Tractors Malaysia Holdings, a wholly owned subsidiary of Sime Darby Bhd., said last week that the global economic slowdown is stimulating customers to choose rental over buying heavy equipment.

TMH last week opened a new branch in Juru, Seberang Plai. The company is a manufacturer and distributor of heavy equipment, building selected models of equipment under the Caterpillar, Terberg and Omega brands. Managing director Chong Kwea Seng told the New Straits Times that many customers who were skeptical of the rental concept when TMH opened seven years ago, are now demanding it as capital for equipment purchases becomes more difficult to obtain.

Chong added that the new branch will help the company serve customers in the northern region of Malaysia.