True Value Co. and Husqvarna recently hosted the first Southeast regional Rental Demo Day event, held earlier this month at BullHorn Ranch in Liberty, N.C. More than 100 suppliers, rental operators and their associates participated in the event, kicking off the buying season and demonstrating a renewed interest in the industry despite the challenging economy.
Participating suppliers introduced the newest features of their 2011-2012 equipment, demonstrating large digging and earthmoving machines. Rental operators who attended were able to check out the latest rental products, services and technology, and to network and exchange ideas with other rental businesses.
“The most worthwhile aspect of the Demo Day was seeing the equipment in action,” said Edwin Scott, CEO of TCS Event Rentals in Burlington, N.C. “I asked for feedback from other rental operators and tested out the machinery. Even though I had no intention of buying anything, I wound up spending $40,000 on six new pieces of equipment.”
Rental operators from seven states identified the event as a rewarding opportunity for their associates as well, and brought their staff along for a day of educational sessions and product previews.
“I took full advantage of the hands-on experience with suppliers that I regularly use — it was fantastic,” said Roger McArver, president of Gaston Rentals in Gastonia, N.C.
Schiller Grounds Care hosted a pig roast, and Warner Shelter sponsored a tent set-up competition whose winners assembled a 20-foot by 20-foot-high peak marquee tent in less than five minutes.
As a result of positive feedback from the first event, planning is underway for a second regional Rental Demo Day in the Midwest next season.
True Value, one of the world’s largest retailer-owned hardware cooperatives, and Husqvarna, a global producer of outdoor power products, hosted the Rental Demo Day together with more than 25 suppliers, including Barreto, Bobcat Co., Haulotte / Bil-Jax, Chicago Pneumatic Tools, Ditch Witch, EDCO, Electric Eel, Genie/Terex, Gold Medal Products, Graco, Ground Hog, Hilti, Porta-Nails, Q.E.P., Powertek, PRE Sales, Schiller Grounds Care, The Toro Co., Vermeer Corp., Volvo Construction Equipment, Wacker Neuson, and Warner Shelter Systems. Also in attendance were rental operators from Grand Rental Station, Taylor Rental, and Just Ask Rental (business units of True Value Co.), as well as rental operators from TCS Event Rentals.
