New Zealand’s largest general equipment rental company Hirequip last week said it will add significant equipment rental expertise to its board of directors.

According to Rob Nichols, managing director of Tasman Capital Partners, the company will appoint former Coates Hire executives Garry Woods and Barry Meale as directors. Woods will take over as chairman. Coates Hire was Australia’s largest rental company before its recent acquisition by National Hire and private equity groups.

Woods served as chief operating officer and an executive director of Coates Hire. Meale was group general manager of strategy and development. Meale is credited with leading Coates’ successful “sweep and plug” acquisition strategy, and Woods was the longest-serving director of Coates Hire.