Treading Water with Equipment Costs
Several dominant themes were discussed by this year’s RER 100 executives. Clearly the reality of Tier 4 engines, whether interim or final, is uppermost in the thoughts of many, juxtaposed with the reality that rental rates aren’t rising quickly enough to cover the increased costs of new equipment.
Expanding Our Fleet
RER interviewed dozens of rental company executives in preparation for this year’s RER 100, and will publish portions of some of the interviews in RER Reports. In this Q&A, RER speaks with Barry Natwick, chief operating officer of Volvo Rents, No. 7 on the new RER 100.
RER: What were the keys to Volvo Rents’ growth in 2012?
Measuring Efficiencies
When it comes down to it, it’s all about systems. Erik Olsson knew that from years in manufacturing. No matter how good a product is, without efficiency in production and delivery, a business cannot be profitable. When Olsson came to RSC along with Freek Nijdam and others from then-owners Atlas Copco, they began to look at the business from a manufacturing perspective, a different set of eyes than those of veterans of the equipment rental industry.
The Other Side of Rental Penetration
The topic of rental penetration has been a popular one lately and not many in the rental industry would dispute the accepted view that rental penetration is growing. It seems to be a consensus now that the number is around 50 percent, maybe a bit north. There are various studies that support this view. None are absolutely definitive, since this is an inexact science, but this view is generally accepted.
Aerial Safety Begins at Home
Let me start with a shout-out to IPAF, ARA, AEM and SAIA for their latest best practices document on aerial safety. I’m particularly impressed with several issues that are addressed. To come up with a best-practices plan on aerial safety, a great place to start is by looking at incidents within one’s own company.
Interview with Frank Nerenhausen: Machine Junkie
Frank Nerenhausen, veteran Oshkosh Corp. executive, was named president of JLG Industries Aug. 1, while continuing as executive vice president of Oshkosh. In this exclusive interview with RER, he talks about how learning the aerial industry, future product development, and how the market is looking.
Big, Ugly, Dirty and Mean – and Life Saving: Trench Shoring Knowledge
I hope you all enjoy the cover story in this issue about National Trench Safety, a look at an interesting specialized niche in the world of equipment rentals. NTS is less than 10 years old, yet has grown to 17 branches. The company’s key players have worked together for much longer — many of them for more than 20 years — tracing their time together to the Plank Co., NES, United Rentals and now NTS.
National Trench Safety focuses on Safety in the Trenches
When you go out to lunch with Ron Chilton, you may not make it to the restaurant before he stops at a ditch on the side of the road. Because if Chilton passes by somebody working in a trench or ditch without the correct shoring in place, he can’t pass up an educational opportunity that might save somebody’s life.
Rentals in 2013 No Cliff Yet
Despite concerns about 2012 being an election year, and economic issues such as high unemployment, the slowdown in Europe and the burgeoning costs of equipment, 2012 turned out to be a banner year for much of the rental industry. And, to the relief of many, despite widespread misinterpretations of the Mayan calendar, the world didn't come to an end in late December.
Lucky 2013 for Rental Companies
For a while, I was wondering what was more impossible, the politicians in Washington coming to a resolution over the fiscal cliff, or the owners and players coming to a new Collective Bargaining Agreement in the National Hockey League. Turns out the politicians in Washington found two groups more intractable than they are, although the NHL finally hammered out a deal.
The Truth about Tier 4 Engine Regulations and Hamburgers
Do you like char-broiled hamburgers? I certainly do and it's got to be one of North America's most popular foods. Well, did you know that the cooking of one char-broiled hamburger emits as many particulates as a 20-ton regulated Class A truck — starting with 2010 models — driving down the freeway for 143 miles?
