Hire for Baby has been providing parents with a cost effective solution to baby equipment. Hire for Baby saves customers money, time & storage space by offering a cost effective way to access safe, clean, quality baby equipment.

Hire for Baby is Australia's largest baby equipment hire service. Originally established in 1988, over the past 18 years we have grown into a nationwide network of 50 franchises.

We are 100% Australian owned and operated, and backed by a dedicated team with a thorough understanding of baby equipment.  We are qualified child restraint fitters.  We offer a large product range and a proven professional franchise system.

Hire for Baby saves customers money, time & storage space by offering a cost effective way to access safe, clean, quality baby equipment. We pride ourselves on our professional customer service and our friendly and experienced staff.

If you are looking for the independence and lifestyle of operating your own business, or if you would prefer the passive income that Hire for baby can provide, we will tailor your business to suit your goals.

Opportunities available now in Cairns, Ballarat, Hoppers Crossing, Williamstown, Greenvale, Sale, Northern Territory, Melbourne - Frankston/Cranbourne, Adelaide East, St George Sydney, Benalla, Gold

Click here for more information on becoming a Hire for Baby franchisee

Quick Shots ... Franchising News

ecowash mobile revs up for major global expansion

The Australian eco success story of 2007 continues to make inroads across the world, with waterless carwash franchise ecowash mobile set to operate in 10 countries over the next two months.

The franchise made a strong foray into the global market last year, with master franchises established in France, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Jordan and the USA to bolster their previous expansion into Saudi Arabia.

New Master Franchises will launch Greece and Dubai this month, followed by expansion into Sudan in March and Switzerland in April. Two master franchises in California and Florida are also being discussed for May.

It has been an emotional and memorable year for managing director Jim Cornish, who has grown the operation with operations director Stewart Nicholls from a two car operation in 2004. After breaking the 50 barrier for mobile units on Australian roads during the year, Mr Cornish said the franchise had a projection of at least 80 on the road domestically by the end of 2008, with an overseas expansion more than 200 cars conservatively.

“Our overseas markets continue to grow dramatically. There is a shift in volume happening now which I expect to become even more pronounced. At the moment it is probably 80% Australia and 20% the rest of the world. But I expect it to be more like 50/50 by the end of December, and that is taking into account Australia continuing to expand. So our overseas markets are really set to accelerate.”

The franchise has saved more than 34 million litres of water in Australia alone since its inception.

A car boot full of major awards last year was a head spinning bonus for the operation.

 “Last year was easily the biggest in terms of recognition – In September we received the 2007 Australian Business Award for the Enterprise in our industry category and were named the 2007 Franchise Council of Australia Emerging Franchise System of the Year (NSW/ACT), as well as making the BRW Fast Starters list.”

After experiencing the most significant year in their short history, ecowash mobile is revving up for a big 2008.

Click here for more information on joining ecowash mobile

Water Wise – demand for hydrobath operators on the rise

With the national water crisis reaching new levels, stringent water restrictions are being put in place. And the message to Australians is watch water wastage.

Thankfully more and more people are heeding these warnings and becoming water wise but there are still certain things that are necessary, like showering and bathing, and just as we need to shower it is vitally important to keep your dog clean.

Experts agree that the washing of dogs is an essential part of animal husbandry for the health, wellbeing and protection of the dogs and their families

The Australian climate can also cause huge skin problems and flea infestations and the dogs, if not washed and cleaned, can carry other organisms which may cause problems for the dog and its family so it’s important that these dogs are washed and cared for to eliminate further health problems.

The RSPCA (Royal Society of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) and the PIA (Pet Industry Association) also recommend the regular washing of dogs and they recognise the importance and benefits of hydrobathing. Contrary to what many people may believe, hydrobathing your dog will not waste water, it will save water.

Washing dogs by hand, especially with the hose or buckets full of water, can be a challenge and waste untold amounts of water, but by having your dog hydrobathed, only 20 litres of water will be used for each dog, which is a substantial water saving.

With the majority of customers having their pooches washed every two weeks this amounts to less than two litres of water per day.

Hence the increased demand for hydrobath operators.

Another attraction of the hydrobath system is the blow drying which also helps reduce the shedding of excess hair which keeps your dog clean, comfortable and looking great which is vitally important at this time as a clean dog creates a cleaner environment in which it lives.

Also a factor for water-conscious customers is that the water your dog has been washed in can be placed in buckets and used to water the garden, clean driveways etc.

So with the demand for environmentally conscious home-service businesses growing especially in the car and dog washing sectors, in dire times that look set to worsen it makes good sense to purchase a secure business like Aussie Pooch Mobile that will continue to flourish.

Click here for information on becoming an Aussie Pooch Mobile franchisee

MORTGAGE CHOICE ON TRACK DESPITE UNCERTAIN MARKET CONDITIONS

Leading Australian mortgage broker Mortgage Choice Limited (ASX code: MOC) today announced a record net profit after tax for the six months to 31 December 2007 of $10.6 million AIFRS, up 5% on the prior corresponding period ($8.6 million AGAAP up 2%).  Revenue was up 9% to $85.5 million ($76.5 million AGAAP).

Highlights:

• Record net profit after tax of $10.6 million up 5% on the prior corresponding period to 31 December 2006.
• Total revenue of $85.5 million, up 9% on prior corresponding period.
• Earnings per share stood at 9.0 cents per share compared to 8.6 cents per share for the prior corresponding period.
• Mortgage Choice generated $5.9 billion in housing loan approvals during the period to 31 December 2007, up on the prior corresponding period of $5.5 billion.
• The Board has declared a first half fully franked dividend of 6.0 cents per share compared to 5.5 cents per share in the prior corresponding period.
• Mortgage Choice’s loan book now stands at $31.6 billion at 31 December 2007, up 14% on the balance in the prior corresponding period.

Managing Director of Mortgage Choice, Paul Lahiff said: “Our results underline the real value of our specialist approach and national business model. The business is structured so we can scale up operations in response to demand with little additional expense” 

“Our focus continues to be on quality. We are continually upgrading the quality of our offering, building the capacity of our brokers to compete and to deliver for their clients while growing their business, and capitalising on Mortgage Choice’s high brand visibility. 

“Growth in new housing loans in Australia continues steadily, with approvals still at historically high levels. At the same time, we are seeing increased understanding and acceptance of the broker channel by both customers and lending institutions.

“Mortgage Choice’s specialist focus, strong brand presence, experienced and professional broker network, high productivity levels per broker and well honed product and technology systems mean we are ideally placed to continue to benefit from that growth”.

Click here for more information on becoming a Mortgage Choice franchisee.

(Unless otherwise stated, all figures quoted are based on AIFRS*)