Hire company takes first foray into Pilbara

WA Equipment hire company Kennards have showed faith in the Karratha economy, moving in to town through the purchase of Lion Hire.

The past two years have seen many businesses servicing the resources industry wind down, most noteably Raw Hire, but has also seen a more varied selection of operators move in.

Kennards WA and NT general manager Tony Symons said the existing contact base and local staff would be retained and built upon.

”Lion Hire is a rock solid business, they’re not in trouble or anything like that,” he said.

”We just think we can add a whole lot of help and support to them... and fast track what they do.”

Mr Symons said the timing was right for Kennards to make its first move into the Pilbara as business costs eased.

”Our business is targeted to a slightly different market,” he said.

”We’re not targeting the big heavy construction expansion, instead it’s maintenance, it’s shutdown services, it’s local smaller construction.

”We still see lots of business here and lots of opportunity and we’re not burdened by some of the bigger costs which have had to be carried by others.”

Mr Symons said it was too early to make a call on whether there would be further expansion in the Pilbara, but it was a possibility.

The company will also continue Lion Hire’s commitment to sponsoring local sporting teams and community organisations.