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HIRE AND RENTAL NEWS • AUGUST 2014
INDUSTRY NEWS
Australia moved one step closer to
adopting Emissions Standards for
petrol engines driving all outdoor
power equipment with the recent
announcement from Environment
Minister Greg Hunt.
Federal and State Environment
Ministers jointly called for the
Department to complete its final
recommendations by September.
“The industry isn’t concerned”,
according to Outdoor Power
Equipment Association (OPEA)
emissions spokesperson Robert
Baker. ”We have been working
with government since 2004 and
asked for small engine emissions
standards to commence in 2010”.
“We are ready” he added.
Industry Analyst Gary Fooks said:
“Since 2004 we have been looking
to reflect the USA EPA standards.
That’s not only the world’s best
standard, but the biggest market
for small engines which means
more choices and better prices.”
OPEA President Glenn Porter said:
“These standards will only control
new engines and outdoor power
equipment imported after the law
is passed. Nothing you own now
will be banned. And if you own a
product with a US or EU emissions
certification label, it already meets
the proposed standards.”
OPEA members will be well
informed and prepared to
implement the regulations.
While cars have had emissions
standards since the 1970’s the
small engine market is completely
unregulated in this country.
Australia is almost 20 years behind
the USA, and we lag Europe,
Japan, Canada and China in
setting emissions limits for small
non road engines.
All non-road engines under 19kW
(25hp) from lawn mowers to
outboards will also have to meet
the new standards.
Visit:
Outdoor power
equipment
emissions laws
move forward
When Sean Jordan and his business
partners embarked on construction of an
industrial estate in Katoomba, NSW, they
allocated space to operate a hire business
named Katoomba Hire.
Although the business started around
seven years ago it was only two years ago
they opened a shopfront and appointed a
manager.
“It was always in the back of our mind
to open a hire business. Fortunately,
our investment risk with inventory was
minimised through purchase of equipment
items for our own use in the construction
phase of our development,” Jordan said.
”Because the main purpose of having
the equipment was originally for our
construction needs, we didn’t take as
much time as we should to focus on future
needs. More recently we have re-assessed
the market and found contrary to our belief
the DIY customer would be our strongest,
our key market has emerged as the
construction contractor and tradesman.
“Today, we are able to target our market
better through online communications,
highly visible signage on our vehicles
and personalised service. Trade rentals
constitute around 80% of our business. In
fact, we carry a much wider range of gear
than one would expect in a small hire shop
-- we carry a bit of everything and have
expanded our inventory to ensure we have
what is needed,” Jordan said.
Katoomba Hire sources a full range of
Toro equipment from local distributor,
Semco. Their range includes both
tracked and wheeled compact loaders,
with attachments that include a four-in-
one bucket, trencher, post-hole auger,
leveller, ripper, and a rotary hoe with a
turf preparation wheel. There is also a
hydraulic model splitter and a 6 inch, 25
horsepower chipper
“In the hire business, the more equipment
you buy from a single supplier the better."
Contact: 02 9833 6000 for more or
visit:
The right stuff for Blue Mountains contractors
Katoomba Hire’s Sean Jordan. “Our range of Toro
equipment is extremely reliable, versatile and
always in demand.”
In a recent statement, Matthew Elvin,
Managing Director – Ahern Australia, had
this to say about the corporate changes:
"We are excited to be embarking upon
a new era with the purchase of Snorkel
International by Xtreme Manufacturing (a
company owned by Don Ahern) late last
year and the renaming of the company
from Snorkel Australia to Ahern Australia
at the start of April this year. While Ahern
Crommelins Machinery has promoted
Kevin Kitchen to National Sales Manager.
Kevin takes up this National Sales role
after 25 years with Crommelins where in
recent years he has been responsible for
establishing the AR range of Pressure
Cleaners, Himoinsa silenced diesel
generators, the Crommelins brand CPC
and the popular CPV Pressure Cleaners.
Kevin will work with the National Sales
Crommelins apppointment
team and
customers as
the company
introduces
new initiatives
and products
to further
establish the
Crommelins
brand.
Snorkel becomes Ahern Australia
Australia remains the exclusive distributor
of the Snorkel range of products and
committed to supporting our Snorkel
customers, the renaming will allow other
products to be sold and serviced through
our existing branch network alongside the
Xtreme telehandlers range which we are
looking forward to introducing into the
Australian market very soon."
Visit:
Kevin Kitchen
