Making use of tools which would have sat idle

WHEN builder Shaun Denton had a job that needed a forklift, he had a choice: buy it second-hand for $7000, even though he’d only need it once a year, or pay $25,000 in labour hire to get the job done.

He chose the cheaper option, but was then lumped with a machine that would cost a lot to keep in storage.

He came across Mobilise, a business marketplace where peers could hire out equipment to each other; like Airbnb for tradies.

“I listed my forklift,” Mr Denton said. “Within a week I had hired it out for $700 per week … a return on investment of 10 per cent.”

A residential builder since 1986, Mr Denton has accumulated plenty of equipment and tools over time, much of which sits idly in storage.

Mobilise launched this year with the goal of monetising such assets, said general manager Rob Rattray.

“We started with tools and machinery,” he said. “Some of the most popular items like road plates and diggers are versatile.”

Mobilise aims to be 20 to 30 per cent cheaper than established hire companies.

“We’ve built into the platform ways to monitor declarations and licence requirements,” Mr Rattray said. “Owners need to declare when a listing needs a licence or qualification and our rental process requires the renter to enter a licence number.”

Mr Rattray said insurance covers theft or damage up to $50,000.

Small business owner Wes Quick was the first to hire Mr Denton’s forklift. Mr Quick’s business Expella imports and sells ventilation products and he was preparing for a major delivery period that would require extra machinery. “Spending $770 on a forklift for a week when several containers are delivered is a small price to pay to ensure the business runs smoothly,” Mr Quick said.

Business-to-business hire is just one of many industries being disrupted by the sharing economy, said co founder of The Sharing Hub Justin Hales.

“I’ve seen farming equipment, where farmers don’t use their tractors all the time so share them instead; in education, people are providing services to teach or train their peers,” he said. “Anywhere underused assets can be shared effectively for income.”

Mr Hales’ own company Camplify provides campervans for travellers wanting flexible holidays. He had the idea when planning a roadtrip several years ago and finding nothing suited.

“The sharing economy goes beyond just utilising equipment and spaces,” he said. “Anywhere big corporates … aren’t able to service their customers at a level they need are ripe for disruption.”