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EDITORIAL
On the way up!
Things might be looking up for the rental business. I’m basing this on my horseback analysis of press releases coming out from a lot of the major suppliers, and some of the bigger national chains, both here and in the United States.
In a nutshell, profits appear to be up for the third quarter of 2010. Although some companies did post a loss, it was less than the loss posted for the third quarter of 2009.
This matches up quite well with a report prepared for the American Rental Association (ARA) by IHS Global Insight, an economic forecasting firm. Although it focuses specifically on the U.S. market, much of what is said can also be applied to Canada.
“The Outlook report indicates that the worst may be over for the equipment rental industry,” said Christine Wehrman, CEO, American Rental Association. “The U.S. economy is proving its resilience with growth returning to many sectors. However, construction spending continues to lag behind the rest of the economy. While construction spending is weak, spending on rental is beginning to grow and is leading the way in the construction space. We see the equipment rental industry gaining momentum in 2010 and 2011, with significant growth moving into 2012. These are positive signs for the entire economy as manufacturers, service providers and other vendors begin their budget planning for 2011 in the coming weeks and months.
“Although nonresidential construction, state and local spending remain down, other areas of the U.S. construction market have begun to rebuild. With business equipment investments surging, stimulus money flowing into the economy in 2010
and consumer confidence driving increased demand, the equipment rental industry is poised to gain strength in Q3 and Q4, with improvement in all categories forecasted for 2011.”
While this speaks well for the industry as a whole, it does not necessarily give us information on what’s going on at the level of individual operators and small chains. For that, we need to put down the reports, get out of the office, and talk to other rental professionals.
Wayne Beckett is a big believer in this. He is the owner of Wayne’s Rental Centre and the incoming president of the Canadian Rental Association. You can read more about his philosophy on page 8.
It’s clear to me that one of the best ways to network with other rental pros is to go to where they are, and we’ve got a special surprise in this issue that will help you do just that. Included is our annual calendar. It’s chock full of important dates for the rental community.
The dates listed go beyond trade shows and regional meetings, and list every opportunity we could think of for members of the rental industry to network and expand their knowledge base.
Don’t just look at it and forget it. Take a few minutes to hang it up on the wall. That way, you’ll have a constant reminder of what’s coming up.
If you haven’t taken the time lately to go to a CRA members meeting, or your regional trade show, it might be time to check them out. I’m betting you’ll be glad you did. n
- Editor, Mike
Davey
NEXT ISSUE:
The next issue of Canadian Rental Service gets green with a special focus on landscaping products, just in time for spring. We also have some surprises in store. Watch for it in February!
On the Cover: Wayne Beckett is the owner/operator of Wayne's Rental Centre in Moosomin, Sask. He's also the incoming president of the Canadian Rental Association (CRA). Photo by Kevin Wicklund.
RENTAL RumbLES
Katherine Lomax, one of Edmonton’s Top 40 Under 40
Katherine Lomax, president of Elegant Touches, a Canadian Rental Association member located in Edmonton, Alta., has been named as one of Edmonton’s Top 40 Under 40 by Avenue Magazine.
Each year, Avenue’s Top 40 Under 40 recognizes the individuals in Greater Edmonton who are leading the city through this period of growth and change.
In addition to being named one of Edmonton’s Top 40 Under 40, Katherine was awarded Planner of the Year by the Greater Edmonton Meeting Professionals International chapter in June of this year.
Lomax and Elegant Touches were also profiled in the March 2006 issue of Canadian Rental Service.
Riding the waves with CRA Ontario
The Ontario chapter of the Canadian Rental Association (CRA) has announced a successful conclusion to its latest regular meeting, hosted by A World of Rentals in Kingston, Ont. The event began at 12 p.m. with tours of A World of Rentals, owned by Colin and Chris Wilson. In addition, representatives from Patron Products and L.B. White Construction Heaters were on site at A World of Rentals from 2 to 3:30 p.m. to answer heater-related questions and to provide demonstrations of their products. This portion of the event was sponsored by Rentquip Canada.
After tours were concluded, the gathered rental professionals boarded the Island Star for a dinner and cruise among the Thousand Islands.
For more information on the CRA, please visit www.canadianrentalassociation.com.
Grand opening of Stephenson’s Rental Services in Cambridge
Stephenson’s Rental Services has opened a new branch in Cambridge, Ont. The grand opening event took place on Oct. 14, 2010.
Doug Craig, the mayor of Cambridge, was on hand to cut the ribbon and officially open the new store. The event also included a contractor supply sale, with booths by a number of different vendors.
Marco Tavolieri is the marketing manager for Stephenson’s Rental Services. He says the new store facilitates faster service to local market locations and will also help to provide a much wider offering.
“We’ve got very good coverage in the Greater Toronto Area, and the Cambridge store is helping us to expand our
Some of the Stephenson’s team were on hand for the grand opening of the Cambridge location. From left: Tom Newell, VP of sales and marketing; Bryce Taylor, GM of hub operations; Joe D’Ovidio, RDM operations – hub locations; Marco Tavolieri, marketing manager; and Wayne Macneall, VP of operations.
reach,” says Tavolieri. “In addition to serving the local market for both contractors and homeowners, it will act as a hub for our other stores in the region.”
The Cambridge location of Stephenson’s Rental Service is very large, with a correspondingly large yard. This allows the company to keep large construction equipment on hand, and deliver directly to the customer where needed.
For more information on Stephenson’s Rental Services, please visit www.stephensons.ca.
New international rental exchanges foster leadership development
Jim Clipperton (left) of Nor-Val Rentals and Matt Gordon of Centenary Hire. Nor-Val is hosting Gordon as part of the International Rental Exchange.
The latest participant in the international rental exchange program has travelled from Australia to Canada, beginning his time abroad learning and developing his leadership skills.
Matt Gordon of Centenary Hire in Darra, Queensland, Australia, will be learning about Nor-Val Rentals in Armstrong, B.C., throughout the next month, as well as sharing business practices that he has learned. Gordon also will attend the American Rental Association (ARA) Leadership Conference in Chicago in midOctober to meet local, state and provincial leaders involved with ARA and the Canadian Rental Association (CRA), plus ARA’s board of directors.
The international exchange program is administered by the ARA Foundation for the Global Rental Alliance and provides young rental professionals the opportunity to develop their leadership skills. The participants are able to experience how the rental equipment business functions in countries and operations other than their own. Overall, the program encourages international travel and cultural and business sharing of information.
Gordon will blog about his experiences at www. globalrentalalliance.com.
Ready to board the Island Star.
Since the International Rental Exchange program began in November 2008, three successful exchanges have been completed.
Associations involved in the Global Rental Alliance are: ARA, CRA, DLR (France), European Rental Association, Hire Association Europe, Hire Industry Association of New Zealand and Hire and Rental Industry Association (Australia).
CRA B.C. raises $2,600 through golf tournament
More than 60 members of the rental industry took part in the B.C. golf tournament.
The Canadian Rental Association (CRA) of British Columbia held its golf tournament recently at Country Meadows Golf Course in Richmond, B.C. The industry was well represented at the event, with 60 members of the rental industry taking part in the golf tournament. The tournament had a fundraising element as well, with a total of $2,600 raised to go to an education fund for the children of Suk Dosanjh, a well-known member of the rental industry who passed away in early August.
A number of prizes were awarded at the end of the tournament. The “Lowest Scoring Team” consisted of David Flaa, Renato Cusi and Darryl Mounsey of Ideal Tents and Noah Russel of Apex Tents. The “Most Honest Team” was Raj Pooni, Raj Jhand, Anoop Jhand and Raul Torcelino of Ideal Tents. Robin Lott of Cavalier Industries took the prize for Men’s Longest Drive, with Raj Pooni of Ideal Tents taking the Ladies’. The prize for “Closest to the Pin” went to Karyn Bruschinsky of Pikes Rental for the Ladies’, and Bruce Fromme of Arnold’s Rentals won the Men’s. Rick Wallace of Sabre Rentals and Steve Baker of Western Financial Group came in firstst and second in the putting contest.
For more information on the Canadian Rental Association, please visit www.canadianrentalassociation.com.
Pat’s Party Rentals launches Partycade
The new mobile arcade can fit 16 guests inside, and can accommodate even more on the external screens.
Pat’s Party Rentals has rolled out a new addition. . . literally. Called Partycade, it’s a fully equipped mobile arcade on wheels, available for parties and events in Burlington, Hamilton and Oakville.
The 24-foot trailer fits about 16 guests inside and, weather permitting, another group can play outside on the big screens.
Partycade is equipped with four 47-inch 1080p HD flat screen LCD TVs, each equipped with an XBOX 360 and PS3. The outside of the Partycade trailer features two 55-inch 1080p HD
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RENTAL RumbLES
LCD TVs that operate XBOX 360 and Wii, for Rock Band and numerous sports games. The systems inside are networked to accommodate multiplayer games such as Halo and Call of Duty.
“We were looking at different options on how to expand the business,” says Paul Storey, general manager and owner of Pat’s Party Rentals. “This is something that’s booming in the States, and we thought it would be successful here. Our eventual intention is to set up a franchise operation.”
For more information on Pat’s Party Rentals, please visit www.patspartyrentals.net. For more information on Partycade, please visit www.partycade.com.
Correction: Web address for L.B. White
David Poole joins Uniquip
Yves Pronovost, general manager for Uniquip Canada, has announced the appointment of David Poole as internal sales and customer service representative. Poole comes to the Uniquip team with strong experience in internal sales, customer service and purchasing within tools suppliers such as plumbing and heating distributor Wolseley as well as Wurth Service Supply.
Uniquip customers may contact David Poole at 1-800-3324012, ext. 205, or via e-mail to dpoole@uniquip.ca.
Weber MT hires Ontario regional sales manager
It has been brought to our attention that the entry for L.B. White’s Premier series of heaters, as profiled in the October issue’s heater showcase, lists an incorrect address for the company’s website. Information on L.B. White’s heating equipment can be found at www.lbwhite.com.
We apologize for any confusion this may have caused. Please see www.lbwhite.com for information on the Premier series and other heating products.
Swisher named CEO of Texada
Texada Software has announced that William Swisher, chairman of the company, has been named CEO, effective immediately. In connection with his appointment as CEO, Swisher will purchase two million common shares at 10 cents per share and has been granted a million options to purchase common shares at that price for a period of 10 years.
Swisher was named as the chairman of the board of Texada Software in July as reported here. Brian Spilak will continue as president of the company, and will purchase 350,000 common shares at the same price. The issuance of all shares to Swisher and Spilak is subject to customary regulatory approvals.
Texada Software is based in Guelph, Ont. For more information, please visit www.texadasoftware.com.
Ken Myers replaces Steve Shaughnessy as president of Skyjack
Linamar has announced that Ken Myers has been named president of Skyjack, replacing Steve Shaughnessy.
Myers previously held the post of group president for the Powertrain division of Linamar’s automotive manufacturing sector. He holds a bachelor of science degree and a bachelor of business administration degree, both from the University of Windsor. He has also earned a masters of engineering from Wayne State University in Detroit.
Shaughnessy is currently serving a two-year term as president of the International Powered Access Federation. IPAF said Shaughnessy will continue as IPAF president.
Skyjack is based in Guelph, Ont. For more information, please visit www.skyjack.com.
David Knight has joined Weber MT’s North American sales team.
Knight boasts more than 20 years of experience in equipment rental and sales, working with several companies in that time. In his most recent position, with Wacker Neuson, Ltd., Knight worked closely with dealer sales representatives and provided major municipalities and large contractors in-field training and product application services. Under his nine-year jurisdiction at Wacker Neuson, Ltd., sales increased between 17 and 22 per cent annually.
Knight will join Weber MT as a full-time regional sales manager in Ontario.
Kevin Albin and David McRae join Marindustrial Ontario
Roger Hiscock, branch manager of Marindustrial (Oakville) has announced the addition of two outside sales representatives for Ontario.
David McRae brings to Marindustrial an extensive sales and marketing background of more than 20 years. McRae has worked in the consumer outdoor power equipment and industrial markets in Ontario in a variety of capacities. McRae will be responsible for servicing existing and developing new accounts notably for Subaru Industrial Products, Hatz Diesel and Twin Disc for Marindustrial in the GTA, central and eastern Ontario.
Kevin Albin has also joined Marindustrial as the sales representative for western and northern Ontario. Albin’s past service and sales management experience will be well utilized as he services the existing Marindustrial customers in his region and develops new accounts, representing Subaru Industrial Products, Hatz Diesel and Twin Disc. For a full product range availabilty please visit www.marind.ca.
To contact either Kevin Albin or David McRae, please call 905-829-3004 or 1-800-866-3831.
Some said it couldn’t be done. Wayne Beckett proved them wrong.
We’ve all got a soft spot for someone who defies the odds and follows a dream. In the case of Wayne Beckett, owner of Wayne’s Rental Centre in Moosomin, Sask., the dream was to start up a rental store in his hometown.
In 1986, Wayne Beckett was testing farm equipment for the provincial government of Saskatchewan, with the purpose of giving farmers an unbiased third-party evaluation of particular pieces of equipment. It was a good fit for Beckett, who has a farming background and a diploma in agriculture. However, there were some indications at the time that the government was planning to phase out his job, so he started looking for other opportunities.
“I was willing to move back to my hometown, and maybe do some farming, but that didn’t look too promising,” says Beckett. “One day my wife and I drove by a rental store in Melfort, Sask., and thought, ‘Why not?’”
Beckett quickly made contact with the owner of a rental store in Humboldt, where he was living at the time. The owner was Sandy Schwartz and the store was Rock Ridge Rentals. Experienced members of the rental industry from Saskatchewan will probably recognize the names. The first regional trade shows, which have since become wildly popular, were actually held in the basement of Schwartz’s store.
“Sandy was quite knowledgeable about the business and the association,” points out Beckett. “I spent a lot of time talking to her before going into business.”
At that time, a rental store in a community the size of Moosomin (population 2,500) was almost unheard of. Let’s be honest: it’s not exactly common now, either.
“Most people, whether they said it out loud or not, thought we were nuts,” says Beckett. Other stores have come and gone
in similar towns, but the big difference was that those operators always had something to fall back on. When business slowed and times got tough, they could go back to being an electrician or what-have-you. I didn’t have that. For us, it was succeed, or starve.”
In those early days, the business consisted of Wayne Beckett, about enough inventory to fill a half-ton pickup, and his wife Tammy doing the books. More than 20 years later, the business has not only survived, but thrived. Wayne’s Rental Centre currently has six full-time and two part-time employees, and nearly $2 million worth of fleet.
“We have two potash mines in our area that are currently going through a $6-billion expansion, as well as active oil and gas industries and we’re on the corridor of Trans-Canada pipeline’s main line,” observes Beckett. “Those three industries have turned out to be our biggest customers. I didn’t realize back then what a huge role they would play in our growth, especially the potash mines over the past several years.”
That’s not to say that it’s been smooth sailing from the first day the doors opened. The recession that began in the late 1980s presented challenges, but Beckett views it as a learning experience.
“We’re enjoying the benefits of quite a boom in Saskatchewan right now, but I understand that a lot of operators haven’t been so fortunate,” he says. “I’ve been through recessions, and they’re tough, but we have to learn from them. I knew that I couldn’t control recessions, but I learned that I can control how my business reacts, and how to weather them. It’s an education for sure, and a good education costs money!”
Many of our readers already know that Beckett is the incoming president of the Canadian Rental Association (CRA), and will serve in that role throughout 2011. His association with the CRA goes back almost to the day he started in the rental business, back in March of 1987.
“We joined the association shortly after we started the business, in part because of
talking with Sandy Schwarz, and partly because we knew there was a lot about the rental industry that we just didn’t know,” says Beckett. “Once I got into the business, I realized it was something I really enjoyed, so I wanted to do it well. We met some really great people at our first meeting. My wife and I both enjoy getting together with fellow rental professionals and suppliers for learning and social events.”
Meeting and learning from other rental operators has proved to be a definite benefit of association membership for Beckett. In fact, he can pinpoint how something that was said at his very first meeting had a positive impact on his business.
“One issue that came up at that first meeting was the provincial sales tax on repairs to equipment,” notes Beckett. “A fellow member pointed out that you don’t have to pay that if the equipment is being rented, which I hadn’t known. I applied for a rebate, and got back a $3,500
MAIN: Wayne Beckett, incoming CRA president, hard at work.
ABOVE: Charlene Swanton, office manager at Wayne’s Rental Centre.
BOTTOM: Peter Nabholz, facility manager.
cheque from the government. That one comment from another member of the rental industry paid for 10 straight years of membership dues.”
Beckett says that he has always been a firm proponent of learning from other rental operators at every opportunity. In fact, when travelling for business or pleasure, he makes a point of stopping at most of the rental stores along the way.
“It drives my family nuts, but it’s worth it. Either I learn something, or they learn something, or both,” he says. “Even if I just drive through their yards after hours, I usually see something of interest to me.”
As the incoming president, Beckett knows that he has some big shoes to fill.
“There have been some really great leaders ahead of me that got the association running well. There will be issues that we have to deal with, but I’m confident that we will be able to deal with them, in part because the association is so strong,” he says. “Our association books are in the black, so it gives us the opportunity to do more for our members. It was only five or six years ago that we didn’t have that luxury.”
Although the CRA is running well, Beckett believes that it could be even stronger with a wider membership.
“I’m just a real advocate of the
association. It astounds me that more people don’t become involved,” he says. “I know being on the board isn’t for
everybody, but why aren’t they members? Frankly, they don’t know what they’re missing. The benefits are enormous, and they’re increasing all the time. Whether you’re active in the association or not, membership seems like a no-brainer. I’m looking forward to the challenges and hope to visit with many of you at the upcoming trade shows across the country and in Las Vegas.”
Although Wayne’s Rental Service is successful, there have been some setbacks along the way, including a fire in 2001 that burned the business to the ground.
“That was a tough day. Nothing seemed to be working to stop the fire from spreading. When something like that happens, it’s pretty easy to just fold up your tent and say, ‘Forget it.’ But I’ve always made a point of saying to our insurance broker: ‘You know insurance. I know the rental business. You sell what I really need, so the day after a disaster, we can still be friends.’ Well, we did have a disaster, and during the fire our insurance broker patted me
on the back and told us we’d be OK in the morning. We rebuilt with hard work and a lot of help from our friends inside and outside of the rental business.”
One of those friends is Wayne Weight, an agent and representative for a number of the lines carried at Wayne’s Rental Centre. The staff at Wayne’s Rental Centre often refers to Weight as “Santa Claus,” as he frequently stops by in the night, leaving the new orders on the doorstep.
“I’ve known Wayne for about 16 years,” says Weight. “He runs a really good operation and he’s a great person to deal with. He knows how to get the best out of his staff: by going golfing. I know it sounds like a joke, but it’s true. He picks people who are committed to being the best they can even when the boss isn’t watching.”
Geoff Allen works for Terex-AWP. He’s been calling on Wayne’s Rental Centre for about four years, and agrees that customer service is one area where the company really shines.
“Wayne’s operation is tight and sleek,” says Allen. “It’s set up for the renter to come in and grab the stuff he needs. Everything’s ready to go.”
Wayne and Tammy Beckett are the parents of twin 16-year-old boys, and a 12-year-old daughter. Although Wayne makes it clear that he would never force his children into the business, he also makes it clear that it wouldn’t displease him if they wanted to carry on the family business.
“The boys, Kody and Kyler, have been involved with the business since the day they could walk,” says Beckett. “They both work here every day after school, and they work here all summer too. They can see the benefits the rental business brings.”
Of course, handing over a business to a new generation involves some serious succession planning, and here, as with other aspects of his business, Beckett has turned to his fellow rental professionals and association members for advice.
“We’re all in the rental business to do the best we can and get better,” says Beckett. “We all want to improve, make as much money as we can, make as many friends as we can, take as much time off as we need, and give back as much as we can. I believe the very best way to do that is to learn from your peers.” n
Randy Fyke, shop foreman.
TECH TIPS
Pump it up!
By Mike Davey
Think pumps haven’t changed? Think again.
To be successful in the pump rental business, according to Majid Tavakoli, you must have a very strong customer service program and an excellent maintenance department. Tavakoli is the vice-president of applied products for Thompson Pump.
“If a pump is out on rental, and it’s stopped pumping, you have an emergency on your hands,” says Tavakoli. “We look for distributors who take these issues seriously, and are dedicated to keeping that pump operating.”
Although the purpose of a pump – to move fluids such as liquids, gases or slurries – is relatively simple and unchanged from ancient times, there has been a spate of innovation in recent years.
“We’ve seen a lot of changes develop over the last few years,” says John Farrell, vicepresident of sales for Thompson Pump. “A lot of work has been done to create higher efficiencies and better fuel consumption rates. Thompson Pump has also put in a lot of work on different technologies for addon priming systems. The goal is to make our equipment smaller and more efficient. And, of course, we spend a lot of time on our green technology.”
Farrell explains that there are other types of pollution that quality pump design can help with, other than the obvious problem of emissions.
“We’ve always followed a policy of using high-quality components to help prevent breakdowns, which of course is very important for the rental market, and we try to design pumps that will have a minimal impact on the environment,” says Farrell. “However, when people talk about those impacts, they often leave out noise pollution,
Rental quality pumps, such as this one from Grindex, have to be able to operate under strenuous conditions. Some distributors and manufacturers warn against “offshore” products that are less expensive but don’t deliver on quality.
Photo courtesy of Grindex.
which can be just as damaging to workers in the long term. We’ve managed to reduce the noise levels down to about 67 decibels at 23 feet, which is a big improvement.”
Part of that “green” technology is simply increased efficiency in pumping, defined as the ratio of the power imparted on the fluid by the pump in relation to the power supplied to drive the pump. In other words, higher efficiency means less horsepower is used to achieve the same objective. In general, the efficiency of a pump will decline over time, due to wear. For example, clearances may increase as the impellers wear down.
“Our pumps are more efficient than they used to be,” says Tavakoli. “They were running at about 55 to 65 per cent efficiency, now they’re about 85 per cent efficient. A lot of it has to do with new impeller designs and casing designs, and the use of new and better materials in their construction. The new designs of the impellers and the new pump cases make everything run better and smoother.”
However, there are other “green” technologies in the pumping world that have less to do with efficiencies than they do with emission of effluent.
For example, Thompson Pump offers the Enviroprime system, used in many applications where the project site can’t be contaminated by pump fluids. According to the company, the Enviroprime system provides quick initial priming and consistent re-priming, as well as preventing blowby. It also eliminates the need to fill the pump hosing with water to obtain the initial prime at startup. Also on the “green” front from Thompson is their Oil-less Vacuum Technology (OVT) Priming System. It allows for dry running in addition to a host of other features, and can be added to any of Thompson’s centifugal pumps.
Gord DeBruin works for Claessen Pumps, a distributor of Grindex submersible pumps in eastern and southern Ontario. He also notes that efficiency has increased, and credits innovations in research and design.
“Pumps are definitely becoming much more efficient,” says DeBruin. “With the bigger pumps especially, the motors are becoming more efficient. Improved impeller designs, tweaking the diffusers and some other things. There’s a lot of R&D that goes into it.”
When it’s time to purchase, DeBruin has two recommendations.
“For a rental operator, one thing you want to look at is longevity of the product. You might spend more on a higher quality pump, but it will last longer and bring you more income,” says DeBruin. “The second thing is the market in your area. Rental operators should study their market and try to find out what’s needed. We have some rental operators that deal strictly in 3-inch pumps, but another store in a different location doesn’t have any. Sometimes it’s regional differences and sometimes it’s the market being served.”
Dan Schaffer is export manager for Grindex. He believes it’s important for rental operators to look at the total expected life of the pump, and the mean time between failures (MTBF), before choosing a pump line.
“You need to look at the total cost of ownership,” says Schaffer. “Typically, a rental operator should look both for quality and the lowest cost of ownership. You have to look at your total cost. How often you have to repair it, how long repairs and maintenance take – those are the things you really have to look at.”
This is a statement that Roger Hiscock may very well agree with. Hiscock is the branch manager of Marindustrial Ontario.
“There is a very small percentage of rental shops out there that will embrace offshore products that just don’t have the quality needed,” says Hiscock. “These units might be cheaper, but those operators aren’t doing themselves or their customers any favours. You get what you pay for. Subaru, for example, offers a three-year guarantee. They do this because they build the pump to last.”
John Ciaraldi of Tsurumi says that abrasive water is the big source of wear on water pumps.
“We carry a silicon carbide mechanical seal so our pumps can pump more abrasive water than those carrying carbon ceramic seals,” says Ciaraldi. “We also have rubber mounts to relieve strain on the steel cage and on the pump case. This gives better life to the mechanical seal housing and mechanical seal.”
John Farrell notes that no matter which way a rental operator decides to go, there are advantages to the pump rental business.
“It’s a good business to be in,” says Farrell. “You can be in it on a smaller level, or on a larger level. Really, it all depends on what you’re trying do and what kind of service you want to provide.” n
CRA PRESIDENT’S mESSAGE
Watch out! The world is . . .
By Andrew Paquette, CRA president
Changing at a rapid pace, often faster than the analysts can analyze or the reporters report. The economies in all regions of Canada are doing pretty well.
Our rental economy has flourished and now, as fall approaches, every construction budget and rental store is being pushed to get the work advanced before winter. These are all positive signs. Our potash and mineral resources command the headlines, but it’s important to note that our local business economy is strong and our service sector remains steady.
The banks are reporting that the pace of Canada’s economy stands out in the world. Real gross domestic product, though predicted higher earlier in the year, will end off the year at around four per cent. This should recoup all of the losses recorded during the recession. Real consumer spending has
already eclipsed its pre-recession level. Incredibly, the TSX had a record volume day for shares traded on the venture market just a few weeks ago. So we know there’s money out there looking for a place to work. But we know that bumps lie ahead as individuals and governments shift their attention to addressing what 2011-2012 will bring, as stability and volatility seem to co-exist.
Not coming to another show is a mistake. There are factors that are starting to indicate that construction and our economy in 2011 may be better than expected. This differs from what I was reading just a month ago. World growth and the stronger Canadian dollar may be a drag on our exporters, but it will be great for those of us buying at The Rental Show with loonies. Attendance will be strong from Canadian rental stores and exhibiting Canadian ARA associates
trying to find or retain any edge in anticipation of a U.S. recovery.
We had our mid-year board meetings recently here in beautiful Montreal. All attendees were upbeat, reporting positively that rental revenues will
Continued on page 29
CLAESSEN PUMPS PRESENTS A NEW INNOVATIVE WAY TO MEET YOUR PUMPING APPLICATIONS
Attention! Le monde . . .
Par Andrew Paquette, président de la CRA
Change à un rythme rapide, souvent même plus rapide que les analystes peuvent analyser ou les reporters peuvent reporter. L’économie à travers le pays est en très bonne forme.
L’économie de l’industrie de la location prospère et, à l’approche de l’automne, tous les budgets de construction et des centres de locations sont poussés à faire acheminer le travail avant que l’hiver ne s’installe. Ce sont tous des signes positifs. Nos ressources de potasse et minéraux sont à la une, mais il est important de noter que nos économies locales sont plus fortes et nos secteurs de services demeurent stables.
Les banques signalent que le rythme de l’économie du Canada se démarque dans le monde. Le PIB réel, quoique prédit plus élevé au début de l’année, terminera l’année aux alentours de 4 %. Ceci devra permettre une récupération de la totalité
des pertes enregistrées au cours de la récession. De plus, cela indique que les dépenses réelles de consommation ont déjà éclipsé leur niveau pré-récession. Incroyablement, la bourse de Toronto a connu une journée record pour les actions négociées sur la Bourse de croissance TSX il y a à peine quelques semaines. Nous savons donc qu’il y a de l’argent qui cherche à se faire travailler. Mais nous savons aussi qu’il y aura quelques obstacles à surmonter tandis que les individus aussi bien que les gouvernements portent leur attention sur ce que 2011-2012 apportera, puisque stabilité et volatilité semblent vouloir coexister.
Ne pas participer au salon de location est une erreur. Les facteurs commencent à indiquer que notre économie et la construction pourraient s’avérer mieux que prévues en 2011. Cela diffère
de ce que je lisais il y a un mois. La croissance des marchés mondiaux et le raffermissement du dollar canadien peut freiner nos exportateurs, mais ils seront excellent pour ceux d’entre nous qui avec le huard, achèterons au Rental Show. La participation sera forte de la part des centres de location canadiens ainsi que des fournisseurs canadiens qui essaieront de se garder à l’affut d’une reprise économique américaine.
Nous avons récemment eu nos réunions des comités administratif et national ici dans la belle ville de Montréal. Tous les participants se sont montrés optimistes, leurs rapports démontrant une continuation de croissance de profit dans leur centre d’ici la fin de l’année.
La liste de membres de l’Association Canadienne de Location demeure stable.
Suite à la page 29
GEORGE’S CORNER
Where will we buy propane?
By George Olah
New regs consider only one side of the equation.
The explosions at a Toronto, Ont., propane plant that occurred during the early morning of Aug. 10, 2008, continue to have destructive effects. The ripple effect emanating from this event has created an unprecedented regulatory situation exacerbated by the panic reaction of the Ontario government’s cabinet and resulting in the draconian Ontario Regulation 440/08.
Let me be very clear about one thing. I believe in safety. Moreover, the propane industry takes safety very seriously; otherwise, there would be many more accidents resulting from the daily activities of this key energy sector.
Careful vetting
Appropriately, there are already excellent regulations carefully vetted and thought through by experts as part of the national B149 Code process. Any new regulations are thoroughly considered utilizing a well-structured process of consultation. Engineers, policy makers, safety specialists, industry leaders and manufacturers all play integral parts in this methodical and co-ordinated process.
Yes, the procedure takes time, but it painstakingly takes into consideration many key factors – something that 440/08 has failed to do.
Remember back to your school days and basic mathematics. What you do to one side of an equation will affect the other side. Regulation 440/08 takes only one side of the equation into account.
While the regulation is ostensibly a well-intentioned effort to bolster propane safety, in reality it is misguided and counterproductive. It fails to calculate its total negative impact on not only the propane industry, but also its many users. These users are spread across many different industries, not just the rental business.
In Ontario, propane is inextricably
tied to our daily lives – embraced by nearly every sector of society.
It’s used for heating homes, drying agricultural crops, keeping poultry warm, fuelling manufacturing processes, powering forklift vehicles, fuelling taxis, cooking and heating in recreational vehicles, warming mines, barbecuing, heating construction sites, thawing frozen municipal storm drains, keeping food warm on catering vehicles bringing hot coffee and food to a variety of worksites. These are just a few of the many applications for propane is used.
Dramatic change
When 440/08 comes into full effect on Jan. 1, 2011, this will change dramatically. All licensed propane refill facilities will need a Risk and Safety Management Plan (RSMP), prepared by a professional engineer, in order to renew operating licences. Approximately 1,600 Ontario propane facilities will require RSMPs for licence renewal in 2011.
The problem is that without taking into consideration internal staff time, travel and other expenses, the minimum cost of an RSMP is estimated at an expensive $25,000 per site – regardless of the size of the facility. The new regulation will also require continuing annual inspection, with associated costs, for those who can afford to stay in business.
Clearly, many small Ontario propane facilities cannot afford this and it’s likely that many of them will get rid of their propane refill business, along with some staff. The Ontario Propane Association is projecting at least 1,400 facilities will be forced to close next year.
There is a genuine shortage of engineers with the qualifications that are needed to draw up and stamp plans.
Several governmental agencies required to sign off on some of the new inspections are themselves not quite sure who is responsible for what. This sort of jurisdictional puzzlement
reigns high at many Ontario provincial and municipal organizations.
Good government policy shouldn’t cause such uncertainty and confusion. The stark reality is that propane refill sites are already closing down because of overly onerous costs inflicted by 440/08. And yes, real jobs are being lost.
There are many 20-pound-cylinder exchange cages, but there are very few 30-pound-cylinder (or larger sized) exchange facilities in Ontario. Many rental companies and tourism facilities will not be able to afford to serve propane to their customers and will lose much-needed business.
Longer trips
With the disappearance of small, yet extremely convenient, propane refuelling facilities, consumers will be making longer trips to the remaining propane fuelling facilities. Unfortunately, they will be forced to haul around more empty and full cylinders in all sorts of vehicles for greater distances. This will not increase safety.
It is very interesting to note that after exhaustive investigation, the Ontario Fire Marshal determined that the unfortunate events culminating in the August 2008 blast were precipitated by an illegal truck-to-truck transfer. What is really sad is that the overreactions of the Ontario government manifesting in Ontario Regulation 440/08 will not and cannot address the illegal activities of the sort that took place. All the government is doing with Regulation 440/08 is needlessly penalizing both the propane industry and its customers. n
George A. Olah has over 35 years’ experience in training, marketing, and renting commercial appliances and equipment. He is the general manager of operations at ABCO Equipment & Supplies, a family-owned rental company located in Weston, Ont.
SOFTWARE
Digital world
By Anna Dawson
Finding the software that’s right for you.
We live in an increasingly computer focused world, and this trend shows no sign of stopping. And why should it? The right software can help lower costs and increase efficiency.
Below we’ve showcased a few of the software packages available for professionals in the rental industry. All information presented comes from the manufacturer.
Inclusion in this section is not intended to constitute an endorsement by Canadian Rental Service magazine or its staff. As with any purchase, please research all of your options thoroughly before making a decision.
Rental Manager
Xgensoft
www.xgensoft.com
Rental Manager is a sales and rental business management tool that is designed for small and mid-sized businesses. It can be used in a networked system to easily accommodate business expansion.
One handy feature of Rental Manager is the screens that adapt to any screen size, using oversize screens to reduce eye strain. Online payment processing was added earlier in 2010.
Numerous features and reports allow the user to organize and track many information streams, such as customer information, rentals, sales, invoices, payments and inventory.
The most recent Rental Manager release (Rental Manager 3 in 2007) included new functions such as ID-scan peripheral management, maintenance scheduling and tracking as well as kitting. Rental Manager is Windows-based and the Deluxe Edition includes one-button export to Quickbooks. The software is recommended for rental businesses that organize inventory in kits, equipment rental businesses that track usage and maintenance of equipment, and rental businesses that prefer to cycle-bill for extended contracts.
Rental Manager offers full support for its products (including demos) by phone, e-mail and Internet. A free demo is available for download on their website.
Choosing the right software is vital. Thoroughly researching the various choices can save you a lot of pain down the road.
Rental Manager offers a variety of generic forms for your use, such as contracts, invoices, and delivery and pickup notices. Rental Manager also offers tax structures up to six decimal places.
Information is secure with Rental Manager, with user identification, log in codes and security status to regulate program accessibility.
SOFTWARE PURCHASE CHECKLIST
• Determine your needs. Before you even start looking for new software, figure out what you’re going to want it to do. Don’t limit yourself to what you think is possible. It may turn out that software exists that performs even better than your wildest imaginings. You won’t find it if you set your sights too low.
• Solicit input. You’re probably not the only using it, and staff morale will decrease if they’re forced to use software that is difficult to operate. Talk to your suppliers as well and see what they think. Reach out to competitors and see what they’re using.
• Determine your budget. Don’t forget that you’re not just purchasing the software. You might need new hardware as well, and budgeting for support services is absolutely vital. As a general rule of thumb, the more you want the software to do, and the more customization that’s needed, the higher the price will be.
• Determine your top picks. You might be able to eliminate quite a few packages right off the bat. Take a closer look at the products that meet your standards, and thoroughly research them.
• Make your final decision. An important point to bear in mind is that you’re not just purchasing software; you’re basically hiring a vendor. If you like the product, but dislike the person selling and maintaining it, then it’s probably best to look for something else.
RentMaster
RentMaster, Inc.
www.rentmaster.info
RentMaster constantly works on its software to offer customers new features and improve performance.
Inventory features include unlimited categories and subcategories, the ability to mark any category as “For sale”, unlimited product information, one-click add for multiple items, unlimited images per product and much more. Key order features include real-time inventory checking, payment history, special order discounts and an easily searchable and expandable customer database.
Barricade Tape
RentMaster offers export ability and compatibility with a number of other software programs. Information can be exported and synchronized to Microsoft Outlook, Intuit QuickBooks and Microsoft Outlook Calendar. Driving directions and maps can conveniently be attached with Microsoft MapPoint or MapQuest. Data can be saved in a number of different formats (HTML, XML, PDF, XLS and TXT) and reports can be likewise exported in a variety of formats (TXT, IMG, PDF, RTF and XLS). RentMaster offers the option to e-mail rental agreements to customers as well as support for real-time credit card processing.
RentMaster offters the ability to easily convert quotes to orders by simply adding customer information. The software automatically verifies quotes when turning them into orders to ensure inventory is available.
An unlimited number of customers can be saved in the RentMaster system, including multiple addresses for a single customer. Customers can be categorized into custom defined categories. RentMaster offers the capability to store driver’s Licence images and credit card details for customer profiles, with one-click access to the customer’s order and payment history. A repository is also available for related customer files, such as signed contracts, proof of insurance and other documents.
Sirius Pro
Orion Software www.orion-soft.com
Sirius Pro is a full-featured product that the company says enables you to track your activities and inventories effectively, thereby improving your controls, revenue, and ROI. Along with all the standard features found in most established rental software products such as quotes, reservations, contracts and invoicing, availability calendars, serial number management and fax/e-mail capability, multiple advanced capabilities are offered in the standard version. This includes picture and document integration, sales by scenarios, project billing, and maintenance and repairs history. A dashboard allows you to access the most common functions on a single screen and receive a snapshot of daily operation in a list or graphical format.
Orion Software has also introduced many new features and add-on modules to enhance Sirius Pro.
One is the new Distribution Module, which integrates all
customer special purchase orders and reservations with a supplier’s purchases and sub-rentals, as well as with interbranch transfer capabilities. The idea is to empower operation and purchase managers in order to efficiently fulfil customer needs using different equipment sources. Branch transfers, sub-rentals and purchases will be facilitated and prioritized in order to satisfy the customers’ expectations.
Other modules include a Web Shopping Cart that gives your company 24/7 visibility, a Preventive Maintenance Module that allows you to schedule regular and ongoing maintenance of all your equipment, the Electronic Signature pad that enables you to record and store signed customer documents in an electronic format, and a Call Center to improve the management of sales and service activities.
In addition, Sirius Pro is now offered on the iPad. This new system makes it possible to take your business on the road with real-time access and the creation of a rental agreement in the field.
Enterprise
Point-of-Rental Systems
www.point-of-rental.com
Point-of-Rental Systems has a long history. The company was created by former software engineers who had opened their own rental store in 1982, and soon realized that many concepts they had worked on at NASA could be applied to rental management.
Enterprise by Point-of-Rental Systems is a new generation of rental management software that offers Internet integration, graphic image storage, faster processing and the simplicity of the Microsoft Windows user interface. The software package is available in multi-store, multi-user and single-user configurations.
SOFTWARE
The focus is on transaction processing. Contracts, reservations, quotes, asset sales and work orders are created using the same user interface. Partial closes, partial quantity closes (scaffold), return of sale items and sales of broken items are all logically processed on the same contract. Contracts can be easily modified, cancelled and even cloned.
Hour meter, diamond blade, odometer, helium and fuel readings are stored, prompted for upon return, and then automatically priced. Account customer records contain personnel authorized to rent and dunning call history. Inventory item records store preventive and remedial maintenance history for serialized inventory. Extensive transaction, income and payment history is automatically stored monthly for 10 years in the transaction, customer and item records.
Extensive parameters optimize the software for different environments such as party and/or equipment rental. Parameterized security down to the field level is provided via operator IDs and passwords.
According to Point-of-Rental, staff can learn the system quickly, as it features on-screen help and uses the familiar Microsoft Windows user interface. In addition, Point-of-Rental maintains a separate training database that is updated daily. New features are added frequently and provided at no additional cost to those subscribing to Point-of-Rental’s software subscription service.
Enfinity SaaS
Solutions By Computer
www.solutionsbycomputer.com
According to the company, Enfinity SaaS offers the maximum benefits of a rental software solution with minimal investment. The software does away with the need for an onsite server, as Solutions by Computer administers the whole system.
Transaction flexibility allows for processing in any sequence. There is no predefined mandatory process in rental period, inventory information or customer information.
The Enfinity SaaS system’s database manage management allows you to define elements such as rate structures, accounting relationships, product classes, depreciation and other attributes. It also allows you to utilize customer-specific pricing and transaction printing formats.
The software also provides the ability to record collection activity and view customer payment commitments historically, review and/or modify prior payment applications, and view a graph of historical “days to pay.”
EnfinitySaaS comes standard with dozens of the most common management reports as well as customized versions of reports to help you utilize your information.
Systematic Rental Management
Texada Software
www.texadasoftware.com
Systematic Rental Management (SRM) is a full function package that manages all rental operations from counter to customer. Features include full web integration, complete financials and back-office, and full fleet management from purchasing through maintenance to disposal.
According to Texada, professional database support and enterprise class system performance has been proven at single deployments of over 500 users and over 200 locations. The customers’ business is constantly growing and changing, and SRM is designed to grow with the customer.
The company says that SRM has been built around intimate practical knowledge of the equipment rental business, utilizing best management features and functionality.
Highlights include accurate, up-to-the-minute information on revenue, profit and Key Performance Indicators, including which of your customers pay promptly and which don’t. In addition, detailed utilization reporting highlights what’s in demand, what’s being used frequently and what’s sitting in the yard. Downtimes are minimized by pre-scheduling preventive maintenance. n
NEW PRODuCTS
Morbark introduces Beever M18RX Brush Chipper
Morbark has introduced the Beever M18RX, a new lightweight option package for the Beever M18R Brush Chipper. Less than 10,000 pounds fully charged with fluids, spare tire and a winch, this machine can be towed without a CDL. Other key modifications include the single feed-wheel yoke pivot assembly with TorqMax drive, which the company says minimizes dead space between the feed wheel and chipper drum, and increases down pressure efficiency.
Jason Showers, sales manager for Morbark Tree Care Equipment, remarks, “We incorporated customer feedback into the M18R modifications and the result is the Beever M18RX. It has all the features of the standard M18R in a lighter package, yet it’s still a heavy-duty, reliable piece of machinery.”
The Beever M18RX is available in horsepower ranging from 140 to 170 with Cummins, John Deere or Caterpillar power options.
New Z5-AF drain cleaning machine from Electric Eel
a lever, while a cable guide spring keeps hands off rotating cable for added safety. A cable guide spring holder is located on the base.
The Model Z5-AF drain and sewer cleaning machine cleans 1-1/4- threeinch-diameter lines up to 100 feet. The model Z5-AF fills the gaps for those jobs that require a longer run in smaller drain lines.
For more information, please visit www.electriceel.com.
New CONTRx concrete polishing system from EDCO
Back in 2007, Equipment Development Company (EDCO) created CONTRx Systems with the goal of offering affordable concrete polishing solutions. The company says that it’s now made these systems faster, easier and more predictable
The new Husqvarna K 760.
No other power cutter in the world is so packed with features that boost efficiency and reduce the impact on the enviroment as the new Husqvarna K 760.
This power cutter features the new Active Air Filtration™ system which allows up to one year of running time without filter service. Thanks to its X-Torq ® engine, the saw produces up to 75% fewer emissions and lowers fuel consumption by 20%, reducing its environmental footprint.
The K 760 is easy to handle due to low vibrations and the power-to-weight ratio enables the saw to be used full time, reducing operator fatigue.
The new Husqvarna K 760 is a further development of the popular K 750. Therefore it has a firm base of knowledge and experience built in, more than any other power cutter in the industry.
Husqvarna K 760. New performance you can trust – everywhere, every time.
NEW PRODuCTS
with diamond tooling experts Superabrasive to create quickchange accessory systems that repair, refurbish and polish residential and smaller commercial concrete floors.
For more information, please visit www.edcoinc.com.
New EDGE Hitch Adapter
CEAttachments has announced the addition of the new EDGE Hitch Adapter to its lineup of attachments for skid steer loaders.
The new EDGE Hitch Adapter is designed to help move implements, trailers, wagons, boat trailers and other types of equipment easily and efficiently. It features a durable, heavy steel construction frame measuring 17.5 inches high, 46 inches wide and 12 inches deep, and reduces the chance of equipment damage by having full view of the equipment as you are moving it. It also allows you to maximize storage space by precisely placing equipment where it fits best.
The EDGE Hitch Adapter utilizes a Class 3 receiver, the same as used on most pickup trucks, and will fit on any skid steer loader with a Universal mount.
See the new EDGE Hitch Adapter, along with thousands of other attachments and accessories, at www.ceattachments.com.
New SGX generators from Subaru
Subaru says its new line of SGX generators offers high-quality features, durable construction and technologically advanced Subaru EX overhead cam (OHC) engines, making them reliable, rugged and powerful. Constructed of heavy-duty
steel and equipped with steel fuel tanks, the SGX units are designed for longevity and durability. Furthermore, the generators include high performance copper windings with maximum surge capacity. The SGX line offers OSHA-compliant ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) receptacles, and twist lock receptacles are also included for enhanced safety.
Standard on all models, an automatic voltage regulator (AVR) system provides a precise voltage control output, making the system appropriate for sensitive electronic equipment like computers. Other standard features include low-tone muffler with U.S. Forestry-approved spark arrestors, low oil level sensor with automatic shutoff, easy-to-read fuel gauge, an hour meter and a two-wheel kit for enhanced portability.
The SGX generators are CSA certified to meet electrical safety standards. All models are backed by Subaru’s industryleading three-year warranty, which covers both the engine and generator.
For more information, please visit www.subarupower.com.
New Dragon X2 features three-day run time
According to Dri-Eaz, the new Dragon X2 mobile furnace offers easy transporting, the ability to direct heat to three separate areas of a structure and three days’ on-board fuel supply.
Delivering 100,000 BTUs and 1500 CFM through triple eight-inch outlets, the Dragon X2 simplifies the task of adding heat to the restoration job. This is especially critical in cooler climates, but is also important whenever air outside can be heated and ducted in to speed the drying process.
The Dragon utilizes an indirect-fired design, which keeps
NEW PRODuCTS
combustion air and exhaust completely separate from the air it heats. This allows the Dragon to deliver heated air without adding the fumes, smoke or moisture from combustion. When used with the supplied remote thermostat, the unit can provide steady, even heat in a variety of situations.
The Dragon X2 has its own weatherproof housing and is mounted on a sturdy DOT-approved trailer. It requires only a standard 115-volt circuit for operation. The unit features two lockable, weatherproof cabinets for securely storing ducting, tools and other equipment. The company says the Dragon is suitable for use in any temporary heating situation.
More information about the Dragon is available at DragonX2.DriEaz.com.
E-Z Drill offers new customized 4-Gang Core Drill System
Custom designed to meet individual contractor specifications, E-Z Drill’s new 4-Gang Core Drill System provides a solution for drilling vertical holes into the top of concrete parapet walls. The unit is offered with either electric or pneumatic core drills and includes a host of other features that can be adapted for various customer needs.
Equipped with core drills specifically to cut through rebar, the system includes four drills mounted in E-Z Drill’s patented roller-bearing feed system, which allows the drills to feed in automatically at the proper set pressure for optimum drilling speed and extended bit life. All operating specifications are customizable, including drill diameter and depth, CFM air requirements and drill alignment.
The company says the 4-gang core drill system requires virtually no set-up time. An operator can simply roll the unit into place, turn the drills on and activate the feed-in lever to begin drilling.
For more information, please visit www.ezdrill.com.
Arbortech introduces high-performance blades for AS170
Arbortech has introduced highperformance blades for harder, faster and longer cuts. The blades are available as aftermarket accessories in both the general purpose and plunge styles for its AS170 brick and mortar saw.
Arbortech says the new improved carbide formula and tooth design and the higher temperature brazing allows the blades to aggressively cut hard mortar while staying sharper for a longer period of time. The new highperformance blades are 50 per cent faster than standard blades, allowing for increased cutting speeds.
For more information, please visit www.AS170.com.
Attachments for Every Job!
NEW PRODuCTS
Cat D Series Mini Excavators add more performance and operator convenience
Caterpillar says the new Cat D Series of Mini Hydraulic Excavators – models 303.5D CR, 304D CR, 305D CR and 305.5D CR – are powerful, versatile, compactradius machines that work comfortably in confined spaces and build on the quality design and reliability of their C Series predecessors – 303C CR, 303.5C CR, 304C CR and 305C CR. With model designations that closely reflect their operating weights (3.5 to 5.5 metric tons), the new machines feature enhanced stability for greater productivity, a redesigned work-tool coupler, load-sensing hydraulics, and engines that meet U.S. EPA Tier-4 Interim and E.U. Stage-3A emissions regulations.
Models 303.5D CR and 304D CR are zero-tail-swing machines that keep the radius of the upper body within the width of the tracks; models 305D CR and 305.5D CR are compact-radius machines that limit upper-body tail swing over the tracks to 5.5 inches (140 millimetres) or less. Both designs reduce the machine's operating footprint.
Increased-width undercarriages for the 303.5D CR and 304D CR and heavier counterweights for the 305D CR and 305.5D CR significantly enhance machine stability, allowing increased lift capacity, more effective use of reach and digging forces, increased capability when handling heavy work tools and improved machine balance for operator comfort.
A new pin-grabber-type coupler (with the new optional hydraulic operation) combines positive work-tool retention with a design that maintains tight tolerances between coupler and tool, significantly reducing wear.
For more information about the D Series Mini Hydraulic Excavators, please visit www.cat.com.
New quick-change Turbo Grinder accessories from EDCO
EDCO has expanded its Turbo Grinder accessory line. According to the company, these new quick-change accessories easily slide onto the Turbo Grinders and stay on magnetically. To use the new accessories, the operator simply fastens the quick-change plate onto the machine, and then slides on various accessories as needed. This new system eliminates the need to unbolt accessories every time a change is required. The Diamond-Dot accessories remove coatings and smooth rough concrete surfaces, while the new PCD accessories aggressively remove thick coverings. The
NEW PRODuCTS
company says all EDCO Turbo Grinders are designed to quickly remove high spots, uneven joints, epoxy, urethane and other difficult coverings from concrete surfaces.
For more information, please visit ww.edcoinc.com.
Quest Plastics Limited of Mississauga, Ont., has announced the introduction of a new line of Canadian-made, environmentally friendly and competitively priced Barricade Tapes.
The company's Better Barriers Barricade Tapes are manufactured in its facility in London, Ont. The company says the new tapes are designed to deliver value and performance, but most importantly, the tapes are an environmentally responsible alternative.
All of Quest Plastics “aboveground” tapes (Caution, Danger, Do Not Enter, etc.) contain the additive Reverte, which allows for complete degradation of the tape in regular landfill conditions. Reverte initially catalyzes the oxodegradation of the polymer chains and then promotes the growth of microbial colonies to expedite the second biodegradation stage. The tapes can even be composted.
In addition to the new Degradable Barricade Tapes, Quest Plastics also produces buried line tapes for underground demarcation. Customized tapes are also available.
To find out more, please call 1-888-920-3818 ext. 225, or visit www.questplastics.ca.
KNAACK jobsite storage products now made with powder paint
KNAACK jobsite storage products are now manufactured using an exclusive, new powder paint process, offering several distinct advantages and benefits as compared to its previous liquid enamel paint.
The new powder paint process, which now covers the entire line of KNAACK jobsite products, offers end users improved corrosion resistance, abrasion resistance, scratch resistance, and paint film thickness.
The testing on this improvement used methods defined by ASTM International (ASTM), originally known as the American Society for Testing and Materials. The ASTM is a standards organization that develops and publishes voluntary consensus technical standards for a wide range of materials, products, systems, and services.
The new KNAACK powder paint program extends to
NEW PRODuCTS
the Custom Color Paint Program announced this past March. This program offers contractors the opportunity to customize the paint finish on KNAACK jobsite products.
M12 cordless palm nailer from Milwaukee
Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation continues to expand its M12 LITHIUM-ION system with the introduction of the industry’s first cordless palm nailer. The company says its new product delivers the performance of a pneumatic nailers without the burden of hauling a hose and compressor.
The tool is capable of driving a 16D 3-1/2-inch nail in under two seconds, at up to 100 of these nails per charge.
At only 3.4 pounds and 6.5 inches from palm to tip, the M12 palm nailer easily operates in tight spaces, providing a unique solution in places that are unreachable by a traditional nail gun. The palm nailer also features a 6D-16D industrial magnetic collet to securely hold framing nails for one-handed use and all-metal gear housing for jobsite durability.
John Deere to offer two-speed option on skid steers
In response to landscaping and snow removal contractors’ need for faster travel speed across jobsites, John Deere is introducing a two-speed option to its mid-frame 318D and 320D skid steer loader models.
The new option, which will be available by year’s end, increases ground speed by as much as 62 percent on both manual and E/H controls machines, from 6.8 mph to 11 mph.
“Faster travel means more productivity,” said Gregg Zupancic, product marketing manager, skid steers and compact track loaders for John Deere Construction & Forestry. “With more speed, customers will see faster cycle times working with trucks on the jobsite or carrying landscaping material. They’ll also spend less time traveling between jobs and find it easier to roll snow off the blade while plowing.”
Shift on-the-go capability allows operators to kick into higher travel speeds with a simple flip of a toggle switch on the left-hand joystick. Electronically controlled shifting allows for seamless transition during upshifts and downshifts. “Smooth shifting helps eliminate bucket spillage, and ensures that more loads are spread or dumped when and where you want them,” Zupancic said.
The 318D and 320D are part of Deere’s customerinspired D-Series skid steer line, featuring 24-percent larger cabs and six more inches of headroom than their predecessors. They are also quieter because of a hydraulic fan drive and engine auto-idle, and positively pressurized for better air temperature control. A larger door opening makes them easier to get in and out of. n
CRA PRESIDENT’S mESSAGE
Continued from page 14
continue to grow through to the end of this year.
The Canadian Rental Association (CRA) membership has remained stable. CRA this year spent time producing strong topics for discussion at local member meetings and shows. I recently signed a major advertising initiative for all of Canada. CRA continues expanding member benefits and developing and recognizing future leaders. Oh yes, and the association continues organizing the social events that always attract a large, diverse crowd of rental owners.
Best for the holidays, and I’ll expect to see you at the CRA reception in Las Vegas. n
Andrew Paquette, CERP, is the president of Bravo Rentals in Montreal. He serves as CRA president for 2010 and can be reached at 514-685-8000 or andrew@bravoparty.com.
Continué de la page
Cette année, la CRA a passé du tems à produire des sujets de discussion fort intéressants pour ses membres lors des réunions et Salons. J’ai récemment signé un important contrat de publicité pour l’ensemble du Canada. La CRA poursuit l’expansion des bénéfices et services pour ses membres et continue de reconnaitre et développer les futurs dirigeants, sans oublier les événements sociaux qui attirent toujours une foule nombreuse et diverse de propriétaires de centres de location.
Je vous souhaite de passer de belles vacances tout en attendant vous voir à la soirée canadienne de la CRA à Las Vegas. n
Andrew Paquette, CERP, est président de Bravo Rentals à Montréal. Il siège à titre de président de la CRA en 2010 vous pouvez communiquer avec lui au 514-685-8000; andrew@bravoparty.com.
THE FuNNY PAGE
Hollidaze
By Steve Milcik
Go, go, go! Then go some more.
Anyone who believes that men and women are equal has never seen a man trying to wrap a Christmas present.” ~ Unknown
Wow. Simply wow. Based on the songs ringing through the halls of my local mall, the holiday season is once again upon us . . . and I haven’t even got the last of my Halloween makeup off yet! I regard the coming festivities with a cautious eye, because history has demonstrated that despite the joyous pomp and circumstance of the moment, Christmas can be a train-wreck of gigantic proportions. I decided that this year, I would get ahead of the game by purchasing all my gifts immediately, rather than wait for the last moment and risk the wrath of my new girlfriend by giving her an Old Spice Gift Pack from the local 24-hour pharmacy. I decided to buy her a beautiful diamond ring and when I told a mutual friend about this, he mentioned that she had her heart set on one of those sporty, four-wheel-drive vehicles. I knew this already but where was I going to find a fake Jeep?
Note to the ladies: I’ll probably be single again in January.
Back to the mall . . . as I was dodging the hordes of frantic shoppers, I happened to walk by a shop that specialized in luggage. This, of course, caused me to start thinking about travel, and the looming trade-show season that is only a heartbeat away.
Every January, salespeople around North America feel a shiver run down their spines, and it isn’t from the frigid temperatures outside their door. They all know that shortly their lives will be a blur of crowded airports, takeoffs and landings, strange hotel beds, allyou-can-eat buffets and 10-hour days of standing and smiling at strangers. This is why the commission structure was created, because no sane person would do this for a straight salary. When you know that every hand you shake has the potential of putting a little coin in
your pocket, you find the inner strength necessary to not fall asleep at the booth even if you were dancing on a table at the Canadian Hospitality Suite the night before. As I grow older, I grow wiser (and balder, but that’s another story). I have learned that despite the opportunity to fatten my wallet, the real pleasure derived from trade shows is in reaching out and touching the friends I’ve made over the years. Which reminds me I wonder if Her Majesty, She of the Infinite Ire and Swift and Painful Floggings, Queen Mandy Wellnitz, still has that restraining order out on me?
Truthfully, I look forward to watching the belt-sander races in Surrey, B.C., and the festivities of the annual gala dinner. I can’t wait to land in Saskatoon for the Prairie show and challenge my fellow passengers to a death-match to secure the only taxi in town. I hope to get out to the Ontario tabletopper, but I think that there may still be a contract on my head from a group of irate Maple Leafs fans who were upset when I posted a fake announcement on my Facebook page that the team had announced the hiring of a new coach from the Chinese Olympic Team . . . Win Wun Soon. The Quebec show is always a blast, and I hope to continue the tradition of teaching English exhibitors the proper pronunciation of “deux steamies avec une poutine.” Sadly, I may not make it out to the Atlantic show this year even though the thought of a bowl of steaming chowder and Olivia D’Eon’s smiling face are incredibly tempting. All of these shows take their toll, but every mile travelled to be with the marvellous folks who make up the CRA and the Canadian rental industry is time well spent.
Of course, no trade-show agenda would be complete without mentioning the Big Daddy of them all, the ARA Rental Show. This year, the venue returns to the pristine and natural beauty of Las Vegas, home of the two-gallon margarita, bathroom slot machines and Celine Dion. This show is one
that demands comfy shoes, plenty of water and a plan, if you are an attendee. There is so much to see and do that without preplanning your days, you risk missing out on vendors and products of interest. Couple the size and scope of the event with the educational classes, off-site excursions and after-show celebrations, and it’s pretty much guaranteed you won’t be able to experience everything that is available to you . . . this time. That’s the cool thing about annual events: they happen every year!
If you do make it out to Las Vegas though, make sure you put a check mark beside the Canadian Hospitality Night event. This is always a highlight of the week, and one that will leave you with fond memories or, in my case, a tattoo. Which reminds me: I still need to think up an explanation for my girlfriend as to why I have a tattoo of CRS editor Mike Davey on my left buttock. n
Steve Milcik writes from Montreal, Que., and when he isn’t running away from men in white coats with nets, he sells Texada’s Systematic Rental Management Software. You can write him or add his address to your spam filter at smilcik@texadasoftware.com.
Canadian Rental Service is currently seeking columnists to write about a wide variety of issues in the rental industry. You don’t need experience as a writer, but you do need passion, imagination and creativity. For more information, please contact Mike Davey at 519429-3966 or via e-mail at mdavey@ annexweb.com.
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