For many contractors, having the right tools for a construction project is essential for staying on budget and schedule.
United Rentals recently shared how a managed tool trailer can improve tool and small equipment management to help boost worksite productivity and streamline operations through onsite availability, decreased downtime caused by tool failure and lower rates of loss.
Onsite managed tool trailers provide companies with rental tools and small equipment, and consumable supplies that are custom stocked to a specific project. The trailers can include an onsite tools expert to manage the room, check tools out to authorized users and provide inspections, maintenance and safety oversight.
Managed tool trailers make it easy for workers to know where to go for the tools they need with those tools guaranteed to be in good working order. If a tool is broken during use, the trailer is equipped to swap it out immediately for an onsite backup. Tool trailer inventories can include power tools, chain hoists, piping tools, welding, torque wrenches, lighting, pneumatic-powered tools, radios and more; and can all be tracked with GPS software.
“Having the right tool at the right time is the name of the game when it comes to productivity that keeps a job moving,” said Greg Jones, regional sales and marketing director, United Rentals. “Managed tool trailers can help companies stay on top of every project and have everything needed to keep a worksite running smoothly. They provide a comprehensive tool solution that is crucial to safely achieving project goals and attaining profitability margins.”
Here are three ways managed tool trailers can help worksites be more productive.
Right-size tool inventory. A right-sized managed tool inventory can be created using a project’s craft curve and historical data from previous projects, if available, along with utilization data from other customers with similar projects. On-site inventory can be expanded during craft peaks and contracted when fewer tools are needed, so a worksite always has the right tools and right number of tools. Without an inventory system, companies may over-invest in their tools supply, and workers can hoard tools or be careless about returning them.
Improve tool tracking. Every time a worker comes to the tool trailer to pick up a tool or PPE consumable, a barcode is scanned, as is the worker’s ID badge. If an item goes missing, companies know who took it and when. If someone needs a tool that is onsite but not in the tool trailer, companies can quickly track down who has it and determine if they still need it. When the item is returned, the barcode is scanned, and the item is added back to the inventory list. At regular intervals, companies can receive a tool utilization report. If the reports show certain tools are not being used and not immediately needed for the next project phase, they can be returned to the tool trailer provider to reduce company costs.
Increase productivity. Having the right tool at the right time and in functioning condition generates increased productivity with built-in cost savings. The managed tool trailer provider guarantees rental tools will be in working order at all times and stocks the necessary volume at no additional cost to the customer in order to deliver on that promise. The barcode tracking system reduces hoarding and helps ensure that every worker has what is needed. When workers have functional tools at their fingertips, productivity increases by an average of 23 percent according to United Rentals' research.
United Rentals Managed Tool Trailers
United Rentals Managed Tool Trailers are stocked and placed at customer worksites with the rental tools and small equipment, and consumable supplies needed during each phase of a project, including backups. Expert personnel staff the trailers to manage inventory, check out tools to authorized users and conduct inspections, maintenance and safety oversight. The managed tool trailers enable companies to rent top-quality, well-maintained tools that can help them boost productivity and streamline operations through onsite availability, decreased downtime caused by tool failure and lower loss rates.
United Rentals is the largest equipment rental company in the world with 1,288 rental locations in North America, 11 in Europe, 28 in Australia and 18 in New Zealand. United Rentals is No. 1 on the RER 100.
