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Serving the Canadian rental industry for 36 years. www.canadianrentalservice.com
4
EDITORIAL: Trade show comeback
Participation at this season’s shows proves people still want to get together. By Patrick Flannery
6
Industry news
Business and laughter at the CRA Atlantic show, Stone Construction shuts its doors, Brazil joins the Global Rental Alliance
12
CRA President’s Message
Rental Metrics can get us all on the same page. By
14 Canada’s top rental operator
22 Canadian Rental Mart report
The Rental Mart smashes expectations with record attendance.
The industry stands up and takes notice as new blood spurs Robertson Rent-All to the top.
How to charge interest and collect it. By Deryk Coward 2012 Buyers Guide
Your complete listing of Canada’s top suppliers to the rental industry.
66
George’s Corner
Remembering when all we had to worry about was the plane crashing. By George Olah
Trade show comeback
The shows were jumping this spring. That is probably a good sign.
Trade show season is winding down, and by all accounts it was a very good one. Reports from the American Rental Association’s Rental Show say the mood on the floor in New Orleans was a more cheerful and optimistic one than people have seen in years. Cheer and optimism have been in short supply in the American construction market for some time, so we can hope this means a turnaround for our neighbours. Canadian rental operators are not closely tied to the American economy, but their suppliers certainly are. Strong suppliers who can provide consistent service, topped-up parts inventories, training and event sponsorships are good for the industry.
The Canadian Rental Mart was an astounding success, bringing in significantly more exhibitors and attendees than even our most optimistic estimates predicted. We had the weather on our side (unlike the folks in B.C.) but the steady flow of genuine good news from trade shows lately has my trend detector going off. I think there is a hunger for human contact. I think there is a desire to lay hands on the equipment rather than just a mouse pointer. I think there is a need for community and
ON THE WEB:
2012 Canadian Rental Mart in review
Check the links on the left hand side of canadianrentalservice.com to find a full recap of the 2012 Canadian Rental Mart, including extra photos and content not in the print edition.
Optimism, growth at the ARA Rental Show
The optimism and enthusiasm evident during The Rental Show 2012 in New Orleans was reflected in the show’s attendance. For the second straight year, there was double-digit growth in both the number of attendees and the number of rental businesses represented at the show. Attendance for 2012 increased nearly 20 per cent over 2011, with the number of rental businesses up nearly 25 per cent. Those travelling to New Orleans came from all 50 United States, nearly every Canadian province and more than 40 countries.
by Patrick Flannery
social interaction that cannot be satisfied through a Facebook page. The Canadian Rental Association and the industry as a whole really should be commended for understanding this aspect of the business and maintaining such a strong network of annual trade shows in this country. You can find wrap-up reports on the Rental Mart and the Atlantic show in this issue. Look for reports on Quebexpo and the Prairie show in May.
An interesting thing happened on our way to awarding Canadian Rental Service’s first-ever Rental Operator of the Year award at the Rental Mart: the CRA Ontario picked the exact same company to win its Image Award. As the person who oversaw the process, I swear on a stack of user manuals that there was no collusion in this. Our judges selected Robertson fair and square from a field of four finalists, and the CRA, quite independently, came to the same decision. It amounts to a ringing endorsement of what Robertson Rent-All has been able to accomplish, and a testament to the energy of Cameron Robertson, who is tireless and effective in driving the profile of his company higher. You can find out how they did it on page 14. The overall reaction to the ROOTY was great to see. Our presentation drew a crowd and there was genuine curiosity about who would win. My goal for next time is to attract even more nominees from different parts the country. If you are proud of what your company has accomplished, don’t be shy, apply!
Make sure you drop in regularly to canadianrentalservice. com to check out the video we shot at the Rental Mart. There are conversations with a number of the exhibitors, giving overviews of the great products that were on display. Our publishers recently acquired a crack team of videographers, and their work is top-notch. I’m hoping to make more use of video to bring you sights and sounds from events around the country in the future. CRS
Next issue: With the mild winter, we probably could have run our compaction showcase in March, but it is appearing in May, as usual. Check it out for a nice overview of the latest and greatest in rammers, plates and rollers.
INDUSTRY NEWS
SINKING STONE
CELTIC DISTRIBUTORS EXPANDS TERRITORY
After 23 years of successfully selling Honda engines and parts in British Columbia, Celtic Distributors is pleased to announce a territory expansion. Effective March 1st, 2012 Celtic Distributors was appointed the exclusive distributor for Honda engines in B.C., Alberta, northern Saskatchewan and the Yukon.
Celtic’s sales and support staff are enthusiastic about this new opportunity and look forward to developing new relationships with Honda dealers and OEMs alike. They will be contacting rental operators shortly to announce a new booking program that includes volume discounts, free freight and extended terms.
Questions about Stone Construction Equipment’s sudden withdrawal from the Canadian Rental Mart the day before the show were answered when the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle and Rental Equipment Register reported the light equipment manufacturer’s bank had foreclosed on a loan and shut it down. The Honeoye, N.Y., manufacturer made light construction equipment, such as walk-behind compactors, small bulldozers, concrete mixers and nearly 400 other products.
SOLID SHOWING FOR CRA ATLANTIC SHOW
CRA vice-president Jeff Campbell may have shown up a touch underdressed, but otherwise the Canadian Rental Association Atlantic show went off without a hitch. Campbell joked that CRA Atlantic president Dave Fraser had told him in New Orleans that he could guarantee good weather for the event, so Campbell made his speech to the banquet in shorts and a short-sleeved shirt. A snowstorm was threatening at the time, but in the end very little snow fell.
Lots of down-east good humour was on display at the banquet, a wellattended event with close to 100 members seated. A CRA Atlantic tradition is to have photos from prior banquets mounted on Bristol board, one panel for each year, and displayed around the walls of the banquet hall. The photos went all the way back to 1983, so there was some significant history represented.
CRA Atlantic president Dave Fraser opened the speeches and introduced the executive. Campbell spoke about initiatives at the national level including the insurance program, the leadership program and efforts to develop a mobile app that will assist CRA members to make proper reports when an accident occurs with their equipment. Olivia D’Eon won Rental Person of the Year and her company, Pubnico Rentals, won the 2011 Atlantic Regional Award.
KOMATSU PROMOTES SCHRADER
Komatsu America Corp. has named Rod Schrader its new CEO and vicechairman, effective April 1. Schrader, a 25-year veteran of Komatsu America, will replace Dave Grzelak, who is stepping down as CEO but will remain chairman of Komatsu America until the end of June, 2013.
“Rod has been an invaluable member of the Komatsu team for the past 25 years and has consistently delivered excellent results both in sales and customer satisfaction,” said Grzelak. “I am privileged to have been a part of the Komatsu America leadership team and retire as CEO knowing that the company is in excellent hands.”
Prior to being named CEO, Schrader was executive vice-president and general manager of the mining division. He began his career with the company in 1987 and held positions in varied areas within Komatsu including product manager, manager, of large equipment sales, director of marketing, vicepresident of product marketing and president of Komatsu Utility. Schrader was appointed to the Komatsu America board in July 2010.
Ivor Hill, currently vice-president of service, will be promoted to vicepresident and general manager of the Mining Division.
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INDUSTRY NEWS
NEW BATTLEFIELD IN BRACEBRIDGE
The management and staff of Battlefield Equipment have announced the official opening of a new facility in Bracebridge, Ont., scheduled for April 2. Located at 6 Kirkhill Drive, easy access to the new branch is provided off Hwy 11 via Muskoka Road (Hwy 118 W).
This will be Battlefield Equipment’s 30th location in Ontario, for a total of 37 locations throughout Ontario, Manitoba, Newfoundland and Labrador.
With the addition of the new
Battlefield Equipment Bracebridge branch, Battlefield Equipment plans to focus on its customers by continuing to provide excellence in service, quick responsiveness to customers needs and by allowing ease of business through all market segments. The dedication of the Bracebridge staff will continue to provide solutions to its business communities which will allow businesses to adapt to whatever challenge they might face.
Battlefield Equipment offers a full range of machines, tools, equipment and supplies to meet jobsite and homeowner
BLACK IS IN
needs. To handle rental needs, Battlefield Equipment also sells a wide selection of specialized tools and supplies. All equipment is regularly serviced by factorytrained technicians according to a strict maintenance schedule to the ensure it will perform reliably.
The facility itself is something to see. The Bracebridge branch, a 10,000-square-foot facility, sits on five acres of land. It houses a 2,000-square-foot showroom displaying building products, safety supplies and consumable items, an 8,000-square-foot warehouse with three dedicated service bays, a wash bay and an additional bay for equipment pick up and drop off. The wash bay includes an environmentally friendly, state-ofthe-art, totally closed-loop, wash water recycling and biological treatment system which rapidly degrades organic contaminants, such as oil, grease, gasoline, diesel fuel, herbicides and pesticides.
Battlefield Equipment also offers a full line of safety training services to assist with training staff and helping to ensure compliance with regulations. The safety trainers can teach customers how to reduce the risk of injury as well as educate them about environmental, health and safety concerns that impact jobsites, machine inspections and operator safekeeping.
Linamar Corporation’s Skyjack division has welcomed Brian Black as its new vice-president of sales. Black, a 35-year veteran in the industry, brings a wealth of experience to the company from his work in North America and overseas. Black began his career with Caterpillar, and over the years has worked with many of the industry’s heavy hitters, including JLG, Snorkel, Grove Cranes, Genie, Terex and most recently Teupen.
Black has also served as a captain in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, where he gained valuable experience with heavy equipment. With a career focusing on international sales and development, Black is just the presence Skyjack was looking for to lead them into the global arena.
Skyjack’s president Brad Boehler says the company is looking forward to benefiting from Black’s extensive skills and experience, particularly his established relationships in the industry.
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The optimism and enthusiasm evident during The Rental Show 2012 in New Orleans was reflected in the show’s attendance. For the second straight year, there was double-digit growth in both the number of attendees and the number of rental businesses represented at the show. Attendance for 2012 increased nearly 20 per cent over 2011, with the number of rental businesses up nearly 25 per cent. Those traveling to New Orleans came from all 50 United States, nearly every Canadian province and more than 40 countries.
“The Rental Show demonstrated that this industry continues to be a driving force in our economy,” said Christine Wehrman, American Rental Association executive vice-president and CEO. “Enthusiasm, optimism, pride and purchasing of equipment were seen throughout The Rental Show, which is the message everyone can take forward from New Orleans. I foresee a very favorable year for the rental industry in 2012 with equipment rental penetration increasing and a fundamental shift toward the value of rental by the customer base. It felt good to experience the upbeat atmosphere and mood of great things ahead for our industry.”
Attendees and exhibitors at The Rental Show agreed there has been increasing positive change in attitude, which bolsters the fact that the equipment rental industry is positioned for continued growth and further market penetration. Nearly every exhibitor in all areas of the exhibit hall reported good traffic, many qualified leads and plenty of sales in New Orleans.
“The Rental Show was well attended and the mood of stores from around the country was positive,” said Pierre Pereira, vice-president of sales and marketing for Billy Goat Industries, Lee’s Summit, Mo. “The majority of customers we visited with mentioned improvement in their year-over-year performance and looked to replace both fleet and try newer, more productive models to grow their businesses and differentiate from the competition.”
Finding those new products was a reason many attendees
were at The Rental Show. “My main reason to be at the show is shopping and taking advantage of the show specials,” said first-time attendee Angela Meadows of Mitchell’s Rental Yard, Leavenworth, Kan. “We are here to learn all we can from others.”
Pam Meyer, equipment sales manager for Subaru Industrial Power Products in Lake Zurich, Ill., said her company saw a definite change in attitude among rental owners. “We started seeing the change last year, but there was much more optimism with everyone this year. I didn’t talk to one dealer who didn’t have good things to say about their business in 2011 or what they anticipated for 2012. That was a refreshing change,” she said.
ARA president Mike Flesher said The Rental Show in New Orleans was the most fun and exciting show in more than four years. “Given the improving economy, especially as it relates to rental, we expect the show floor will be even busier and even more exciting in 2013 when the show returns to Las Vegas. Once again, we will offer top-notch seminars, networking opportunities and energizing events.
I always come back to my business after the show with renewed energy and great ideas, and The Rental Show 2013 will be no exception,” he said.
With the 2012 Show completed, ARA is now starting to focus on The Rental Show 2013, which is Feb. 10 to 13 at the Sands Expo and Convention Center in Las Vegas. It will be the show’s first time at this venue, which was the host site to 10 of the largest U.S. trade shows in 2010. The Venetian and The Palazzo will be the headquarters hotels. The new site will be a more convenient location since it is more centrally located in the middle of the Las Vegas Strip and offers more dining and entertainment options.
GLOBAL RENTAL ALLIANCE WELCOMES BRAZIL
During their 10th annual meeting in New Orleans at The Rental Show 2012, the Global Rental Alliance approved Alliance membership of the Associação De Locadoras, the Brazilian Rental Association based in São Paulo, Brazil. ALEC was represented at the meeting by its president, Marco Aurélio da Cunha, managing director of Sao Paulo Locadora de Máquinas e Equipamentos.
All of the Global Rental Alliance members were represented at the meeting, as follows: European Rental Association represented by Michel Petitjean, secretary general Hire Association Europe, represented by Stephen Dorricott, chairman, Kevin McGuinness, president, Graham Arundell, managing director, and Terry Douris, past president Hire Association of New Zealand, represented by Bruce Wallace of GI Hire in Pakuranga, Auckland, New Zealand, on behalf of Phil Tindle, general manager
Hire and Rental Industry Association Australia, represented by Peter Lancken, GRA representative, and Phil Newby, CEO Canadian Rental Association, represented by Ed Dwyer, president, and Jeff Campbell, senior vice-president American Rental Association, represented by Ted Cook, chairman, Chris Wehrman, CEO, and Kathy Nicoletto, Global Rental Alliance liaison and special assistant to the CEO
CRA PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
BY THE NUMBERS
Here is why you need Rental Metrics.
by ED DWYER, CRA PRESIDENT
Lord Kelvin said, “When you cannot express it in numbers, your knowledge is of a meager and unsatisfactory kind.” Rental Metrics are all about numbers. They are financial standards for the equipment rental industry. Most of these metrics are associated with fleet efficiency and use. In the past, there have been no consistent benchmarks with which rental companies could measure their performance against their peers’.
For example, if you asked four different rental companies how they calculate their rental revenue or financial use, you could get four different answers. Some would include as rental revenue delivery and pick-up revenue, damage waiver revenue, sub-rental revenue and/or fuel surcharges and environmental levies revenue. The rental industry standard now is to count pure rental revenue only, with none of the above revenues included.
Another example: if you asked a number of rental companies how they determined the value of their rental fleets, you might find they use different methods. Some would use the depreciated book value, some the gross book value, some would include freight costs and taxes in the total and some would not. Used and leased rental equipment would also be valued differently as well as refurbishment costs.
Several key performance metrics for equipment rental businesses are unique to the equipment rental industry and have varied from company to company. The lack of consistent industry reporting methods for metrics makes it virtually impossible for industry financial analysts and investors in the equity and/or debt instruments of these firms to understand industry performance or to make meaningful comparisons among firms in the industry. Moreover, equipment rental businesses that are privately held have no consistent benchmarks to judge their performance against firms that are publicly traded. The inability of privately held firms to demonstrate financial efficiency to investors also inhibits capital flows into the equipment rental industry and inevitably results in a higher cost of capital to the industry.
Ed Dwyer owns and operates C & T Rentals in Winnipeg, Man. He is past president of the Manitoba Rental Association and also an active member of TAB (The Alternative Board).
Recently the American Rental Association undertook a project that has been long overdue. That project was aimed at producing a standardized set of key performance metrics for the equipment rental industry. The result of that project was a white paper that defined methods for calculating and reporting rental performance metrics for rental companies and allows for consistent benchmarking and reporting comparisons among equipment rental companies. These new industry standards are known as ARA Rental Market Metrics.
Some of the equipment rental metrics that are defined in this paper are: definition of a day, time or physical utilization, financial utilization, fleet age, original equipment cost and percentage change in period-over-period rental rates.
All of the major software providers have now endorsed the standards of ARA Rental Market Metrics. In the near future their software will be updated to calculate these new standards for us at the push of a button and we will all be on the same page. This will be a great opportunity to help us improve our individual company performance and profits by comparing our company metrics to industry benchmarks. There is also the opportunity for worldwide adoption of these performance metrics.
ARA Rental Market Metrics is only available to CRA and ARA members and is a great membership benefit. Members must log in using their ararental.org username and password. Not a member? Join today! Call Pascale if you need help at 1-800-486-9899 or e-mail her at pascale@crarental.org. CRS
BECAUSE WE CARE
The Robertsons’
Dby PATRICK FLANNERY
simple
formula for success.
on and Netta Robertson have a lot to celebrate in their 20th year in business with Roberston Rent-All. Their two sons, D.J. and Cameron, are fully involved in the business and are bringing a youthful energy to the operation. And Canadian Rental Service and the Canadian Rental Association Ontario have just recognized them with prestigious awards.
D.J. Robertson, the older of Don and Netta’s two sons, gives a fairly standard answer when asked how Robertson Rent-All has achieved the success that saw it named Canada’s Rental Operator of the Year at the 2012 Canadian Rental Mart. He credits great customer service. While true, this answer fails to satisfy. Everyone knows you need great customer service to be successful and most rental operators strive to deliver it. The question is, why has Robertson succeeded in doing that? On his second try, D.J. gets right to the heart of the Orleans, Ont., rental business his father built: “I think the family-based business has a lot to do with that. We care a lot more. Some other businesses have one owner and then everybody else works under that owner. There are four of us all involved here.” It is a single, simple idea that probably dictates success or failure in almost any enterprise you can name. Robertson RentAll has done well because it cares.
Don and Netta started Robertson Rent-All in 1992. Don grew up in Toronto, and moved to the Ottawa area to work in his brother-in-law’s construction business, Nicolini. Nicolini was a big player in the Ottawa commercial construction market, helping to build the airport control tower, the baseball stadium and several hospitals and schools. Don worked for Nicolini for five years, and observed that the brothers were spending a great deal of money renting equipment from what was then B&R and United Rentals. Don always knew he did not want to work in the family business forever, but was unsure what enterprise he wanted to start himself. He researched a number of businesses and
developed some business plans, finally showing his ideas for a rental operation to the brothers. Don had had some exposure to rental when he worked at TIP Trailer Leasing in Toronto, Ont. The brothers were enthusiastic and wanted to immediately invest a large amount to launch Don into a big operation right away. Don was more cautious. He told the brothers that instead he wanted to start the business with his own money and build it up himself, relying on them only for steady rental business.
Don remembers that things were quite uncertain in the early days. “Basically, they kept me in business for the first year. It would have been very, very tough otherwise because when I opened in Orleans 20 years ago, it was really weird there were just two other rental stores at the time, Rental-Ex and Belleview Rentals. When I did open, another two rental stores opened up in Orleans at the same time. And I remember my wife saying ‘Oh my God, what are we going to do now?’ And I said ‘Well, we will do what we do and hopefully we will do it better.’ And now we are the only ones here except for Home Depot.”
Robertson started out in a small strip mall at the corner of Jeanne D’Arc and Innes, right behind a Kentucky Fried Chicken that the Robertsons had to smell all day long. Don made a deal with a big scaffolding supplier that was very lucrative for the company. He remembers that he once had 200 frames out to Nicolini alone on long-term contracts that were bringing in between $8,000 and $10,000 per month. Don also got involved in renting and selling fitness equipment. He bought a treadmill, a
ski machine and a bike and watched the business grow very quickly. He called that end of the business Robertson Fitness and became the local Icon dealer. It occupied a 1,500-square-foot showroom by the time Don decided to exit that market a year ago. These early successes made the difference to the company that allowed Robertson to go forward. Just keeping up with Nicolini’s demand soon became a challenge, so Don brought Netta in to work and his nephew, then a driver and a mechanic. Within two and a half years, he was ready to grow out of his first location.
In 1995 Robertson moved to a
2,200- square-foot location only about a kilometer away from the original store. The new building was strategically located across from a Builder’s Warehouse to capture DIYers looking to rent specialized machinery. Ever since, the homeowner market has been an important one for Robertson. In 1997, Don hired Pat Flosse to manage the shop so he could be freed up to find ways to grow the business. Around 2005, Don started looking for opportunities to buy some land and build his own building, purpose-built for his rental operation. After looking for several months and failing to find a fit, a real estate agent walked into the shop one day
and drew Don’s attention to a property right on Innes Road where the Robertsons had always done business. Don said he’d like the agent to look into buying it, and the agent returned the next day with a price. Don bought on the spot.
The addition of Pat Flosse to the organization gave Don the time to act as general contractor on his new build site. He was there every day, supervising every part of the build. It took seven months.
Around the time of the move to the new building in 2006, Don’s oldest son, D.J. (for Don Junior) was completing his architecture program at college and expressing interest in joining the family business.
Justin Horsley has taken over most of the counter time from Don. Don says it is nice to have an experienced rental hand at the helm both out front and in the back.
Cameron after graduating from architecture was about to begin studying business when he then realized the best person to learn from was right infront of him. “It was really weird because never, at any time, did I say to those guys ‘Would you like to work here full time?’” Don remembers. “It was their doing.” Don eased Flosse out of the company to make room for his sons to join. He could see they shared his business vision and had the drive to take Robertson forward. “They are very much into this,” he says. “They are eager and it is great. They know the potential, they have seen what it has done for me. I have always made a decent living.”
The building Don built was 5,500 square feet, which was more than they needed, so he has rented 1,500 square feet of it to a nearby chiropractor. He thinks it will not be long before they need the whole thing. He designed it with equipment rental in mind, with a mezzanine around the main floor to expand his useable space. There is the usual showroom, office space and lunch room, but Don also added a wash bay for washing machinery in the winter and a lockable storage area for the new equipment he carries. There is a drop-off area
where customers can return equipment without having to come to the counter inside. Don is restricted to big signs on the outside of the building itself because Orleans will not allow a separate sign post, but he also parks equipment out front in the summer to draw attention to the business.
Don says his best-moving lines are Echo, Husqvarna and Bomag. He also does quite a bit with Billy Goat lawn care equipment. He does carry Bosch tools, but has seen that end of the business decline as Lowes and Home Depot are nearby and are either selling or renting most of that kind of equipment. “I don’t feel it is the kind of thing we should be competing against,” Don says. “Our focus is mainly equipment you cannot buy at at the Home Depots, like a texture spray machine or a diesel compactor, that kind of thing.” Robertson also has numerous skid steers and mini backhoes. Since moving to the new building, Don reports that the business has been growing by five to 10 per cent per year.
THE WHOLE FAMILY INVOLVED
By Don’s own admission, his wife, Netta, probably puts more hours into the business than he does, these days. “She looks
after the books and the hours she puts in are crazy,” he says. “She’s talking about getting some help because it is a little much. She spends hours and hours and 90 per cent of it is done at home because we are hooked into the computers here. So she is working morning, noon, night and weekends. She does a great job.”
As co-owners in the business, D.J. and Cameron do whatever is needed, but D.J. tends to focus on the IT and digital marketing needs of the company while Cameron is more involved with front line sales and promotion. Don says Cameron is effective on job sites because he is personable and tends to get along with everyone. Cameron was also instrumental in landing the ROOTY award for Robertson, energetically sending information about the company and collecting photos for the judges to consider. When it came time to accept the award, it was Cameron who got pushed to the front to do the talking for the company.
Don has mostly retired from working the counter now “because I was told I wasn’t needed any more.” He has hired Justin Horsley, previously of Contractor’s Rental Supply in Haliburton, Ont., to help manage the store. “He is the first guy we have ever hired who knew something
Our panel of judges selected Robertson Rent-All to be Canada’s outstanding Rental Operator Of The Year. D.J., Cameron and Don accepted the award at the Canadian Rental Service booth at the Rental Mart with Bryan Baeumler and George Olah on hand.
about the business,” Don says. He has been impressed with Horsley’s expertise around the shop and in the back, and thinks he will be an integral component as the business expands. Robertson employs between 10 and 12 other employees through the summer, including a mechanic and several part-time workers. Don hired a driver for the first time last year because he had picked up a mini excavator and needed someone with an A licence to haul it. Robertson also takes in several co-op students from the local high
schools to help out its mechanic and learn small engine repair. The quality of this help is mixed, but Don has found several good workers this way.
AWARD-WINNING APPROACH
Keeping a clean and up-to-date fleet is very important when serving the homeowner market, Robertson has found. “We hate renting anything that does not look good,” Don says. “I don’t want to rent something that is rusted. Our equipment is always upgraded or it is turned
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over in a timely fashion. The homeowners do not want to pay the bucks for something that does not look good.” Getting the equipment into top shape for renting is one of Cameron’s functions. He makes sure everything in the shop is freshly painted and has the Robertson decals on it.
Don has found that by keeping his investment in equipment modest and finding markets for the machinery he can afford, he has been able to avoid taking on debt and paying the bank. “Our niche now is dealing directly with landscapers and small contractors,” he says. “I don’t deal a lot with PCL [a large Ottawa commercial contractor] and all those guys, we leave that up to United and CRS. When I started the business, I didn’t want to get into the heavy debt part. That is what my brothers-in-law wanted to do, saying ‘Let’s go out and get compaction rollers and stuff.’ And I said ‘No, no, no, everything I want to do, I want to do without debt.’ And I’ve been able to do that. In 20 years, I have had no debt except for maybe two years when I borrowed to start the business. I have leases on the equipment, but you can’t really call that debt, you know.”
Careful control of his expansion is important to Don. Plans are in the works for a new Robertson location on the other side of the city, but Don initially put the brakes on the youngsters to make sure the company was ready to take on the challenge. “D.J. and Cameron came to me about three years ago and said they wanted to have a meeting, and I said OK so we sat down and they said ‘We would like to open up another location in the west end,’ and I said I thought it was too soon. ‘I don’t think you guys are really ready for this. You have only been working for a couple years and I think what we should do is concentrate on getting this branch up and running well: very efficiently, safety-wise, everything. And that is what has happened over the last three years and now we are moving ahead. I have always thought about opening there, but I wanted to do it when it was right. If it doesn’t feel right, I am not going to make the move.”
The Robertson customer-first philosophy came from some negative examples Don saw in his former competition, a now-defunct rental operation that used
to have 13 locations in Ottawa. “I would deal with them for my own house stuff and they just treated me like garbage,” Don remembers. “Every time I went in there, it was just terrible. So that was another reason I got into the rental business. I thought I could open and just get a bit of gravy from them.”
“My motto at the time was, ‘Nobody leaves pissed off out of this store,’” Don says. “I don’t care if I have to give it away, people are not going to say a bad thing about Robertson Rent-All in this town. To this day, my kids are still doing the same thing. It is great, the way they treat people. I was just saying to my wife how they just kind of take over and you don’t realize you are teaching them but they have been watching and listening.”
D.J. and Cameron learned the business at their father’s side, but they are bringing new blood and new ideas to the operation, as well. D.J. recently became curious as to the return on investment Robertson was seeing from its various equipment purchases. He developed a spreadsheet and worked up a number of formulas to tell him what equipment was making money and renting well and what equipment was underperforming. Then he applied the results to the company’s last trip to the Canadian Rental Mart, drawing up a shopping list based on what would deliver the most bang for the buck in their store. “I just took all the different factors that come into play when you are renting equipment,” D.J. explains, “like repair costs, and using the computer systems we have now we can see the percentage of days the equipment is out on rent. So using this information I can say that if we were going to get a piece of equipment I can see what we are going to make off it and if it is going to be profitable.” D.J. has taken his system as far as multi-year analysis to predict whether the equipment will continue to pay off over time given its lease structure and expected maintenance requirements, which enables him to pinpoint the best time in its lifecycle to replace it. Don is thrilled with the detailed information D.J.’s system can deliver. “I always used to go to shows and just kind of buy on feel,” he confesses. “Then D.J. showed me where we didn’t need some of the stuff I would
always pick up. It caused some problems at the Rental Mart because some vendors who were used to getting an order from me every time did not get one this time around. I should have just shown them the sheet.”
D.J. is also an adept hand at web development, and has made an attractive website with all the information and online services that Robertson customers would want. The ROOTY judges all commented on Robertson’s strong web presence.
Cameron is leading Robertson’s marketing charge, and he is salivating over some of the posh new developments in the west and southwest end of Ottawa with their associated need for renovations and construction equipment. “One of the first things people do is put up a fence,” Cameron observes. “That is prime for us. Then they want to take care of their landscaping, then you don’t want that concrete step out in front of your lawn, you want some nice interlocking brick or something. That is where we come in and we can help them do that at an affordable cost.”
Along with big, expensive houses, new developments come with schools and Cameron has his eye on them as well. “We have found that they need scaffolding and floor polishers,” he says. “In the future we want to put together different lists of equipment that schools might need and restaurants and various types of businesses and target them directly and let them know what might be of interest to them.”
Robertson was singled out at the Canadian Rental Mart in March not only by this magazine, but by the Canadian Rental Association Ontario. Robertson won the ROOTY award, a competition open to any rental operator in the country and judged on the candidate’s commitment to success, innovation and safety. And it won the CRA Ontario Image Award for 2011. Don credits the surge of interest and activity to new blood. With two dynamic young men getting ever more involved with the experienced veteran still at the helm, Robertson Rent-All’s greatest achievements may still be ahead. CRS
Optimum vibration with total control and choice.
Productivity Partnership for a Lifetime.
This high performance series of compactors distinguishes themselves every day. Easy handling. Universal application. High maneuverability. Thanks to infinitely variable hydraulic forward and reverse action, this machine moves quickly on the job, even uphill.
Ideal for rental operators, the compact and foldable engine cover makes servicing easy and provides excellent protection, too. Although the AVP 5920, 4920 and 3920 stand head-and-shoulders above the competition, the price is reassuringly down-to-earth. For sales and service contact your local Ammann dealer.
Alberta – Williamson Equipment Ltd. tel: 780-450-0055
gwill@williamsonequipment.com
British Columbia – Parker Pacific tel: 800-665-9901 www.inland-group.com
Quebec – BOCK Inc. tel: 1-800-363-0115 www.bockinc.ca
High jumps with high risk.
LEGALESE State your interest
by Deryk Coward
Anyone can charge interest, but you also need to make sure you can collect.
Do you charge clients interest on their overdue accounts? Many businesses choose to charge interest to those clients who do not pay their invoices on time. But have you ever considered whether there was a proper procedure that you must follow in order to properly be able to enforce the collection of interest on unpaid invoices? There are a few general guidelines you should follow, before assuming that interest charges to a client will actually be enforced by the courts.
Overall, it is good practice to inform your clients that you charge a set interest rate to all clients who do not pay their invoices on time. Providing this information upfront to all clients will provide you with security should a situation arise in the future regarding overdue accounts. It will also help to avoid making your clients feel they are being treated unfairly. If it is a set amount, then it becomes more like a company policy than a decision to extract extra funds from a client.
Charging a set interest rate also makes it clearer for everyone involved. Incorporating references to the posted interest rates of third parties (example: the BMO prime, from quarter to quarter) only makes matters more confusing. A simple “two per cent, per month” is not only clear, but also generally acceptable practice in most industries.
Clarity is important, but even more important from your perspective is the need for the actual agreement of the client on the applicable interest rate, along with the timing for payment. If clients agree in writing to pay two per cent per month on accounts overdue beyond 30 days, you will enjoy an increased chance of having a court force them to pay you that particular interest rate. Laws in this matter vary from province to province. You should consult an attorney in your own jurisdiction for advice on how to structure your own contracts. Do not take anything here as advice on how to handle any individual account.
If a vendor of services does not inform the
purchaser (and get agreement) that there will be an interest amount added to any overdue invoice, the courts have found that the purchaser may not be obligated to pay the listed interest amount (even if the rate is contained on subsequent reminder statements).
Remember, it is always good practice to provide the notice of interest in writing. Documentation will support your cause should the account not be paid and you are required to pursue the client for payment in court. Verbal agreements can be enforced in some jurisdictions, but even in those jurisdictions it makes sense to reduce the understanding to writing so that everyone knows the actual contractual arrangement. Overall, it is good practice to inform the purchaser upfront of any terms and/or conditions you wish to introduce into the contract. It is also best practice to provide those details in writing.
In sum, if you wish to be able to enforce an agreement for interest against a client, it will be important for you to have a written contract with that client for a clearly stipulated interest rate. If these
“More important is the need for the actual agreement of the client.”
steps are taken, you will stand a better chance of having a court side with you in a future claim. CRS
Deryk Coward articled with D’Arcy & Deacon in 1996 and was called to the Manitoba bar in June of 1997. He is a partner with the firm, practising primarily in the area of general civil litigation, personal injury, insurance, debtor-creditor and labour and employment law. Coward is legal counsel for the Canadian Rental Association.
Mfg.RepsforWesternCanada: M.S.Salesltd.
Tel:1-800-451-2537(office)
FelixPasquaCell:604-351-9491
DrewWoodCell:604-760-9120
Fax:1-800-665-0597
E-Mail:mssales@telus.net
Mfg.RepsforEasternCanada: EastcanMarketingLtd.
Tel:416-748-8045/877-748-1130
Fax:416-748-7922/800-748-9989
Email:eastcan@rogers.com
SMASHING EXPECTATIONS
The Canadian Rental Mart sets a new bar for success.
The numbers speak for themselves. The Canadian Rental Mart, which ran March 6 and 7, hosted 855 rental professionals, up 24 per cent from the 2010 tally of 689. Of those, 488 were rental operators representing 225 individual companies attending. They visited 104 exhibiting companies.
by PATRICK FLANNERY
LEFT: The sound of dealmaking was in the air everywhere at the 2012 Canadian Rental Mart. A full range of rental equipment was on display, from 48-foot aerial lifts to coloured barrier tape.
RIGHT: Several attendees took advantage of the chance to hear George Olah discuss safety regulations. Mark Peart’s seminar on lawn care was well attended and very informative.
Other statistics point to a very strong edition of the Toronto-based show. The show partner hotel, the DoubleTree Hilton, sold out its entire block of 151 room nights well before the show, and the overflow hotel, the Radisson, sold 17 room nights. The Canadian Rental Association Ontario’s banquet was the largest ever, with 152 registered guests. Bryan Baeumler’s appearance, the ROOTY award presentation and the seminars all drew enthusiastic crowds.
“We felt we were optimistic in hoping for 300 to 400 attendees,” show manager Ed Cosman, said. “As it happened, the show exceeded all expectations.”
Feedback from exhibitors on the show floor was overwhelmingly positive. “This is the best show we have had in 10 years,” Paul Everitt, Rentquip sales manager, said. The famous Rentquip Wheel of Fortune could be heard almost continuously on the first day.
The CRA Ontario will host its tabletop show next year, and the Rental Mart returns in March 2014, exact date to be determined.
ROBERTSON RENT-ALL WINS BIG
An interested crowd gathered at the Canadian Rental Service booth on the afternoon of the first day of the show to see the first-ever Rental Operator Of The Year award presented by George Olah of Abco Equipment, HGTV star Bryan Baeumler and your correspondent. A film crew was on hand to shoot the presentation for Canadian Rental Service , and the video will soon be posted to canadianrentalservice.com.
The ROOTY was awarded to Robertson Rent-All of Orleans, Ont. Owners Don, Cameron and D.J. Robertson were there to accept the plaque. ROOTY judge George Olah praised the winners, mentioning that they are second-generation rental owneroperators exemplifying the best values of a rental establishment. He said the judges were impressed that they were moving their family-run business up onto the next level without losing the personal family touch.
“We looked at things like their crisp image,
daily business practices, creative marketing, safety programs and their wonderful work in the community they live and work in,” Olah said. Cameron thanked his parents and everyone present, saying the award was a great achievement for him and the business.
The ROOTY judges’ choice of Roberston Rent-All was confirmed later that evening when Robertson also won the Canadian Rental Association Ontario’s Image Award!
MORE THAN JUST SHOPPING
This year more than ever, the Canadian Rental Mart was about more than just shopping. Special events and presentations – Bryan Baeumler’s appearance, the seminars, the ROOTY presentation, the CRA banquet – were constantly happening in and around the show. In the same spirit, one exhibitor found a way to use his investment in booth space at the show to generate more value for his business apart from having a showcase for his products. A.E. Sales had a new addition to its Billy
Goat product line at the show, and Jeff Hill from Billy Goat was at the Rental Mart to help A.E. promote it.
So Jerry Elmquist, A.E.’s Ontario manager, made arrangements with show management to bring in 20 sales representatives from nearby Home Depot locations to get training on the new product right on the show floor before the show opened on the first day.
Elmquist got an opportunity to give his dealers valuable training all in one place at one time, Billy Goat got some nice exposure to a key dealer and a chance to educate its downstream sales force and the Rental Mart got 20 more attendees on the floor walking around after the training session. It was a win-win-win proposition and show management hopes it will see the show floor used for gatherings and meetings of this kind more often.
Another positive trend on the show floor was the prominently advertised show specials. Show specials used to be an almost automatic feature of a supplier’s booth, but then they went away for many years, possibly as a
reaction to the rising costs of participation in trade shows. Now, some vendors appear to be bringing the concept back. Uniquip and Rentquip, to name just two, were offering show specials. Exhibitors said it made sense to give customers some discount at the show both to drive traffic at the show and because machinery purchased there did not have to be shipped back to the warehouse.
THE FUN BOOTH
At the heart of the show was the CRA booth, staffed by national executive director Mandy Wellnitz, national senior vice-president Jeff Campbell and the Ontario board. There was always a lively crowd at this booth, drawn by Bryan Baeumler, CRA national president Ed Dwyer and Flat James, a cardboard cutout of James Morden that is achieving fame thanks to its video-recorded tour of New Orleans shot by CRA B.C.’s Angie Venekamp. That video was screened at the cocktail reception prior to the CRA Ontario banquet, which was the first time Morden had seen it. His reaction was duly recorded and is now posted on the CRA’s Facebook page.
The CRA Ontario banquet was celebrating the association’s 50th year in existence and was the largest it has ever been at 152 attendees. The murder-mystery dinner entertainment by Big Time Productions, Silence of the Hams , was well executed and funny. CRA Ontario president Mike Maltby read out the list of past presidents of the Ontario CRA, and several were in the room to be recognized, including Wally Carruthers who had been president in 1972.
Robertson Rent-All won the Image Award, Randy Turner of BestWay Rent-All won Rental Person of the Year and Neil Courneya took home Supplier of the Year on behalf of Hy-Cor International.
Spirits were high in the hospitality suite following the CRA Ontario banquet. Details are fuzzy, but unconfirmed reports suggest the location of the suite moved several times and the party was eventually broken up by a large, uninvited light source in the eastern
– A –
A.E. SALES INC.
23B-7471 Edgar Industrial Bend, Red Deer, AB T4P 3Z5
Fax: 866-810-5123
Toll Free: 1-866-391-6450
e-mail: aesales@telus.net
website: www.aesalesgroup.com Will Stayer/Tony Shelling
Wacker Neuson’s re-designed gasoline stake driver offers operator comfort with an optional lower handle especially designed for driving tent stakes. Trade-in your old gas stake driver and get C$385.00 off a new BH 65. For more information please visit...
Cut downtime spent waiting for fuel to arrive with the new 18,000-litre Transtainer. It’s the largest fuel tank approved for both stationary and mobile use, and it’s legally transportable while full so you can take your fuel with you.
Get the Transtainer for your job site and get back to work. The Transtainer is double walled, Transport Canada approved, ULC approved and IMDG compliant. It can transport diesel, gasoline, aviation fuel, and new or used oil.
CES - CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT SOLUTIONS
13-1064 Salk Rd., Pickering, ON L1W 1N8
Tel: 905-420-2243
Fax: 905-420-9655
e-mail: ces-wiles@hotmail.com website: www.ces-sales.com Kim Wiles
CHAMPION MOTOR GRADERS
8844 Mount Holly Rd., Charlotte, NC 28214
Tel: 704-392-1038
Fax: 704-394-0802
e-mail: babernathy@championmotorgraders. us website: www.championmotorgraders.us Bryan Abernathy
CISOLIFT DISTRIBUTION, INC.
192 Rue Sylvestre, St-Germain-De-Grantham, QC J0C 1K0
Tel: 819-395-3838
Fax: 819-395-3164
e-mail: gtherrien@cisolift.com Guy Therrien
CLAESSEN PUMPS LIMITED
2249 Bowman St., Innisfil, ON L9S 3V5
Tel: 705-431-8585
Fax: 705-431-2772
website: www.claessenpumps.com
Sales: Daniel Blandford or Gord DeBruin
Service: Tyler Bly
CLARK-KAVANAGH INC.
PO Box 862, 38 Old Hastings Rd., Bancroft, ON K0L 1C0
Doosan Portable Power Canada supplies the rental industry with portable compressors, mobile generators and light towers (formerly Ingersoll-Rand brand). We stock equipment and parts in Canada to provide dedicated support.
e-mail: info@exacon.ca OR jvanbakel@ exacon.ca website: www.exaconinc.com
Mark Relouw, John VanBakel
– F –
TENTES FIESTA TENTS LTD.
9091 Henri-Bourassa Blvd. W., St-Laurent, QC H4S 1H9
Tel: 514-336-8368
Fax: 514-338-1448
Toll Free: 1-800-465-5070
website: www.fiesta.ca
Sales/Service: Alex Renau
FLAGRO INDUSTRIES LTD.
26 Benfield Dr., St. Catharines, ON L2S 3V5
Tel: 905-685-4243
Fax: 905-685-0113
e-mail: www.flagro@flagro.on.ca
website: www.flagro.ca
Sales: Iain Watson, Shane Moffitt, Bob Christopher
Flagro Industries Limited is a domestic manufacturer of both indirect fired and direct fired construction heating equipment, fueled by oil, propane, natural gas and electricity.
SUPPLIERS
– G –
G. HJUKSTROM LTD.
19114 - 95 A Ave., Surrey, BC V4N 4P2
Tel: 604-882-8211
Fax: 604-882-9229
e-mail: info@hjukstrom.com
website: www.hjukstrom.com
Norm Cutress
G-TRAX WEAR PARTS INC.
180 Admiral Blvd., Mississauga, ON L5T 2N6
Tel: 905-565-8729
Fax: 905-565-8728
Toll Free: 1-855-778-TRAX
website: www.g-traxwearparts.com
Tina Spatola
FLEXOVIT CANADA ABRASIVES LTD.
10 Strathearn Ave., Brampton, ON L6T 4L8
Tel: 905-792-9665
Fax: 800-268-8776
Toll Free: 1-800-369-3539
e-mail: flexovit@flexovitabrasives.com
website: www.flexovitabrasives.com
Mike Chapman
Flexovit is a US manufacturer of abrasive products that are guaranteed to reduce costs and keep customers satisfied. Contact us today to learn how we can help you.
General Pipe Cleaners manufactures a full line of drain cleaning equipment with Flexicore cables for the rental industry, as well as water jets, video pipe inspection systems, and pipe thawing machines.
GENESIS SALES & MARKETING
1-150 Rivermede Rd., Concord, ON L4K 3M8
Tel: 905-482-3414
Fax: 905-482-0109
Toll Free: 1-877-476-4801
GANDY CO.
PO Box 528, Gandrud Rd., Owatonna, MN 55060-0528
Tel: 507-451-5430
Fax: 507-451-2857
Toll Free: 1-800-443-2476
e-mail: custsrv@gandy.net website: www.gandy.net
Doug Snorek
GAS-FIRED PRODUCTS INC.
PO Box 36485, 305 Doggett St., Charlotte, NC 28236-6485
Tel: 704-372-3485
Fax: 704-332-5843
Bob Genisol
GEHL
PO Box 179, One Gehl Way, West Bend, WI 53095-0179
Tel: 262-334-9461
Fax: 262-338-7517
e-mail: info@gehl.com website: www.gehl.com
Lori Heidecker
GENE RAL EQUIPMENT COMPANY
620 Alexander Dr. SW, Owatonna, MN 55060
Tel: 507-451-5510
Fax: 507-451-5511 OR 1-877-344-4375
Toll Free: 1-800-533-0524
e-mail: sales@generalequip.com website: www.generalequip.com Sales Department
PO Box 258, W229 N 1645 Westwood Dr., Waukesha, WI 53187-0258
Tel: 262-544-0254
Fax: 262-544-6120
e-mail: sales@hatzusa.com
website: www.hatzusa.com
Vicki Zarletti
HEATSTAR BY ENERCO
4560 W. 160th St., Cleveland, OH 44135
Tel: 216-916-3000
Fax: 800-321-0552
Toll Free: 1-800-251-0001
website: www.heatstarbyenerco.com
Tim Jedrzejek
HeatStar is a full line of heavy duty construction heaters for all jobs. Available in propane, natural gas or kerosene (oil) fired heaters from 35,000 to 900,000 btu/hr. Direct fired and indirect fired.
6300 Edwards Blvd., Unit 1, Mississauga, ON L5T 2V7
Tel: 905-670-5700
Fax: 905-670-3700
Toll Free: 1-800-387-9537
website: www.irprubber.com
Grant Gillies, Dir. Bus. Dev., ggillies@irprubber.com, 905-670-5700; Ted Flewwelling, V.P., ted@irprubber.com, 905-670-5700; Dave Crane, Br. Mgr.Port Coquitlam, dcrane@irprubber.com, 1-877-527-1200
I.R.P. Industrial Rubber Ltd. is Canada’s leading rubber wholesaler with warehouses across Canada.Our product groups consist of industrial hose, couplings and clamps, Flexaust ducting, sheet rubber and matting.
Magnum Power Products is a leading manufacturer of towable diesel generators, light towers, pumps, water trailers and MTT combination power, light and water units; all backed with strong warranties and customer driven support 24/7/365.
MANCORP INDUSTRIAL SALES
20186 113B Ave., Maple Ridge, BC V2X 0Y9
Tel: 604-420-4332
Fax: 604-942-4950
Toll Free: 1-800-595-2632
e-mail: info@mancorp.ca website: www.mancorp.ca
Glenn Sheffer
MARINDUSTRIAL INC.
80 Harrisville Blvd., Unit A, Moncton, NB E1H 3N4
Tel: 506-852-3332
Fax: 506-857-8484
Toll Free: 1-800-463-3332
e-mail: info-atlantic@marind.ca website: www.marind.ca OR www.subaruequip.ca
Frank Leblanc
MARINDUSTRIAL ONTARIO INC.
2320 Bristol Circle, Unit 8, Oakville, ON L6H 5S3
Tel: 905-829-3004
Fax: 905-829-4046
Toll Free: 1-800-866-3831
e-mail: info-ontario@marind.ca website: www.marind.ca OR www.subaruequip.ca
Roger Hiscock
MARINDUSTRIEL
8550, Delmeade, Montréal, QC H4T 1L7
Tel: 514-342-2748
Fax: 514-342-6151
Toll Free: 1-800-363-2259
e-mail: info-quebec@marind.ca website: www.marind.ca OR www.subaruequip.ca
Eric Galego
Marindustrial - your distributor for Subaru Industrial Products, Hatz Diesel, Ford Power Products, Lister Petter and Twin Disc.Sales
MBW Inc. manufactures Rammers, Vibratory Plates, Vibratory Roller Attachments for skid loaders and excavators. Concrete Power Trowels, light Truss and wet Screeds, Mortar/Plaster Mixers, Concrete Sprayers and Concrete Slipform Pavers.
We are Canada’s leading factory direct wholesale supplier of quality folding tables, chairs, dinnerware, flatware, platters, bowls and a range of other products to the Rental sector.
NTI Global manufactures heater ducting and AC ducting for virtually any portable heater or air conditioner. We also manufacture tent sidewalls at tentsidewalls.com and stock for same day shipment.
Point-of-Rental™ Systems rental management software for Windows® combines award-winning innovative technology with 30 years’ rental experience to enhance productivitiy and efficiency in over 1400 rental locations around the world.
Wheatheart offers a complete line of fencing equipment, designed for faster and more efficient fencing. There is a Wheatheart post pounder model for every application including: livestock, orchard & vineyard fencing.
Husqvarna’s recently unveiled new product line-up includes the DM 220 hand-held drill, K3000 Vac, DC 1400 wet/dry vacuum, AD 10 automatic drilling system and the FS 413 walk-behind saw. They are sure to be favorites of your customers — whether the weekend do-it-yourselfer or the professional tradesman. Husqvarna’s construction products are ergonomic, long-lasting and user friendly.
Husqvarna DM 220
Husqvarna
Husqvarna DC 1400
Husqvarna AD 10
Husqvarna FS 413
EVENT AND PARTY GOODS
GAZEBOS, ARCHES, ETC.
B & C Mortensen Inc.
GLASSWARE
National Event Supply Canada
GRIDDLES/GRILLS
Crown Verity Inc.
Diversco Supply Inc.
Wayne Weight Marketing & Sales
HEATER, DUCTS
A.E. Sales Inc.
Aerotech Herman Nelson Inc.
Diversco Supply Inc.
Engineered Performance
Flagro Industries Ltd.
Frost Fighter Inc.
Heatstar
NTI Global/Tentsidewalls.com
RDSI
Rentquip Canada
Rentquip Canada
Sure Flame Products
Total Equipment Sales Inc.
Uniquip Canada Inc.
Wacker Neuson Ltd.
Wayne Weight Marketing & Sales
HEATERS, PATIO
Crown Verity Inc.
Deltaquip Supplies Ltd.
Diversco Supply Inc.
Eastcan Marketing Ltd.
NTI Global/Tentsidewalls.com
RDSI
Schaefer Ventilation Equipment
Sure Flame Products
Tentwares Accessory Catalog
Wayne Weight Marketing & Sales
HEATERS, PORTABLE
A.E. Sales Inc.
Aerotech Herman Nelson Inc.
Allmand Brothers Inc.
Campo Equipment Co. Ltd.
Deltaquip Supplies Ltd.
Diversco Supply Inc.
Eastcan Marketing Ltd.
Engineered Performance
Flagro Industries Ltd.
Frost Fighter Inc.
Heatstar
Hy-Cor International
L.B. White Co. Inc.
NTI Global/Tentsidewalls.com
RDSI
Rentquip Canada
Schaefer Ventilation Equipment
Sure Flame Products
Tentwares Accessory Catalog
Total Equipment Sales Inc.
Uniquip Canada Inc.
Wacker Neuson Ltd.
Wayne Weight Marketing & Sales
INFLATABLE BOUNCERS
A.E. Sales Inc.
LECTERNS
Schoolhouse Products Inc.
LIGHTS
Allmand Brothers Inc.
Eastcan Marketing Ltd.
Hy-Cor International
RDSI
Tentwares Accessory Catalog
Wacker Neuson Ltd.
LIQUOR DISP ENSERS
Deltaquip Supplies Ltd.
MISC. PARTY GOODS
Tentwares Accessory Catalog
MUSIC SYSTEMS
Party Touch Systems
POPCORN MACHINES
Crown Verity Inc.
RDSI
Wayne Weight Marketing & Sales
ROOM DIVIDERS
B & C Mortensen Inc.
Schoolhouse Products Inc.
ROTISSERIES
Diversco Supply Inc.
RDSI
Uniquip Canada Inc.
Wayne Weight Marketing & Sales
STAGE COVERS
A.E. Sales Inc.
All Cover Portable Systems Inc.
All Shelter Sales & Rentals
Fiesta Tents Ltd.
Warner Shelter Systems Ltd.
STAGE SKIRTING
All Cover Portable Systems Inc.
Schoolhouse Products Inc.
Tricific Enterprises Inc.
STAGES, FOLDING, PORTABLE
A.E. Sales Inc.
All Cover Portable Systems Inc.
Etobicoke Ironworks Ltd.
Metaltech – Omega Inc.
Schoolhouse Products Inc.
Tentwares Accessory Catalog
Total Equipment Sales Inc.
Wenger Corporation
TABLE LINENS
National Event Supply Canada
Tricific Enterprises Inc.
TABLE NAPKINS
National Event Supply Canada
Tricific Enterprises Inc.
TABLE SKIRTING
Tricific Enterprises Inc.
TABLECLOTHS
National Event Supply Canada
Tricific Enterprises Inc.
TABLES, BANQUET
A.E. Sales Inc.
All Shelter Sales & Rentals
McCourt Manufacturing
National Event Supply Canada
RDSI
Schoolhouse Products Inc.
TABLES, CARD
A.E. Sales Inc.
McCourt Manufacturing
National Event Supply Canada
Schoolhouse Products Inc.
TABLES, FOLDING
A.E. Sales Inc.
McCourt Manufacturing
National Event Supply Canada
Schoolhouse Products Inc.
Tentwares Accessory Catalog
TABLES, PICNIC
Schoolhouse Products Inc.
TENT ACCESSORIES
A.E. Sales Inc.
All Shelter Sales & Rentals
Anchor Industries Inc.
Aztec Tents
Engineered Performance
Fiesta Tents Ltd.
Impact Canopies
Schaefer Ventilation Equipment
Tentwares Accessory Catalog
Warner Shelter Systems Ltd.
TENT CLEANING SERVICE
Fiesta Tents Ltd.
TENT ERECTION EQUIPMENT
All Shelter Sales & Rentals
Fiesta Tents Ltd.
Tentwares Accessory Catalog
Warner Shelter Systems Ltd.
TENT HEATERS
Crown Verity Inc.
Diversco Supply Inc.
Eastcan Marketing Ltd.
Engineered Performance
Flagro Industries Ltd.
Heatstar
RDSI
Rentquip Canada
Schaefer Ventilation Equipment
Sure Flame Products
Total Equipment Sales Inc.
Wacker Neuson Ltd.
TENT JACKS
A.E. Sales Inc.
Anchor Industries Inc.
Aztec Tents
Fiesta Tents Ltd.
TENT SIDEWALLS
A.E. Sales Inc.
All Shelter Sales & Rentals
Anchor Industries Inc.
Aztec Tents
Fiesta Tents Ltd.
NTI Global/Tentsidewalls.com
Warner Shelter Systems Ltd.
TENT STAKE DRIVERS
A.E. Sales Inc.
Atlas Copco
CON X Equipment
RDSI
Vulcan Demolition Tools Inc.
Wacker Neuson Ltd.
TENT STAKES
A.E. Sales Inc.
All Shelter Sales & Rentals
Anchor Industries Inc.
Aztec Tents
Fiesta Tents Ltd.
Warner Shelter Systems Ltd.
TENT VENTILATION EQUIPMENT
A.E. Sales Inc.
Diversco Supply Inc.
Eastcan Marketing Ltd.
Engineered Performance
NTI Global/Tentsidewalls.com
Schaefer Ventilation Equipment
Sure Flame Products
TENTS, CLEAR SPAN
A.E. Sales Inc.
All Shelter Sales & Rentals
Anchor Industries Inc.
Aztec Tents
Fiesta Tents Ltd.
Warner Shelter Systems Ltd.
TENTS, DIGITAL IMAGING
Anchor Industries Inc.
Aztec Tents
Fiesta Tents Ltd.
Warner Shelter Systems Ltd.
TENTS, FABRIC BUILDINGS
A.E. Sales Inc.
All Cover Portable Systems Inc.
All Shelter Sales & Rentals
Anchor Industries Inc.
Aztec Tents
Fiesta Tents Ltd.
Inland Plastics Ltd.
Warner Shelter Systems Ltd.
TENTS, MARQUEES
A.E. Sales Inc.
All Shelter Sales & Rentals
Anchor Industries Inc.
Aztec Tents
Fiesta Tents Ltd.
Warner Shelter Systems Ltd.
TENTS, OTHER
A.E. Sales Inc.
All Shelter Sales & Rentals
Anchor Industries Inc.
Aztec Tents
Etobicoke Ironworks Ltd.
Fiesta Tents Ltd.
Inland Plastics Ltd.
NTI Global/Tentsidewalls.com
Warner Shelter Systems Ltd.
TENTS, TENSION STRUCTURES
A.E. Sales Inc.
All Cover Portable Systems Inc.
All Shelter Sales & Rentals
Anchor Industries Inc.
Aztec Tents
Fiesta Tents Ltd.
Warner Shelter Systems Ltd.
UMBRELLAS
Impact Canopies
WASHROOMS/HAND SINKS, PORTABLE
Crown Verity Inc.
WEDDING ACCESSORIES
B & C Mortensen Inc.
National Event Supply Canada
Tentwares Accessory Catalog
EQUIPMENT AND TOOLS
ABRASIVE BLADES
A.E. Sales Inc.
Abmast Abrasives
CM Equip
Deltaquip Supplies Ltd.
Diamond Products - Tyrolit
Diamond Systems Inc.
Diteq Corporation
E-Quip Inc.
Eastcan Marketing Ltd.
ECHO Power Eqpt.
EDCO
Flexovit Canada
G. Hjukstrom Ltd.
GH Factory Sales
Hitachi Power Tools
Husqvarna Construction Products
Hy-Cor International
M S Sales Ltd.
Mancorp Industrial Sales
National Hose
Pearl Abrasive Company
Rentquip Canada
S & S Supply Ltd.
Star Diamond Tools Inc.
Total Equipment Sales Inc.
Vulcan Demolition Tools Inc.
Wayne Weight Marketing & Sales
ABRASIVE BRUSHES
Abmast Abrasives
CM Equip
Deltaquip Supplies Ltd.
Diamond Products - Tyrolit
E-Quip Inc.
Flexovit Canada
G. Hjukstrom Ltd.
GH Factory Sales
Jet Equipment & Tools
Mancorp Industrial Sales
Pearl Abrasive Company
S & S Supply Ltd.
Wayne Weight Marketing & Sales
ABRASIVE WHEELS
A.E. Sales Inc.
Abmast Abrasives
CM Equip
Deltaquip Supplies Ltd.
Diamond Products - Tyrolit
Diteq Corporation
E-Quip Inc.
ECHO Power Eqpt.
Flexovit Canada
G. Hjukstrom Ltd.
GH Factory Sales
Hitachi Power Tools
Jet Equipment & Tools
M S Sales Ltd.
Mancorp Industrial Sales
Pearl Abrasive Company
Rentquip Canada
Robert Bosch Inc.
S & S Supply Ltd.
Total Equipment Sales Inc.
Vulcan Demolition Tools Inc.
Wayne Weight Marketing & Sales
ABRASIVES
A.E. Sales Inc.
Abmast Abrasives
Action Marketing
Cavalier Industries Ltd.
Deltaquip Supplies Ltd.
Diamond Products - Tyrolit
Diamond Systems Inc.
Diteq Corporation
E-Quip Inc.
EDCO
Flexovit Canada
Hitachi Power Tools
Husqvarna Construction Products
Jet Equipment & Tools
Mancorp Industrial Sales
National Hose
Ocean Diamond Tools Corp.
Rentquip Canada
S & S Supply Ltd.
Star Diamond Tools Inc.
Total Equipment Sales Inc.
Wayne Weight Marketing & Sales
ADVERTISING /TRADE SHOWS
Canadian Rental Service
Impact Canopies
Marketing Strategies
Master Promotions Ltd.
AERATORS, LANDSCAPING
A.E. Sales Inc.
Bannerman Ltd.
Billy Goat Industries Inc.
CM Equip
Deltaquip Supplies Ltd.
Duke Eqpt., G.C.
Eastern Farm Machinery
ECHO Power Eqpt.
Gandy Co.
Laning & Sons Ltd., R.H.
Pro-Power Canada Inc.
Ramrod Equipment
RDSI
Reist Industries Inc.
S & S Supply Ltd.
Toro Co., The
Uniquip Canada Inc.
Wayne Weight Marketing & Sales
AERIAL PLATFORMS, BOOMS, SWING STAGES
A.E. Sales Inc.
Cavalier Industries Ltd.
CisoLift Distribution
Custom Equipment Inc.
S & S Supply Ltd.
Skyjack Inc.
Terex / Genie
AIR CONDITIONING
Cantherm Distributors
Eastcan Marketing Ltd.
Engineered Performance
Frost Fighter Inc.
Hy-Cor International
RDSI
S & S Supply Ltd.
Schaefer Ventilation Equipment
Toromont Cat Power Systems
AIR MOVERS
A.E. Sales Inc.
Action Marketing
Cavalier Industries Ltd.
CES-Construction
Equipment Solutions
Deltaquip Supplies Ltd.
Diversco Supply Inc.
E-Quip Inc.
Eastcan Marketing Ltd.
Ebac Industrial Products
Engineered Performance
Flagro Industries Ltd.
EQUIPMENT AND TOOLS
Johnny Vac Inc.
Just Tools Inc.
M S Sales Ltd.
National Hose
RDSI
Rentquip Canada
Rentquip Canada
Rexo-Therm Of Canada
S & S Supply Ltd.
Schaefer Ventilation Equipment
Shark Pressure Washers
Star Diamond Tools Inc.
Sure Flame Products
Uniquip Canada Inc.
Vulcan Demolition Tools Inc.
Wacker Neuson Ltd.
Wayne Weight Marketing & Sales
AIR POWER ACCESSORIES
CES-Construction Equipment Solutions
CON X Equipment
E-Quip Inc.
EDCO
Hitachi Power Tools
McCann Equipment Ltd.
National Hose
S & S Supply Ltd.
Vulcan Demolition Tools Inc.
Wayne Weight Marketing & Sales
AIR TOOL ACCESSORIES
American Pneumatic Tools, Inc.
Atlas Copco
Buchanan Rubber Ltd.
Cavalier Industries Ltd.
CES-Construction Equipment Solutions
CON X Equipment
E-Quip Inc.
EDCO
General Equipment
Hitachi Power Tools
Jet Equipment & Tools
Just Tools Inc.
Madido Equipment Ltd.
McCann Equipment Ltd.
National Hose
Rentquip Canada
Rentquip Canada
S & S Supply Ltd.
Vulcan Demolition Tools Inc.
Wayne Weight Marketing & Sales
ALTERNATORS
McCann Equipment Ltd.
S & S Supply Ltd.
Total Equipment Sales Inc.
ANCHORING TOOLS/FASTENERS
Band-N-Go
Diamond Products - Tyrolit
Diteq Corporation
E-Quip Inc.
Hitachi Power Tools
Portable Winch Co.
Primatech Inc.
Rentquip Canada
Rentquip Canada
S & S Supply Ltd.
Total Equipment Sales Inc.
Wayne Weight Marketing & Sales
ANIMAL TRAPS
RDSI
APPLIANCE TRUCKS
Deltaquip Supplies Ltd.
RDSI
Wayne Weight Marketing & Sales
ARC WELDERS
Cavalier Industries Ltd.
S & S Supply Ltd.
ARROW BOARDS/ TRAFFIC CONTROL
Cavalier Industries Ltd.
Hy-Cor International
S & S Supply Ltd.
ASPHALT PAVERS
Ammann Canada
Atlas Copco
CES-Construction
Equipment Solutions
Compac Equipment Mfg. Inc.
Gehl
S & S Supply Ltd.
ASPHALT ROLLERS
A.E. Sales Inc.
Ammann Canada
Atlas Copco
Bomag (Canada) Inc.
CES-Construction Equipment Solutions
Compac Equipment Mfg. Inc.
Multiquip Inc.
S & S Supply Ltd.
Wacker Neuson Ltd.
ASSET TRACKING, FLEET
MANAGEMENT
A.E. Sales Inc.
Texada Software Inc.
AUGERS, EARTH
A.E. Sales Inc.
Bar/Can Equipment Sales
Cavalier Industries Ltd.
CES-Construction Equipment Solutions
CM Equip
Compac Equipment Mfg. Inc.
CON X Equipment
CPT – Canada Power
Technology Ltd.
Deltaquip Supplies Ltd.
General Equipment
Hitachi Power Tools
Laning & Sons Ltd., R.H.
Little Beaver
Mancorp Industrial Sales
McCann Equipment Ltd.
Ramrod Equipment
RDSI
S & S Supply Ltd.
Simpson’s Fence
Stihl Ltd.
Terra-Cut Supply Ltd.
Toro Co., The
Total Equipment Sales Inc.
Uniquip Canada Inc.
Vermeer Canada Inc.
Wayne Weight Marketing & Sales
AUGERS, ICE
A.E. Sales Inc.
Deltaquip Supplies Ltd.
General Equipment
Hitachi Power Tools
S & S Supply Ltd.
Stihl Ltd.
Total Equipment Sales Inc.
AUGERS, POSTHOLE
A.E. Sales Inc.
Atlas Copco
CES-Construction Equipment Solutions
Compac Equipment Mfg. Inc.
CON X Equipment
Deltaquip Supplies Ltd.
Eastern Farm Machinery
General Equipment
Harco Ag Equipment
Laning & Sons Ltd., R.H.
Mancorp Industrial Sales
McCann Equipment Ltd.
MTB Mfg. Inc.
Ramrod Equipment
RDSI
S & S Supply Ltd.
Stihl Ltd.
Terra-Cut Supply Ltd.
Total Equipment Sales Inc.
Vermeer Canada Inc.
Wayne Weight Marketing & Sales
AUTOMOTIVE TOOLS
Action Marketing
Deltaquip Supplies Ltd.
E-Quip Inc.
S & S Supply Ltd.
BACKHOE ATTACHMENTS
A.E. Sales Inc.
Atlas Copco
Ditch Witch
Eastern Farm Machinery
Equipment Sales & Service
General Equipment
Harco Ag Equipment
Laning & Sons Ltd., R.H.
Ramrod Equipment
S & S Supply Ltd.
Toro Co., The Wallenstein (EMB Mfg.)
BACKHOES
Cavalier Industries Ltd.
CES-Construction
Equipment Solutions
Eastcan Marketing Ltd.
Equipment Sales & Service
Harco Ag Equipment
S & S Supply Ltd.
Top Lift Enterprises, Inc.
BARRICADE TAPE
Quest Plastics Limited
BARRICADES
A.E. Sales Inc.
G. Hjukstrom Ltd.
GH Factory Sales
Metaltech – Omega Inc.
S & S Supply Ltd.
BATTERY CHARGERS, CORDLESS
Hitachi Power Tools
McCann Equipment Ltd.
S & S Supply Ltd.
BATTERY CHARGERS/TESTERS
Brierly Technologies Inc.
McCann Equipment Ltd.
S & S Supply Ltd.
BELTS, PULLEYS, ETC.
Deltaquip Supplies Ltd.
E-Quip Inc.
Mancorp Industrial Sales
S & S Supply Ltd.
BENDING BRAKES
RDSI
Rentquip Canada
Uniquip Canada Inc.
BITS
A.E. Sales Inc.
Abmast Abrasives
Cavalier Industries Ltd.
Centura Floor
CM Equip
Deltaquip Supplies Ltd.
Diamond Products - Tyrolit
Diamond Systems Inc.
E-Quip Inc.
G. Hjukstrom Ltd.
GH Factory Sales
Husqvarna Construction Products
M S Sales Ltd.
Madido Equipment Ltd.
Mancorp Industrial Sales
McCann Equipment Ltd.
RDSI
Rentquip Canada
Rentquip Canada
S & S Supply Ltd.
Simpson’s Fence
Star Diamond Tools Inc.
Total Equipment Sales Inc.
Uniquip Canada Inc.
Vulcan Demolition Tools Inc.
Wayne Weight Marketing & Sales
BLADES
A.E. Sales Inc.
Abmast Abrasives
Bartell Morrison Inc.
Cavalier Industries Ltd.
Centura Floor
Deltaquip Supplies Ltd.
Diamond Products - Tyrolit
Diamond Systems Inc.
E-Quip Inc.
EDCO
Equipements Mathieu Incorporate
Forge Products Inc.
G. Hjukstrom Ltd.
G-Trax Wear Parts Inc.
GH Factory Sales
Hitachi Power Tools
Husqvarna Construction Products
Jet Equipment & Tools
M S Sales Ltd.
Mancorp Industrial Sales
Ocean Diamond Tools Corp.
Rentquip Canada
Rentquip Canada
S & S Supply Ltd.
Simpson’s Fence
Star Diamond Tools Inc.
Terra-Cut Supply Ltd.
Total Equipment Sales Inc.
Uniquip Canada Inc.
Wayne Weight Marketing & Sales
BLOW TORCHES
CES-Construction Equipment Solutions
Diversco Supply Inc.
Sure Flame Products
Wayne Weight Marketing & Sales
BLOWERS
A.E. Sales Inc.
CES-Construction Equipment Solutions
CON X Equipment
Deltaquip Supplies Ltd.
Diversco Supply Inc.
E-Quip Inc.
Eastcan Marketing Ltd.
ECHO Power Eqpt.
Engineered Performance
General Equipment
Hitachi Power Tools
M S Sales Ltd.
Pro-Power Canada Inc.
Rentquip Canada
Rentquip Canada
S & S Supply Ltd.
Stihl Ltd.
Sure Flame Products
Wayne Weight Marketing & Sales
BLOWERS, LAWN & GARDEN
A.E. Sales Inc.
Billy Goat Industries Inc.
CON X Equipment
CPT – Canada Power
Technology Ltd.
Duke Eqpt., G.C.
ECHO Power Eqpt.
Eliet USA Inc.
Harco Ag Equipment
EQUIPMENT AND TOOLS
Hitachi Power Tools
Laning & Sons Ltd., R.H.
Power Source Canada
Pro-Power Canada Inc.
RDSI
S & S Supply Ltd.
Stihl Ltd.
Wayne Weight Marketing & Sales
BORING EQUIPMENT
Deltaquip Supplies Ltd.
Diamond Systems Inc.
Ditch Witch
Little Beaver
Ramrod Equipment
Rentquip Canada
Rentquip Canada
S & S Supply Ltd.
Toro Co., The Vermeer Canada Inc.
BREAKERS, AIR
A.E. Sales Inc.
Action Marketing
American Pneumatic Tools, Inc.
Atlas Copco
Cavalier Industries Ltd.
CES-Construction Equipment Solutions
CON X Equipment
Just Tools Inc.
M S Sales Ltd.
Madido Equipment Ltd.
McCann Equipment Ltd.
RDSI
Rentquip Canada
S & S Supply Ltd.
Sullair Corp.
Sullivan Palatek
Vulcan Demolition Tools Inc.
Wayne Weight Marketing & Sales
BREAKERS, ELECTRIC
Cavalier Industries Ltd.
CON X Equipment
Hy-Cor International
Madido Equipment Ltd.
Mancorp Industrial Sales
McCann Equipment Ltd.
RDSI
Rentquip Canada
Rentquip Canada
Robert Bosch Inc.
S & S Supply Ltd.
T&T Diesel Power Ltd.
Total Equipment Sales Inc.
Wacker Neuson Ltd.
Wayne Weight Marketing & Sales
BREAKERS, GAS POWERED
Atlas Copco
Cavalier Industries Ltd.
McCann Equipment Ltd.
Rentquip Canada
Rentquip Canada
S & S Supply Ltd.
Wacker Neuson Ltd.
Wayne Weight Marketing & Sales
BREAKERS, HAND
A.E. Sales Inc.
American Pneumatic Tools, Inc.
Cavalier Industries Ltd.
Mancorp Industrial Sales
McCann Equipment Ltd.
Rentquip Canada
Robert Bosch Inc.
S & S Supply Ltd.
Wayne Weight Marketing & Sales
TRACKS FOR
LIFE
GUARANTEE
ASK FOR DETAILS.
BREAKERS, HYDRAULIC
Allan Fyfe Equipment Ltd.
Atlas Copco
Cavalier Industries Ltd.
CES-Construction
Equipment Solutions
Equipment Sales & Service
Just Tools Inc.
Kubota Canada Ltd.
McCann Equipment Ltd.
S & S Supply Ltd.
Top Lift Enterprises, Inc.
Toro Co., The
Vulcan Demolition Tools Inc.
Wayne Weight Marketing & Sales
BROOMS
Builder’s Tool Supplies
Cavalier Industries Ltd.
Deltaquip Supplies Ltd.
E-Quip Inc.
Eastern Farm Machinery
ECHO Power Eqpt.
Harco Ag Equipment
Kraft Tool Co.
Laning & Sons Ltd., R.H.
Mancorp Industrial Sales
Ramrod Equipment
S & S Supply Ltd.
Wayne Weight Marketing & Sales
BRUSHCUTTERS
A.E. Sales Inc.
Billy Goat Industries Inc.
CON X Equipment
CPT – Canada Power Technology
Ltd.
Deltaquip Supplies Ltd.
ECHO Power Eqpt.
Harco Ag Equipment
Hitachi Power Tools
Laning & Sons Ltd., R.H.
MTB Mfg. Inc.
Power Source Canada
Pro-Power Canada Inc.
Ramrod Equipment
RDSI
S & S Supply Ltd.
Stihl Ltd.
Toro Co., The Vermeer Canada Inc.
Wayne Weight Marketing & Sales
BUCKETS
A.E. Sales Inc.
Builder’s Tool Supplies
Equipment Sales & Service
Kraft Tool Co.
Mancorp Industrial Sales
Ramrod Equipment
S & S Supply Ltd.
Top Lift Enterprises, Inc.
Toro Co., The
Wacker Neuson Ltd.
BULLDOZERS
Equipment Sales & Service
Ramrod Equipment
BUSINESS FI NANCE SERVICES
Atlas Copco
CABLE PLOWS
Terra-Cut Supply Ltd.
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Fear of flying and SUVs
by George Olah
These days, a plane crash is the least of your worries.
Remember when flying was fun and taking a trip was part of the experience of visiting a conference or show? For most of us, this long-lost memory was erased after the unfortunate experience of 9/11. Everything to do with travel changed forever since then.
Flying on economy tickets affords you seating that is a meager 17 to 18 inches wide with about 31 to 32 inches between the seat rows, until of course, the person in front of you decides to recline his seat, toppling your laptop and spilling your fourounce bag of pretzels. And if a really big person sits down beside you, you will find out soon enough whether or not his Right Guard is working.
The fun of travelling starts not in the aircraft but at the time of ticket purchase. Buy your tickets during certain days and you get one price. Buy it later on a different day, find another price. Choose your seat online and most of the time you end up with those seats. Then again, you could find yourself shifted into other seats because they change aircraft type or because the person checking you feels you are strong enough to sit by the emergency exit hatch and changes your seat selection for you. That is what happened to me on a recent flight to New Orleans. Sure, I had more leg room by the emergency exit but I also had to endure a mysterious draft of cold air and the door gasket dripped water on me for well over three hours.
Ah yes, and let’s not leave out the part of arriving at least two hours prior to your flight departure. Ironically, Air Canada seems to schedule about 12 or more flights in the same one-hour time window, or did on at least one day I flew. This meant approximately 2,000 people had to check in and go through security simultaneously. The ground assistants were just as overwhelmed as us poor travellers.
What I can’t understand is why I bothered to check in online. When I got to the airport, the ground person still made me line up for the automated kiosk, and then line up to get a baggage tag and pay for my baggage. Then I stood in line for nearly an hour to get through security and customs.
I now know to travel with slip on shoes, no belt, no metal on my clothing and to dump everything into the plastic bins to be nuked by some ghastly glowing machine which I am sure 10 years from now will be found to have some carcinogenic flaw.
I hate the people who don’t show up two hours early. They appear around 15 minutes before their flight and start squealing about missing their plane. “No problem! This way,” say the attendants to these connivers. “We don’t want you to miss your flight!”
The fun continues after landing at the destination airport. You have to find your bags. There are signs everywhere, primarily pictographs for sightchallenged flyers like me who apparently can’t read English. You invariably find yourself going up and down strange escalators working in the direction opposite to your requirements. Eventually you arrive in a room with a little hole with a blinking light spewing out baggage, eagerly awaited by the last two 747 flights that landed ahead of you.
Finding my black bag among 200 other black bags is like bobbing for apples in a basin of water with a hundred individuals at the same time. I guess that is my fault for not buying a dayglow pink bag for easy recognition.
Another indignity I suffer is due to the conference organizers recommending taking a shuttle bus for a special price that turns out to be more than regular cab fare to the hotel. To top it off, we have to wait an additional 40 minutes for the shuttle and stop at other hotels while any one of the numerous cabs in front of us can be at the hotel in 15 minutes.
The best ever of all my travels occurred in New Orleans when six of us flagged down a large SUV taxi. “Ladies in the front,” said the cab driver. “You boys get in the back,” and with that he opened the lift gate and made the three of us pile onto the flat rear storage surface of the SUV like cargo. Seatbelts be damned, we three were so close together that we couldn’t roll around or move if we tried.
I really miss Wardair and the old Canadian Airlines. CRS
While beer and cars seem to be the toast of the town, there are other fine products that come from Germany. Because, for more than 132 years, a family-owned, Bavarian company named Motorenfabrik Hatz has designed and manufactured some of the highest-quality diesel engines in the world. The company, now in its 4th generation of family management, has thrived because its workers still take great pride in the Hatz products they make. So next time you raise a glass to Germany’s finest cars or beer, raise another to one of the country’s finest diesel engines…Hatz. And let’s toast you for your appreciation of the finer things from Germany.
TEL: FAX: EMAIL: sales@hatzusa.com Visit our web site for product and distributor information www.hatzusa.com
