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Crack sawing is a neglected yet necessary step in concrete and pavement repair.
Big projects means big profits if you can figure out how to service them. 18 A SPECIAL FOCUS
Ontario Rental and Supply looks for niche markets with unusual machinery.
The CRA helps with printing costs in a new member benefit. by Marc Mandin
George Olah explains how propane suppliers arrive at their prices.
Get your piece of all the patio and driveway business this summer.
Getting help with logistics often makes sense. by Mark Borkowski
One of the goals of trade magazines is to act as a kind of internal conversation within a national industry. Since an industry is not one entity but rather a conglomerate of companies, individuals and other organizations, all the “bits” need to talk to each other if there is to be any hope of forming a common culture. Forming a common culture in the rental industry is probably not something you budget for each year. But without one, business sectors lack identity and are easily ignored by suppliers, governments and the public. They miss opportunities for shared learning, networking, and developing shared practices that reassure the consumer and help everyone to make money.
Industry news is the gossipy part of the conversation where fairly raw information about recent events and changes is passed around so everyone has a common understanding of what is going on. It is the soil out of which our more sophisticated opinions grow and fosters the basis for our policies and attitudes within the market. Also, people seem to like it. The news pages are some of the most avidly read in the magazine.
But there is a problem with our news. It is too dominated by items from suppliers. As much as we love our suppliers and
Ritchie Brothers appoints Briscoe Ritchie Brothers auctioneers has named Beverley Briscoe chair of the board. Briscoe succeeds Robert Murdoch, who steps down at the end of 2014.
by Patrick Flannery
advertisers, we all understand that they have an agenda to sell us something. Any “news” we read from them will be carefully crafted to show them in the best possible light. And critical news about the supplier that is not flattering will probably never see the light of day. Given these limitations, you are probably wondering why I run supplier press releases at all. The answer is simple: they are often all I have. My inbox fills up daily with well-written, properly formatted, ready-to-go news items from suppliers, complete with photos. When it comes to rental operators, however, I usually find out about changes in their businesses through offhand comments at association functions, months or even years after the fact. If you are not at a given function, or I don’t happen to talk to you there, chances are I’ll never know about that new location you opened or line of equipment you took on.
I think people in the rental business are often worried about being perceived as boastful. This trait, while endearingly Canadian, shouldn’t prevent you from sharing good news about your organization. If it is true, it is not bragging. I also run across a certain desire in some store owners to maintain a “low profile.” I tried to look up the section in my Business 101 textbook where it talked about the benefits of maintaining a low profile in a public-facing business, and I couldn’t find it. Maybe that’s covered in the advanced course.
All this is my problem, not yours. But I want to encourage everyone reading this to take five minutes when something noteworthy happens in your business to drop me a note at pflannery@annexweb.com. Don’t worry about grammar and punctuation – I can fix those. Don’t worry about getting all the information in there – I can ask follow-up questions as needed. Do send a photo. And don’t hesitate if you think your company is too small or the information might be of only local interest. We are here for all rental operators across Canada, big and small, and sometimes you would be surprised at the things that can happen from a little exposure outside your normal circle. So let’s get this conversation going. CRS
CONTRACTORS RENTAL SUPPLY EXPANDS
Contractors Rental Supply has opened two new branches in Ontario. The Oshawa branch will be managed by Darren Ward, and Jon Brown will look after the Hamilton branch. The new locations make 24 total locations for CRS across the province.
“Both branches are substantial facilities with a tremendous amount of storage and operational room to accommodate the growth we have been seeing throughout our company,” says Steve Burns, regional manager. “It has been very exciting to see the opening of these branches early this year. The branch managers at each bring with them a great deal of experience in the rental industry and enjoy being able to provide a high level of service from these facilities. We are planning a grand opening at each later this summer.”
CERF BUYS EMPIRE
ICS NAMES NEW NATIONAL SALES MANAGER
ICS has announced the addition of Jeff Shermo as national sales manager. Shermo’s role covers the ICS distribution market segment that includes dealer, internet and rental channels. Jeff’s primary responsibilities are to drive customer awareness, product demand and maximize product utilization of ICS diamond tools and equipment. He will manage and support the ICS manufacturer’s representative network through promotions, demonstrations, training, service, technical support, local open houses and trade shows. Shermo comes to ICS with 20 years of distribution market sales, a vast knowledge of the diamond tool category and thorough understanding of the dynamics of a sales network. Jeff will also serve and support the Canadian market for the interim.
CERF Incorporated has announced that it has purchased the business and assets of Empire Tool, a Calgary-based, privately owned, oilfield service and rental business through its subsidiary TRAC Energy Services. The purchase price for the acquisition was approximately $9.3 million.
“The acquisition of Empire complements TRAC’s oilfield service capability within Western Canada, and enhances our overall earnings ability,” said Wayne Wadley, president of CERF. “We are excited to welcome Empire’s management team to TRAC, who will be instrumental in integrating Empire’s assets, sales capacity, and oilfield capabilities into our well-established operating model.”
CERF hopes the Empire assets will immediately enhance TRAC’s capability to provide new and existing customers with more equipment used in directional drilling applications, including specialty and heavyweight drill pipe, drill collars and related handling equipment. Empire’s assets operate primarily in the deep horizontal plays of Western Alberta and Northeast British Columbia. Empire generated approximately $4.2 million in revenue and $2.8 million in adjusted and normalized EBITDA in the year ending March 31, 2014.
STRONGCO COMPLETES SALE AND LEASEBACK OF FORT MCMURRAY BRANCH
Strongco announced July 8 that it has completed the sale and 15-year leaseback of its recently constructed branch in Fort McMurray, Alta., to Imperial Equities for the purchase price of $19.4 million. As previously announced, Strongco plans to monetize several of its real estate holdings through sale and leaseback transactions with proceeds to be redeployed to reduce debt. In addition to the completed sale in Fort McMurray,
a purchase and sale agreement has been signed for the newly constructed Saint Augustin-deDesmaures, Que., facility as well as branched in Val-D’Or and Moncton, N.B. A letter of intent with a third purchaser has been agreed to for the sale and leaseback
of Strongco’s main branch and head office in Mississauga, Ont.
The gross proceeds from the transactions are expected to be approximately $47 million. Strongco anticipates the remaining deals will be completed in the third quarter of 2014. “It has always been management’s intent to not tie up capital in real estate assets over the long term,” says Bob Dryburgh, president and CEO. “Given the substantial increase in property values within these regions, the opportunity exists for Strongco to benefit from the current market conditions.”
INDUSTRY NEWS
BLAKE TO MANAGE WESTERNONE
WesternOne has announced its board of directors has appointed Peter Blake CEO effective Sept. 1. Blake will succeed Robert King, who has acted as interim CEO since Sept. 8, 2013. King will continue in his role as chairman of the board. Blake is currently CEO of Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers. As announced last October, Blake is stepping down from Ritchie Bros.
“Peter brings extensive knowledge and experience of leading a highly successful organization that has grown to a global scale and created exceptional shareholder value,” King says. “Under Peter’s leadership, Ritchie Bros. has grown in 10 years from a $250-million market cap business to a $2.5-billion market cap business. Peter’s credentials from the construction and infrastructure background are ideally suited to the WesternOne business. Our Board is confident that he is the right CEO to lead this next exciting stage of growth for WesternOne.”
“WesternOne has achieved a solid track record of growth and I’m excited about the appointment,” says Blake. “I look forward to working with the leadership team when I join in September and driving future growth together.”
Blake joined Ritchie Bros. as a controller in 1991 and has assumed a number of senior positions within the company, and since 2004 he has served as CEO. Blake is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of British Columbia and has a Diploma of Technology from British Columbia Institute of Technology and a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of Alberta.
HERTZ BOARD RATIFIES SPIN-OFF OF RENTAL DIVISION
The Hertz Corporation has announced that its board of directors has approved plans to separate into two independent, publicly traded companies. The two companies will be Hertz, comprised of the Hertz, Dollar, Thrifty and Firefly rental car businesses as well as Donlen, a provider of fleet leasing and management services, and HERC, the Hertz Equipment Rental Corporation. Hertz expects the separation of HERC to close by early 2015. Hertz will receive net cash proceeds from a HERC spin-off of approximately $2.5 billion that will be used to pay down Hertz’s debt and support a newly approved $1-billion share repurchase program.
“The actions announced today will create separate companies which we expect to benefit from improved financial profiles that include increased earnings stability and higher returns on capital,” said Mark P. Frissora, chairman and CEO of the Hertz Corporation. “Our rental car and equipment rental businesses are leaders in their respective markets with valuable assets and tremendous long-term potential. Through unbundling these undervalued assets, we unleash current and future shareholder value. In fact, we believe there is a potential for multiple expansion even if both businesses only trade in line with their peers. Additionally, the separation will help each business focus on its strategic and operational performance. With respect to capital allocation, our new leverage ratios may allow for incremental return of capital to our shareholders given the current credit environment.”
The Hertz board believes the planned separation of the equipment rental business from the car rental business will, among other things:
• Create a stronger growth profile and more competitive position for each company with enhanced management focus, resources and processes that are more directly aligned with each business’s unique strategic priorities.
• Optimize the companies’ capital structures based on the objectives of each independent company.
• Allow each business to attract and retain personnel by offering equity-linked compensation.
NEW QUEBEC REP FOR SPLIT-FIRE
Split-Fire Sales has appointed Erick Desormeaux of Distribution E-Quip as its manufacturer’s sales agent exclusively for Quebec. Distribution E-Quip will sell Split-Fire’s complete line of hydraulic two-way wood splitters and five-inch wood chippers to rental companies in the province based out of its office in Mont-SaintHilaire and warehouse location in St-Jean-sur-Richelieu.
“Split-Fire splitters and chippers have had a long and successful history with rental operators in Quebec who continue to benefit from their fast return on investment,” explains Chris Skalkos, Split-Fire’s marketing director. “We will continue to support them with Distribution E-Quip who will be warehousing product for fast turnaround times.”
Desormeaux says Split-Fire log splitters and wood chippers are designed and built to stand up to the demands of the rental industry, and they have gained a reputation over the years for their low maintenance, productivity, safety and simple enduser operation. Desormeaux is looking forward to visiting rental operators who don’t currently rent Split-Fire splitters for a product demonstration.
WARM UP TO IT
NEW ARCTIC HEATER DUCTING
Don’t let extreme temperatures put the freeze on operations. Norseman ducts bring warmth and comfort to temporary or permanent covered jobsites. Strong. Flexible. Safe. Brightly coloured for added safety.
• Arctic EconoRush: An exceptional low cost heat delivery solution. 12” diameter x 12’ lengths with interlocking collars for easy, secure connections.
• Arctic Large Diameter: Delivers concentrated high-volume, continuous airflow over longer distances. Ideal for ventilation, exhausting, drying and air circulation. 25’ x 20” and 24” diameters.
MORDEN RUNNING UNOPPOSED FOR REGION 10
The American Rental Association has announced the candidates for its board elections taking place Sept. 3. James Morden, president of Rentshop in Alliston, Ont., is running unopposed for Region 10 director. Canada is considered Region 10 within the ARA, and the Region 10 director is the Canadian Rental Association’s representative on the ARA board. Morden is presently the Ontario director on the national CRA board and has risen through all the chairs in the Ontario CRA. Morden’s term will begin in February 2015 following The Rental Show.
HOBSON NAMED CEO OF BLUELINE
BlueLine Rental has announced the appointment of Phillip H. Hobson as CEO. Hobson will replace Scott Hall, who left the company in June. Hobson will join BlueLine Rental from Mobile Mini, a leading provider of portable storage solutions, where he served as executive vice-president of operations. Prior to Mobile Mini, Mr. Hobson was a senior executive at RSC Holdings until that business was acquired by United Rentals in 2012. RSC was one of the largest equipment rental providers in North America with revenue of $1.5 billion and more than 400 locations.
“I am excited to join the team and look forward to working with customers, employees and other partners to help BlueLine reach its potential,” said Hobson. “We have a tremendous opportunity to build on the strength and experience of the past while establishing our own identity and propelling the company to even higher levels of achievement.”
BlueLine Rental, previously Volvo Rents, was acquired in January by Platinum Equity. The BlueLine Rental brand identity was launched in February following the transition to new ownership.
“Phil’s experience at RSC is a perfect fit for BlueLine. He is passionate about the rental equipment business and is well respected in the industry. His track record at RSC and throughout his career proves that he knows what it takes to build an industry leader,” said Louis Samson, the partner at Platinum Equity who led the BlueLine Rental acquisition. “We will work with Phil and the management team to help the business grow both organically and through prospective complementary add-on acquisitions.”
Hobson joined RSC in 1998 and spent 14 years at the company in a variety of operational and financial roles, ultimately serving as a member of the company’s executive leadership team reporting to the CEO.
“We have high aspirations for BlueLine and we are confident that Phil is the right executive to help the company maximize its potential,” said Bryan Kelln, partner and president of Portfolio Operations for Platinum Equity. “He has the vision, leadership ability and industry experience necessary to lead the company into the future. He will help drive efforts to optimize business operations and profitability, while focusing on growth and effectively managing the company’s young fleet.”
NEW DEALER FOR DOOSAN
Doosan has expanded its dealer network with the addition of Hartington Equipment as an authorized sales, service and parts provider of Doosan heavy equipment, including excavators and wheel loaders. The dealer has two locations: 5474 Hwy 38, Hartington, Ont., and 6253 Hwy 43, Perth, Ont. In 1958, the family behind Hartington Equipment opened the company’s current location in Hartington. Then, in 1995, customer demand made a second location necessary, and the company expanded and added a location in Perth. Since its founding, the dealership has established a high level of service and commitment to its customers. The dealership currently serves those in the homeowner, agriculture, landscaping, and construction markets.
Having been in the industry for over 50 years, Hartington Equipment has found its success in being an established family business with personal service.
“We decided to carry the Doosan product line to fill the void our customers were looking for,” said Rodney Pritchard, owner of Hartington Equipment. “Our new and existing customers will now have the opportunity to shop locally and receive the parts and service for the equipment as well,” he said.
Hartington Equipment will distribute Doosan heavy excavators and wheel loaders throughout the Kingston area and eastern Ontario.
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MEGARENTALS
Megaprojects mean big opportunities, but require a comprehensive approach.
Ever since Donald Smith drove the last spike into the Canadian Pacific Railroad at Craigellachie, B.C., on that November morning in 1885, Canadians have learnt to scour the horizon for the next mega project that would provide them with employment or define their careers or lead to extra income potential for their businesses. Massive projects, especially in hydroelectric-generation and urban-transportation infrastructure, are taking place all over this country. Each one represents a potential windfall for equipment rental operators in the form of long-term rentals of big, expensive machinery. But smaller operators may need to change their approach to take maximum advantage of these opportunities.
by JIM CHLIBOYKO
According to ReNew Canada magazine’s website entitled Top 100, Canada’s Biggest Infrastructure Projects (top100projects.ca), the biggest current mega project under way in Canada right now is the Site C Clean Energy Project in northern B.C., with an estimated eventual cost of $7.9 billion. In fact, the estimated costs for the top 10 of the top 100 alone, combined, total just under $48 billion.
Of those top 100 mega projects, 39 involve the energy sector, including the top three most expensive projects. That includes wind (nine) and hydroelectricity (15) among other kinds of energy. Nineteen of the projects are transit-themed, 16 involve transportation infrastructure – like interchanges and the building of highways – and 12 involve the health-care sector.
So, what does this mean for the country’s equipment rental firms? Are mega projects a predictable source of revenue? Should you base your business’s future health on the presence of mega projects near you? And should you bother opening a satellite office conveniently right near the province’s newest dam-building site?
For rental firms, the size of a project is not always a guarantee of business. There’s a perception out there, for some, that the bigger the job or event — say, the Winter Olympics — the less chance for local firms to get a share of that pie. But, of course, every job and every mega project is different.
“Site C hasn’t actually happened yet,” said assistant manager Tyler Soule of Peace Country Rentals in Fort St. John, B.C., the closest community to the Site C project. “It’s very hush-hush. There are lots of environmental considerations, lots of political considerations. There’s one contractor in town that’s doing some environmental work for them.” Soule says that Peace Country Rentals is a local, mom-and-pop family firm that’s been around since 1977. He says they’ve gotten some business from that local contractor on the early Site C environmental work, but there’s no guarantee that any more work will eventually trickle down to them. “There’s a number of businesses in town that have gone to the (community) meetings (regarding the project). What B.C. Hydro is doing in terms of local contractors, they flat out said there’s no reassurances.”
Soule says that his family’s business tends not to lobby for work. But, at the same time, he’s confident that some of the work will eventually come to them. Part of it is the nature of the rental business. “Lots of businesses go to the meetings. We tend not to. We warehouse lots of equipment,” he says. “Ninety per cent of rentals are unplanned. We’ll get business from Site C – we’re too close not to get used. It’s a pretty word-of-mouth place. Rentals are usually other people’s emergency services. We call it organized chaos.”
Mega projects happen in the city, too. In terms of urban mega projects, the Eglinton Crosstown
LRT in Toronto, listed as number five in the Top 100 list, is estimated to be between a $1-billion and $5-billion-job, the goal of which is to ultimately lay 19 kilometres of track across Canada’s largest city. Last year, the project inspired some controversy by bundling all of its components together into such a behemoth of a job that by mid-summer last year only two bids had come in. Bodies like the Ontario Association of Architects, the Construction and Design Alliance of Ontario and the Consulting Engineers of Ontario, have been critical of this and there were some suggestions that breaking a project into smaller com-
ponents would open it up for more work for local firms – rental firms would be included in that, presumably – and perhaps would even end up saving money on the project.
Another manager of a northern Ontario rental firm who wanted to remain anonymous, a firm that happens to be near a mega project site, mentioned that if the project is big enough, the firms would probably just purchase big equipment items outright and liquidate them after the project is over rather than renting them from a rental firm, especially if there were years of work ahead of them. Also, he mentioned that
the larger firms are probably well-stocked enough to have many of the items that they would need already on hand. Is your sales team prepared to overcome objections of this kind?
There is also the luck-out factor. Paul Connors operates Valley Rentals and Sales in Happy Valley-Goose Bay, N.L. He has essentially gotten out of the rental game (except by name) and refashioned himself into an industrial supplier. His town and business happen to be fairly close to the Muskrat Falls project (number 12 on the list). Luckily for him, he still has warehouse space, and he still rents that out. The folks in charge of Muskrat Falls have
You might think renting to sophisticated contractors for big projects, like the Romaine Complex hydroelectric development near Havre-Saint-Pierre, Que., would be easier. But experienced rental operators say the demands for training and support are higher.
Megaprojects hold out the possibility of longer-term rentals of larger, more specialized equipment - like extended boom lifts that would find scarce application elsewhere. Photo courtesy of Hydro Quebec.
already been in touch with him to rent the space for what looks to be months if not years at a time. “It could be two years total, and could extend to five or seven more years,” said Connors. There are others in the industry that see that the entire business is evolving, and the relationships between rental firms and large general contractors is also changing, mostly for the better. According to Scott Fisher of United Rentals, the company gets regular work from mega projects from “all sectors, everything from hydro to clean coal to oil sands, as well as mining.” Fisher, the vice-president of United’s western region, says that United
Rentals isn’t just interested in throwing their big project clients the keys to the truck and walking away. “The rental business is transitioning to be a value-added partner, though the rental industry may have initially spawned from providing an immediate need.”
Fisher says that the complexity of mega projects tend to favour firms like United Rentals. “When you have many, many contractors on site, you need someone to manage the equipment. We provide capacity and service. We have to be there. We’re the experts in the equipment.” he says, adding that
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*Key highlights include:
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• Working heights between 32’ (9.8 m) and 56’7” (17.61 m)
With operating weights from 400 to 735 kg (880-1620 lb.) and working widths from 45 to 95 cm (17.7”-37.4”) rental operators are turning to the high-performance APH 5030, 6530 and 100-20 units for their fl eets. Built-in reliability and outstanding performance make it the perfect compactor for trench, surface and block paving applications. For more information, contact your closest Ammann partner.
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BC2600 Mechanical Drive
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United also provides proprietary project management software services. “Today, I find that industries are investing more in front-end planning. There’s a lot of experience. The oil sands industry, for example, has matured, with more emphasis on planning.”
Other mega projects mean different kinds of opportunities. The East Side Transportation Initiative is listed as number 11 in the Top 100. It’s a $3-billion job, all told, with the goal of laying down 1,028 kilometres of road on the remote east side of Manitoba’s Lake Winnipeg, an area that is only currently being serviced by winter ice roads. Ronuk Modha of the East Side Road Authority (ESRA) doesn’t work directly with any equipment rental firms as part of his job, as they are mainly the overseer of the project. The winning MERX contractors are the ones that deal with any rental issues. But, he says, the agency has a mandate involving local economic development. The east side of Lake Winnipeg does have population, primarily remote First Nations. “We’re trying to build capacity through economic development,” says Modha. “One of the things we’re doing is engaging with them through community benefits agreements.” According to the project’s literature, the ESRA “is also developing an inventory of heavy equipment available in the east side communities that could be used by the ESRA or contractors. Equipment must be in good working condition. Anyone interested in renting their equipment to the project should register with ESRA.”
“Essentially what we’re gathering is an inventory from the communities,” says Modha. “We want (contractors) to use equipment from the locals, trained people and services. In our main contracts, there’s a 30 per cent requirement to hire local residents, 20 per cent for bridge contracts.” This may, in the future, spur the development of First Nations rental firms. “That could very well be the case in the future. Some of these communities have the equipment,” says Modha, who also adds that the idea of developing local rental firms hasn’t been completely investigated yet.
Back in northern B.C., though, Site C isn’t the only game in town. Says Peace Country Rentals’ Soule “We do have rumblings that if the (Northern Gateway) pipeline goes through, we will get business there.”
by TREENA HEIN
A SPECIAL FOCUS
Hard-to-find is hard to beat at Ottawa’s Ontario Rental and Supply.
It’s not every day that you see generators hoisted up in the air by cranes on the grounds of a rental business. But then again, Ontario Rental and Supply Ltd. (formerly Ottawa Rental and Supply Ltd.) of Kanata, Ont., (just west of Ottawa) is not your everyday rental business either.
The equipment was showcased on the grounds at an open house that ORS held in late May. One of the aims of the event was for company owners Mark Dalton and Michelle Brown to highlight how their business stands out in the marketplace. In short, it’s all about their unusual offerings for niche applications.
“It’s always been our primary focus to provide the best service possible to each and every customer [coming] through our door, with a secondary focus on offering speciality equipment not regularly available at most competitors’ locations,” Dalton
explains. “We developed this focus to attract new customers. Once a client tries ORS because he needs something unusual, it’s a chance for us to show the great service we provide. It’s all in hopes that they will join our list of regular customers.”
Some of the specialty equipment available at ORS includes a Cormidi 72-foot universal boom. The first of its kind delivered in Canada, the Cormidi boom lift has the unique capability to work at negative elevation, positioning the operator below the plane of its base and directly under the unit. It is purpose-
Why only rent what others have? ORS is making a big move into specialty rental equipment, including this Winlet glass lifter, Spyder cranes and a variety of innovative lift machinery.
built for bridge inspections, allowing workers to access the underside of a bridge with the machine sitting on top. This is a significant advantage for roadbuilding contractors, as they can avoid having to close down the busy highway underneath the bridge while they work on it. The advantage for working on bridges over waterways is also obvious. As Ontario continues to be forced to pour money into its aging and neglected infrastructure, ORS has positioned itself to take maximum advantage of the new investment.
ORS also offers Spyder Cranes, available with gas, diesel or electric power options and only requiring a 24-inch footprint. “With no emissions and a narrow profile, our customers can take this machine anywhere some mechanical lifting power is needed,” says Dalton. Spyder Cranes are especially popular with contractors working on high-rise construction, because they are small enough to drive into residential apartment units and sit on the floor, yet powerful enough to lift heavy wall sections. Just the thing to take advantage of booming condo construction markets.
The company also rents out a Winlet 1265 battery-operated glass handler, capable of handling glass up to 1,265 pounds and reaching heights of up to 12 feet. In addition, this machine also handles granite, marble, sheet metal, plexi-glass and any other materials with smooth and non-porous surfaces. The fad in architecture now is for larger and larger continuous glass sheets to create an unimpeded view. Those windows are heavy, and the Winlet should be attractive to glazing contrators working on high-end residences.
Later in 2014, ORS will be offering a Genie SX180 boom lift, which features a 15-foot rotating jib for accessing high, hard-to-reach areas. “It’s always been our primary focus to meet or exceed the needs of each and every customer,” Dalton explains, “and specialty equipment is just one way we can really service those needs in a way most others can’t.”
COMPANY BEGINNINGS
The company first opened as Ottawa Rental and Supply in 2009. “When the business started, it was a threeperson operation with approximately 1,200 square feet of indoor space,” Dalton explains. “Today, five years later, we employ over 30 people and operate out of nearly 13,000 square feet at two west-end Ottawa locations and a 6,200 square-foot facility in Brockville.” That location currently operates as the ORS service and refurbishing hub.
Business operations are currently handled by general manager Patrick Kelahear and regional sales manager Nelson Tavares. Corporate operations and business development are managed by president and CEO Mark Dalton and CFO Barry Wilson. “I certainly attribute much of the
business’s success to the great people who work for the company, and also the relationships we’ve forged with national manufacturer suppliers such as Wacker Neuson, Skyjack, Weber, Genie, Chicago Pneumatic and Hilti, to name a few,” Dalton says. “I’ve always believed that strong relationships and helping others succeed are the keys to success, whether it’s staff, suppliers or, of course, our customers.”
In 2014, the company began transitioning to the name Ontario Rental and Supply, and added a new logo, toll-free number and website as well, all to prepare for expansion outside the Ottawa market. Rental operations are planned to open in nearby Brockville in 2015, and at a further location already purchased in Cornwall soon after. “Adding
Keeping a prominent profile in the community is important to ORS. The company race team, headed by employee Sean Kennedy, is a key part of the strategy.
locations will allow us to better serve our customers in an industry where time is of the essence,” says Dalton. He says the biggest motivating factors for growing the business so quickly has been the simple desire to achieve success while meeting customer needs. “The demand has been there and we happily filled the void.”
All ORS equipment stays in excellent condition because of tender care and also from being stored during the offseason in an indoor space, partly owned by ORS. “This is very important, as it maintains the seals, hoses, paint and so on to a much greater extent than if you left it out in the elements,” Kelahear explains. “Most companies do not bother with indoor off-season storage, but we feel the investment in the facility and the work it takes to take equipment in and out of storage is definitely worth the effort. We understand that the equipment our customers use can make or break the work they’re doing, and how important it therefore is to maintain the best quality we can.”
In addition to being a full-line rental shop, ORS provides a dedicated equipment salesman (Ken Nicolson) focused on providing sales and support of all available equipment lines. “We also offer a large service department which not only provides service for the company’s fleet, but also to its customers to help care for their own equipment,” Kelahear explains. “This is an additional revenue stream as well as an opportunity for building relationships and adding regular customers.”
ORS also offers a wide array of on-site and off-site safety training. Director of safety Brian Funk oversees the training and accreditation of all ORS staff and all external training, in propane handling, elevated work platforms, fall protection, confined spaces and much more.
STANDING APART
ORS is the official rental company of the Ottawa Senators, the Canadian Tire Centre (the Ottawa Senators’ arena), Bell Sensplex, Cavanagh Sensplex and Richcraft Sensplex. “It all comes down to positive relationships within our community,” says Dalton. “Getting involved in something that matters to the community and creating positive, longterm connections.”
The company has also been selected by Canadian Business Magazine as one of the 2014 Profit 500 Fastest Growing Companies. According to the website, Profit 500 companies are evaluated on their growth over five years, and must have proven themselves to be viable, with a “stable and scalable” pool of customers. Placing 61st with staggering 1,192 per cent revenue growth over the measured period took Dalton by surprise. “We are very humbled to be given this honour,” he says. “It doesn’t always feel like things are happening that fast, but when you stop and think about where we were and where we are now, it’s exciting!”
Outside of the rental business, ORS also operates a race team at the Capital City Speedway, west of Ottawa. The team is headed by driver and ORS employee Sean Kennedy. “We have a great bunch of people working here, and it’s really great to be able to get together outside of business hours and have fun as a team,” says Kennedy. The team
atmosphere is instilled in all staff, as seen on “Fast Fridays” when everyone dons their race shirts.
“We thoroughly enjoy the variety of work that this industry offers us,” Dalton says. “Further, we are grateful to be able to use some of the best equipment available on the market today. This is truly an industry for those who have a passion for equipment and for people.”
He adds, “We believe our future is bright. Along with the partnerships
we’ve been able to create over the years, we look forward to a budding future as a premiere supplier of equipment rentals and sales in Ontario.”
The ORS open house was a big success. Customers, dealers and staff alike enjoyed lunch (made on a BBQ available for rent, of course), networked and got to view some examples of unusual ORS equipment in action. It was indeed a showcase of a company that knows how it stands
apart in the market and is keen to expand itself in Eastern Ontario, and perhaps beyond. CRS
For more rental company profiles, visit canadianrentalservice.com > Past Issues
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NO SUMMER SIESTA
Changes
are rolling out at the CRA.
by MARC MANDIN
With summer sneaking up on us this year, I hope you had some form of lawn-andgarden season to get things rolling in your area. It was a strange transition indeed where winter ended, then someone told me this was summer but I missed the spring somewhere.
Summers are normally relatively quiet in the world of your rental association, but with all of our recent changes at the CRA, things are happening, summer or not. Probably the best news of late is that Nathalie has managed to wrap up a new member benefit some two years in the making: our freshly launched PIP (Print Incentive Program). This program is much more extensive than meets the eye. The focus is always on the Ready2Go tags but these are only a small part of it. Every rental house needs to have printing done, so we have brokered a program which we hope will provide some better pricing for many of your printing requirements throughout your business. We all need some form of rental contracts and return forms, and perhaps also pick tickets, letterhead, and envelopes.
The program operates quite simply. You can start by reading an overview of the program on our website at crarental.org, or, for more details, call Nathalie at head office at 1-800-4869899 and she can explain exactly how the program works. The intention is that by pooling our printing needs we can all lower our unit costs on customized as well as standardized forms for each of our individual rental operations.
The R2Go tag program offers you a range of tag quality to meet your specific needs. Why purchase the weather- and/or wind-resistant tags if all of your equipment is stored indoors between rentals? For our French-speaking members in Quebec, New Brunswick and throughout the country, we have a couple of different tag offerings en Francais aussi. Please remember that you are able to customize your tags so your customers know it is your business that stands behind your quality assurance.
As you read this, we at the Canadian Rental Association will be in the middle of relocating our head office from its Manitoba roots to a new location in Stoney Creek, Ont. A suburb of Hamilton, Ont., this new location will put us within rock-tossing distance of Toronto while keeping us accessible to the other regional airports in the region and within a few hours’ drive of the vast majority of our membership.
It has been a challenging year with the transitions we have weathered in our staffing at our Winnipeg office, which was our stalwart for several decades. With the decision made by the board to seek out a bilingual managing director and new horizons for the organization came many other changes. I would like to take this opportunity to sincerely thank Mandy Wellnitz and Pascale and Gabrielle Lambert for all of their efforts in the past keeping our organization on task and sailing true. It is a tribute to their hard work that we have the organization we have today and we will be forever grateful. Best wishes to all of them in their future endeavours.
Change is always stressful and extremely challenging. Our hope is that we can rise up to meet the challenges presented and, with your continued support, strengthen our organization and offer increasing value and levels of service to our membership.
We realize this has been a particularly difficult time for all of our staff managing the many transitions but are hoping that once we settle into our new location over the summer months we will be able to focus on members’ needs first and foremost once again. I would like to acknowledge all the support we have received from our members – both rental operators and suppliers – throughout the past year as we have worked our way through this phase of our evolution as an association. CRS
Marc Mandin is COO of 4-Way Equipment Rentals in Edmonton and national president for the Canadian Rental Association.
FILLING A NEED
Crack saws help customers repair vital infrastructure.
Aby DENNIS VON RUDEN
Proper crack-filling procedures can dramatically increase the useful service life of virtually any pavement surface. Surfaces do not normally wear out because of their inability to support pedestrians or vehicular traffic. On the contrary, their useful service life is usually limited by improper base compaction or because of environmental effects.
CAUSES OF CRACKS
We’ve all seen pavement surfaces that have literally broken down as a result of improper compaction techniques used during construction or because the base simply failed over time as a direct result of environmental effects. Think of a pavement surface as a dynamic system that is subject to constant shrinkage and expansion caused by both applied loads and the environment. Environmental effects can be the result of seasonal temperature differences, including the intense, radiant heat energy of the sun as well as long-term effects of freezing. Next, factor in the damaging effects of precipitation. The shrinkage and expansion of the pavement material is usually what creates initial cracking. Over time, repeated material expansion and contraction can increase the
s our infrastructure continues to deteriorate, it would seem there is a never-ending supply of pavement cracks that continue to challenge society’s mobility. Cracks seem to be everywhere you go. In fact, there’s no such thing as a totally crack-free pavement surface. Whether it’s avoiding them on the sidewalk in front of your home or suffering their misery while cruising in your car, negotiating pavement cracks and their lasting effects continues to plague our efforts to move around.
crack size and eventually lead to the vertical displacements that wreak havoc on your auto’s suspension system or, even worse, become the cause of many trip-and-fall pedestrian accidents. Left unchecked, cracks of this magnitude will allow precipitation to eventually destroy the base compaction. When that happens, cracks begin to expand in size while sinking at the same time. The result is the creation of massive
The often-neglected step in pavement repair, crack sawing is absolutely essential to quality repairs that stand the test of time. Note the operator pulls the saw toward himself as he walks backward.
secondary cracking problems. That’s when pavement repair gets really expensive because now the crack area needs to be excavated and the base properly compacted.
Proper crack-filling technique is probably one of the most misunderstood maintenance activities related to construction. It’s far more complicated than what you see being done in the parking lot at your favourite neighbourhood big-box store. So many times there is only a half effort to dabble some type of rubberized compound over the crack, just to have it reappear a few days later. Obviously, this is not money well spent.
A proper crack-filling procedure is a well-defined process that has historically provided a justifiable ROI relative to the cost. The basic rule is, if a pavement crack is as wide as a credit card, it must be sawed or chased. This process allows the filler material to first properly bond with the pavement and then form a closed, tight seal to exclude further precipitation damage. The material used to fill the crack needs to be extremely flexible to expand and contract with temperature changes while maintaining the integrity of the bond to the parent pavement material.
With filler materials, you get what you pay for. Materials that deliver the proper results will be heated to a liquid state and then directly pumped into the crack with the use of a wand. What you can easily purchase in the gallon jug from a local big-box store and directly apply cold does not work. This type of filler material does not expand or contract sufficiently to maintain seal integrity. End of story.
SAWING VERSUS CHASING
Two processes are used in the industry to produce the smooth-sided edges for bonding the filler material: sawing and chasing. The sawing process usually involves using an eight-inch-diameter diamond blade to dry cut either asphalt or concrete pavements. If you are asking yourself if a round blade will actually follow a typical crack, the answer is yes. And, it does so very well.
A crack chaser will use tungsten-carbide-tipped tools rotating at a high speed to route the crack. By the very nature of its design, the chasing process is really limited to asphalt. The conventional tungsten-carbide routing process in concrete does not provide the productivity rates or the desired finish. The inherent ability to cut both asphalt and concrete pavements makes the extra versatility of a random crack saw appeal to a wider cross-section of pavementmaintenance contractors and their job applications
HOW IT WORKS
All crack saws function on the same principle. The majority
use an eight-inch diameter blade in various widths. The major differences are in blade positioning relative to the rear wheels. Some manufacturers position the blade on the side of the crack saw. General Equipment Company, however, positions the blade in the middle, inline with the rear wheels to make operation more intuitive. The resulting cutting action is also smoother and increases productivity rates. Another benefit of a centre-mounted blade configuration is that the learning curve is substantially reduced.
The only option offered by General Equipment Company is a water kit that allows wet sawing, just like a standard slab-type saw. While cutting wet does not create dust, it does create a slurry mixture that usually needs to be properly disposed of. If the dust created with dry cutting can become an issue, then it would be wise to make an investment in a high-quality vacuum system.
For normal crack sawing operations, the blade cutting depth will not typically exceed 1-1/2 inches deep. Sometimes, the cutting depth can be as little as ½ inch deep. Because of the shallow cutting depth, the machine can be manoeuvred to follow random crack configurations.
BASIC MAINTENANCE
General Equipment Company’s random crack saws use standard double-row ball bearings that can be externally greased. The fines (dust) that are created by the sawing process are extremely abrasive and are known to quickly
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destroy bearing seals. The solution is to grease the bearings in short intervals. This purges the old, contaminated grease from the balls and cages to form a dam that helps minimize contamination of the fines. Proper lubrication will substantially increase the service life of the bearings.
CHOOSE YOUR WEAPON
Most random crack saws will use a gasoline or diesel engine in the 11-to-13-horsepower range. Because of the nature of the cutting process, a credible manufacturer will always provide the maximum horsepower allowable for any given diamond blade configuration. As with anything dealing with cutting asphalt or concrete, you can never have too much horsepower. Any high-quality engine brand is suitable just as long as it has the best air intake filter system available to help reduce and minimize the amount of damaging dust than can destroy it in a matter of minutes.
When looking at crack saw ergonomics, the most important issue to consider is operator control. Does the machine design actually aid the operator in cutting, or is it something that they are always fighting? How easy is it to manoeuvre on the slab surface? The geometry of a crack saw is much different than that of an ordinary slab saw. That’s because slab saws normally cut in a straight line, while crack saws are intended to follow random crack configurations, which requires additional skill sets, body strength and common sense.
A half-inch diamond blade will require additional skill and human strength to manoeuvre over that of a quarterinch-wide blade. Productivity rates can also be reduced with a wider blade, depending upon the specific crack configuration.
You also get what you pay for in diamond blades. All sorts of blades are available over the Internet — each of questionable diamond content and matrix configuration. Manufacturers generally recommended using a high-quality, laser-welded, diamond blade purchased from a known vendor. It is important that the diamond segments be laser-
Crack sawing does not require deep penetration of the blade into the pavement surface. A sawing depth between 1/2 and 1 1/2 inches will achieve the desired effect and allow the operator to manoeuvre effectively.
welded rather than just furnace-brazed. The crack cutting process creates high temperatures that can actually melt the welding braze and allow the segment to be thrown.
WHERE RENTAL CENTRES FIT IN
With no shortage of pavement cracks, why are there so few random crack saws in the equipment rental industry?
Or, simply restated, with all these apparent opportunities, should the crystal ball reveal a random crack saw in your future equipment fleet? Both are good questions that deserve further investigation.
Large-scale pavement repair work is usually performed by specialized contractors who have invested in the necessary equipment and employee training to deliver a quality procedure that can be guaranteed to the property owner. It’s not uncommon to see these contractors repairing privately owned parking lots, parking decks and roads with their own equipment. These contractors are probably not high-priority customers for the equipment rental dealer.
The niche for the rental industry is developing the demand from small contractors who channel their focus toward those pavement repair jobs that are going to be unprofitable for larger, specialized contractors. This new opportunity is being created because of the size and resulting profitability of smaller-sized crack-filling jobs. The evolving rental customer is typically the same person who performs a wide range of landscaping, pavement sweeping and general floor maintenance projects. There’s a growing trend for these same contractors to expand their services to include crack filling and seal coating.
Depending upon pavement size and configuration, these smaller contractors can offer very cost-effective maintenance solutions to targeted property owners — the same property owners who historically do not address proper maintenance procedures because of a perception of inherent high cost. Because equipment utilization rates will not always support an outright purchase, this emerging customer can be found searching for dealers where random crack saws can be rented.
Safety is always a top concern while operating any type of powered equipment. Obviously, proper operator apparel is key, including safety glasses and good, sturdy gloves, along with suitable hearing protection. Wearing leather-type shoes with non-slip soles is equally important. And, since most crack saws are pulled toward the operator while in normal use, it’s always a good idea to know exactly what’s behind you.
In this age of market specialization, you can fully expect to see a further diversification of contractors developing niche capabilities and the resulting demand for their services. Small-scale crack repair could be a golden opportunity for everybody to make money
CRACK SAW MANUFACTURERS
The following manufacturers distribute crack saws to the Canadian rental market:
• Cimline - cimlinepmg.com
• Diteq - diteq.com
• Edco - edcoinc.com
• General Equipment - generalequip.com
• Husqvarna - husqvarna.com CRS
PERPLEXING PRICING
A propane peddler ponders a perennial puzzler.
Some questions seem to take on a life of their own and never seem to go away. I have been involved with propane in Canada for nearly 35 years. At social events, it never fails to amaze me that during my conversations with friends, relatives or strangers they inevitably ask me three universal propane-related questions seeming to be of upmost urgency. Even away from the relatives, I have had MPs, MPPs, senators, mayors, presidents of companies and various store employees where I shop ask me these very questions over and over again.
by GEORGE OLAH
The first question for some reason is a serious querying asking which propane barbecues are the best. Yes, propane barbecues are top of mind compared to world hunger or access to clean water. The second involves a spirited interrogation regarding propane safety issues. After this harangue, which usually goes back to question number one, a third question is posed. This of course is the granddaddy of all propane questions, namely, how propane fuel pricing is set. Truthfully, if I had definitive answers to all these questions my resultant
and remarkable economic status would land me on the Forbes 400 list.
Nevertheless, today, I will put aside the questions on barbecues and propane safety for another occasion. Instead I will try to tackle the so-called mystery of propane pricing in Canada. Maybe we can put this question to bed or at least try to give it a nap.
I will start off simply by saying that propane is a commodity bought and sold on North American and international merchant exchanges and investment markets the same
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as beef cattle or hogs. Propane competes with and tracks crude oil pricing in the market place. As oil pricing goes so usually does propane pricing. Prices for propane, like for oil, move up or down daily based on supply and demand for the products. Sometimes the pricing changes are relatively stable; sometimes – well, not so much. And this is where consumer pricing concerns kick in.
Most of Canada’s propane comes from Alberta. Alberta is Canada’s main supplier of Natural Gas Liquids. NGLs, as they are generally referred to, include propane, butane, ethane and pentanes. Some propane is a by-product of oil refinery processing.
This also means that propane customers in Ontario usually pay more for propane than in Alberta because they are further from the source. Transportation costs are a major factor and not inexpensive. Pipelines costs, rail transportation, trucking and storage all add costs to the ultimate end user. In the case of Ontario, propane travels all the way from Alberta to Sarnia where it is stored and redistributed to other storage locations in Ontario.
Many other factors can influence propane pricing. The main influencers are inventory levels, weather (especially cold winters), and Canadian propane production. Consumption and consequently demand for propane is not steady. In fact, demand for propane is highly seasonal. In the summer, propane demand is much lower than in winter. Simply put, a propane furnace during a cold Canadian winter uses more fuel than your backyard summer barbe -
cue. What this also means is that this imbalance in propane demand results in propane inventories being built up in the summer, then these supplies are reduced reflecting winter consumption for heating homes, factories, farms and construction sites, to name a few.
If propane inventories are low at the beginning of the heating season this may place upward pricing influence on the cost of the fuel, especially if climate forecasts are for a colder-than-normal winter. As with any commodity, if there is less of the product than is needed, the price will go up. It is simple economics. What complicates things further is if there is a colder-than-normal winter when inventory supplies are relatively low. Then there is a price spike.
There is no doubt that colder weather puts pressure on the pricing and supply of propane. Longer winters also serve to put further pressure on propane inventories and upward pressure on wholesale prices of propane. There is no quick way to replenish propane inventories during periods of high demand.
Canada does not set the price for propane, just like beef prices are not set in Canada. Canadian propane exports are but a small portion of North American demand. Beef prices for North America are set in Chicago, not in Toronto. Likewise propane reference prices are set in a small place called Mont Belvieu in Texas. This Gulf-coast location is the major strategic pricing centre for propane in North America that in turn influences pricing in Conway, Kansas, Edmonton, and Sarnia, Ont. Importantly, Mont Belvieu’s location is close to major refineries and has significant storage and pipeline capacity. It has ideal global access to NGL product from Africa, Europe and the Middle East. Moreover, NGLs are in greater demand in Asia and particularly from a growing China with its huge demands for propane for home heating.
There is no doubt that the production of natural gas supply and subsequently NGLs influences the pricing of propane. The market for this product has moved beyond its traditional North American market. These recent market shifts have resulted in finding both the propane marketer (your supplier) and you the customer competing with the international demand for propane. This adds another and often volatile pricing variable.
As in Canada, propane has become a very popular global fuel for its remarkable qualities. It is portable, clean-combusting and can be used in a variety of applications from home heating to crop drying to chemical processing, to propelling industrial lift vehicles in factories and warehouses to fuelling automobiles and buses and, yes, to providing heat to grill your hamburger on the ubiquitous backyard barbecue.
Aren’t you glad you asked? CRS
With over 30 years of coast to coast experience, George is a consultant in rental sales and marketing and propane equipment training for the construction industry.
CLARITY IS KEY
Effective contracts can smooth your business.
Whether you are renting equipment to a client, entering into an employment agreement with one of your staff or agreeing to a new arrangement with one of your suppliers, you will be involved with a contract. Contracts are relied upon greatly by all parties to an agreement, and if they are written concisely can prevent disputes altogether. Most certainly, when disputes arise between parties, the contract between them is analyzed with a view to resolving the dispute. Any contract which has significance to you or your company, therefore, should at least be reviewed by a lawyer entitled to practice in your province.
by DERYK COWARD
Courts may reject contracts that are vague or fail to set out important terms. Skipping the key step of consulting a lawyer may cost you more in the long run.
Believe it or not, I am not trying to drum up business for lawyers. In fact, I am doing quite the opposite by recommending that you seek out and retain good advice from your lawyer at the inception of the contract. Think of it like your car – you can avoid all the oil changes and regular maintenance and save a few hundred dollars, but eventually your engine will break and it will cost you thousands to repair. The only difference with contracts and the law, is that a breakdown can affect your entire livelihood.
For example, I had a client recently who owned her own business. She had workers. She wanted them to be independent contractors rather than employees. In order to save money, she drafted her own independent
contractor agreement and did not retain legal counsel. The workers signed them. When she later fired one of the workers, he went to the provincial labour standards office. The labour officer disregarded the agreement because it failed to contain key clauses. The client ended up having to pay overtime pay, vacation pay, severance pay and other fees, on top of a lawyers’ bill which was five times higher than that which would have been charged to draft an appropriate Independent Contractor Agreement! Common mistakes committed by individuals doing their own contracts can be as basic as failing to clearly describe what exactly the parties are agreeing to. The use of vague language such as “The parties agree to do
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of terms.
BASIC CONTRACT NEEDS
At minimum, any contract should outline exactly what is being agreed to. This can include but is not limited to:
• The actions which are being performed by each party to the contract;
• The period of time relevant the contract;
• The location where the contract is being performed, and the jurisdiction governing disputes arising under the contract;
• The legal names of the parties entering into the contract; and
• The consideration (payment or something in lieu of payment) which is being exchanged.
Essentially, you want your contract to accurately describe your agreement. You should ask yourself whom you are contracting with, what the contract is about, why you are entering into the contract, where the contract is to be performed and how it is to be performed. Once you have answered the “who, what, when, where, why and how” questions and incorporated them into a written contract, you will be well on your way toward having a concise and binding contract.
On a business level, it makes great sense for you to have well-defined business terms with other parties. When
everyone knows their roles and responsibilities, there is less room for interpretation and therefore less opportunity for disputes to arise.
Sometimes parties will draw up a contract to exchange property or service in exchange for something that happened previously. It is a rule of common law that past consideration is actually no consideration at all. So, if you want to have an enforceable contract there must be new consideration. It can be anything, but it just has to be new.
Another tip for individuals wishing to better define their agreements is to send confirmatory written communications. You may be out in the field, and agree with a client that a certain thing will happen or agree on a certain price for a piece of equipment. As soon as you get back to the office, send an e-mail to the person or write a letter confirming your discussion and the terms as you understand them. That way, if the terms of the contract are later contested and are vague in any way, your timely communication will likely be helpful in determining the true intentions of the parties.
EXCLUSION CLAUSES
Many contracts include exclusion clauses to help people or companies avoid liability in certain situations. People can often suffer if their property is damaged or services are inadequately provided, as there will be no compensation due to an operative exclusion clause. It is imperative for both parties to a contract to be aware of what they are
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signing or agreeing to. If you are the party intending to rely upon an exclusion clause in one of your contracts, make sure the other party has specific notice of the clause and what it means, or you may not be able to rely on it down the road.
Another common pitfall is that occasionally courts will decline to uphold a contract because the person who signed the contract on behalf of a company was not authorized to do so. For example, the secretary of a company might sign for receiving a package delivery without any problems, as it is part of the normal duties of a secretary. But surely that secretary cannot sign an employment contract to hire a new salesperson! Those contracts would typically fall outside the role of a secretary. Some transactions require
that an executive sign on behalf of the company, and some don’t. Make sure that you have the right person signing for the contract. If you are in doubt as to who is authorized to sign on behalf of a particular company, and the company itself cannot fill you in, you can also perform a search of the company at your Provincial Corporations Branch. You could also seek the input of your legal counsel, to determine whether the person you are dealing with enjoys the authority to bind their company.
This article is not intended as legal advice for you, for any particular fact situation you may face. You should consult with a lawyer entitled to practice in your jurisdiction for any questions you have about contracts entered into by you and/or your company.
Infrastructure spending is on the rise. Building your concrete fleet can help you take advantage.
CONCRETE SHOWCASE
CAN ELIMINATE A FLOOR SAW
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SUPERIOR MIXING ACTION
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robust steel drum or a high-strength poly barrel. Its durability and efficiency is directly related to two factors: the angle of the barrel and the special mixing paddles. The mixing paddles are designed to cut and fold on each turn of the barrel, maximizing the homogeneity of your mix. This also explains the good results when mixing mortar or concrete. The angle of the barrel puts less stress on the gearbox, enabling a longer life of the unit and the best return on investment.
The Belle Group Minimix has a four-leg removable stand included. This is the perfect height to tip the three-cubic-foot mix directly into a wheelbarrow.
QUICK STRIKING
8 alleneng.com
The Roller Tube Finisher from Allen Engineering is a finisher of choice for concrete contractors around the world. Equipped with a powerful engine drive and a variety of tube sizes, the AEC Roller Tube Finisher strikes off concrete
fast and accurately – quickly establishing surface grade. The RTF is available in either engine drive for 4.5-inch tubes or hydraulic drive power for six-inch tubes. The engine-drive-powered finisher comes standard with a high-speed 300RPM gear box, folding kickstands on both ends, a handle swivel for ease-ofuse and easy storage and a Honda GX50 Engine. The hydraulic-drive-powered finisher is powered with a 13.5 HP Subaru engine with an electric start and comes standard with a 50-foot quickdisconnect hose, a removable frame for maintenance and a hydraulic system with a 12-volt fan. AEC tubes range in length from six to 26 feet – perfect for any size job, big or small. Portable and powerful, the RTF is designed to be the perfect quick-strike finisher for paving –especially pervious concrete.
AGGRESSIVE SCRATCH-FREE GRINDING
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The Diamabrush Removal Hand
Tool is an ideal solution for removing mastics, adhesives, epoxies, urethanes, thinsets, paints and other gummy coatings from concrete floors as well as from brick, block, stone and metal walls. It will fit on a standard hand grinder and will remove coatings up to 10 times faster than diamond or PCD cups. It uses the same diamond abrasive technology as the Mastic Removal Tool and remains
From a very inauspicious beginning in a small blacksmith shop originally started in 1882 by Edward Brunner and Severin Lay, Brunner & Lay, Inc. and its affiliated companies have become recognized as the quality leaders, as well as the world’s largest manufacturer of paving breaker tools. Today, using the latest state of the art equipment in its facilities throughout the world, Brunner & Lay, Inc.’s entire output is devoted to the manufacture of pneumatic and hydraulic tool accessories for the construction, rental, mining, and demolition industries.
The worldwide operations encompass manufacturing plants and warehouses on three different continents. These include seven facilities in the United States, three in Canada, three in Great Britain,
one in Germany, and two in Australia.
Brunner & Lay products are divided into three major categories: tools used for the demolition or cutting of concrete and stone, drill steels and carbide tipped bits which are used to drill blast holes in quarries, mines, and construction projects, and small chipping and electric hammer tools which are used by the general construction trade.
It is with great pride that the Brunner & Lay organization can point to the many wonderful highways, dams, airfields, mines & quarries, and national monuments it has shaped. These include, but are not limited to Mt. Rushmore, Hoover Dam, the Chunnel connecting England and France, the Eisenhower Tunnel in Colorado, and Olympic venues worldwide.
Brunner & Lay is confident that its products will contribute to worldwide health, growth, and prosperity far into the future.
constantly sharp through the life of the tool. The spring-steel diamond-coated blades grind very fast and leave a very fine scratch pattern, which makes it a perfect concrete preparation tool as well. It is used where aggressive grinding and a scratch-free surface is required, especially when edging floors for polishing, sacking and finishing concrete walls and removing graffiti from concrete and masonry. The Removal Hand Tool is available in 4.5 and seveninch sizes and features a flat metal body with a built-in 5/8-inch 11 thread and replaceable diamond blades. For dustless operation, the Removal Hand Tool has its own universal-fit metal dust shroud. The shroud features an adjustable Velcro skirt along with a hinged nosepiece that raises to allow grinding right up to the wall.
TWO CONTROL MODES
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Wacker Neuson’s 10-foot professional ride-on trowel, model CRT 60-66K, has an innovative design offering high performance and easy operation in a hydraulic drive trowel. The CRT 60-66K combines fully hydraulic drive performance with a power steering system that makes operation more comfortable and the trowel more responsive to the operator’s commands. Wacker Neuson’s patented two-mode power steering system allows operators to select the response of the joysticks to meet their preferences and best suit the concrete conditions. Steering mode One is more comfortable for the operator who tends to use the full range of movements of the joysticks. In this mode the steering response is filtered to reduce the effects of exaggerated operator input. Mode Two is designed for the operator who uses smaller, more delicate movements with the joysticks, guaranteeing a more direct joystick behavior. While the operator can switch
between modes depending on conditions, most keep the unit set on the steering style they prefer. This makes the machine more versatile, especially for larger contractors who employ many operators. The CRT 60-66K also features an engine power regulation system. Similar to an automatic transmission on a car, this patented feature uses a computer controller to constantly monitor engine speed and adjust hydraulic load. This keeps the unit running seamlessly at optimal engine and blade speed for maximum power input to the concrete. A third patented feature of Wacker Neuson’s largest trowel is a built-in hydraulic kit. The operator can easily raise the machine on the front and back wheels. The real-time saving benefit for operators is that they can now raise the machine to change pans or blades without a crane or forklift. This also allows for easier movement around parts of the job site and shop.
FOUR-STROKE POWER CUTTER
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Makita has introduced its first fourstroke power cutter. The EK7651H supports a 14-inch blade and the EK7651HD has a one-inch arbor. Both models offer reduced noise and fuel consumption versus competitive twostroke models for maximum operator comfort and reduced operational costs. No-fuel mixing prevents damage due to improper mixing and eliminates the need to carry separate mixed fuel. The cleaner-operating, four-stroke engine produces fewer emissions for limited environmental impact and reduces carbon build-up in the engine. The automatic decompression valve reduces the required start-up force by 40 per cent versus competitive two-stroke models. The pressure compensated carburetor prevents flooding by automatically adjusting to ensure the
proper amount of fuel is delivered. An advanced five-stage air filtration system provides cleaner air for maximum engine performance. The EK7651H and the EK7651HD are designed for maximum performance and durability on heavyduty job sites. Reversible cutting arms enable the cutting disc to be side- or centre-mounted for optimal operational versatility in a variety of applications. The angled fuel tank port enables quick and easy fuelling when the power cutter is in the upright position. Integrated guide roller wheels enable fatiguefree operation and increased precision during long-distance horizontal cutting applications.
WORKS WITH EPOXY-COATED REBAR
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Wacker Neuson’s newest high-frequency internal vibrator, model IRFU 60HR, is designed with a distinctive rubber-coated head. This special vibrator is designed for contractors who use epoxy-coated rebar. The head is coated with a four-mm layer of engineered abrasion-resistant molded rubber which protects epoxy rebar from damage that can be caused by steel vibrator heads. Wacker Neuson’s IRFU 60HR features a head diameter of 2.6 inches and offers an effective compaction diameter (depending on concrete consistency) of 33.5 inches. The unit is offered with a five-, eight- or 10-metre hose length. This special vibrator will be in high demand for contractors bidding on projects that require the use of epoxy-coated rebar, mostly found in bridge and civil projects. Because the heavy-duty rubber is molded to the steel head, Wacker Neuson’s IRFU will provide long life.
The new IRFU 60HR is backed by a fiveyear warranty for contractors. Wacker Neuson’s IRFU high-frequency internal vibrators also feature an integrated inverter that allows the unit to be attached to any 120V single-phase power supply. A micro-inverter automatically changes single-phase power into threephase power providing consistent RPM with no loss under load. The vibrator series also features a patented Bodyguard protection system with GFCI that ensures optimized protection for the operator and the unit. The protection system extends across the entire length of the unit, from Bodyguard at the power plug all the way to the vibrator head housing. Both the inverter and Bodyguard have integrated status displays for quick troubleshooting and minimal downtime.
PLUG-AND-GO POKER
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Atlas Copco Smart Series Pokers represent the new generation of concrete vibrators, and offer an excellent alternative for your rental fleet versus traditional concrete vibrator systems. Available in three head diameters, the Smart Series is a true all-in-one, plug-and-go machine. This advanced technology of electric motor-in-head
helps keep the vibrations where they belong – in the concrete, versus in the operator’s hands and arms. All models feature a built-in frequency converter and electronics that are well protected against shock, overload, and overheating. Also, they offer high centrifugal force, stable speed, and outstanding productivity with fewer dips. By using a hose instead of a flexible shaft, operators are able to extend and operate Smart Pokers much easier. In addition, the Smart Series is fully CSA-approved, and all units plug into any ordinary singlephase wall socket and are operated by a one-push on/off button. All versions come standard with five metres of hose and 10 metres of cable, and can be custom-ordered to hose lengths up to 12 metres for special applications.
NO NEED FOR HEAVY GRINDERS
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The Diamabrush Mastic Removal Tool is designed to remove stubborn coatings from concrete such as mastic, carpet or tile adhesive, and thin-set and thin-mil coatings like urethane or paint. No need to waste time and money on heavy grinding equipment or harmful chemicals. This innovative tool mounts onto any standard floor buffer or auto-
scrubber and uses diamond-coated blades to grind the toughest coatings away. The patented diamond coating is applied to spring-steel blades which never clog or lose their cutting edges. New diamond particles are continuously exposed, retaining sharp edges throughout the life of the tool. These blades also glide over any surface imperfections or obstructions on the floor without damaging the equipment while remaining in constant contact with the surface. The Diamabrush is ideal for areas where power or physical accessibility is an issue. User safety is also greatly enhanced since dangerous and volatile chemicals are not required. The operator can simply install the universal splash guard and apply water to eliminate dust and to minimize splash. The Mastic Tool comes complete with a 16-inch plate, 10 blades, a 1 ¼-inch riser and a universal clutch that will allow it to be used on most standard floor buffers. It is designed with replaceable blades that can be changed in the field in minutes by simply loosening two screws. The Mastic Removal Tool can provide rental operators great return on investment while offering their customers a costeffective floor preparation solution.
DRIVES UP TO 150 RPM
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The Allen line of Value Premium walkbehind trowels is high in dependability and in value. Loaded with the same feature-rich capabilities as the Allen Pro Series of walk-behind trowels, the VP Series brings versatility without cutting into your paycheck. It comes in three unique models: the VP-446,
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VP-436, and VP-424 Edger. Powered by dependable Honda engines, these machines can drive up to 150 RPM. Adjusting the blade pitch has never been easier with the positivepitch lever action that provides easy adjustment with the push or pull of one lever. For those hard-to-reach places, Allen offers the VP-424 Edger complete with a rotating guard ring for edging against walls, pipes, and other obstructions. It comes standard with a unique fold-up handle, making it one of the most versatile trowels in the market. All of the Allen VP Series walkers come with an easy-to-use handle adjustment, throttle control, standard duty gearbox and polished combo blades for a better finish on any concrete job.
MAXIMUM VERSATILITY
8 brooksconstruction.ca
The Cardi TP400 from John Brooks Construction Equipment is a powerful handheld saw designed to cut concrete, masonry, asphalt and natural stone. This versatile saw can even be used to cut window, door and skylight openings. The Cardi TP400 has a cutting depth up to six inches using a 16-inch diamond saw blade with a steel core. The TP400 is equipped with Cardi Smart Electronics. The electronic clutch protects the motor and operator in case of overload and jamming, simply by incorporating a soft start. The soft start avoids high inrush current and enables your customer to plug it into a regular 20A outlet. The TP40 has very handy options like a flush cut kit and the abrasive large flange adaptor to mount abrasive blades. The wheel kit attachment provides safety and stability by allowing the adjustment of the cutting depth. It will also reduce the fatigue of operators because the saw’s weight can rest on wheels. The Cardi TP400 has no hydraulic hoses and fluids to deal with, nor any exhaust fumes or gasoline.
MILLING CONCRETE SURFACES
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The FFC Cold Planer by Paladin Attachments attaches to skid steer loaders to mill concrete surfaces. It can mill down frost heaves, concrete joints and full-depth utility cuts. The FFC Cold Planer uses a V-shaped pick pattern on the drum, where the teeth are evenly spread for a smooth, balanced operation. Four teeth are mounted on both outside drum edges to accommodate the highest wear areas. The V-shaped pattern helps carry material over the drum and behind the planer to clear the working area of milled material and
reduce re-milling of material. Minimizing re-milling reduces horsepower requirements and maximizes the performance of the skid steer and planer. A number of motor options on the FFC Cold Planer allow efficient operation on skid steers with 13- to 45-GPM hydraulic flows. Standard flow models are available in 12- and 16-inch cutting widths to operate with hydraulic flows of 13 to 16 GPM. High flow models are available in cutting widths from 16 to 36 inches and operate with flows from 24 to 45 GPM. Properly matching the attachment to the machine is critical in highproduction, heavy-work attachments like cold planers. A 24-inch left- or right-side shift feature allows cutting next to curbs and other obstacles. The controls can be adapted to the loader joystick electric controls, or in-cab fingertip controls can operate side shift, tilt and cutting depth on high flow models. High flow models feature a planetary gearbox drive for increased torque and durability, while all models feature a large access door for easier maintenance.
MANY POWER OPTIONS
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The new, durable and userfriendly VPM mechanical vibrators from Chicago Pneumatic are designed for mid-sized applications using medium-to-high slump concrete. For jobs of any size with low- to high-slump concrete requiring high-speed vibration, the VPP pneumatic vibrators’ range delivers highperformance centrifugal force. With compressed-air cooling and low maintenance, these vibrators are highly dependable even in the most remote locations. The Chicago Pneumatic poker range is fully complemented by a wide selection of portable power sources. Mechanical vibrators have a choice of gasoline or diesel drive units with rugged construction, rubber mountings to reduce vibration and noise, and quick-release couplings. A complete range of air compressors is available to run VPP pneumatic vibrators on different job sites.
ALL-NEW COMPACTION
8 bartellmorrison.com
Bartell has introduced its newly engineered compaction lineup for 2014. Three years have been spent perfecting these all-new offerings, featuring a full line of forward and reversible plates. You’ll find built-in wheel kits and water tanks are included at no extra cost on two of the most popular forward plates. The three smallest reversibles also
feature wheel kits for ease of maneuvering. With paver manufacturers now requiring a minimum of 4,500 foot-pounds used on base materials, we have the BCF2150. This 4,700-footpound forward plate comes standard with wheels and water, and offers an optional neoprene paver mat. Reversible plates start with a 3,400 foot-pound unit with a built-in wheel kit. This compact unit starts at a lower cost than most premium forward plates, but gives the operator the ease of instant reversing. Five hydraulic reversible plates round out the line up to 11,000 foot-pounds and offer high forward and matched reversible speeds.
COMPACT AND MANOEUVRABLE
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The Toro MB-1600 Mud Buggy offers versatility and flexibility to any task. Its compact size and maneuverability allow the operator to dump material in tough to reach areas, and its capacity to hold up to 16 cubic-feet of material and travels up to seven miles per hour to increase productivity. The patented operator platform, featuring an oversized brake pedal and dual-action dump pedal that returns the tub to hauling position, improves safety and efficiency by allowing the operator to keep their hands on the operating bar.
VERSATILE DRILLING
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Simple to understand and easy to use, the DD 150-U Diamond Coring System from Hilti allows the operator to drill by hand or with a core stand in wet or dry conditions. The new DD 150-U has a six-inch capacity for drilling the most popular sizes of holes for anchoring, blind holes and through holes. This system can handle a variety of base materials from reinforced concrete to brick, concrete block and natural stone. The versatility of this coring system makes it a great rental choice. Performance is optimized in the wet drilling mode and is the ultimate coring system for rig-based drilling in concrete for pipe penetrations in plumbing, heating and air conditioning installations, for cable trays and ducts and for the
installation of railings and barriers. The DD 150 is also a great choice for setting large diameter anchors and reinforcing bars that require hand-guided wet drilling. It can also be switched to dry drilling when necessary for hand guided, dry drilling applications such as drilling in masonry for pipe penetrations in plumbing, heating and air conditioning installations and chimney and stove vent installations. And, on dry applications where dust is a concern, the Hilti dust removal system may be used. The DD 150-U features high motor performance and reliable three-speed gearing for optimum drilling speeds. It also has a 360 degree adjustable side handle with integrated dust and water management functions. It can be ordered with a standard 1 ¼-inch threaded chuck or with a quick connect chuck that does not require the use of any tools to remove the core bit. The DD 150-U is “rental tough” and its versatility will make it a top choice for rental companies.
MODEL FOR EVERY APPLICATION
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With a batch capacity range of 2-12 cu. ft., Toro’s extensive line of concrete mixers offers a model for every application. From the portable electric models, like the CM-250E, to a heavyduty diesel CM-1258Y, there are eight Toro concrete mixers to choose from. Convenient operator features, such as the easy-access cowl design and heavy-duty paddles, axles, gear rings, and
more ensure lasting durability on all concrete mixers. Each model is supported with a heavy-duty frame and exclusive features for improved job-site productivity and enhanced operator control.
MANY APPLICATIONS
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Providing high speed and accurate surface preparation, General Equipment Company’s SP8/GH surface planer is ideal for a wide range of job applications, including milling misaligned sidewalks and joints, removing thermo and cold plastic markings and prepping floors for new coating applications. Powered by a five-horsepower Honda fourstroke gasoline engine, the SP8/ GH planer is built with a unitized, welded steel plate frame, exclusive full length hexagon driveshaft, and extra capacity ball bearings to make this unit a workhorse. The planer has a maximum cutting depth of 5/8 inches, a cutting width of eight inches and a cutting proximity to a vertical wall of 3-1/4 inches. Bearings are externally greased to extend the unit’s service life. Cutting depth is adjusted using a screw-type, positive-locking depth selector, and the wheels located behind the drum make it easier to cut through high spots. Precise weight and balance enhance operator control and machine maneuverability.
