Kennards Self Storage
 | This article may rely excessively on sources too closely associated with the subject, potentially preventing the article from being verifiable and neutral. (April 2024) |
| Formerly |
|
|---|---|
| Company type | Private company |
| Industry | Storage |
| Founded | 1973 |
| Founder | Kennards Hire |
| Headquarters | , Australia |
Number of locations | 101 (2023) |
Area served | Australia |
| Services | Storage sheds |
| A$328 million (2023) | |
| Owner | Kennard family |
Number of employees | 300 (2023) |
| Website | kss |
Kennards Self Storage is an Australian privately-owned self storage company.
History
[edit]
The company's forebears are in the establishment of Kennards Hire, when Walter Kennard founded W Kennard Agencies in 1948 selling equipment and machinery and becoming an agent for Caltex, Hillman, Humber and Lightburn.[1] The concept of an equipment hire business came about when instead of a customer purchasing a concrete mixer, Kennard rented the equipment for a fee.[2]
After relocating to Sydney, Kennards Hire established Australia's first self storage facility at the rear of its Moorebank, Sydney branch in 1973. Initially branded as Kennards Mini Storage it was renamed Easi-Stor in 1979.[3][4] In 1981 a derelict wool store building in Fortitude Valley, Brisbane was purchased and redeveloped as Queensland’s first self storage centre. Nine further properties were subsequently purchased in Sydney, Newcastle and Brisbane during the 1980s.[4]
In 1991, Andy and Neville Kennard who had taken over the business from their father, Walter, decided to split the business, with Andy retaining the hire equipment business and Neville taking the self storage business;[1][5] renamed as Kennards Self Storage. A further 14 storage centres opened in the 1990s including the first in Victoria.[4] Sam Kennard was appointed CEO in 1994, then aged 24 years, taking over from his father, Neville; and Sam's brothers, Walter (junior) and James, are also shareholders in the company.[2]
In the early 2000’s the first of 20 wine storage locations opened. In 2004, 24 self storage properties were added in the $220 million acquisition of Millers Self Storage. This was completed in a 50:50 joint venture with Valad Property Group;[6][7][8] and in 2008, Kennards became the sole operator of Millers.[9]
The company expanded to New Zealand in 2007;[4] and as of 2025[update], 112 facilities were operating across Australia and New Zealand.[3]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ a b "Kennards Hire 75". Kennards Hire. 2023. Archived from the original on 1 April 2024.[self-published source?]
- ^ a b Sprague, Julie-anne (18 December 2023). "How Sam Kennard built a $2.6b empire". The Australian Financial Review. Retrieved 5 June 2025.
- ^ a b "How Sam Kennard built a $2.6b empire". Australian Financial Review. 17 December 2023. Archived from the original on 21 December 2023.
- ^ a b c d "Brief History". Kennards Self Storage. Archived from the original on 17 March 2021.[self-published source?]
- ^ "Handing over should be a family concern". Australian Financial Review. 4 December 1995. Archived from the original on 31 March 2024.
- ^ Valad Property Group (14 October 2004). "Valad Property Group and Kennards Self Storage acquire Millers portfolio to become Australia's leading owners of self storage centres" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 1 April 2024 – via ASX.
- ^ Millers deal put away for $215m Australian Financial Review 15 October 2004
- ^ Kennards on top of the stack after buying Millers Sydney Morning Herald 15 October 2004
- ^ "Kennards Complete Buy-Out of Joint Venture". Kennards Self Store. 22 November 2010. Archived from the original on 24 March 2021.[self-published source?]
External links
[edit]- Kohler, Alan (4 April 2013). "Family Biz: Why there are two Kennards". Intelligent Investor. Retrieved 5 June 2025.
- Darren (2025). "From Family Business to Billion-Dollar Legacy: The Inspiring Journey of Sam Kennard and Kennards Self Storage". Rise Local. Retrieved 5 June 2025.