Russian Rental Market Grew 18 Percent in 2013, RusRental Asserts

The Russian equipment rental market increased by 18 percent in 2013, according to RusRental, the Russian Rental Association. According to RusRental, the number of equipment rental companies is also growing. In December, RusRental published the Russian Rental Directory, which estimated close to 4,000 rental companies are doing business in the country, compared to about 1,000 in 2010.

Trends in 2013 included increasing competition in the rental market, with the growth of the small equipment and tools rental sector and the increasing interest in Russian rental companies on the part of equipment dealers and manufacturers. Also, 2013 was noteworthy for the increasingly active participation on the part of Russian rental companies in large infrastructure projects such as construction of the Olympic facilities in Sochi.

Small- and medium-sized Russian rental companies have started creating cooperative business unions to be able to take part in large projects and be more competitive. Russian rental companies from various regions of Russia have formed a RENTARUS Russian rental alliance. More information about the group is available at www.rentarus.ru.

The business union has enabled Russian rental companies to build relationships with dealers and manufacturers and organize joint equipment purchases. Some dealers, such as Komek Machinery, a Komatsu and Bomag dealer, have announced willingness to cooperate with the Rentarus alliance and provide its members with favorable terms for equipment purchases and re-rents.

RusRental expects continued growth and development in the Russian rental market in 2014.