Tradies know that the right gear can make or break a job. But just as important is the confidence that the equipment will work first  time, every time. That’s why Kennards Hire’s Quality of Operations Management (QOM) program is worth celebrating – and why its  annual awards shine a spotlight on branches that keep equipment hire standards sky-high across New Zealand.

At its heart, QOM is a no-nonsense auditing system that keeps every Kennards Hire branch in check. Independent auditors visit each branch three times a year, scoring performance across four categories: administration, people and safety, equipment, and the hire  centre itself.

For tradies, that translates into peace of mind. Every drill, scissor lift, and generator is checked, cleaned and serviced, before it’s  turned around and back out on the shop floor for hire. It means the gear tradies rely on is always ready to go – functional, safe, and  reliable.

Tradies Benefit From Top-Ranked Branches

The 2025 QOM Awards put Invercargill at the top of the podium as the Kennards Hire New Zealand Branch of the Year. Christchurch  City, Dunedin, Mt Maunganui, and Power & Distribution Auckland also picked up high-ranking honours. For tradies in those regions,  it’s more than a trophy on the shelf – it’s absolute proof their local Kennards Hire branch is consistently hitting the mark on service and  safety.

Invercargill Branch Manager, Andrew Sheriff, said, “QOM keeps us on top of our game. When our teams are consistently looking for  ways to improve our customer experience, the gear we hire out and how our branches operate, tradies benefit from smoother hires,  fewer delays, and access to a wider range of equipment.” “For Southland tradies, it’s confirmation that their local Kennards Hire  branch isn’t just good – it’s the best in the country.”

Raving Fans

Most tradies won’t know what QOM stands for – and that’s the point. What they see is well-maintained gear, safe branches, and teams  that know their stuff. Not to mention, they get a customer experience that’s second to none in the industry. Which is why one of  the company’s values is Raving Fans – a concept built around making sure every customer walks away having the best experience  possible. The team at Invercargill also scored the annual ‘Raving Fan’ Award with an overall customer satisfaction score  of 9.58 (out of 10).  Andrew describes it as a truly humbling award as it champions the relationships the branch has with its customers,  especially the dedication to support local businesses in getting the job done right. “The guys that work at Invercargill are  truly customer service focused. They take the time to listen to our customers, are genuinely interested in asking about their jobs or  projects to make sure they are getting the right piece of equipment for the job.”

Lifting Up Communities

Kennards Hire’s culture runs deeper than what tradies experience in branch or on-site. All the branches are heavily involved in their  local communities, supporting grassroots sport, charity events, and local initiatives. For tradies, that means the branch they visit isn’t  just a hire yard – it’s part of the community they live and work in. Since it opened in 2018, the Invercargill team has built a reputation  not only for service but for being active in supporting local causes, such as Spirit Army and the KidsCan School Buddy Programme,  reinforcing the trust tradies already place in them.

Why It Matters

So what it all boils down to is that Kennards Hire prides itself on being a local business that understands Kiwi tradies and delivers  great customer service every day with equipment that works, advice tradies can trust and hire centres that back them up on site. “At  the end of the day, our QOM programme means tradies spend less time worrying about the gear and more time doing what they  do best – getting the job done right,” said Andrew.