Industry representatives estimate theft costs the Hire & Rental Industry $60 million dollars per annum. Mr Phil Rodgers, from Rodger Bros Hire & Rental Newcastle, is one of the increasing number of Hire & Rental businesses supporting the HRIA commitment to reducing industry theft by applying DataDots to all plant and equipment.

“At Rodger Bros we have a number of theft prevention strategies in place such as security cameras, fencing etc however we felt that DataDot technology would assist by providing an additional security measure that was cost effective and efficient to use” said Phil Rodgers owner.

In September 2006, the HRIA, Crime Stoppers Australia and DataDot Home & Business joined forces to implement an industry wide crime prevention program. As part of this program all financial members were provided with a DataDot Business Kit. The kit consists of a pressure pack spray can of dots suspended in a liquid adhesive.

The DataDots are encoded with your companies name and sprayed onto your equipment. They are a modern way to engrave property. The dots are as small as a grain of sand, difficult to detect with the naked eye and can be read by Police officers. Each spray can marks up to 250 plant and equipment items. Point of hire signage to alert thieves to these additional security measures are included in the kit.

Phil Rodgers, owner of the Rodger Bros Hire & Rental, a medium sized hire company in Newcastle, is awaiting the delivery of his forth kit . “We at Rodger Bros have invested considerably in theft prevention and as a result we are largely unaffected by theft. DataDots are an additional security measure that we believe will provide us considerable benefit”

“Police are always encouraging us to mark our products because it deters thieves and helps with the recovery of stolen goods. On many occasions when a theft is reported to Police they do not peruse the thieves because it is very difficult to prove ownership and that the goods are stolen. We believe this product provides Police with the resources they need to charge a thief with a more serious crime thus making it worth their time” said Phil Rodgers.

“Whilst this product provides you with the opportunity to get your gear back we believe it is better not to get it stolen in the first place and that is why we have pursued its use” said Phil.

Mr Rodgers urges all HRIA members to spray their equipment with DataDots as part of the routine maintenance and checking of plant and equipment. To ensure he leaves no item unmarked he always has a DataDot Business Kit and stickers on hand to place on equipment when it is returned. Mr Rodgers encourages members not to be too busy to spray their equipment or be deterred by the length of time it may take and support the HRIA commitment to preventing theft.

“Theft is an industry wide problem and if we all work together across the industry we can reduce theft and save ourselves some money in the process” said Mr Rodgers.

DataDots are easy to apply using a pressurised spray can. The use of this theft deterrent product is reinforced by using stickers and erecting signs around perimeter fencing.