Blackwood Hire first opened for business in 1981, when John Quirk established the company at the site of the Shell Service Station in Blackwood, which he owned. “He simply wanted to maximise the space he was using at the service station,” explains his son Ben, who has served as general manager of the company since 2008.
In the beginning, the company hired trailers, chainsaws, concrete mixers, lawn mowers and some power tools. Their turnover for the first week was $25 – but business grew steadily, and the company relocated to a larger premises in Blackwood in 1988.
“I grew up with a keen interest in the business and have worked in it full time since 2000,” says Ben. “Dad retired in 2009, and I continued to manage the business with the help of 12 staff.”
The company remains family-owned and operated and now offers a vast product range including everything from garden tools to earthmovers, serving builders, landscapers, civil contractors and homeowners. The company also provides demonstration videos online to assist customers in using their equipment.
Building a great business
Like any small business, Blackwood Hire has faced challenges over the years as they’ve grown.
“Some of our biggest issues have been achieving a good work-life balance, finding staff, tight cash flow periods and dealing with equipment shortages,” says Ben. “I find the best solution is to usually speak with peers in the hire industry, as someone else has usually experienced similar issues.”
The Quirk family’s hard work and persistence have paid off. Accru Harris Orchard Director Ainsley Coggins notes, “The company’s turnover has doubled in the last 10 years, and they’ve significantly expanded their hire offering to meet customer demand.”
Ben says that dedication to good customer service has been key for Blackwood Hire in achieving their success.
“A great business is one where both the business and the customer are happy with the transaction,” says Ben. “If a customer has a good experience, they’ll keep coming back and spread the word.”
Ainsley agrees, saying, “Customer service is a huge focus for them, and they’ve developed some very loyal customer relationships over the years. They listen to their customers and accommodate changing needs through their product range.”
They’ve also supported other local businesses and employed local staff who are knowledgeable about their products, developing a strong company culture with a dedicated team.
“I get great satisfaction in providing a workplace where employees enjoy their work, which helps to grow them as people, support their families and help them achieve their personal goals,” says Ben.
The role of Accru Harris Orchard
The Quirks have been clients of Accru Harris Orchard since 1977. They have helped the company in numerous areas over the years, including cashflow analysis, assisting with bank negotiations for an expansion in 2010, and completing a pricing analysis of hire fees to allow for more informed business decisions on making equipment purchases.
“Accru Harris Orchard has been our accounting firm from the beginning, and they’ve been with us for all the ups and the downs,” says Ben. “Roger and James Orchard were a big support of the business in the early days, and in the last several years we’ve worked with Ainsley.”
Accru recently assisted Blackwood Hire with a change of internal software to allow for more timely and meaningful reporting for management.
“Ainsley and her staff have been fantastic with their support and making the transition as smooth as possible,” states Ben.
He adds, “Accru Harris Orchard has always been there when we’ve needed them. They’ve helped with business strategies, succession planning, HR-related questions and providing ideas to improve profit, and they’ve always given us straightforward, honest feedback.”
Looking ahead
Ben expects that the company will continue to expand their products and services in the next few years.
“We’re well positioned to grow, with a strong infrastructure pipeline, and with the predicted housing shortages in the coming years, we expect a strong demand for our services,” he explains.
“We will continue to add to our fleet and serve our customers’ needs.”
To learn more, visit the Blackwood Hire website.
Want to learn more about how Accru Harris Orchard can help you build a great business? Contact our team today.
