Productivity in Australia’s construction industry is at a tipping point, according to Kennards Hire. With persistent skills shortages and skyrocketing material costs, construction projects are under unprecedented pressure to deliver on time and within budget.
Recognising this, the government has tasked the Australian Constructors Association (ACA) with driving a transformative strategy that prioritises innovation and accelerates the use of modern methods of construction (MMC), including the effective use of equipment.
The question is: how quickly can the industry adapt to secure its future? Recent ACA research found that unlocking greater productivity in the construction industry in line with the economic average would add up to $56 billion in construction capacity annually.
With so much at stake on these large projects, customers need to know their equipment is 100 per cent compliant at all times. While equipment costs usually account for only a small fraction of a project’s total budget, the impact of equipment failure can be enormous.
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The impact of equipment on productivity
Kennards Hire’s Construction Confidence Check 2024 research found that construction leaders attributed more than a quarter (28 per cent) of total lost productivity hours to a lack of, or old/faulty equipment.
In an industry where every hour counts, equipment failure should never be the reason a project is delayed. Even with the best-laid plans, things can go wrong at any time, which is why preparing a construction site for optimum productivity means being ready to respond to issues rapidly.
This is especially true for 24/7 projects where equipment breakdowns could result in the loss of an entire day’s work and wages. The importance of having reliable equipment and a responsive support system cannot be overstated.
Kennards Hire research shows that around two in five construction business leaders cite challenges in maintaining productivity with existing resources (i.e., skilled labour, materials, equipment) (43 per cent) as a key financial constraint impacting their businesses. Additionally, 30 per cent of lost productivity hours are attributed to a lack of labour or skilled labour to complete specific tasks.
As the industry continues to evolve with new technologies and innovations aimed at boosting productivity, access to cutting-edge equipment becomes non-negotiable. It is essential for organisations to access equipment that remains at the forefront of these developments. This requires experts on the front lines of innovative construction projects.
The culmination of these challenges and opportunities lies in combining quality equipment with dedicated partnerships to ensure there is always a solution for any roadblock at hand.
Partnering for peace of mind
The construction industry relies on the hire industry to provide the equipment and resources needed to get the job done. Partnering with suppliers like Kennards Hire often saves time and money, helping boost productivity onsite and freeing construction companies to focus on their core expertise rather than worrying about accessing necessary equipment.
The future of the hire industry lies beyond high-quality equipment. It depends on having experts available to support construction leaders from planning to execution and, likewise, when things go wrong. With the largest branch network in Australia and a reputation for rapid, reactive service, Kennards Hire delivers more than just tools – it provides expert advice exactly when and where it is required.
With decades of experience, Kennards Hire has supported construction leaders through periods of immense growth as well as economic turmoil, giving the company the knowledge and understanding to respond quickly and efficiently to provide solutions to any challenge.
This industry longevity and specialist knowledge have led to Kennards Hire building dedicated partnerships between select construction sites and its experts who are always on hand to deliver the advice and tools needed.
When the family-owned construction business Stephen Edwards Constructions began taking on larger projects in the rail network, beyond its core services, the company found it needed to hire equipment that was fully compliant with unfamiliar sectors.
Stephen Edwards Constructions’ infrastructure and assets manager, Adrian Kendall, said that building a relationship with a dedicated contact at Kennards Hire – who could assist from the tender stage to remediation – helped relieve the pressure of maintaining a large fleet of industry-compliant equipment.
“When we hire equipment from Kennards Hire, we know it’s top-of-the-range, well-maintained, and fully compliant with all the regulatory and safety requirements we need,” said Kendall.
“Workers on the ground are usually focused on the immediate problems they need to solve with a piece of equipment, but Kennards Hire helps us take a long-term view. They consider what equipment we’ll need for the duration of a project and what we might only require for a few days.
“And if there’s ever an issue with equipment, or if our account manager at Kennards Hire flags that we’ve had a small piece of equipment longer than expected, I know I can get on the phone and resolve it quickly.
“Every project we undertake is unique, and having someone to liaise with and pick their brain makes my job so much easier.”
Kennards Hire is dedicated to supporting the construction industry with the equipment and services needed to maintain high productivity levels and ensure project success.