NewHino helps keep the
show on the road
Born out of hard rock and hard work, Staging Rentals and
Construction Services is a unique business, providing
stages, drapes and construction to the event and
entertainment industry.
Staging Rentals and Construction Services
has grown from a small Sydney-based outfit
to now also having operations in Brisbane
and Melbourne, and the majority of its truck
fleet is made up of various Hino models
including Dutros, a Ranger, 300 and 500
Series.
The company was born out of hard work
when founder and director Meri Took began
providing staging services to the Sydney pub
circuit after learning the ropes as a roadie for
legendary Aussie rock band Cold Chisel.
Staging Rentals’ truck fleet is a far cry
from Took’s original ‘one man and a trailer’
approach. But the hard work element is still
very much there.
“The business wouldn’t survive without a
dependable truck fleet to move equipment to
and from product launches,” says managing
director David Comer.
“The fleet are moving our people and
equipment to our client’s corporate events,
exhibitions, television productions, theatres
and fashion shows. We average 10 jobs a
day. Just recently we’ve had the NRL grand
final, Fashion Week, the Motor Show, you
name it.”
Over its 22 years of existence the company
has put a lot of work into making performers
on stages, and models on catwalks, appear
in their best light by providing the staging
equipment - something most audiences
wouldn’t even think twice about.
The latest additions to Staging Rentals’
truck fleet are two new Hinos - a 500 Series
Pantech with side-curtains for the bigger jobs,
and a 300 Series light-duty truck for smaller
loads.
These trucks join three Hino Dutros, an
older 300 Series model and a Hino Ranger
equipped with a crane. While the older Hinos
have covered long distances, they’re still
out there doing their job reliably, and they
have inspired Staging Rentals to continue its
association with the brand.
“We’re running a ‘round the clock business
here, and our trucks are used to being loaded
to full capacity the whole time,” says sales
and operations manager Michael Stokes.
“And the Hinos just do their job. Even though
they get used and abused, we’ve never had
an issue with them. Their endurance is just
great,” he says.
“The creature comforts have improved so
much. The new ISRI driver’s seat just makes
driving so much more comfortable. The boys
love the entertainment system too, but they
shouldn’t have any time for watching DVDs!”
The Hino 500’s ease of driving is appreciated
by driver and staging assembler Vojta Parak.
“It’s really just like driving a very big car. The
gears shift easily and it’s just so smooth,” he
says.
“Our older Hinos are still good to drive and
they’re strong and reliable, but I love driving
the new ones.”
It’s true that Staging Rentals’ truck fleet has
helped the business come a long way, and
with the new 300 and 500 Series Hinos on
the fleet, the company is now travelling in
absolute comfort.
Hard work is a constant at Staging Rentals.
And so are the interesting experiences that
can be had when working in the event and
entertainment industry.
“The guys get to see some very interesting
things out on the road. If only those trucks of
ours could talk!” Michael says.
TMH Torque
I
14
1800 425 438
TMH Torque
I
15
1800 425 438
