Hirepool Strengthens Presence In Sanitation

12th July 2004

Hirepool Strengthens Presence In Portable Sanitation Market

Hirepool Limited has strengthened its presence in the portable sanitation market by purchasing Port-a-loo (Auckland).

Port-a-loo is New Zealand’s most established portable sanitation provider and the acquisition makes Hirepool Auckland’s biggest supplier of transportable toilets.

Hirepool’s managing director, Tenby Powell, says Port-a-loo’s inventory will be added to Hirepool’s existing portable equipment stock creating a new division within the company.

“Hirepool already stocks portable toilets, barriers and fences,” Powell says. “Purchasing Port-a-loo allows us to create a new portable sanitation and safety division offering an all-round service. This, coupled with our eleven Auckland Hirepool branches, means we can provide a more responsive and complete rental equipment experience to the Auckland market.”

The new division and its 12 staff will be based at Port-a-loo’s existing site on Captain Springs Road in Onehunga.

Port-a-loo’s former company manager, Peter Elliott, is excited about the purchase and his new role as branch manager.

“New Zealand’s portable toilet business is still very much in its infancy compared to countries like the States,” he says. “There is huge potential for growth as more and more builders hire portable toilets for construction sites and people realise the importance of having sufficient toilets at parties, bbqs, concerts and weddings where we install deluxe units. All the staff are excited about joining the Hirepool team as it moves us into a new era and offers great growth prospects.”

The purchase of Port-a-loo by Hirepool is part of a nationwide expansion objective put in place by Powell when he took over the business in July last year. In the intervening 12 months, Hirepool has added 10 new branches in key locations across New Zealand – four by acquisition and a further six ‘greenfield’ developments. The company has also updated its corporate branding and website.

When Powell took the reigns at Hirepool last year he made it clear that his vision was to make Hirepool New Zealand’s recognised market leader in equipment rental and related services.

“We are very pleased with progress thus far of what is still phase one of our roll-out plan. We are being very selective in the way we implement further expansion plans. The purchase of Port-a-loo, which is well established locally, particularly among builders and contractors, is yet another example of how we are placing special emphasis on our major markets and our selective strategy.”

Powell, the former chief executive officer of Projex Limited, was part of a consortium that bought Hirepool from Owens Group for $46.6 million at the end of May 2003. JB Were (NZ) Limited took a 51% stake through its Private Equity No. 1 Fund. Powell (through Hunter Powell Investments) and Owens Group each hold 24.5%.

Since the buy-out Hirepool has moved with agility and pace, particularly in the last 10 months, opening branches in New Plymouth, Takanini, Mt Maunganui, Hamilton, Hastings and Dunedin with Tauranga, Rotoura, Palmerston North, Napier and two Christchurch branches soon to be added.

ENDS

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