Kenhire Limited : About Kenhire

Kenhire Limited
Henwood
Ashford
Kent
TN24 8DX

Tel:	01233 622991
Fax:	01233 622997


About Kenhire

Kenhire has been offering quality vehicle rental in Kent for over 50 years

The company began life in 1949 when founder Don Kennedy started 'The Mobile Car Repair Service', a mobile workshop equipped to handle any roadside emergency. The first hire cars - two 1936 Morris 10s costing £230 each - went on the road in 1950, followed by a 1939 Morris 8 and a 1938 Model Y Ford shortly after.



These vehicles were operated from the company's first premises - two World War II Nissen huts in Kennington. The hire charge was £1.15s per day, although obtaining enough rationed petrol to operate, at 2s 6d a gallon, was quite a challenge! The first van, a 1946 Morris 8, arrived in 1954, although its use was limited due to the Carrier's licence restrictions in place at the time.



A change of name to 'Kennedy's Self Drive Hire' followed the establishment of Kennedy's Garage in 1955, and soon after the new garage was built, Kennedy's became an official Standard-Triumph dealership. It was not long before the first brand new cars were bought for the hire fleet - 10 Vauxhall Victors purchased at £850 each.



In 1960 Kennedy's Garage became a limited company and a rapid expansion meant that by 1965 Kennedy's was a Ford agent employing 20 people with extensive workshops, showrooms, bodyshop and offices. The hire fleet expanded in the late 1960s, the addition of more vans reflecting the growing demand from the commercial market. In 1968 a Vauxhall/Bedford dealership was granted, which helped source vans for rental.



Kenhire Ltd was formed in 1972 and the next year moved its all British fleet, including such models as the Triumph Toledo, Vauxhall Viva and Hillman Hunter, to a new purpose-built facility on the Henwood Industrial Estate - its present day base. Within two years of opening the new site, the number of hire vehicles had reached 50 and by 1976 Kenhire had added minibuses and motor caravans to its range, as well as the first 4 ton lorry, a Bedford KD.



With the fleet size growing, major extensions were carried out in 1979, allowing the installation of an automatic car wash, opened to the public in 1980. Additional land on Henwood was purchased in 1986 and the extra space was soon in full use as an increasing range of commercial vehicles helped the total fleet size reach 100 for the first time in 1987. 1992 saw more workshops erected, a redevelopment that also added a specialised body repair shop and paint spraying facility, allowing all damaged hire vehicles to be repaired quickly in-house.



Throughout the 1990s the workshop and accident repair facilities continued to be developed, ensuring that our rental customers have the best back-up possible. Today, these fully equipped workshops, manned by experienced staff, ensure that all our vehicles are maintained to the highest standards and give us the means to find solutions to any transport problems you may encounter. Throughout the years, we have taken immense pride in our approach to business, so whatever kind of vehicle rental you need, you can rely on Kenhire to provide a friendly, efficient and totally professional service at extremely competitive prices.