Kennards take over Bendigo Hire

BENDIGO Hire will shortly become regional Victoria’s first Kennards operation as its former owner nears retirement.

A Kennards Hire spokesperson said the acquisition will add to the store’s existing range of offerings, providing gear like test and measure equipment, an eight-tonne excavator, concrete grinders and planers, concrete vacuums, tipper trucks, and more.

Bendigo Hire has been around for more than 50 years, and former owner Paul Rockes said the move was a “no brainer.”

“There’s hardly a job that’s been done in Bendigo, and I don’t think there’s been a backyard, or a garden landscaped in Bendigo, without equipment from Bendigo Hire,” he said.

“As a family-owned and operated business, we know Kennards Hire will do a good job of continuing our legacy by helping to make our customers’ jobs easy.”

Kennards Hire’s Victorian general manager Lance Hawes said all current Bendigo Hire staff have decided to stay on with the new owners.

“With their local knowledge and product expertise, along with an increased product range and ability for customers to access our entire branch network, we will continue to build on the exceptional work Bendigo Hire has done serving the community for more than 50 years,” said Mr Hawes.

“We look forward to being able to support the local community by adding our breadth of experience and resources to a team that knows and understands its customers.”

As part of the takeover certain Bendigo Hire items and memorabilia will be shipped to Sydney for display at the Kennards Hire Museum.