Hire and Rental News - February 2018

INDUSTRY in FOCUS 16 HIRE AND RENTAL NEWS • FEBRUARY 2018 Q: What is happening in the events market? A: The nature of the events market (generally speaking) is things are forever changing. This means our stock is required to change as well. We need to ensure we are delivering high quality stock that will meet the ever changing needs of the customer. Q: What do you see happening in the industry in the next 10 years? Success is a process of change continued from p15... A: For an industry that is ever changing, this can be a hard question to answer. That said, we know people will continue to throw parties, host functions and a variety of celebrations. This means we will continue to provide high quality products with strong standards of customer service. Even with 52 years in the industry, we are still learning and growing as our clients’ needs change. Contact Barlens Hire on: 02 6281 9809 or visit: www.barlens.com.au Terry had a long and interesting career in the hire industry. Crommelins brought Makita Power Tools to Australia, and represented Robin/Subaru engines for over 50 years to be their longest serving distributor in the world. From an early start in real estate with Elders, Terry moved to shed and agricultural products supply with Boucher Industries, before heading to Sydney to take up a two year opportunity with cement aids. Terry always said it was because he felt he “couldn’t go back to WA with nothing” that he advertised seeking companies that wanted representation in WA. He gained the WA agency for the Sawmaster Bench saw, and in 1958, loaded one in the back of a ute and drove it back to WA. Crommelins Machinery was launched. Terry built the business by visiting building sites making friends and building long standing friendships. He started Crommelins Hire as a ‘try before you buy’ initiative which grew to 13 branches across the state and pioneered hire in the northwest of WA. He also added Crommelins Waste Disposal to the brand and it became a household name recognisable by its big blue bins and catchy radio advert ‘phone 288344 – Crommelins put a bin at your back door’. He sold both these businesses to a major public company and refocused on his sales business, which had grown to include branches in every state. To help his profoundly deaf daughter, Jenny, Terry visited the US for new VALE – Terry Crommelin OAM One of the early pioneers of hire with over 60 years of history in the hire industry in Australia, Terry Crommelin OAM, founder of Crommelins Machinery has died aged 90. initiatives in education for the deaf including teaching cued speech and lip reading as well as bringing home a US teacher to teach his daughter. This led to classes at his home for other deaf children and was the impetus for the beginning of the ‘Telethon Speech and Hearing Centre’. Thousands of students over 50 years have attended the school and had their lives changed by the dedicated staff. This lifetime achievement saw Terry and his wife Audrey awarded Order of Australia Medals. Terry was also involved with the introduction of the Variety Club for Children to WA, after being approached by an advertising friend of his from Sydney to use his contacts. Terry sponsored the first Variety Club vehicle in WA, which was donated to The Speech and Hearing Center and named ‘Jenny Crommelin'. Terry developed a passion in later life for the Murdoch University Vet Centre, and the Shenton Park Dogs Refuge for distressed and abandoned dogs. Terry loved helping those less fortunate, and over his life donated time, money and goods to many organisations, including Apex, Red Cross, Salvation Army and Silver Chain. Crommelins celebrates its 60th birthday in 2018 and is Terry's proud legacy. Crommelins at work Crommelins Machinery has been running under the company’s Directors, Terry’s children, Richard Crommelin and Victoria Sloan for the past three years since Terry retired from the Board. Richard and Victoria have both worked at Crommelins for 42 years between them, Richard as Managing Director and Victoria as Marketing Manager. They are enthusiastic about the future of Crommelins and are looking forward to a strong and secure future with new products and agencies in the planning, under the management of Crommelins CEO, Kevin Wilson. Terry Crommelin devoted his life to his business and to helping others Barlens Hire General Manager, Darren Guides (R) at the Hire Industry Excellence Awards in 2017