Kennards Hire steps south in SA with A1 Hire acquisition in Victor Harbor

Australian family-owned and operated equipment hire company, Kennards Hire, has stepped into the South Australian southern region with the acquisition of A1 Hire in Victor Harbor.

Located on the Fleurian Peninsula, Victor Harbor, the state’s 17th branch is the most southern branch of the business’ South Australian network. With the robust pipeline of infrastructure projects in the region, the new branch will introduce concrete care, Access, and a larger range of earthmoving equipment to support DIYers, tradies, and large projects alike.

Kennards Hire’s South Australia General Manager Gareth Vines, said, “Kennards Hire is excited to be expanding its network in South Australia. We’ve opened a number of new branches across the network in recent months, however this is our first new branch in South Australia for a while. As our most southernmost branch, it will enable us to broaden our hire equipment range and service to even more customers in the region.”

The business welcomes the existing A1 Hire staff members – Shane Carter, Peter Hart, Linas Leonavicius, and Rob Hale – to the Kennards Hire family under Branch Manager, Vince Gerada, to continue the hire legacy already cemented in place in Victor Harbor. 

“As a family-owned business, we know the local expertise of A1 Hire’s employees is invaluable in fostering ongoing relationships with our customers – current and new,” said Gareth.

Kennards Hire is eager to build on local community relationships and will continue the existing sponsorship of the local football club, with ambitions to further sponsor and be involved with the local community.

“It’s really important to us that we are able to give back and continue supporting the communities where our people live and work," said Gareth.

Former A1 Hire director Allan Davis said that when they decided to sell the business, it was an important consideration that the new owners had similar business ethics, which Kennards Hire had.

“Kennards Hire being a family-owned and operated business meant they had a very similar business model to us,” said Davis.

“The other very important consideration was for our staff and their futures. To its great credit, Kennards Hire employed all of A1 Hire’s staff, so the familiar faces our customers have known over the years will continue to offer them the same friendly, efficient services they have always been used to.

“I know that Kennards Hire is very keen to be involved in the local community, as they have done throughout the country. We trust the support the community has shown to A1 Hire will continue with Kennards Hire for a long time to come, and we wish Kennards Hire great success in the future.”

The Victor Harbor opening follows the recent announcement of Kennards Hire’s 200th branch opening in Morwell and 201st in Ballarat, Victoria.

Selected pieces of A1 Hire equipment and memorabilia will be sent to Sydney and housed in the Kennards Hire Museum.

The new branch is located 20 Adelaide Rd, Hayborough SA 5211.

For all your hire equipment needs, get in touch with the local team at (08) 8551 5500 or visit kennards.com.au.

Image: L-R: Vince Gerada (Branch Manager), Rob Hales, Pete Hart and Shane Carter