest its business in Australia, in 1994, Peter negotiated a deal with Andy Kennard to buy the balance of GKN rentals. That was the point where he decided that working for Kennards Hire would be a great opportunity, taking on the role of Managing Director of the Kennards Group in 1995.

Peter’s vision was to take the Kennards Hire brand and develop a network of branches around the country.  From the moment he joined the business, he was a hands-on operator overseeing their growth into an iconic Australian brand with an extensive national footprint with more than 70 branches. Under his leadership, Kennards Hire twice won the HRIA’s ‘Hire Company of the Year’.

Peter was also instrumental in building and instilling a strong Kennards Hire culture and a unique set of values. “People at Kennards Hire really believe in our values,” he says. “They believe in our vision and that this is a great place to work.”

Yet his enthusiasm for the hire and rental industry extends beyond Kennards Hire. He’s played a key role in building the reputation and influence of the industry as President of the NSW Hire Association between 1996-2004, a founding director of the HRIA in 2000 and Vice President and board member of the HRIA between 2000-2009. In 2006, Peter was awarded Life Membership of the HRIA.

In the 1990s, Peter joined the ARA and is now a benefactor of the ARA Foundation. In 2003, he was a founding member of the Global Rental Alliance which raises the profile of equipment rental worldwide while increasing the membership value of the respective associations. He was awarded an ARA Meritorious Service Award in 2007 for his significant contribution and demonstrated leadership. In 2008, Peter was a founding member of the Global Rental Alliance International Business Leadership Program and in 2014, was honoured with an ARA Award for Service to the Industry on an international level, one of the highest accolades in the equipment rental industry. The Award recognised his service in the rental industry and role in initiating the Global Rental Alliance. Peter was also the first person outside of the US to receive the ARA Award.

In 2020, Peter received the Order of the Medal of Australia for his significant service to the equipment hire and rental industry in the community.

After stepping down as CEO of Kennards Hire in 2009, Peter joined the Kennards Hire board and held the role of Chairman from 2012-2017. He remains a non-executive director of the Kennards Group.

Throughout his career, Peter’s been a champion of the industry and one of its greatest advocates within Australia and abroad. He believes that what makes a first-class hire rental business is having good people with their knowledge of equipment, ability to serve and look after customers, and a belief system that aligns with the company. “Anyone can buy the equipment, find real estate and open a branch,” says Peter. “But companies aren’t a bunch of assets, it’s the people. I've been fortunate to have had so many great people work with me over a long period of time.”

Brendan Fleiter, Chairman, Kennards Hire (2016 – 2024), said, “It’s not often you come across someone who has the passion that Peter has. His contribution to both the Australian and international hire industry has been invaluable. Kennards Hire would not be the business it is today without his experience, fortitude and dedication.”

Peter continues to contribute significantly to the fabric of the broader Australian business community. He’s Chairman of Scully RSV, Australia’s premium refrigerated truck and trailer fleet, which is a business that he’s developed from the ground up and now a member of the HRIA. Peter also serves as Non-Executive Chairman of Acrow Formwork and Scaffolding, a national leader in the construction industry, which has returned him to his roots in hiring formwork and scaffolding. Now aged 70, Peter attributes his long career to a passion for the industry. “It’s a privilege to work within a sector that continues to see the economic and employment opportunities the hire and rental industry provides in Australia and internationally,” he says. “, I can look back and be proud of what I’ve achieved but what’s made it so special are the incredible people I’ve met over the journey. They’re some of the best in the game and honestly, I've never had a day where I've said, ‘I don't want to do this’.”

As for his Rental Hall of Fame award, Peter insists it will take pride of place next to Andy’s in Kennards Hire’s head office in Seven Hills (NSW). “That’s where it belongs,” says Peter. “I may have accepted this great accolade, but it’s Kennards Hire and the Kennards Hire people who made it happen.”

Originally published in the May 2025 edition of Hire & Rental Magazine. Republished with permission of Hire & Rental Industry Association.