Hire & Rental Magazine May 2026

Jeremy Shaw HRIA National President

NAVIGATING UNCERTAINTY HRIA’S SHARPENED PRIORITIES FOR MEMBERS

The past few months of 2026 have been a testing time for many, and our industry has not been immune.

RECENT SUPPLY PRESSURES, fluctuating construction activity and ongoing skills shortages continue to create uncertainty for businesses planning beyond the short term. In this environment, clarity of purpose and strong industry leadership matter more than ever.

This has sharpened the focus on the HRIA Board of Directors’ recent review of strategic priorities. This scheduled review reaffirmed core commitments to advocacy, safety and workforce capability, while placing greater emphasis on practical outcomes that support members in an increasingly complex commercial environment. The work was informed by member feedback, market

Operational sustainability remains a prominent focus.

conditions and a clear recognition that the Association must continue to evolve alongside the needs of the industry it represents. While the fundamentals of advocacy, safety and workforce capability remain unchanged, the focus is sharpening on practical outcomes that directly support members operating in an increasingly complex commercial environment.

Economic uncertainty is reshaping customer decision-making. Higher capital costs and project risk are driving a stronger reliance on hire across many asset classes. For members, this can mean balancing utilisation and demand volatility while maintaining investment discipline. The Board recognises these daily pressures and HRIA’s role in ensuring regulatory, safety and commercial frameworks support business sustainability.

Operational sustainability remains a key focus, encompassing documentation, inspection regimes, training verification and shared responsibility across supply chains. Workforce capability has also emerged as a defining issue, with renewed emphasis on positioning hire as a professional, long-term career option supported through training, advocacy and peer guidance.

Technology and data-driven decision-making continue to reshape the sector, while the hire model’s alignment with sustainability objectives is gaining recognition. At the heart of the review was a renewed focus on members and their evolving needs. The Board remains committed to clear communication, relevant advocacy and practical support as we approach HIRE26, where we can continue to deliver on our promise to members. b

REDUCED EMISSIONS & FUEL CONSUMPTION

HYBRID OPERATION

UP TO 1100M² LIGHT POLE, ROAD OR TRAFFIC ILLUMINATION

SOLAR POWERED, NO FUEL REQUIRED EMISSION-FREE OPERATION

POWERFUL ILLUMINATION UP TO 1600M²

A STRONGER FUTURE FOR HIRE: HRIA’S 5-YEAR ROADMAP

On 24 March 2026, our HRIA Directors and leadership team came together for a one-day offsite strategy session, facilitated by Bendelta.

AUTHOR James Oxenham, CEO Hire and Rental Industry Association

WE WERE WELL PREPARED, with pre-reading and one-on-one leadership interviews completed in advance. The day gave us space to focus on where we are, test our thinking, and agree a direction that was both practical and aspiring for what the hire industry needs over the next few years.

Operating in a tough environment, skills shortages, pressure on margins and political and economic uncertainty present challenges for hire companies. Technology capability varies widely across the industry, at the same time, there are genuine opportunities: digital tools and AI can lift productivity, sustainability expectations are accelerating, and hire continues to be a smart, practical choice in a resourceconstrained economy.

The HRIA’s role is to help members manage challenges and take full advantage of what’s ahead. That means staying focused on long-term outcomes, rather than short-term fixes. We agreed on a set of principles that will guide our work: keep our eyes on the future, learn from others, strengthen our credibility,

and back the next generation coming through. Most importantly, we need to prioritise what matters most to members—and then deliver.

We also reaffirmed why HRIA exists: to represent, strengthen and grow the hire industry. We do that through strong advocacy, trusted standards, and practical support that helps members build capability and run safer, more effective businesses. Our members and stakeholders are diverse— from national operators to small family businesses and from frontline teams to customers and partners—but we’re united by the same goal: a strong, resilient hire industry.

Looking ahead, we tested both what “success” could look like—and what we need to avoid. In a strong future, HRIA is highly relevant, membership continues to grow, we make decisions based on good data, and the industry is widely recognised for its value and professionalism. In a weaker future, legislative change, consolidation and disengagement reduce relevance and participation. These scenarios helped sharpen our focus on what we need to do next.

The roadmap we developed is built around a few clear shifts: lifting industry awareness, strengthening

the HRIA brand, deepening member engagement, sharpening our value proposition, and using data and insight to guide better decisions. We also focused on what we need to improve internally: to serve members well, streamline systems and processes, be disciplined in how we design and deliver member benefits and put member needs at the centre of our decisions.

Five priorities came through clearly: lifting capability through technology and digital tools, improving data and insight, attracting and developing talent, strengthening member relationships, and advocating strongly for hire. Across all of this sits our “Why Hire” narrative—a clear, consistent message about the economic, environmental and practical benefits of hire.

The development of our strategy, alongside Directors and industry leaders, is a clear commitment to focus on outcomes, invest in capability, and keep improving how we support the industry. Over the next few years, we’ll stay focused on priorities and report back on progress, so members can see the value in what we’re delivering. That’s the future HRIA is working towards, alongside our members, every day. b

UNITED RENTALS LAUNCHES VEHICLE RENTAL PROGRAM

United Rentals, the world’s largest rental company, has expanded its range of rental products and services with the launch of a Vehicle Rental Program across Australia.

A NATIONWIDE FLEET OF high-quality, ‘work ready’ vehicles is helping customers to manage their fleet efficiently with the right mix of vehicles, control of maintenance schedules and keeping operating costs in check.

Ashley Halsall, Head of Product ANZ (Vehicles) says vehicle rental is a natural complement to United Rental’s broader equipment rental offering.

“We designed the program with commercial customers in mind to help them maximise their operations and take the hassle out of fleet management.”

Vehicle rentals are key to United Rentals’ drive to provide a onestop-shop for customers’ rental requirements. “Customers want to consolidate their rental requirements by partnering with a single trusted supplier,” says Mr Halsall.

“United Rentals is delivering a solution that simplifies and enhances the customer experience by removing the complexity of admin and multiple vendors.”

Rental vehicles with benefits

The selection of vehicles was customer-led with a focus on providing solutions that meet local market demand.

“We looked closely at the broad range of industries we support –especially the civil, infrastructure, utilities, construction and government sectors – to identify vehicle types required most on worksites,” he says.

These include a 4X4 dual cab with alloy tray and a 4X4 dual cab styleside tub across a range of leading vehicle brands. All rentals include registration, maintenance and roadside assistance.

“The 4x4 dual cab is practical, versatile and widely accepted across our customer base and the general market, says Mr Halsall. “It’s a real opportunity to support commercial growth across the market.”

Strong rental vehicle demand

Mr Halsall says there’s been strong demand for the program from business customers of all sizes (operating across multiple worksites and regions).

The key lies in the flexibility of the program.

“Civil construction contractors often rent vehicles to support projectbased work where fleet demand can

Ashley Halsall, United Rental’s Head of Product ANZ (Vehicles)

change quickly,” he says. “We’re also seeing interest from utilities and infrastructure maintenance providers needing work-ready vehicles for field teams but with the flexibility to scale up or down, depending on workloads.”

That’s enabling businesses to manage their fleet without the capital commitment and complexity of ownership. “With the national reach of our rental vehicle offering, customers get work-ready and site compliant vehicles to meet their specific business needs.”

Trusted partner, complete service

As the world’s largest equipment rental company, United Rentals combines global reach with local knowledge, expertise and an extensive range of products to meet customers’ specific needs.

“We build local partnerships and take the time to understand what customers really want, which means we can tailor solutions to get the job done effectively, on time and on budget,” says Mr Halsall.

Key benefits of the rental vehicle fleet

• Greater visibility and control: customers track and manage their vehicles via United Rentals’ worksite and fleet management platform, Total Control. Built-in telematics provide customers with safety, operational visibility and cost management guidance.

• Work-ready vehicles: civil specification-built vehicles have a 5-star ANCAP safety rating and inbuilt integrated telematics making them compliant, safe and ready to go immediately.

• Simple pricing: a streamlined rental model with registration, servicing, maintenance and roadside assistance is included, eliminating any hidden extra costs. b

The Dieci Apollo-e 26.6 telehandler brings the future of lifting to Australian worksites with powerful all-electric performance and zero emissions. Designed for tight environments and indoor applications, this compact telehandler delivers a 2.6 tonne lift capacity and 5.73 metre reach while operating quietly and efficiently. A high-performance lithium battery system, responsive electric drive and Dieci’s renowned engineering combine to deliver exceptional precision handling, lower running costs and cleaner operation on modern job sites across construction and industrial sectors.

Max Capacity: 2,600 kg Max Lift Height: 5.73 m

LEAVING THE INDUSTRY BETTER THAN HE FOUND IT

As Bernie Kiekebosch steps back from his role as judge for the Hire Industry Awards of Excellence, he leaves behind a long list of worthy winners and a legacy of safer, smarter and more sustainable businesses.

AFTER MORE THAN 15 YEARS ON the road visiting branches, pouring over submissions and gently – sometimes firmly – prodding businesses to lift their game, Bernie Kiekebosch is hanging up his judging hat.

Bernie’s connection to the industry goes back decades, well before he ever set foot on a site as a judge. He was a foundation member of the EWPA and later served as the national president.

“I started in the industry through the EWPA, when it was very much in its infancy,” says Bernie. “Those early years gave me deep insight into both the technical and human sides of rental — from safety and equipment standards to the pressures facing small operators.”

By the time the HRIA was looking for judges for its annual industry excellence awards, Bernie was the obvious choice.

“I’ve always had a philosophy that I want to leave this place in a better state than when I got here,” he says. “So, when I was asked to help with judging, I thought, why not?”

That was 15 years ago and since then, Bernie has been instrumental in shaping how the national awards are assessed.

Bernie’s first judging visit is one he will never forget — and not for the right reasons. Inside that first business, equipment records were kept in an overstuffed folder that literally exploded across the table when the owner dropped it down.

“I learned so much from that visit,” says Bernie. “It was a very steep learning curve.”

It also crystallised for Bernie what the judging process could do: identify risks, highlight missed opportunities and show operators a better way forward.

Since then, he’s seen the industry from both ends of the spectrum — those turning over less than $10 million and those above it. He says the value he brings as a judge — and the value businesses get from the judging process — look different in each category.

For the large operators the process can identify improvement opportunities they may not have seen before. “They have dedicated safety teams, HR specialists and sophisticated systems but still have their blind spots,” he says.

However, for the smaller businesses, the process can have a profound impact on them and is more gratifying for Bernie.

“Judging gives you an opportunity to share your years of experience to really help them with their business,” he says.

One of his recurring themes is risk, both safety and commercial. He recalls judging a smaller operator whose customer had experienced a serious accident yet there was no incident documentation, structured process or signed waiver acknowledgement.

“I recommended they needed a set of instructions for every hire transaction with a clause the customer signs to say, ‘I understand’. As a business owner, it’s essential to protect your business and your employees.”

Alongside risk management, he’s also a strong advocate for KPIs and data-driven decisions. Even today, he’s still surprised by how many small businesses don’t track utilisation, profitability by asset class or demand patterns.

“Your system should be telling you when it’s time to buy another machine, not your gut,” he says. “If a certain product is always out and you’re turning away hires, that’s your KPI system saying, ‘invest here’.”

While safety and systems are non-negotiables, he believes great businesses are distinguished by culture and consistency and is a big advocate for those that genuinely invest in their people.

He points to some of the leading national brands where you can walk into any branch and feel like you’re in the same

75 YEARS STRONG

Built on quality. Driven by the trade.

For 75 years, Flextool has been supplying quality construction equipment to the people who build Australia. Founded in 1951 by Robert “Bob” Miller in a small Collingwood workshop, Flextool has grown into a nationally trusted brand, known for practical innovation, reliability, and real world performance on site. A proud partner to the HIRE industry since 1970, Flextool continues to strengthen this long‑standing relationship, working closely with hire partners to deliver durable, dependable solutions that perform day in, day out.

Today, Flextool continues to look forward. Supporting the trade, delivering contemporary solutions, and showing up where it matters most.

To celebrate this milestone, Flextool is hitting the road with a national tour in its custom branded van, “Bob the Van.”

The roadshow is visiting high foot traffic locations nationwide including car parks, estates, and local landmarks, bringing the Flextool brand directly to tradies, customers, and partners.

 Meet the team

 Branded giveaways

 Real conversations with the trade

75 Years on, still your trusted partner

Driven by quality. Powered by innovation. Built for the people who rely on their tools every day. Flextool. 75 Years. Still Rolling.

store due to the same layout, processes and way of answering the phone.

“It seems so simple, but it’s complex to do,” he says. “You’ve got to start from day one and keep everyone on the same page as you grow.”

He says smaller operators can also underestimate the impact of branding. From decal placement on equipment right through to yard presentation, Bernie views every machine as an extension of the company’s identity.

“If your branding looks like a ‘dog’s breakfast’, you lose the impact completely,” he says. “However, when your machines are lined up in the yard and everything is where it should be, it sends a powerful message that this is your shopfront.”

Just do it

For businesses contemplating a submission and worrying about the time and effort involved, Bernie has a clear message: just do it.

“If you can take away just one thing from the judges coming to your premises, it could have an enormous impact on your business down the track,” he says.

Yet it’s not just the site visit that creates value. Writing the submission forces businesses to articulate their processes, strategies and plans. Prior to every site visit, Bernie reviews finalist’ submissions carefully, highlighting what he wants to probe onsite.

“If you say you want to put on a yard person or open another branch,

I’ll ask: what’s the timeline? What are your trigger points? Is it in your three, six, or 12-month plan?”

His believes every business –regardless of size – should have shortterm (3/6/12 month) and longer-term (2–5 year) plans which are regularly reviewed and adjusted.

“You don’t go into business assuming you’ll stay small forever,” he says. “If your vision is to grow, you need the infrastructure – systems, procedures and risk management — to match.”

Now, as Bernie steps back from judging, it’s not the gala dinners or the Awards he’ll miss most.

“The real pleasure of this role has been helping the smaller companies and seeing them soak up ideas like sponges, take notes, and then use that to grow safer, stronger businesses and that’s incredibly rewarding.”

In a career defined by service, he sums up his motivation simply: “If I can help leave the industry in better shape than when I came into it, then I’ve done what I set out to do.” b

“Judging gives you an opportunity to share your years of experience to really help them with their business.”

AGGREKO HELPS POWER AUSTRALIAN MINING

Aggreko to deliver Australia’s largest off-grid renewable hybrid power facility for Harmony Gold’s Eva Copper Mine Project.

A LANDMARK POWER PURCHASE Agreement (PPA) between Aggreko and international mining company Harmony Gold for the Eva Copper Mine Project in north-west Queensland, is paving the way for the development of Australia’s largest offgrid renewable hybrid power facility.

The Aggreko renewable hybrid power facility will showcase the next generation of large-scale hybrid energy solutions, integrating low emissions thermal generation with extensive solar and battery storage infrastructure, providing Harmony with a resilient and future-focused energy platform.

Aggreko AusPac Managing Director, George Whyte, said the project highlights Aggreko’s growing leadership in Australia’s hybrid and renewable energy landscape.

“This is a milestone for Aggreko and Australian mining,” said Mr Whyte.

“The scale of this renewable hybrid power station and the level of integration between solar, battery storage and thermal generation, will set a new benchmark for off-grid energy.”

“Our long-term agreement reflects Aggreko’s commitment to partnering with industry to deliver innovative, lower emission energy solutions that are both commercially and operationally robust.”

Once complete, Aggreko will own and operate the largest off-grid renewable hybrid power facility and one of the most advanced in the country, cementing the company’s position as a market leading Independent Power Producer (IPP) in Australia’s resources sector.

The Eva Copper Mine Project renewable hybrid power facility will include:

• 104 MVA thermal power facility with flexibility to scale

• 118 MWp solar farm

• 250 MWh Battery Energy Storage System (BESS)

This combination will allow for high renewable penetration, reduced

fuel consumption and improved emissions performance across the mine’s lifecycle.

Harmony and Aggreko are also working collaboratively to further increase renewable energy dispersion over time, including potential wind integration and future connection to transmission infrastructure, ensuring the power solution remains flexible and evolves with the project’s long-term requirements.

Construction of the hybrid power facility is expected to generate regional employment opportunities and support local contracting, supply and service partners in Cloncurry and Mount Isa.

Once operational, the renewable hybrid power facility will give the Eva Copper Mine Project a reliable and scalable energy supply that optimises renewable use while ensuring consistent power for critical mining operations.

Once complete, Aggreko will own and operate the largest off-grid renewable hybrid power facility and one of the most advanced in the country.

FASTER RESULTS POWERED BY AI

Turning intelligence into rental success with MCS.

IMPLEMENT ONCE SUCCESS FOR YEARS

Guided onboarding, powerful rental results.

UP, UP AND AWAY

From Swan Hill in country Victoria to Denver, Colorado, Rebekah Gesh’s career in hire is taking off.

REBEKAH GESCH IS A GREAT advocate for hire. She’s passionate about the industry and thankful for the opportunities it’s afforded her in a little over three years. In 2026 alone, she’s travelled to the US as the HRIA | ARA Business Leadership Exchange recipient, attended the world’s largest rental industry trade show in Florida and been promoted to Operations Manager at Swan Hill Hire in regional Victoria.

Back in March 2023, Rebekah took her first steps in the industry, despite never having worked in hire. With a professional background in government, finance and insurance broking, she admits she had the same assumption many people do — that hire meant renting cars. However, a visit to the Swan Hill Hire yard changed that perception within minutes.

In the workshop, she saw boilermakers fabricating trailers

and mechanics working on telehandlers and an array of specialised equipment. Out in the yard, technicians were cleaning and refuelling machines heading to local events, farms, construction sites and local DIY projects.

“What struck me was they weren’t just renting out gear,” she says, “they were solving problems for councils, contractors, tradies and home owners. These were the people making things possible.”

As someone who was ‘administratively minded, but not afraid to get her hands dirty’, it looked like an unexpectedly good fit. By the time she’d driven home, there was an email asking her how soon she could start work.

Rebekah joined Swan Hill Hire as a Hire Controller part-time, learning everything about the business, from

the front counter through to logistics and coordination. From there, her role evolved quickly. She was promoted to Senior Hire Controller in 2025 and in January this year, took on the Operations Manager role, a position where she is focused on improving processes, supporting staff and shaping culture.

She credits her growth to the support of her management team and the HRIA’s

ORIGINAL JAPANESE QUALITY TRAILER OR BOX OPTIONS

GENUINE NATIONWIDE SUPPORT

LOCAL, TRAINED TECHNICIANS

AIR COMPRESSORS POWER GENERATORS THE GEAR THAT PREFERCUSTOMERS TO USE ! MINE SPEC PARTS & SUPPORT

COMPLETE AIR & POWER SOLUTIONS

“What struck me was they weren’t just renting out gear,” she says, “they were solving problems for councils, contractors, tradies and home owners. These were the people making things possible.”

professional development programs, starting with Women in Hire.

“It was a big commitment for a regional business to send me to Melbourne for multiple sessions,” she says. “But what that told me was Swan Hill Hire were serious about my development.”

Walking into the room for her first group session, she felt incredibly green however, instead of competition, she found openness and collaboration.

The next natural step in Rebekah’s journey was the Young Professionals program. “That really helped me build tangible confidence in how I move within the industry,” she says. “It wasn’t just theory; I was setting goals and ticking them off.”

In 2025, the HRIA | ARA Business Leadership Exchange — a three-week program for young hire industry professionals designed to bridge cultures, build global relationships and create new leadership opportunities within the industry — opened to past participants of the Young Professionals

program. With the idea of representing Australian hire in the US — and seeing how another market tackles similar problems — just too good to ignore, Rebekah seized the opportunity to take her industry learning further.

She applied and when advised she was the successful applicant, was speechless.

“Given the calibre of people I knew had applied, it was incredibly humbling.”

The exchange placed her with the team at Arvada Rent-Alls, one of the largest independent rental centres in Denver, Colorado. She spent two weeks immersed in the business, learning about their workflows, culture and approach to customer service.

“What stood out was the combination of process discipline and people focus,” says Rebekah. “They had clear workflows, but also a strong culture of ownership and initiative.”

The exchange also included time at the ARA Show, where she witnessed the scale and specialisation of the North American rental market.

“The ARA show really reinforced that hire is a sophisticated, evolving industry,” she says. “It also gave me a fresh appreciation for what we’re already doing in Australia and ideas we can adapt to our own context.”

Back at Swan Hill Hire, Rebekah is intent on applying the lessons she learned in the US.

“For me, the exchange confirmed that success in hire comes down to three things — people, processes and problem-solving,” she says.

“That’s the foundation of a strong business, regardless of whether you’re in Swan Hill or Denver, Colorado.”

She’ll also continue to promote hire as a fulfilling, career path, especially for people who may never have considered it.

“At the end of the day, we’re problem solvers,” she says. “Every day is different, and you go home knowing you’ve helped make something happen.”

“That’s what keeps me excited about this industry.” b

Predator Industrial batteries are reliable and provide long service life, making them the optimal choice for businesses. The comprehensive range has sizes to suit all popular floor cleaners, pallet trucks, elevated work platforms & more.

• Accessible Flooded Batteries

• Lead Acid Batteries

• Absorbent Glass Mat (AGM)

HEXHIRE SCALES FOR GROWTH WITH KOMATSU FLEET EXPANSION

Komatsu is supporting HEXhire’s expansion across Victoria and South Australia, with the growing hire business strengthening its fleet to meet rising demand from major infrastructure and civil projects.

FOUNDED AS A WET HIRE BUSINESS in 2013,HEXhire shifted its focus as large-scale infrastructure projects were rolled out across Victoria and demand increased for dry hire solutions.

Managing Director Andrew Harte says the transition marked a turning point for the business.

“Moving into dry hire allowed us to scale up and target the bigger projects where there’s strong demand for larger machinery. We’re now able to service a broad mix of customers, including major infrastructure and large civil contractors as well as smaller civil and landscaping companies, with demand evenly spread across the sectors,” Andrew says.

Komatsu has played an increasing role in supporting that growth.

HEXhire has been purchasing Komatsu equipment for the past five years and has recently expanded its fleet to include excavators, dozers, loaders and dump trucks.

“As a hire business, we value our customer feedback when making purchasing decisions and the feedback on Komatsu machinery has always been really good. That, combined with the feedback from our mechanics and service team on their strength and durability, really cemented for us that Komatsu is who we want to continue purchasing from.”

“It’s important for us to follow brands that evolve with the times and include leading tech in their offering”

Andrew sees technology as a key differentiator in the rental market, with features such as GPS and machine control systems.

“It’s important for us to follow brands that evolve with the times and include leading tech in their offering.”

Local support has also been a key factor with Komatsu located only minutes from HEXhire’s Campbellfield. Responsive service and smooth onboarding have helped embed the machines into the fleet with minimal disruption.

That same level of service now extends to South Australia, where HEXhire is supporting many infrastructure projects in Adelaide with reliable Komatsu equipment backed by their expert service and support team.

Looking ahead, HEXhire plans to further expand its presence in the larger machine categories, particularly in dump trucks and dozers, with Komatsu part of the strategic growth plans.

“With the capital investment involved in machines, you want to partner with a company that stands behind its gear. As we continue to grow, having a strong partner like Komatsu is very important to us.” b

HOW MAKING BETTER DECISIONS CAN BOOST PERFORMANCE

Point of Rental’s Rental Intelligence Suite is turning everyday data into clear, practical decisions that boost performance.

HIRE AND RENTAL BUSINESSES

are creating more data than ever. Each contract, asset move, service record, and customer interaction adds valuable information. The real challenge is figuring out how to use it.

From data points to operational

clarity

Most systems collect information, but it often ends up scattered in different places making it hard to use. The Rental Intelligence Suite brings all your data together, giving you a full view of your operations.

It shows you what matters most, such as underused assets, changing demand and maintenance trends that could affect availability. Instead of

waiting for manual reports, your team can quickly see what’s happening and act right away.

This is how rental intelligence works in real life. It’s not about having more data, but about seeing things clearly and making smarter choices.

A connected, end-to-end view

Point of Rental’s software links all the key parts of your hire business in one system, from quotes and contracts to asset tracking, maintenance and financials.

With everything working together, businesses gain real-time visibility across locations, teams, and equipment. This improves coordination, reduces inefficiencies,

and supports a more consistent customer experience.

It also provides the control needed to scale. As businesses grow, having a clear understanding of performance across the entire operation becomes essential to maintaining profitability and service quality.

Turning insights into real results

The true value of the Rental Intelligence Suite is what it helps you achieve.

When you can see what’s happening, you use your assets better. Tracking maintenance clearly means less downtime. Accurate, connected data helps you make decisions faster and plan more effectively.

Instead of just reacting to problems, you can be proactive, spotting opportunities, dealing with risks early and always improving how your business runs.

This change improves daily performance; it also helps your business become stronger and more resilient over time.

Supporting the future of hire in APAC

As Point of Rental celebrates 10 years in APAC, it’s a moment to reflect on how hire businesses have evolved, from reacting to problems as they arise to using data, staying connected and planning ahead.

For hire businesses across Australia and APAC, the opportunity is clear. Those prioritising visibility, efficiency, and connected systems will be best positioned to grow in an increasingly competitive market.

For 10 years locally and 40 plus years globally, Point of Rental are a team you can trust to deliver results.

Contact us salesau@pointofrental. com to learn more or visit us at Booth 14, HIRE26 in Sydney.

IS YOUR PRIVACY STATEMENT UP TO SCRUTINY?

The Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) has entered a more active enforcement phase with their first ever privacy compliance sweep signalling a shift in regulatory posture that could

AUTHORS

IN DECEMBER 2025, THE OAIC announced a targeted compliance sweep focusing on businesses that collect personal information inperson. Among the sectors selected were car rental businesses. The compliance sweep involves a review of whether the privacy policies of businesses meet the requirements of Australian Privacy Principle (APP) 1.4, including whether policies are clear, accessible and accurately describe how personal information is collected, used, disclosed and stored.

Hire and rental businesses often involve frontline, in-person data collection – for example, driver licences, other proof of identity, payment details and insurance information. These interactions frequently occur under time pressure, with limited opportunity for customers to meaningfully review privacy information. That is precisely the risk profile the OAIC is targeting.

What makes this sweep particularly significant is the enforcement context. Recent amendments to the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) passed in 2024, expanded the OAIC’s powers, including the ability to issue infringement notices for technical non-compliance. For something as basic as a deficient privacy policy, penalties of up to $66,000 may now apply. The regulator has been explicit that transparency failures are no longer minor issues.

Long-winded privacy documents that are difficult to understand and buried on a website, are unlikely to satisfy the spirit of the privacy laws.

The message for the hire and rental industry is that privacy compliance starts well before any data breach occurs. A clear, compliant privacy policy is a foundational requirement under relevant privacy laws. Policies that are copied from templates, out of date, or inconsistent with actual business practices are increasingly risky. The OAIC has also updated its guidance on APP 1 to raise expectations around clarity and accessibility. Long-winded privacy documents that are difficult to understand and buried on a website, are unlikely to satisfy the spirit of the privacy laws.

There is also a broader commercial consideration. Hire businesses rely on trust. Customers are handing over sensitive information because they need access to vehicles, equipment, services, etc. Regulatory scrutiny of in-person collection practices highlights the importance for businesses in the hire and rental industry to be able to

explain, simply and accurately, why information is needed and what will happen to it. Staff should be trained to deal with ‘privacy’ related questions from customers.

While the current sweep targets selected sectors, including car rental companies, it may not be a one-off exercise. It’s not hard to see that other businesses in the hire and rental industry could be targeted next. That’s why now is the time to review privacy policies, align them with actual data handling practices, and ensure staff understand how to communicate privacy information at the counter, not after the regulator comes knocking.

To assist hire and rental businesses, Bartier Perry is offering readers of Hire and Rental Magazine a complimentary privacy policy review service. Bartier Perry will review your privacy policy at no cost. If following our review, you agree that your policy needs updating, we will provide a fee estimate. b

MCS INTRODUCES NEW ALLOCATION CHART FOR SMARTER EQUIPMENT

SCHEDULING

Equipment rental businesses can now experience unprecedented control and clarity over their rental operations with the launch of the new Allocation Chart in MCS RM Web.

MCS Rental Software’s latest innovation is designed to give users complete visibility and flexibility across their fleet. This latest enhancement supports faster decision-making and smoother scheduling wherever you work.

The new Allocation Chart brings a fresh, modern interface tailored for rental teams that need instant insight into equipment status and availability. With fully interactive features and powerful functionality, the chart enables users to:

• Convert requests effortlessly. Manage complex rental schedules and easily move quotations or bookings from a requested product type to the exact item being delivered, ensuring maximum utilisation.

• Move equipment between jobs. Adjust allocations on the fly with simple drag-and-drop functionality, making it easier to respond to lastminute changes in demand.

• Gain clear visibility of your allocations. Instantly view the full picture of your equipment assignments, availability, and future bookings through an intuitive, browser-based interface.

By bringing these capabilities into MCS RM Web, rental companies

can manage their operations in realtime from any location, maintaining full control over fleet usage and service delivery. The Allocation Chart empowers dispatchers, hire coordinators and managers to optimise their workforce and assets in one central platform.

Chris Clarke, MCS Chief Technology Officer, explains: “The new Allocation Chart gives our users the clarity and control they’ve been asking for. It allows them to plan more efficiently, adapt quickly to changing schedules, and make better decisions in real time.”

With over 40 years of expertise in rental management technology, MCS continues to evolve its solutions to help businesses streamline operations, boost utilisation, and enhance customer service. The Allocation Chart is another step forward in delivering intelligent, connected tools that simplify daily operations and drive business growth.

MCS, the supplier of rental management software and leader in the rental industry, has been providing solutions to rental companies from different business sectors for over 40 years. MCS benefits from many years of experience and has hundreds of satisfied customers worldwide.

Today, MCS products and services continue to be at the forefront of

The Allocation Chart supports faster decisionmaking and smoother scheduling.

technological advancements, growing and evolving with a demanding and ever-changing market. The software company’s financial strength, strategic business partnerships, and track record of installations underline its ability to deliver proven technology with tangible business benefits.

Contact Adrian Dsouza – Sales and Marketing Executive – MCS Rental Software on 03 7056 6525 or Adrian. dsouza@mcsrentalsoftware.com www.mcsrentalsoftware.com/au

INCREASING PROFITIBILITY IN UNCERTAIN TIMES

With the Australian economy increasingly shaped by global uncertainty, energy price volatility and supply chain pressures, hire and rental business owners and managers are facing a new set of challenges and opportunities.

AUTHOR: Nicholas Guest HLB Mann Judd

Reduce downtime and digital tracking

Minimising equipment downtime is crucial for maximising revenue. By using digital tracking tools and integrated management systems, owners can monitor asset utilisation in real time, schedule preventative maintenance, and quickly identify underperforming equipment. This proactive approach ensures your fleet is always ready for hire, reduces costly breakdowns, and helps you make informed decisions on hire rates and when to upgrade or retire assets.

Adapt to market trends

RISING OPERATING COSTS AND tighter margins are causing many operators to reassess their business strategies and where they focus their efforts.

In this article, we’ve covered some of the practical steps you can take to help maintain and increase profitability.

Do more with the same assets

Lean management principles, such as eliminating waste and automating routine tasks, can significantly reduce costs. Make sure you are getting the most out of your fleet and every asset is delivering the returns you expect. Revisit pricing schedules and ensure adequate recovery of delivery and other direct fuel and energy related costs.

Explore new revenue streams by introducing complementary services, subscription models, or forming strategic partnerships can also provide stability and open up new markets.

The most successful owners are those who stay ahead of market trends. This means regularly reviewing asset utilisation, adjusting pricing strategies, and exploring new revenue models such as sub rentals or bundled services. Data driven decision making supported by

By remaining flexible and proactive, businesses can turn challenges into opportunities for growth.

Optimise financial management

Increasing your business profitability starts with clear transparency over your finances. Modern management software will integrate all your financial data from hire invoicing to expense tracking, customer data and generate concise monthly reports. These platforms support fleet tracking, customer management, and gain real time insights into your financial performance, making it easier to identify opportunities for growth and efficiency. These make it easier to identify which assets, contracts or customer segments are genuinely profitable, and which may be tying up capital without delivering adequate returns.

In 2026, increasing profitability requires a blend of technology, financial discipline, proactive maintenance and a genuine commitment to customer relationships.

Prioritise maintenance and upgrades

Regular maintenance remains essential for keeping assets in top condition and ensuring customer satisfaction. Predictive maintenance strategies, supported by technology, help identify potential issues before they become costly problems. A proactive approach maximises equipment uptime and extends asset life, directly impacting profitability. Reliable, well maintained equipment also strengthens customer confidence, driving repeat business, referrals and long term client relationships.

Maximise transaction value

Increasing profitability isn’t just about more hires, it’s about making each hire more valuable. Upselling complementary items, such as safety gear or accessories, and offering bundled packages can increase the average spend per customer. Digital platforms can prompt these offers automatically during the booking process, making it easy for customers to add extras and for your business to boost revenue without extra admin.

Explore different pricing models such as dynamic pricing to adjust rates based on demand, seasonality, or even specific customer segments. This approach may allow you to capture maximum value without alienating price sensitive customers. dynamic pricing may involve higher rates during peak construction periods or shorter term hires.

Focus on strong customer relationships

Long term profitability is built on strong relationships. Businesses that

invest in understanding their customer needs, clear communication, responsive service, and a tailored onboarding experience, create loyal customers who are less likely to shop around. Personalised service, regular check ins, and loyalty incentives can all contribute to higher retention rates and more stable revenue streams and margins.

Embrace technology as an enabler

Technology continues to play a central role in improving profitability across the hire and rental sector. Integrated management systems and automation tools are increasingly essential for tracking assets, managing bookings, maximising energy efficiencies and optimising maintenance schedules. By reducing manual processes and centralising information, businesses can save valuable time, capture all usage revenue and gain real time insights into their operations.

Increasing profitability in the hire and rental industry in 2026 requires a blend of technology, financial discipline, proactive maintenance, and a genuine commitment to customer relationships. By embracing these strategies and staying agile in the face of change, owners can navigate a shifting landscape with confidence and set their businesses up for long term success.

If you’d like to discuss how these strategies apply to your hire or rental business further, please reach out to Nicholas Guest, HLB Mann Judd 02 9020 4121 or email nguest@hlbnsw. com.au. T

CELEBRATING 75 YEARS OF FLEXTOOL

Flextool celebrates a significant milestone in 2026, marking 75 years of supplying quality construction equipment to the Australian market.

FLEXTOOL'S HERITAGE IS defined by practical innovation and a deep understanding of industry needs. It all began in 1951 in Robert ‘Bob’ Miller’s small workshop in Collingwood, Victoria. Today, Flextool is a nationally recognised brand built on quality, innovation, partnership and a steadfast commitment to the people who build Australia.

While its historical achievements form a strong foundation, the brand remains firmly focused on the future, delivering contemporary solutions, supporting the trade, showing up for customers, and continually raising the standard of supplying quality construction equipment.

Flextool has also been part of the Australian hire landscape since 1970, long before the sector formalised into what is now the Hire and Rental Industry Association (HRIA). As the industry grew from individual operators into a national network representing more than 1,000 members, Flextool grew with it. That shared history is reflected in the many archival images and stories that continue to shape the brand’s connection to hire businesses across the country.

To commemorate the 75 year milestone, Flextool is on a national roadshow in its custom branded van, ‘Bob the Van’ named in honour of Bob Miller. The road, the vehicle and the journey form the backbone of Flextool’s anniversary narrative and is a tangible expression of Flextool’s commitment to being present, visible, and connected with the community.

The tour has activated in high foottraffic locations across the country, from car parks and new estates to wellknown local landmarks. At each stop, the team engages directly with tradies, customers and partners, bringing the Flextool brand to life in an energetic and highly engaging way, including the distribution of branded giveaways.

Three-quarters of a century later, Flextool remains true to its original aims of being a trusted partner to the trade. Driven by quality, innovation and a genuine connection to the people who rely on its tools every day, Flextool – with Bob the Van leading the way – is already writing its next chapter.

Flextool’s heritage is defined by practical innovation and a deep understanding of industry needs.

Supporting and advancing a safe and strong access industry in Australia through

EWPA Membership

EWPA Yellow Card Program

EWPA Accredited Trainers

EWPA Stationery

EWPA Safety Resources

The EWPA provides a united voice for the industry, promoting the industry as the safest choice for carrying out work at height. Visit www.ewpa.com.au

EWPA

VIC

QLD

SA

XCMG Fire-Fighting Safety Equipment Co., Ltd

Address: No 17 Zhujiang East Road Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China

Tel: +86-0516-87989588

Email：stevenkuang@xcmg net au

XCMG MINING EQUIPMENT AUSTRALIA PTY LTD

Address: 33 Westpool Dr, Hallam VIC 3803, Australia

Tel: 1800 565 988

Email：stevenkuang@xcmg net au

John Glover EWPA President

Leadership,

safety and certainty in a time of change

AS WE MOVE THROUGH Q2 2026, THE ELEVATING WORK PLATFORM INDUSTRY IS OPERATING IN A CHALLENGING ENVIRONMENT.

HIGHER BORROWING COSTS, labour shortages, and ongoing fuel and logistics volatility continue to pressure margins. Despite this, activity across construction, infrastructure, energy and maintenance remains steady, highlighting the industry’s essential role in Australia’s economy.

Safety and compliance are under increasing scrutiny, with the updated national Code of Practice reinforcing rising expectations around risk management, operator competency and equipment selection. This strengthens EWPA’s focus on advocating for nationally consistent, practical regulation that improves safety without adding unnecessary complexity across state borders.

The Hire sector is also evolving, with consolidation, investment in modern fleets, and the shift to electric and low-emission equipment reshaping the market. Customers are demanding greater assurance — that equipment is fit for purpose, operators are properly trained, and safety systems are robust. This underpins EWPA’s continued emphasis on highquality training, including the EWPA Yellow Card.

Advocacy remains central to EWPA’s work, with ongoing engagement across regulators, government and industry on safety reform, skills and major projects. The goal is clear: to support members to operate safely, competitively and sustainably in an increasingly complex environment.

Looking ahead, HIRE26 presents a key opportunity for industry collaboration — bringing together hire companies, manufacturers, suppliers and end users to address critical issues such as safety, regulation, innovation, fleet strategy and workforce capability. The Global Access Meeting at HIRE26 will also provide valuable insights to help businesses stay aligned with the evolving EWP landscape in Australia.

I look forward to seeing everyone at Sydney Olympic Park.

“HIRE26 presents a key opportunity for industry collaboration.”

Sinoboom expands portfolio with TH25-06

THE LAUNCH OF SINOBOOM’S TH25-06 TELEHANDLER INTO THE AUSTRALIAN MARKET MARKS AN IMPORTANT STEP IN THE COMPANY’S CONTINUED EXPANSION BEYOND ITS CORE ACCESS EQUIPMENT PORTFOLIO.

Telehandlers have long been a staple on construction and industrial job sites, valued for their ability to lift, load and move materials efficiently across a wide range of applications. While the market is well established, the demands placed on these machines continue to evolve. Tighter urban job sites, growing productivity pressures and the need for versatile equipment are reshaping what contractors and rental companies expect from modern telehandlers.

It is into this evolving landscape that Sinoboom is introducing its first telehandler for the Australian market, TH25-06.

provides the performance needed for a wide range of everyday material-handling tasks, from moving palletised materials to positioning building supplies and equipment.

The compact footprint of the TH25-06 makes it particularly suited to sites where space is limited or access is restricted. Urban construction projects, renovation work and industrial facilities often require equipment that can operate efficiently in tighter environments, and compact telehandlers are increasingly valued for their ability to deliver lifting performance without the bulk of larger machines.

Versatility is another key advantage.

The TH25-06 is a compact telehandler designed to deliver practical capability while maintaining the manoeuvrability required on modern job sites.

Known globally for its range of mobile elevating work platforms (MEWPs), Sinoboom has built a strong reputation in the access sector. The introduction of a telehandler reflects the company’s ambition to provide customers with a broader suite of equipment solutions that support productivity across construction, infrastructure and industrial environments.

At the centre of this expansion is the TH25-06, a compact telehandler designed to deliver practical capability while maintaining the manoeuvrability required on modern job sites. With a 2.5-tonne lifting capacity and a maximum lift height of six metres, the machine

Like many telehandlers, the TH25-06 can be used with a variety of factory approved attachments, enabling it to perform multiple functions across a worksite. For contractors, this flexibility allows one machine to support a range of material-handling tasks, improving overall site efficiency.

For rental companies, machines like the TH25-06 also offer strong utilisation potential. Compact telehandlers can serve multiple industries and applications, helping fleets maximise equipment use across different projects and customer requirements.

As Sinoboom continues to grow its global footprint, the launch of the TH25-06 demonstrates the company’s commitment to expanding its equipment offering and delivering practical, versatile solutions for the evolving needs of construction and rental customers. T

HIRE26

Best New Products Access/Software

These are the nominees for the Best New Products — Access category

Access

1. Genie: S-85 XC FE Stand #45

2. Haulotte: HS21 E PRO Stand #16

3. Skyjack: Skyjack’s LanyardGO Stand #66

4. Traccess: TM130 Trailer Mounted Boom Lift Stand #35

These are the nominees for the Best New Products — Software category

Software

1. Klipboard: OnRent Go Stand #82

2. MCS Rental Software: MCS AI Insights Stand #62

3. Point of Rental Software: Rental Intelligence Suite Stand #14

Evolve connectivity into interactivity with JLG’s ClearSky Smart Fleet

THE JLG CLEARSKY SMART FLEET™ IOT PLATFORM LAUNCHES THE INDUSTRY TOWARD A BOLD, NEW FRONTIER IN FLEET MANAGEMENT AND DIGITISATION.

Today’s job sites are increasingly demanding – crews are stretched thin, equipment moves constantly and managers must deliver more with fewer resources.

ClearSky Smart Fleet is among the most advanced, two-way data transmission that’s designed to help unlock record-breaking levels of productivity and profitability in the field. Save time, reduce errors and boost productivity with digital workflows that streamline machine tracking, maintenance and control. ClearSky Smart Fleet automates high-effort tasks that previously consumed hours of labour, such as geofencing, machine access control, software updates and equipment localisation on multi-story sites.

The ClearSky Smart Fleet advantage

 Enjoy immediate visibility to your entire fleet’s health and performance data and persist across the portal no matter where the user navigates.

 View the entire fleet or drill down to an individual model with powerful filters and easy-to-use customisation, including dragand-drop window widgets that allow any role to prioritise the actionable insights they need to maximise productivity and ROI.

 Access serial number specific data such as interactive schematics, knowledge articles, manuals and parts information in seconds.

 Perform wireless diagnostics with the builtin analyser functionality, saving time and money by replacing the need for a separate JLG handheld analyser.

 Generate an easy-reference, onepage summary of a machine’s set-up, personalities, diagnostics and fault log data, analyser reader, that can also be easily downloaded and shared.

With over 100,000 connected units, ClearSky Smart Fleet continuously delivers new, digitally deployed capabilities to compatible JLG machines. Each subscription becomes more valuable over time as the platform evolves. For rental companies and contractors facing mounting labour and efficiency pressures, ClearSky Smart Fleet provides a practical, scalable path toward fully automated job site operations.

Two-way communication ensures managers can not only receive data but also interact with machines remotely — even when they’re powered off.

ClearSky Smart Fleet at a glance

ClearSky Smart Fleet is a robust, constantly evolving platform capable of delivering new functionalities, new insights and new ways to run efficient, more cost-effective operations. That helps keep you on top of:

 Fleet Management: Real-time tracking of vehicle location, speed and engine diagnostics.

 Driver Behaviour: Analysis of braking, acceleration and speeding to encourage safe driving and lower insurance premiums.

 Maintenance and Efficiency: Proactive identification of engine faults and optimisation of fuel consumption.

 Compliance: Automated logging of driver hours of service (HOS) to meet regulatory requirements.

ClearSky Smart Fleet is part of JLG’s Online Express service, so you can manage your fleet, troubleshoot, order parts — access everything you need to keep your fleet in top shape — with your Online Express login.

Visit smartfleet.jlg.com to discover more.

A SMARTER WAY TO WORK HAS ARRIVED

DOZENS OF WORKSITES. HUNDREDS OF MACHINES. ENDLESS COMPLEXITIES.

TELEMATICS CAN ONLY DO SO MUCH... SO DO MORE.

THE ALL-NEW CLEARSKY SMART FLEET™ FROM JLG® USHERS IN A BOLD, NEW FRONTIER IN FLEET MANAGEMENT FOR THE INDUSTRY BY EVOLVING ONE-WAY CONNECTIVITY INTO TRUE, TWO-WAY FLEET MANAGEMENT AND MACHINE INTERACTIVITY ANYWHERE YOU WORK.

MACHINE

Haulotte’s next generation electric articulating boom

Modern construction increasingly involves large logistics warehouses, distribution centres and mega data centres where working heights and floor space continue to expand. As these facilities grow in scale and height, contractors require access equipment capable of lifting multiple workers and materials efficiently while maintaining manoeuvrability across large internal and external work zones.

Many major tunnelling and underground infrastructure projects are also driving demand for electric machines powered by battery systems that can operate safely underground while reducing environmental impact and ventilation requirements.

To meet the evolving demands of modern job sites, Haulotte’s next generation 20m articulating booms from their Pulseo range — HA20 E and HA20 E PRO — are delivering diesel-like power without the noise, emissions or maintenance constraints of combustion engines.

Electric without compromise

The HA20 E’s 100 per cent electric architecture supports two days of operation in rough terrain conditions with zero emissions in electric mode. This reduces environmental impact and aligns with the growing demand for low-emission equipment. It’s designed for multi-phase projects, seamlessly transitioning from heavy-duty outdoor terrain (as an RTJ diesel model) to precision indoor tasks. With non-marking tyres, compact dimensions and four-wheel drive (plus four-wheel steering and oscillating axle in the PRO version) the HA20 E adapts to every jobsite condition.

The HA20 E boasts up to two people in the

basket (250 kg max. load capacity) and three people with Haulotte’s Extra Reach option (350 kg load capacity), comfortably accommodating operators and tools. The intuitive hydraulic system delivers simultaneous movements with precise positioning, significantly improving job efficiency.

Built for hire

The HA20 E reflects Haulotte’s European manufacturing standards with a focus on durability and long service life. Reinforced solid hoods provide increased resistance to impact and harsh site conditions, reducing damage and extending machine lifespan in rental environments. Operator-focused innovation is also evident through features such as the transport handle, which is located next to the lower control box. It is a simple addition to the machine and dramatically improves the safety and efficiency when loading/unloading the machine for transport.

From a fleet perspective, the HA20 E is built on a common chassis architecture shared across the Haulotte PULSEO range, including major structural components such as chassis and counterweight. This significantly reduces parts stocking requirements, simplifies technician training and lowers service costs across your Haulotte fleet.

The machine is supported by Haulotte’s genuine parts network, with components backed by a two-year manufacturer warranty on genuine Haulotte parts. delivers predictable maintenance, reduced downtime and lower lifecycle costs for fleet owners.

Visit Haulotte Australia at HIRE26 (Booth 16) or www.haulotte.com.au.

Genie boom lift range delivers electrification and access on challenging terrain

TO MEET THE DEMANDS OF AN INCREASINGLY DIVERSE MIX OF JOBSITES, HIRE FLEETS ARE LOOKING FOR EQUIPMENT THAT IS VERSATILE WITHOUT SACRIFICING PERFORMANCE.

Across Australia, access equipment is operating on an increasingly wide range of jobsites and conditions.

Hire fleets are expected to support everything from dense, noise-sensitive urban construction to remote infrastructure projects where ground conditions, service access and reliability remain critical.

At the same time, lower maintenance requirements and predictable operating costs are becoming more important as hire companies look to keep machines working longer, with fewer service interventions.

Genie is meeting these needs with a portfolio of boom lifts that include high-performance electric and hybrid boom lifts for indoor and outdoor jobs, specialty tracked booms for challenging and sensitive terrain, high-capacity lifts for heavy materials, and a range of options and accessories that enable safe productivity for specific jobs and tasks.

Larger electric telescopic booms – like the Genie S®-85 XC™ E electric lift – are capable of delivering quiet, emission-free operation for indoor work or urban environments, while offering performance and capacity for rugged outdoor sites.

S-85 XC E electric boom lifts are powered by 48-volt lithium-ion batteries, which is the smallest lithium-ion in its height class. The boom is designed with efficiency improvements that reduce energy consumption, allowing the use of a smaller battery than competitors’ lifts of a comparable size.

For more rugged terrain, soft ground, or environmentally sensitive areas where conventional wheeled machines can struggle, Genie TraX™ boom lifts further expand jobsite access. Genie TraX offers lower contact pressure to reduce damage when operating on sensitive or soft ground surfaces, such as wet grass, mud or sand, and a smooth drive on rough ground conditions, like uneven gravel or rock.

The S-45 TraX machine in Genie’s booth at HIRE26, which is representative of Genie’s lineup of TraX machines available in Australia, offers 300 kg unrestricted and 454 kg restricted dual lift capacity.

In addition to performance, reliability and maintenance considerations continue to influence fleet decisions as well. Across Genie’s product portfolio, there is an emphasis on identifying and implementing design decisions that reduce maintenance needs, lower the total cost of ownership and improve reliability.

The S-85 XC E, for example, includes more than 80 quality improvements resulting in a 15 per cent reduction in ownership costs. This includes 48-volt lithium-ion batteries that do not require maintenance or replacement, cable tracks that are better organised to improve serviceability and longevity, and solid-state proximity switches that are fully sealed to prevent weather damage.

Those priorities — supporting supporting urban, noise and emissions-sensitive projects as well as rugged, remote worksites while maintaining uptime and operating costs — are reflected in Genie’s booth at HIRE26. With a display that represents electric and tracked lifts, along with options and accessories, Genie is showcasing how it is innovating its offerings to support a wide range of jobsite conditions.

Visit Genie at Booth 45 at HIRE26 this month in Sydney.

Performance Without Compromise

Genie® FE Hybrid and E Electric Technology Attractive

WorkSafe Victoria Demo Day showcases industry collaboration and practical safety leadership

What happens when you bring together a broad range of demonstration equipment from some of the country’s leading manufacturers and around 40 inspectors from WorkSafe Victoria? A showcase of industry collaboration and practical safety leadership.

Hosted by Haulotte Australia at its Dandenong branch, the Worksafe Victoria Demo Day gave WorkSafe Victoria inspectors an opportunity to get hands-on with equipment supplied by Haulotte Australia, JLG Industries, Sinoboom Australia, Ahern Australia and EQSS.

Each machine was set up in a dedicated workstation, where inspectors could explore different models, enhance their own capabilities and gain a better understanding of key safety features and emergency systems.

The format allowed attendees to compare technologies, ask detailed operational questions and provided practical insights into safe machine selection, operation and emergency retrieval.

Two theory-based stations added further depth to the day’s learning:

 Engistics delivered a focused session on best practice load restraint

 the EWPA provided an overview of operator training requirements and highlighted publicly available online resources that inspectors can access in the field.

Haulotte Australia General Manager and EWPA VIC President, Keith Clarke, said the day reflected the association’s commitment to strengthening safety outcomes across the access industry.

“The EWPA has a primary focus on promoting safety in the access industry,” said Keith. “The training and demonstrations were designed to provide real world, practical experience into safe operation of EWPs.”

“We saw this as both a valuable way to support inspectors in their day-to-day roles and to continue fostering the relationship between WorkSafe Victoria and the EWPA.”

For EWPA National Training Consultant Nicolas Chiew, the overwhelmingly positive feedback received further reinforced the value of the initiative.

“This format proved highly effective in supporting safety regulators and raising awareness of the EWPA’s focus on a safe access industry.”

A model for national collaboration

The success of the Demo Day highlights the strength of industry partnerships and the impact of practical, hands-on learning. By bringing regulators and industry together in a real-world environment, the EWPA and its members are helping ensure inspectors are better equipped, better informed, and better connected to the evolving technologies shaping safe access operations.

As momentum builds to roll out similar events across the country, this collaborative model is poised to become a benchmark for how the access industry strengthens safety culture through partnership, transparency and practical learning.

Choose your power with Skyjack’s BatteryElectric and HybridElectric Articulating Booms

RENTAL COMPANIES AND LEADING CONTRACTORS CAN RELY ON THE ALL-ELECTRIC ZERO-EMISSION PRODUCTIVITY OF SKYJACK’S NEW SJ45 AJE+ AND SJ60 AJE+ AND THE HYBRID-ELECTRIC FLEXIBILITY OF THE NEW SJ45 AJHE+ AND THE SJ60 AJHE+.

Skyjack has expanded its rough terrain articulating boom offering with the introduction of a new range of all electric and hybrid electric models, designed to deliver true jobsite performance without sacrificing the capabilities traditionally associated with diesel machines.

Developed to operate across demanding outdoor terrain as well as emission restricted indoor environments, the new articulating booms provide rental companies with a flexible solution that supports changing customer and regulatory requirements. Crucially, Skyjack has engineered the range with common specifications, parts, capacities, reach, and dimensions across diesel, hybrid electric, and all electric variants. This allows rental fleets to select their preferred power option while maintaining consistency within a single machine platform.

Skyjack President Charlie Patterson said the new range responds directly to rental and contractor demand for cleaner, quieter access equipment that does not compromise on productivity. He noted that the hybrid

and battery electric models offer low or zero emissions, reduced operating costs, and improved utilisation, while retaining the simplicity and reliability for which Skyjack machines are known.

At the core of the new articulating booms is Skyjack’s AXLDRIVE™ system, which provides a true mechanical four wheel drive configuration. Featuring an oscillating steer axle and a manually controlled rear locking

The latest boom lifts have been designed to maximise uptime and lifespan through simple controls, onboard digital diagnostics, and easy access to service points.

differential, the system delivers superior traction and up to 45 per cent gradeability, enabling confident operation on challenging rough terrain.

EASYDRIVE™ technology further enhances operator control by using intuitive direction sensing. Operators can move the machine in the general direction of joystick movement without the need to reference directional colour indicators, simplifying operation and reducing the learning curve on site.

Productivity is also improved through SKYRISER™ technology, which ensures the riser and main pivot point connecting the fly boom travel in a true vertical line. By eliminating forward or backward drift during vertical movement, operators can remain closer to building facades, reducing the need for repositioning and improving efficiency. On selected models, SPEEDYREACH™ enables faster cycling between ground level and maximum height without engaging the riser function, saving valuable time during repeated access tasks.

The new battery electric and hybrid electric articulating booms maintain platform

capacities of up to 454 kg (1,000 lb) while delivering multi day operation from a single charge. Hybrid models also support bulk charging, achieving a full charge in under three hours. This combination allows machines to remain productive across long shifts and varied jobsite conditions.

Integrated electrical controllers connect seamlessly with Skyjack’s SkyCoded control system, ensuring commonality across the fleet and simplifying troubleshooting. Operators and service technicians can also access machine specific data using the ELEVATE Live QR code, providing instant access to serial number specific service information via smartphone.

According to Corey Connolly, Skyjack’s Head of Product Management, the latest boom lifts have been designed to maximise uptime and lifespan through simple controls, onboard digital diagnostics, and easy access to service points. With no plug in calibration required for day to day troubleshooting and common parts across the range, maintenance and repairs are straightforward, further reinforcing Skyjack’s reputation for reliability and ease of ownership. T

NEW FOR RENTAL

Skyjack’s new models all provide the same simple, reliable choice for rental.

Is electric, bienergy or diesel equipment right for you?

AUSTRALIAN WORKSITES ARE ALWAYS EVOLVING – AHERN AUSTRALIA CAN PROVIDE GUIDANCE ON THE RIGHT MACHINE FOR THE JOB.

Project managers are constantly pushed to rethink power sources and equipment selection due to tighter noise limits, higher air-quality expectations and fluctuating resource costs. Diesel may still have a place with heavier loads and rough terrain applications, however electric and bi-energy alternatives are becoming standard for a growing share of indoor, urban and remote jobs.

Choosing electric, diesel, or bienergy access equipment

There are many job sites where diesel equipment is a necessity. Long travel distances, limited power access and extreme environments favour diesel’s ability to keep delivering power. For projects where equipment performs multiple short tasks on level terrain, electric and bi-energy translates to predictable performance and benefits for reduced noise, emissions and diesel usage.

Ahern Australia’s electric and bi-energy equipment uses two types of battery technology depending on application: lithium-ion (L-ion) or Absorbent Glass Mat (AGM) lead-acid packs.

L-ion packs, available in most of our electric equipment such as the Snorkel S3013 Mini, S3220 Mini and S3219Plus scissor lifts, the Snorkel RTE range of Rough Terrain Scissor lifts and Bluelift spider lifts, provide fast charging and consistent power delivery. AGM packs are also available in the Snorkel mini and electric scissor lift range, along with our electric boom lifts, which are maintenance-free, vibration resistant and have a longer lifespan than standard lead-acid batteries.

Bi-energy allows operators to manually switch between electric and diesel. It’s an operational advantage when working across multiple indoor/ outdoor sites, maximising battery cycle/working time. These units can be installed to Snorkel rough-terrain scissor lifts and trailer mounted boom lifts, such as the MHP13AT, even after the manufacturing process.

Total cost and lifecycle view

When choosing between electric, bi-energy or diesel access equipment, you need to assess your options and determine what will provide the best total cost of ownership for your business. Consider:

• Energy cost per operating hour – litres of fuel vs cost of charging

• Maintenance schedule – warranty, scheduled and programmatic service plans

• Logistics – refueling or charging layout including generator support

• Project or site value – gains in working windows, fewer noise complaints and worker comfort

• Flexible finance – query your ownership options when purchasing.

Ahern Australia’s Procurement Guidance

When choosing between electric, bienergy or diesel access equipment, you need to assess your options and determine what will provide the best total cost of ownership for your business.

Electric and diesel will coexist for years. However, if your requirements can be better met by changing some of your equipment to electric or bi-energy, here are some actions for an effective and best-value transition:

• Identify upcoming work sites with environmental constraints; either supporting electric, such as night or indoor work, or challenging electric, such as charging difficulties or heavy use on rough terrain.

• Set performance targets that machines need to achieve, such as availability, charge window and run time, and evaluate models against the duties they perform.

• Ask for telematics-enabled units so you can monitor utilisation, identify faults and adjust future equipment selection.

Need assistance in selecting the right access equipment for the job? Contact the Ahern Australia team to discuss your options.

More than 98,000 visitors experienced the best of Tasmania at the 2025/26 Taste of

Brett O’Hara HRIA Events Division President

Spreading the good word

There’s so much value on offer for members of the HRIA – so what else could you be accessing to help your business?

Recently, I had a great opportunity to catch up with the owners of a small event hire business, Over the Top Events, located in Cowes on Phillip Island (Victoria).

Kristie and Dugald Cameron deliver memorable and creative gatherings across the island. However, like everyone in the events and hire sectors – and across the community – the Camerons are also navigating their way through some big challenges.

Number one issue – and they’re definitely not alone on this one – is how to deal with the pressure of increased fuel costs and the impact it’s having on their business. One option we discussed was introducing a fuel levy, similar to what’s been implemented by the transport industry. Given the volatility of fuel prices, it’s possibly the only way to deal with the immediate impact on business.

On a more positive note, they’ve recently moved their business to HRIA Insurance and report the product and service have been fantastic. You can find all the details of our insurance offering on our website at hria.com.au/hriamembership/hria-benefits-hria-insurance.

We also spoke about staffing issues, which again is a common challenge for businesses in this sector. The good news is that specific workplace relations support is available through HRNET, an initiative of the

HRIA and MST Lawyers. HRNET provides assistance and information on Awards, workplace authorities, fact sheets and templates, plus fixed fee enterprise agreement solutions.

From a professional development perspective, Kristie has just completed the HRIA’s Women in Hire program with Melinda Healey from Harry the Hirer as her mentor. Kristie loved the program and is so glad she put her hand up for the opportunity. I’d echo those sentiments and encourage every event company to consider how a member of your team could benefit from the HRIA’s professional development programs, whether it’s Women in Hire or Young Professionals.

Finally, I encouraged Kristie and Dugald to attend HIRE26 (in Sydney on 20-21 May). It’s such a great opportunity to wander around the exhibition and see the latest products and innovations from key suppliers to our industry. There’s also a great program of keynote speakers, panel sessions on business growth and the future of hire and of course, the biggest event of the year, the Hire Industry Excellence Awards and Gala Dinner.

Membership of the HRIA really does have its advantages so what more could you be accessing?

See you in Sydney at HIRE26.

Beyond the marquees

For more than 80 years, Salters Hire has been part of the fabric of Tasmania’s events landscape.

Salters Hire Managing Director, Jarrod Nation, is only the third custodian of an events business that has a long history in Tasmania. Established in the 1940s as a catering business, Salters was a pioneer of the local event hire industry and introduced the first large-scale marquee structures to Tasmania.

Jarrod came to the events sector after spending 20 years in Melbourne in corporate roles. On returning home to Tasmania with his wife and family, he was looking for something to do.

“I knew some of the Salters boys from playing footy back in the day and thought ‘how hard could it be?’,” says Jarrod. They acquired the business in 2017 from its second owners, the Lyons family. “I didn’t know what I was doing for a while,” he admits, “but not having preconceived ideas turned out to be mostly a good thing.”

What Jarrod did bring was a focus on people, systems and scale. Initially, Salters was operating with four trucks, about 400 m² of warehouse space and a small team. Today, the numbers tell a different story: close to 30 vehicles in the fleet, nearly 20,000 m² of space across two sites (Hobart and Launceston), and a workforce of around 52 (about 28 full-time permanent), flexing with seasonal demand.

At the heart of their growth is a remarkably stable core team.

“We’ve evolved to focus on very good humans first, very good operators second,” Jarrod says. “Capability is something we build and then work hard to hold.”

That capability is tested across a range of work – from small dinner parties through to major festivals and more complex one-off builds. Recently, they installed a 10 x 21 metre marquee on a Level 10 rooftop of a CBD building. The job required street closures, cranes, heavy concrete ballast, council permits and carefully timed movements in a tight city environment.

“It was something we’d never done before,” says Jarrod. “It was pure planning – semis, cranes, councils, crowd control – but once the gear was up, building the structure was the easy bit.”

The logistics mindset is deliberate. “We move gear, we load and unload efficiently and we run a major cleaning operation,” he says. “Hire pays the bills, but we also have to be great at logistics and cleaning.”

Salters Hire have been a member of the HRIA for years with Jarrod now serving on the Victoria/Tasmania committee. He sees the value of the association in standardising training, safety and compliance resources that all members can use.

“Whether you’re big or small, we all face the same core issues: people, compliance and training,” he says. “How we service the market will always be different, but how we recruit, train and keep people safe shouldn’t be.”

In 2026, they’re a finalist in the Hire Industry Excellence Awards, an award they previously won around 10 years ago. They were also a finalist in 2023.

Jarrod says entering the Awards has tangible benefits. This year, as a direct outcome of the submission process, they’ve designed a system to harvest rainwater from their warehouse roof to use in cleaning operations.

“Ideas like that come from having to think through what we do, why we do it, and how we could do it better.”

“Whether you’re big or small, we all face the same core issues: people, compliance and training.”

Taste of Summer by the numbers

Salters Hire plays a pivotal role in shaping the look and feel of Hobart’s Taste of Summer festival (now in its 36th year), transforming the waterfront into a vibrant, welcoming and highly functional festival environment.

The Taste of Summer festival runs for eight days over the peak holiday period and is the largest stand-alone food and drink festival in Australia.

“It’s a huge economic driver in the summer — for hospitality, suppliers and the city,” says Salters Hire Managing Director, Jarrod Nation.

“It’s fun, well organised and can be stressful at times — and we’re very happy when it’s finished, but it’s also proof of what a well-organised regional hire business can deliver when the systems and people are right.”

By

the numbers:

• Site size: over 20,000sqm

• Marquees and other structures constructed: Salters supplied a large range of marquees from Dome Structures, Market Stalls, Pagodas, 6m, 9m, 10m, 20m, 25m marquees, integrated flooring, black structures, serving bars, indoor and outdoor furniture and catering equipment

• Salters’ workforce: 12-15+ onsite crew across the 15-20 bump in/out days.

• Visitors: 98,125

Hire Insurance Brokers are the new preferred insurance provider for HRIA Insurance.

HIGH PRESSURE WATER BLASTERS INSPIRED BY HIRE

FOR MORE THAN 30 YEARS, AUSTRALIAN PUMP INDUSTRIES HAVE BEEN MAKING ARGUABLY THE BEST HIGH PRESSURE WATER BLASTERS IN THE WORLD

Since 1993, Aussie Pumps has had a clear mission to provide first class water pumps and cleaning equipment to Australian and international consumers.

Inspired by a major hire company to make ‘hire proof’ high pressure water blasters, Aussie Pumps was soon on the road to building what is arguably the best high pressure water blasters in the world.

“Our pressure cleaners, trash pumps and new 316 stainless steel mining pumps are inspired by Australia’s dynamic hire and rental industry,” says Aussie Pumps Chief Engineer, John Hales.

“Our range starts with engine drive machines suitable for hire plant applications from 2,000 psi machines all the way to big 5,000 psi units that are Class A and do not require operators to be RTO trained.”

Most of Aussie’s machines are Class A in line with the Australian Standards. Their hire industry targeted products are designed to be trouble free, robust and effective and are Class A up to 5000 psi.

“We were the first to build 4,000 psi pressure cleaners in the country, based on a request from Andy Kennard,” says John. “We are surprised to see many hire companies still focusing on 3,000 psi units when an Aussie 4,000 psi Scud will get the job done faster, leading to a happy customer and a machine doing less work hours.”

Hot wash heroes

Aussie also produces the best range of hot wash machines.

“Our engine drive, petrol and diesel hot wash units go up to 130 degrees C and pressures as high as 5,000 psi,” says John.

“The machines we see in hire are designed for specific jobs that include cleaning down graffiti, removing grease or

oil stains from concrete and general equipment washdown.”

The Aussie Heatwave is the ‘hero’ with a 13hp Honda driven hot wash that does up to 130 degrees C. However, Aussie recommends operators don’t go beyond 90 degrees as they can still achieve the same level of cleaning capability while burning less diesel fuel.

“The Heatwave has a petrol engine, but the burner is diesel fuel fired, just like the electric hot wash units in stationary applications in wash bays,” says John.

The company has now introduced a 4,000 psi 415-volt electric steam cleaner called the Aussie Admiral 400. It’s a big success with local government. Smart hirers will start looking at these if they are renting to industrial applications like mines or quarries.

“Local government and mines like the idea of 4,000 psi wash bay machines as they get the job done faster and is more economical using far less diesel fuel in the burner,” he says.

The Admiral electric drive units come on steel chassis, with stainless steel cover and operate with slow speed, 1450 rpm electric motor and slow speed pump, adding up to long trouble-free life of the Aussie equipment.

Aussie's free high pressure safety training program

Aussie Pump’s Training Academy also offers a free online Safe Operator course, giving operators of their high pressure water blasters a basic understanding of the machines and the safety implications. The 15-minute course covers the Australian Standards for operators, high pressure water technology, maintenance and operation. Anyone interested in the course can simply scan the QR Code below for more information.

HIRE26

Best New Products General

These are the nominees for the Best New Products — General Equipment category

1. Kaeser Compressors: M 50E SFC Stand #6

2. XCMG: XT2506E compact telehandler Stand #11

3.➊ Husqvarna Construction Products: Battery Powered Work Light Stand #12

4. PR Power: X-TRAFFIC Stand #29

5. Sinoboom Intelligent Equipment: TH25-06 Telehandler Stand #33

6.➊ Swift Equipment: Swift PML08 Stand #44

7. Pramac Generac: GLT4-A Hybrid Solar Stand #48

8. Makinex: Forced Action Mixer Stand #53

9. Manitou Australia: MT 1130 Stand #63

10. EP Equipment: Compact Rough Terrain Forklift RTF25 Stand #87

11. MyNuEnergy: PowerQub-M Stand #92

12. Glenco Air & Power: Westinghouse iGEN2250Pro Stand #99

DIECI BRINGS ZERO EMISSION APOLLO E 26.6 TO AUSTRALIA

ITALIAN OEM DIECI IS INTRODUCING THE APOLLO E 26.6, A FULLY ELECTRIC TELEHANDLER DESIGNED FOR HIRE FLEETS SERVICING INDOOR, URBAN AND LOW EMISSION WORKSITES.

The compact electric machine delivers a 2.6 tonne lift capacity and a 6 metre lift height, driven by a 19kW electric powertrain suited to warehouses, sheds and enclosed construction environments.

“The 26.6 adds even more lifting capacity to the Apollo’s already impressive compact range”, said National Sales Manager Bob Mules.

Operator features include a 7 inch display, rear view camera and integrated warning systems to support safe, day to day operation.

Standard equipment includes automatic attachment recognition, with compatibility across common hire attachments such as lifting hooks, buckets, winches, grabs and personnel baskets. With no tailpipe emissions and significantly reduced noise, the Apollo e 26.6 is aimed at sites with strict environmental or noise controls, including indoor projects and city works.

Dieci reports reduced maintenance requirements and lower operating costs compared with diesel equivalents, an advantage for hire companies managing whole of life fleet costs. Despite its compact footprint, the telehandler offers a tight steering angle for manoeuvring in confined areas and can be integrated with on site photovoltaic charging systems.

Performance and operating specifications mirror the diesel Apollo 26.6, with the electric drivetrain providing a zero emissions alternative without compromising capability.

THE 26.6 ADDS EVEN MORE LIFTING CAPACITY TO THE APOLLO’S ALREADY IMPRESSIVE COMPACT RANGE.

You no longer have to choose between rugged reliability and precision control. Now featuring Sigma Frequency Control (SFC), the electric M 50 E delivers quiet, emissions-free power that adapts to your flow and pressure needs. Combined with IE3 efficiency and optional Telematics, it’s the complete package your fleet has been waiting for. Because at KAESER, we have your back.

au.kaeser.com

GERMAN ENGINEERING MEETS ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP: THE NEW M 50E SFC

KAISER’S PROVEN MOBILAIR E-POWER SERIES HAS BEEN REDEFINED WITH THE LAUNCH OF THE M 50E SFC (SIGMA FREQUENCY CONTROL).

Kaiser’s precision-manufactured compressor combines cutting-edge German engineering with a deep commitment to environmental stewardship.

The M 50E SFC offers a high-performance solution that protects your equipment and the ecosystem and is designed to set a new benchmark for portable screw compressors.

The compressor is specifically engineered for environmentally sensitive job sites where sustainability is a priority. It features an integrated condensate management system that actively prevents oily water from discharging into the soil, ensuring environmental compliance.

As with all e-power MOBILAIR compressors, separated condensate is collected in a dedicated container for safe disposal, while an optional compressed air aftercooler is available for enhanced air quality.

To ensure year-round reliability, the integrated Anti-Frost Control automatically prevents tool freeze-ups during winter operations. This advanced system requires zero manual intervention, eliminating the ‘tuning’ guesswork often required in harsh climates and significantly reducing downtime.

At the heart of this powerhouse is the Sigma Frequency Control (SFC) variable speed drive, which delivers decisive benefits by optimising power consumption through advanced automation. This technology allows for an energy-efficient adaptation of motor speed to real-time air requirements, improving overall efficiency and reducing operating costs.

 The M50E is a true all-rounder for construction site applications.

Users can flexibly adjust the working pressure between 6 and 11 bar via the frequency converter to suit diverse applications, such as blowing out formwork at 7 bar or dry ice cleaning at 10 bar.

The frequency converter also provides a critical advantage by ensuring a low starting current. This reduced draw prevents power network overloads, making it the ideal choice for operation on sensitive power grids, generators or future-proof external battery storage systems. The unit is also equipped with a DUAL Control System that features an integrated automatic start/stop and a dedicated quick-release coupling for seamless network pressure regulation.

Despite its advanced feature set, the German-made M 50E SFC remains a versatile all-rounder for construction and industrial service. The unit is exceptionally lightweight, weighing in at under 750 kg, and offers multiple enclosure options to suit different environments. It is available with a roto-moulded, impact-resistant PE enclosure or a zinc-phosphated, powder-coated metal enclosure. Both options provide excellent protection against the elements, ensuring the M 50E SFC remains a durable asset whether serving as a primary air source or a temporary backup unit.

Lifetime

In April 2027

Hitachi Construction Machinery will become LANDCROS

Hitachi Construction Machinery will change its name to LANDCROS.

We are taking a tradition of trust into the next century of innovation.

With close connections with sites around the world, we are opening up a new future.

Solutions Beyond Machinery