The active investment in real estate followed by frantic building activity along the Garden Route has attracted numerous newcomers to share in the industry spoils. This has created an active market for equipment hire, catering for large and small contracting firms alike. Items such as scaffolding, shuttering, industrial power tools, woodwork machinery, fastening products, compressors, air tools, tile cutters, generators, concrete mixers etc. are in high demand within the building and home maintenance industry. While many entrepreneurs are managing small building contracting teams, their main support base comes from equipment hire companies. These entrepreneurs are obviously not in a position to purchase and maintain a huge range of industrial machinery. Compacting and power tool equipment alone may set a contractor back many thousands of Rands and therefore it makes business sense to hire equipment as and when required. Contractors need to know that the equipment being hired and used is totally reliable while should any unforeseen problems occur, the equipment can immediately be replaced.
This growing demand for hire equipment in the Garden Route has been identified and catered for by one of Knysna's most reputable companies, Knysna Equipment Hire. Don and Ivan van Lier identified the Garden Route as a 'hot spot' growth area some 10 years ago. Ivan agrees that the last year or two has seen an increase in the pace of this industry. "As a local company our strategy has always been to invest first in staff, property and equipment. Then we focus on building our customer base with good service, competitive prices and quantity of equipment". Industry demand has dictated that Knysna Equipment Hire manages scaffolding, maintenance and sales divisions (abrasives and accessories). Ivan adds that this line of business takes time to establish. "The many pitfalls inherent with buoyancy in the construction industry is the risk of smaller and new companies overtrading followed by bad debts. Bad debts are brought about by people venturing into this business without sufficient capital and basic business management skills".
There's no hiding the fact that equipment hire is a capital-intensive business to run. Knysna Equipment Hire's annual capital investment of approximately R600 000 used to renew equipment and machinery stands them in good stead amongst suppliers and customers alike. Besides investing financially, Don and Ivan have invested their expertise and leadership skills into a very special work ethic. Work colleagues are fairly remunerated and afforded the opportunity to receive training in various aspects from technical to advisory services. Customers as far a field as Plettenberg Bay and George are comfortable with Knysna Equipment Hire's service. 'This lays testimony to our focus on service as our competitive edge' says Ivan. In many instances, equipment is delivered directly to building sites.
Detailed management reports are compiled indicating which equipment is most sought after, thereby always ensuring that supply meets demand.
The professional standard set and maintained at Knysna Equipment Hire guarantees them the staying power required within the vast building and contracting industry.