Mr Rentals franchise achieves

The achievements of the Mr Rentals franchise as a family business were formally recognised recently by its winning the second generation Family Business of the Year award for Queensland.

In a market where there is little scope for competitive advantage the rental franchise network is distinguished from its competitors through strong family values and culture.

The home appliance rental industry has traditionally consisted of one major player, being the foreign-owned Thorn group, and numerous small independents. However, since franchising three years ago Mr Rentals has steadily gained market share, a core reason for which is that customers are serviced by locally owned, qualified franchisees with the support of a national network.

Hosted by Family Business Australia (FBA), the nation’s peak family business association, the gala awards celebrated the achievements of family businesses, which account for 80 percent of all businesses nationally.

The top companies were rated on criteria that included bottom line performance, commitment to family business best practice, corporate citizenship, management professionalism and the existence of succession planning. Marketing manager Renee Hickman, daughter of Mr Rentals founders Glen and Kerrianne Hickman, accepted the award on behalf of the Hickmans.

“The family culture in our business is intangible and extremely hard to duplicate. As long as we continue to nurture this, we will have a massive competitive advantage over our competitors,” Hickman said upon accepting the award.

CEO Glen Hickman also credits an enormous amount of his business success to the emphasis he and his wife have always placed on family values.

“From family we expect unconditional support, honesty, open and positive feedback, a sense of belonging and sharing of values, beliefs and morals,” he says.

Mr Rentals was also the overall winner in last year’s Caboolture Shire Excellence in Business Awards.

The national Family Business Awards will be held on 27 August in Adelaide at Family Business Australia’s national conference.

FBA is a national, member-based, not-for-profit organisation for family business owners and their professional advisors.