Wellington-based event equipment rental company Hiremaster entered liquidation on August 14, ending over 70 years of operation.
David Ruscoe and Adele Hicks from Grant Thornton were appointed as liquidators and are believed to be seeking a buyer for the company.
Hiremaster was founded in 1948 under the name “Tea Services Limited,” providing catering services, tea supply, and servicing industrial cafeterias.
Over time, the company shifted its focus away from catering and industrial cafeteria services and has been operating as Hiremaster for the past 30 years.
Event planners express concerns following the liquidation
Britt from the Wedding Coach said she relied on Hiremaster for approximately 60-70% of the weddings she organised.
She said Hiremaster served as a kind of “one-stop-shop.”
Britt said there were only a few suppliers in Wellington capable of providing items such as décor, furniture, props, and large quantities of glassware and plates.
“I think losing Hiremaster in Wellington would really [have] an impact on the industry in terms of what’s available,” she said.
“It might even impact how many people are able to get married down here.”
Alex, an event planner based in Wellington, said she was both shocked and saddened by the news of Hiremaster’s liquidation.
She said they appeared to be one of the few hire companies in the Wellington area equipped with the resources to manage larger-scale projects, like big marquee constructions.
“I don’t think there’s much competition for a lot of what they do.”
Alex believed that following Hiremaster’s departure, the event industry would face rising costs in some areas, since outsourced products and services are likely to be pricier, and certain options might no longer be accessible.
Colin Taylor, Hiremaster’s director, said that the company was the biggest event rental business in the Wellington region.