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Let’s get some perspective on 2023. 6
INDUSTRY NEWS
Utility Expo sets records…New CRA show in Ottawa…changes at the top of JLG…
19 BEYOND THE STICKER
New Canadians will be our ticket to growth in the years ahead. Here’s how to use foreign worker programs to your benefit.
The price on the windshield is only part of the cost of owning compact equipment. Let’s look at the other inputs to profitability.
Christmas giving restores your spirits and boosts your community.
By Russ Dantu
Here’s what you need to know about rollover protection devices and the regulations around them.
By James Hong
10
MARCHING ON
A big team and a big new fleet working together power Ant Equipment Rentals. 22 SOFTWARE SHOWCASE
These solutions can do a lot more than just track orders and deliveries. 26
SNOOK’S LOOK
Manufacturing is coming home, and it’s a good thing for rental stores.
By Andrew Snook
The struggle for perspective
by Patrick Flannery
It’s a good time of year to re-centre ourselves amid all the chaos.
One side effect of being a journalist is that you quickly gain a sort of jaded, high-level view of everything you see in the news and often spend more time thinking about how it fits into all the other things you are seeing than you do concentrating on the actual content. Who were the sources for the information and what was their agenda? Who is publishing it and what angle are they taking? How does this coverage compare to what others are saying or to what the publisher was saying in the past? All that can be distracting from full engagement with the story, but it does lend something called perspective. Perspective means placing whatever you learn into a broader context of knowledge that is not in the story – hopefully a context that is informed and shaped by lots of other good information.
Most people are really quite nice, aren’t they?
Despite my tendency to put everything into big perspective, it has been hard to deny a certain creeping sense of doom as I read the news throughout 2023. Some big things have gone wrong in the world. Bad things happen every year, but it feels like some things have gone wrong in particularly awful ways and ways that we haven’t had to worry about for a very long time. War in Europe? It’s been a minute. All-out assaults on Israel? That’s so 1967. Looming autocracy in the U.S.? That’s so...never. There doesn’t seem to be any perspective available where these events become insignificant or likely to be resolved quickly.
That’s why it was such a relief to receive Russ Dantu’s column for this issue. As you’ll read, Russ is part of an effort in Calgary where volunteers dress up in Christmas gear, board decorated buses and deliver toy gifts and food to families in need. You can tell the experience has touched Russ and he makes a very compelling case for finding some -
thing similar for you and your staff to do around the holidays. There’s good business reasons to do so, but mostly we should all look at it because it makes everyone feel good and makes the world a little better for a little while.
Reading that made me remember that this is really who people are and what is really going on in the world. I remember as a teenager visiting my grandfather, one of the nicest people I’ve ever known, and discussing something good someone had done. I can’t remember now what it was but what I do remember was him suddenly looking at me intently and saying, “You know, you find most people are really quite nice, aren’t they?” Maybe I was already pretty jaded because it struck me as a shocking, almost revolutionary thought. But on reflection I came to understand that he had the correct perspective and everything I’ve seen over the decades since proves him right.
It’s easy to fall victim to a form of bias where we tend to focus on the negative. The reason why we do this shows us why we should not. Negative events and people stick out because they are rare. Car crashes make the evening news, not the millions of safe trips that happen every day. Cable news and social media are not life. We need to constantly remind ourselves of this and understand that for every terrible and bizarre person in our newsfeeds, there are a thousand like Russ who are quietly going about their business with peace and kindness and good intentions for all around them.
So I guess that’s my message of hope for the holiday season. Thanks so much for reading over the past year and best wishes for a great 2024! CRS
NEW CRA SHOW COMING TO OTTAWA
The Canadian Rental Association will host a new event dubbed the CRA National Rental Show at the Shaw Centre in Ottawa on Feb. 2 and 3. The two-day event will include equipment exhibits, expert speakers, a rental industry panel, awards presentations and a social hospitality night.
Jaime McMillan will provide a keynote address titled “Workplace Detox: Build it and they will come.” McMillan is an ironworker who travels for KickAss Careers promoting skilled trades to students, parents, educators and employers across North America. She’s received awards from metal trades industry groups, the Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program and the Niagara school board. She’s a co-chair of the federal National Skilled Trades Advisory Committee. Details of the other sessions are coming soon.
COMING EVENTS
2024
Jan. 9 – 11
Landscape Ontario Congress Toronto locongress.com
Feb. 1 – 3
CRA National Rental Show Ottawa crarental.org
Feb. 12 – 15
Catersource + The Special Event Austin, Texas informaconnect.com
Social events on tap include the welcome reception and awards presentations the night before the show, Feb. 1, at the Westin Ottawa. CRA members and partners will be recognized for their contributions to the industry in swanky surroundings with a great view of the nation’s capital. Closing the show will be the “Oh Canada, Go Canada” hospitality night at D’Arcy McGee’s in the Elgin Street area, the final resting place of many of your editors’ brain cells. Attendees are encouraged to wear their favourite hockey jerseys, which should result in a fairly even mix of Toronto, Montreal and Ottawa representation. What could go wrong?
Show hotels are the Westin Ottawa, the Delta Hotel City Centre and Les Suites Hotel Ottawa, all offering discount rates until Dec. 22. Discount codes for Air Canada and WestJet flights are on the show registration page. Fees to attend the show range from $75 to $300 with discounts for CRA members.
SMITH LEADING ALL CHOICE’S HINTON LOCATION
All Choice Rentals has announced that Owen Smith has accepted the position of branch manager of its Hinton, Alta., location. Smith has worked for the organization for the past three years holding such positions as shop technician, apprentice mechanic and dispatcher. He brings a great deal of knowledge and experience to the position and ownership says it is excited to now watch him blossom into an amazing branch manager. Smith replaces Ron Ness, who left the company for another opportunity.
“When you are great at your job it does not go unnoticed,” All Choice said on LinkedIn. “Customers, competitors and vendors have also had the pleasure of watching Ron shine. We are sad to announce that Ron has accepted a new position with one of our loyal customers, but we are excited to see him in a role where he is able to have a more balanced work schedule free from on-call responsibilities. We are very proud of the work he was able to accomplish within All Choice Rentals and we know for a fact he will do an amazing job in his new role.”
Feb. 14 – 15
Canadian Concrete Expo Toronto canadianconcreteexpo.com
Feb. 18 – 21 The ARA Show
New Orleans, La. arashow.org
March 26 – 27
Quebexpo Drummondville, Que. crarental.org
March 27 – 28
Atlantic Heavy Equipment Show Moncton, N.B ahes.ca
April 14 – 18
Common Ground Alliance Conference & Expo Colorado Springs, Colo. commongroundalliance.com
Sept. 11 – 12
Rental Mart + Turf & Rec Show Calgary, Alta. canadianrentalmart.com
Coming Events
Ron Ness (left) and Owen Smith
Jaime McMillan
EXECUTIVE CHANGE AT JLG
JLG has announced the retirement of Frank Nerenhausen, executive vice-president of parent Oshkosh Corporation and president of its Access segment. Mahesh Narang has succeeded him in the position. Nerenhausen retires after more than 37 years with Oshkosh. Since joining the company as an intern in 1986, his career has included a range of management and leadership assignments of increasing responsibility across business segments. He was named the company’s Access segment president in 2012.
“Frank has built a world-class team, successfully leading JLG to great heights for more than a decade. During his tenure, the Access segment has achieved significant growth and profitability, while introducing progressive innovations that leave our business in an outstanding position with a bright future,” said John Pfeifer, president and CEO of Oshkosh.
Narang is an accomplished global executive. Most recently he served as vice-president and president of components at Cummins, where he developed the strategic direction and led all operational aspects of the components business. Further, he executed a forward-looking strategy to grow in core diesel markets while expanding into new and fuel-agnostic adjacent markets. Narang also led the acquisition and integration of several companies, helping grow the components business by over 50 percent and prepare for future technologies. He holds a degree in engineering from the University of Mumbai, India, as well as an MBA and a Master of Engineering Management degree from Northwestern University.
Pfeifer continued, “In addition, we are taking this opportunity to align the commercial activities of JLG Americas to prepare for future growth.”
Tim Morris, who has been with JLG
ARA ANNOUNCES 2024 PLANS
The ARA Show returns to The Big Easy when the world’s largest equipment and event rental trade show makes its way to the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center in New Orleans, La., Feb. 18 through 21. The American Rental Association’s annual trade show will include nearly 40 hours of education and more than 19 hours of trade show displays over three days with more than 630 exhibitors. Registration for the show is now open. Both current and prospective ARA members can take advantage of advance pricing through Feb. 15.
“We are thrilled to bring The ARA Show 2024 back to New Orleans for an engaging, insightful and fun week for our members. Last year’s show set the bar high and we’re excited to carry that momentum forward with a mix of educational programs,
professional networking and our popular social gatherings throughout the week,” says Tony Conant, ARA CEO.
Saturday, Feb. 17, will mark the return of EventsU. Designed specifically for event rental professionals, the one-day program gives attendees an opportunity to hear from industry leaders on topics including event rental safety, tenting and the latest trends, plus exclusive networking with their event rental industry peers. The ARA Show
since 1992, has been appointed chief commercial officer for JLG Americas. He will be responsible for overseeing all JLG whole goods and aftermarket commercial business initiatives in the Americas region.
Pfeifer concluded “We have an exceptionally strong bench of talent at our Access segment. Mahesh’s diversified experience combined with the longevity of Tim’s experience and deep customer relationships will allow us to continue our growth trajectory and maintain our market leadership.”
2024 officially kicks off with a full day of education sessions on Feb. 18. An unmatched array of exceptional sessions will feature professional speakers, industry experts and rental peers. Content on a variety of relevant and timely topics will be offered that appeals to rental professionals at every level.
The keynote address — sponsored by ARA Insurance — will be delivered on Feb. 19 by John Taffer, host and executive producer of Paramount Network’s “Bar Rescue.” Other featured networking events during The ARA Show 2024 include the ARA Young Professionals Network Reception, ARA’s Industry Awards Lunch, Regional Receptions, Women in Rental Breakfast, ARA’s Tuesday Night Event at House of Blues New Orleans featuring Mitchell Tenpenny and more.
INDUSTRY NEWS
UTILITY EXPO SETS RECORDS
The Utility Expo 2023, held September 26 through 28 at the Kentucky Exposition Center in Louisville, Ky., featured a rise in alternative-energy equipment, reflecting growing regulations and changing customer preferences regarding off-road equipment emissions. As an industry hub for exploring new technologies, networking and learning, utility construction professionals came to The Utility Expo in record numbers. The event offered utility pros a unique ability to test and assess new tools and machinery to determine if the new alternative-energy equipment on offer fits their needs. Attendees saw new concepts in electric power take-offs. The current generation of bucket trucks relies on the truck’s engine to power the hydraulics that lift the crew into the air to access the utility lines or tree limbs that are on a job’s itinerary. Now, manufacturers are introducing electric power takeoffs that allow an operator to turn off the engine of the bucket truck when they arrive on site and use electricity supplied by an onboard battery to lift and hold the bucket in place. Two examples on hand at The Utility Expo 2023 were Terex’s HyPower SmartPTO and Custom Truck One Source (using Vanguard’s lithium-ion battery system) and Load King’s Lightning ePTO. The ePTO system also reduces wear and tear on the hydraulic oil and equipment because the electric system holds everything in place, adding maintenance cost savings to the existing fuel cost savings and emissions reductions.
Volvo brought its electric-forward equipment lineup to The Utility Expo, including their ECR25 that debuted at The Utility Expo 2021 and their medium-duty EC230 electric excavator that debuted at ConExpo this past March. For utility crews working jobs taking less than a day, the EC230 costs less to operate. Using an average cost of 16 cents per kilowatt hour (the EC230’s battery has a 264-kilowatt-hour capacity), a full charge costs an operator just over $42 and provides four to five hours of active runtime. That could get a full day’s work done since the battery doesn’t use much energy while not actively working. That gives the Volvo an approximate operating cost of a little over $8 per hour, which is approximately half the price of similar diesel units at current fuel prices. J-Tech, a key player in highway safety vehicles, unveiled an innovative attenuator truck in collaboration with Canadian EV startup, Lion Electric. Using Lion Electric’s Lion6 Class-6 commercial chassis, J-Tech’s electric attenuator truck ensures highway safety for utility crews, bringing the benefits of lower costs and eliminating the environmental impact of engine idling. Over at the Milwaukee Tool booth, the company showcased its hand-tool-focused M18 Fuel, and heavy-duty MX Fuel battery systems featuring a 30-percent smaller battery that provides an 80 percent charge in just 15 minutes. Although some alternative energy equipment showcased at The Utility Expo remains in the concept/ prototype stage, a substantial portion is ready for arrival on jobsites. The 2023 show featured a record amount of alternative energy tech, hinting at an even more substantial presence in the 2025 show. The Utility Expo returns to Louisville and the Kentucky Exposition Center Oct. 7 through 9, 2025.
JCB TO BUILD LARGE MANUFACTURING PLANT IN TEXAS
JCB has announced it is set to build a new factory in North America which will create 1,500 new jobs over the next five years. The construction of the 720,000-square-foot factory will begin early next year on a 400-acre site in San Antonio, Texas. The new facility will manufacture machines largely for customers in North America, the world’s biggest market for construction equipment. The plant will be the second JCB factory in North America, where the company began manufacturing in Savannah, Ga., in 2001. JCB North America already employs 1,000 people. Details of the products to be manufactured at the new plant will be announced at a later date.
“North America is integral to the growth and success of JCB’s business in the future and the time is now right for JCB to expand its manufacturing presence there,” says Graeme Macdonald, JCB CEO. “Texas is a vibrant and growing economy, and the state offers great advantages in terms of a central location, as well as good highway and port access. The city of San Antonio also has a well-established skills base, which makes it a very attractive place to set up a factory.”
“JCB has come a long way since selling its first machine to the U.S. market in 1964,” says Lord Bamford, chairman of JCB. “This new investment is good news for our North American customers and is a fantastic platform on which JCB can build.”
“The growth we’ve experienced in the past few years in North America has been extensive and demand for our products continues to grow,” says Richard Fox-Marrs, president and CEO for JCB North America. “
JCB has 22 factories around the world, including 11 in the U.K., and others in India, Brazil and China. The company will mark its 80th anniversary in 2025.
EquipmentWatch is a trusted source for heavy equipment data and intelligence, producing leading database information products for the construction equipment industry. It is a world leader in heavy construction research and serves more than 15,000 professional, high-volume users of construction and lift-truck data. Find more heavy equipment intelligence at equipmentwatch.com.
Cross-Canada Rate Report
The Cross-Canada Rate Report is provided to Canadian Rental Service as a free service to the Canadian rental industry. Rate data shown are national averages generated by quarterly surveys of hundreds of Canadian rental companies. Rates shown are reported list rates and may not reflect the actual changes to any particular customer. Number of
Number of
THE ANT GOES MARCHING
Ant Equipment Rentals is a fresh face in Lower Mainland B.C.
IIf you’ve ever had the privilege of personally observing a colony of leafcutter ants in the tropics, you have witnessed the very definition of coordinated, unending effort.
by TREENA HEIN
Ants, honeybees and a few other insects work tirelessly together to ensure the entire colony thrives. This is the philosophy behind Ant Equipment Rentals in Burnaby, B.C., a brand new rental business opened by Bo Zhou in July 2023. Zhou, a 30-year veteran of the mining sector in Canada and beyond, chose the name because it’s catchy – and because “ants all work together and they work hard.”
The area around Burnaby and Vancouver is one of the two most competitive regions in Canada for rental businesses (the other one being around Toronto). There are about two dozen outlets in the vicinity and it might seem at first glance that opening another one might not be the best idea. But of course, that’s not the view of Zhou and Ant general manager, Mike Langston. “Infrastructure is booming and equipment shortages are common,” says Langston.
“Bo knows the area well as he’s lived in west Vancouver for many years and he also has a vast contact network from his career. Still, he hired a market research company and they confirmed the market is not crowded. As of October, 80 per cent of our equipment was already deployed. We had 25 telehandlers when we first opened and they were all out for rental within two weeks. There is a lot of building and road construction happening in the lower mainland.”
Langston adds that the market research company found that the lower B.C. mainland rental market size is $785 million in annual revenue, and he notes that even if a company can capture one per cent of that, it will be successful. But how to ensure that success out of the gate?
LOTS OF ITEMS, ALL NEW
One of the ways Ant is different than other rental houses is its equipment. In its three-acre yard, Ant offers a lot of it – about 275 lifts, 45 telehandlers, various types of earth-moving equipment, forklifts and more. The smallest item is a 500pound plate tamper.
With that selection, Langston and Zhou think they have B.C.’s largest independent rental outlet. But inventory size is not Ant’s only equipment differentiator. “Everything is brand new,” says Langston. “We had some discussions about this but Bo felt it was the best course of action. Most of the firms in the Vancouver area have a mixture of newly purchased, older and pre-owned equipment and he wanted to go all-new. We will only be adding brand new equipment in future. We have equipment already on order and we’re in the process of ordering more.”
“Our customers, mostly civil contractors, like having new equipment,” says Langston. “But it also means that I can send it far away and not worry about it breaking down. I’ve already sent some to Dawson Creek, the Kootenays, all over the lower mainland. No issues so far.”
You may have guessed that initial equipment orders started long ago, about two years ago in fact, and have arrived slowly due to the pandemic. Ant’s launch occurred this past summer when the bulk of it had finally arrived. (Ant also boasts one of the largest parts inventories in western Canada.)
Zhou had also noted in running his other businesses that although XCMG is the third-largest manufacturing equipment company in the world,
Ant is part of the growing trend of rental stores also offering new equipment sales. This gives it great access to a huge fleet of new equipment.
it had no aerial penetration in B.C. He contacted them about this, and Langston says, “We basically partnered with them to launch their aerial division here in the lower mainland. XCMG makes up 40 to 50 per cent of our lift equipment. It’s very high quality and has a phenomenal warranty, three years in some cases.”
To market his new rental business with its all-new equipment, Zhou hired a branding company long before Ant opened. “Bo prides himself on marketing,” says Langston. “A lot of guys in rental don’t do a lot of marketing, they go for a door-to-door and boots-on-the-ground approach, but Bo places an importance on it. He’s been meticulous in looking at various logo options and we have the logo on all our equipment and trucks. We have a full-time person doing website updates
constantly and social media. It seems like marketing is a little thing but it’s not little. The name, the logo, it’s catchy and establishes you as a serious company. You can easily see our gear on site, which is marketing in itself.”
Ant also works very, very closely with the other large rental companies on reciprocal rentals when the situation calls for it. “I already worked with them for years in previous positions and I’ve made many contacts over the years,” says Langston. “I let them know that I will send customers to them that we can’t provide for and, with the shortage of equipment on the market, it’s appreciated. Hopefully I’ll get calls from everyone in return. We can all work together and be profitable and achieve our goals and meet customer needs.”
MAGIC MIKE
Speaking of Langston’s career, he’s been in rentals for about 25 years and radio before that. He ran two stations and was also a broadcaster, but he wanted a better future financially for his young family (he married his high school sweetheart and had two young children) than radio could provide. One of his colleagues was a sales manager for a company that advertised on Langston’s station, and suggested he try doing sales in rentals. He liked it very much and found his previous experience was a good fit.
“As corny as it sounds, I was known as Magic and then Magic Mike on the afternoon radio show, not because I was good at exotic dancing but I would provide magic as a radio announcer,” Langston says. “I could interact with all kinds of listeners, so it was easy to then interact with
all kinds of people in the rental business. I’ve never looked back. Rentals have been a very good match for my skill set. I always tried to provide magical customer service. One of the rental businesses I used to work for actually put ‘Magic Mike’ on my card and people never forgot my name. But now, people call me the Ant Man!”
Langston has also enjoyed being at several start-up rental businesses in the area, so he had that experience to apply in starting up Ant. “It’s full of challenge to set the foundation for a company to grow and succeed,” he says. “The foundation is culture. We spend more time at work than anywhere else, and you need to create a workplace where people are happy and satisfied. We also pay very, very well. At any start-up, it’s chaos for a while, even with good systems in place, but you and your team will get there. The door is always open for my staff to come to me and everyone is approachable, and everyone has a voice.”
Over his 25 years of being in the rental
industry, Langston pinpoints a few other lessons. Don’t sell on price, sell value and service, he says. That pays off in the long run. Also, be patient. The revenue will come, but it takes a bit of time. Know your goals and you’ll get there.
He’s also learned some personal lessons. “Don’t work too much,” he says.
“You don’t need to work seven days a week to get ahead, to grow a start up. Just work hard at work and always be learning. Your business will be a success.”
Speaking of success, Ant already has plans to expand to second province in the spring. “I can’t say which one,” says Langston, “but stay tuned.” CRS
by Russ Dantu
AT YOUR SERVICE
A balm in dark times
Giving at Christmas is a way to feel good no matter what else is going on.
Alot of people around the country are in dark times right now. Every time I listen to the news, the numbers of people living paycheque to paycheque are terrifying. Some are even more destitute. They have to choose between paying rent, electricity and heat or eating three meals a day. Sometimes they let their children eat and skip a meal themselves because they have to cut back. Some can’t even afford to pay rent so they sleep in their vehicles or on a friend’s couch. It’s a very sad situation. Most of these people are hardworking individuals that just can’t keep up with all the rising costs that seem to be skyrocketing out of control.
I’ve been thinking a lot about this lately, especially with Christmas just around the corner. Many families will have a very sad Christmas this year because they won’t be able to afford to buy gifts for their loved ones. They are proud and usually don’t like to reach out for help. They just keep plugging away and do the best they can.
Years ago, I wasn’t in a position to donate monetarily so I volunteered wherever and whenever I could. It truly made me feel good. During COVID, I was tested again. Very little income coming in but I still found a way to volunteer and give huge discounts from my other business to an organization called the Magic of Christmas. I gave them some fancy red Christmas sacks for them to put some of the gifts in, which were then loaded on to buses and delivered to almost 800 families in need for Christmas. Each bus is equipped with many volunteers: a Santa, lots of elves and a city bus driver. (The city also donates the buses, all decked out in Christmas decorations and each one is named something like Donner, Blitzen, etc.) They collect donations all year long and when families are nominated they get a list of the ages of each family member and some items on a wish list. Those that need food also receive a nice
turkey hamper with all the trimmings.
I choose to deliver their collection boxes around the city for people to donate while they are out shopping. Then, when the boxes are full, volunteer drivers pick them up and bring them back to the warehouse to sort into the various age group bins. Most years, I work Christmas Eve day helping load all the buses before they head out. I’m not sure I could handle riding along on the buses to deliver to these families, as I’m sure there would be a lot of dust getting in my eyes and making them water (if you know what I mean).
I don’t write this to toot my own horn as there is a lot more I could likely do. But if all of us did just a little bit, it would truly help a lot. I have never volunteered for anything in hopes of gaining business but it occasionally happens. That is an extra perk that may or may not happen. I always volunteer for the right reason: to give back.
My ask of you this year is to make a difference where you can. It can be an excellent team-building event where you send employees to volunteer at something like the Magic of Christmas or the Veteran’s Food Bank or any other worthwhile charity. Do it during work hours or after hours and still pay them for their efforts. Maybe you’ve had a tremendously successful year and can afford to do something monetarily. Just do something. It will make you feel good, bring your team together at work and make your company look good in the eyes of the charities you choose to support and your community.
Take care of yourselves and each other. Merry Christmas! CRS
Russ Dantu is a 30-year veteran of the rental industry and has been delivering workshops, seminars and keynotes on customer service for over 15 years. Visit russdantu.com.
WHAT WENT HONG
On the ROPS
by James Hong
Machine roll-over accidents can cause crush injuries and be serious enough to cause death. This occurs when the machine rolls over and tips onto one of its sides or its roof in a single incident or with multiple rolls. A roll-over accident not only affects the operator, it has the potential to injure other workers in its path. It’s not unheard of for a bulldozer to lose ground traction when it contacts an obstruction, causing it to roll over and crush or throw the operator out of their cage. There are many potential factors involved in rollover incidents such as working on steep grades, inexperienced operators and poorly maintained equipment, to mention just a few.
We’ve made great strides when it comes to machine operator and worker safety, with technology providing electronic detectors, signaling devices, advanced monitoring systems and even incorporating new strategies for electric heavy equipment safety to deal with the lack of sound emitted from the machine. Lately, there’s been another positive step taken with requirements for roll-over protective structures (ROPS). Because they are relatively new, you might not be aware of the latest standards.
As of July 2022, Ontario’s Section 856 of the Health and Safety Act includes specifications for ROPS for machines and operators. The regulation is intended to protect operators from injuries caused by machine roll overs during operation, along with other required critical safety measures such as operator training, operator checklists and equipment maintenance. The regulation covers tractors, bulldozers, scrapers, front-end loaders, skidders, dumpers, graders or compactors other than asphalt compactors and self-propelled vehicles, operated by one or more persons who ride on or in it.
The regulation does not apply to machines with manufacturer-rated power specifications of 15 kilowatts or less with a tare mass of 700 kilograms or less (“tare mass” is the weight of an empty standard vehicle with all its fluids and only 10 litres of fuel in the tank). Machines manufactured before
1980 and not factory-equipped with adaptors to accept a ROPS are also exempt. As are machines used primarily underground in a mine.
All ROPS must be designed, constructed and maintained so that the structure will withstand the impact forces of a machine that is travelling at a forward speed of 16 kilometres per hour, engages a 30-degree slope and rolls 360 degrees about its longitudinal axis on a hard clay surface. On ROPS impact, no part of the structure can enter the space of the machine that is normally occupied by its operator, including in an upside down position.
All ROPS machines require labelling with the name and address of the manufacturer. Custombuilt ROPS require the name and address of the engineer. Additional label requirements include the make, model and maximum mass of the machine that the ROPS is designed to fit. And all that labeling must be securely attached to the frame of the machine and capable of withstanding all forces to which it is likely to be subjected. Every custom-built ROPS, repair or modification requires certification by an engineer to meet the regulation standard. Every repair to a manufactured ROPS requires approval by the manufacturer of the structure with the exception of custom-built ROPS.
All seat belts and restraining device must be designed, constructed, installed and maintained to secure the operator in a position within the space protected by the ROPS with the machine travelling at a forward speed of 16 kilometres per hour, engaging a 30-degree slope and rolling 360 degrees about its longitudinal axis on a hard clay surface. Workers may not operate these machines unless they are equipped with a ROPS that protects them when they are wearing this device. Workers are not allowed to operate these machines with installed seat belts unless they are wearing the seat belt. Restraining devices are not required on a skidder that is used in logging.
The full regulation is on the Ontario government OHS site at ontario.ca/laws. CRS
James Hong is an independent writer & journalist.
by TREENA HEIN
BRING ‘EM IN
Expert tips on how to get the workers you need through temporary foreign worker programs
It’s very rare in Canada right now that a rental outlet store manager who’s seeking to hire workers is not struggling or failing entirely at the task. Mechanics are particularly hard to find.
Many, if not the majority, of rental stores across the country are in need of help right now and, even though these stores are offering excellent salaries, benefits and workplace perks, there just aren’t enough heavy equipment and small engine mechanics in our current labour pool. And no relief is in sight. According to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada’s whitepaper, “The Employer’s Roadmap: hiring and retaining internationally trained workers,” the Industrial Mechanic occupational group “is expected to face labour shortage conditions over the period of 2022-2031.”
What’s worse is that the pool of Canadian mechanics will continue to shrink with fewer young people choosing the career and so many retiring. Hiring from abroad is therefore something that many rental businesses are actively considering or already doing. There are costs to the process and it takes time, but if it results in securing one or more long-term employees, it’s well worthwhile.
IRCC believes internationally-trained workers “will play an increasingly significant role in Canada’s labour force.” Not only can these workers fill a critical position, but they can also bring addi-
Demand for rental services is set to boom over the next years and decades. To grow along with it, our stores’ doors will need to be open to great workers from everywhere in the world.
tional language competencies, fresh perspectives and potential further employment connections to your business.
Understanding that you may need to go abroad to find the skilled workers you need is one thing. Bringing them into the country to work for you is quite something else. Certainly the usual process of immigration to this country is too slow and uncertain. However, Employment and Social Development Canada’s Temporary Foreign Worker program is designed to address the need for companies to bring in help quickly and get them to work right away. Here’s how to take advantage of it.
STEP 1: THE LMIA
The first step for the employer is to apply for a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA), which enables you to hire from abroad through showing that there are no qualified mechanics in your surrounding domestic market. “In the provinces of Manitoba, Saskatchewan and B.C., you need a provincial licence to apply temporary foreign workers,” explains Vance Langford, a Canadian lawyer and U.S. attorney in business and immigration law at Langford Law in Calgary, Alta. “It can take weeks or months to get that licence in these provinces. For one of our clients in B.C., it recently took four months.”
Langford also cautions that the area of LMIA procurement is rife with fraud. It could involve entities that don’t actually exist, for example, or entities that bribe companies to complete illegitimate LMIAs, all in order to get money from foreigners who want to enter Canada. There are also entities in Canada that will offer to do LMIAs at a low price and then not follow through. It’s therefore critical to work with a reputable and experienced firm.
The government fee for a LMIA is $1,000 per worker, even if you need three of the same type of worker at the same location. A LMIA is typically valid for two years once granted, which means that you can eventually offer the prospective employee named on the
LMIA a contract and they can apply for a work permit of that duration.
RECRUITMENT
Meanwhile, a reputable immigration lawyer will advise and coordinate with a recruiting agency. These companies must all be publicly registered as businesses in the province or territory where they are located. Recruiters can only legally charge a fee to the client business they are recruiting for and not to potential employees. Clients cannot in future try and obtain money from the new employee for that fee. Don’t play around with this rule…law enforcement is very conscious of the problem of unscrupulous agents arranging to get workers into the country in exchange for exploitive secret payments. Any attempt to get an employee to cover even some of these costs could be interpreted very poorly.
Once the LMIA is complete, a prospective employee maybe added to it after skills vetting and the application process has satisfied the client that this worker should receive a job offer. The recruitment agency will aid in ensuring the mechanic training of this worker is sufficient and facilitate online interviews, demonstration of skills and so on.
The prospective employee is then presented with a job offer (at the prevailing wage) and must then be assisted to apply for a work permit. Depending on the country the worker is coming from, he or she may also need to obtain a visa to enter Canada. Langford reports that the typical timeline to complete the LMIA and obtain a work permit is about six months if you are using an experienced firm.
“Experienced immigration lawyers know Canada’s overseas visa offices and prepare complete applications to streamline the process,” he explains. “It’s possible, for example, to obtain work visas at alternate Canadian visa offices responsible for the worker’s country. An alternate strategy could involve the worker traveling to another country, being lawfully admitted and applying for a work permit there.”
ARRIVAL IN CANADA
Once the employee arrives, employers must provide the conditions outlined in the work permit. This is subject to government inspection, Langford explains, and if an employer is found in noncompliance, there can be monetary penalties and a removal of the ability to participate in the process of hiring foreign workers in future.
Some language training may be helpful to polish the new mechanic’s skills in English or French. IRCC also recommends cultural and communications training for new workers from abroad, which can help “workers interact more effectively with colleagues, suppliers and customers.” Providing an official mentor from your workplace for the new mechanic is also an excellent idea. The government urges employers to “remember that internationally-trained workers may have unique needs based on their cultural backgrounds, abilities, training and work experience.”
Down the line, you can help the new employee gain permanent residency through the Federal Skilled Worker Program or the Canadian Experience Class (and both these avenues can be used through a newish initiative called the Express Entry Program). Langford explains that permanent residents of Canada are free to work or move anywhere they like, but hopefully have been treated well by their new employer and wish to stay for the long term. Permanent residents, after two or three years, can apply for Canadian citizenship.
The main concern for stores using temporary foreign workers is how to keep them on permanently.
Total costs include recruitment agency fees (they vary), and processing and legal fees for the LMIA and work permit (ranging from $5,000 to $10,000 per worker). Reputable immigration lawyers may agree to a flat fee up front. The worker will also likely need some transportation and initial housing costs to be paid by the new employer.
CHANGES TO COME
At the start of October, leadership at IRCC began implementing major changes to improve its operations. The blueprint for change is based on a report commissioned by IRCC and released earlier this year by a previous IRCC deputy minister, Neil Yeates. According to a recent CIC News article, Yeates concludes in his report that “the current organizational model at IRCC is broken” due to things like a tenuous operating environment and too many employees. He recommends many changes to organizational structure, management systems and workplace culture.
Vance notes that it would be beneficial for Canadian employers if IRCC were to reduce red tape for employers seeking to hire mechanics and facilitate their transition to permanent residence in Canada under Express Entry.
Anecdotes from rental stores that have tried the temporary foreign worker program are generally positive, sometimes enthusiastically so. So much so that they are sometimes reluctant to share their stories with Canadian Rental Service for fear of tipping competitors off. Red tape and paperwork is the main complaint about the program. But store owners are often thrilled with the people they get, referencing their skills, positive attitudes and keen work ethic. The main concern for stores using the temporary foreign worker program quickly turns to how to keep the employee in the country and in the business permanently. CRS
by BUCK STORLIE
BEYOND THE STICKER
Calculating total cost of ownership for CTLs.
Compact track loaders are an increasingly vital part of contractors’ businesses and therefore your rental fleet. The sheer versatility of these machines allows them to thrive in a variety of working conditions, and, thanks in part to growing attachment diversity, CTLs can be used for more applications than ever.
A strategic rental of a compact track loader can transform a contractor’s productivity, providing the opportunity to take on more jobs, often in new applications.
The profitability of a compact track loader for your business, however, can vary greatly from machine to machine. Not all CTLs are created equal when it comes to total cost of ownership. Factors like repair costs, maintenance intervals, fuel efficiency and resale value affect what the loader will cost its owner in its lifetime. Rental stores that want to maximize profitability must take care to invest in equipment that is not (necessarily) inexpensive to buy, but is inexpensive to own.
Thankfully, there are indicators store managers can look for to help determine which will be the most profitable machine and will ultimately offer the lowest total cost of ownership for their business.
PURCHASE PRICE
The most obvious and easily factored-in component of total cost of ownership is purchase price. While it can be tempting to favor the cheapest possible option, fleet managers should consider a few things to ensure that minimizing their initial investment doesn’t end up costing them more in the long run.
First, be sure to invest in a CTL that will handle the jobs your customers are doing. This means considering things like horsepower, lift
capacity, ground speed and attachment capabilities. A contractor that hopes to take on forestry jobs that require demanding mulching attachments will regret purchasing a low-horsepower unit that struggles to handle these types of tasks. In addition, consider the seasonal weather conditions – snow, rain, heat, cold – in your area that could challenge the CTL beyond its capabilities. Putting stress on a compact track loader that it was not designed to manage will inevitably increase maintenance and repair costs over time, as well as reduce efficiency due to more frequent breakdowns.
Second, account for the other factors that play into total cost of ownership to ensure the CTL will be cost-efficient to own, such as anticipated maintenance expenses and other operating costs. Often, investing in a higher-quality machine up front will save the store money over time. Consider that the difference in price between a high-quality loader and a cheaply manufactured machine is only a fraction of the total cost of ownership over the machine’s lifetime.
MAINTENANCE COSTS
Careful study of wear items and service intervals will show that a high-quality, low-maintenance machine can save its owner in excess of $10,000 in service costs in the first two years alone. Your mechanic can look at the designs of major CTL components to help anticipate regular maintenance costs.
TECH TIPS
EASE AND COST OF REGULAR MAINTENANCE
Regular maintenance activities, such as oil changes, daily and weekly greasing and changing fuel and hydraulic filters, are an often-underestimated factor in total cost of ownership. Even planned maintenance takes time, and, in the rental world, time is money, especially during busy season.
Designs incorporating easy access to drain and fill plugs provide a key difference in reducing maintenance time. Some designs require track removal for motor oil changes – an inconvenience that can cost your back shop hundreds of hours per year in work time.
Fuel and hydraulic filter mounting and access can also make a huge difference in the amount of time a compact track loader is down for regular maintenance. Machines designed for simple maintenance will have rigid-mounted, spin-on fuel filters for easy access and faster changes. Some manufacturers use insert filters that are often hidden deep in the engine bay. While this can save them headaches on the engineering side, it costs the end user time and money. A compact track loader that features hydraulic filters in easy-to-access places can save your staff precious minutes on every filter change and allow them to get the machine back on rent faster.
A well-designed machine will also feature vertically mounted filters. Some manufacturers include horizontally mounted filters that create an inevitable mess of spilled oil when they are removed, causing even more wasted time and dragging out the process.
Finally, a well-designed CTL will have easily accessible grease points. Some CTLs feature Zerk fittings on the end of pins rather than the side: a simple change that ensures quick and easy greasing. If your mechanic can save 10 minutes per day with more efficient greasing and works 200 days a year, he could save around 66 hours in just two years. That’s around $2,000 in labour, not to mention the billable hours the machine was not rented.
TOP: Consider whether a compact track loader will perform in all seasons and all conditions. New models are challenging the perception that CTLs have problems in ice and snow.
BOTTOM: Saving just a few minutes on each regular maintenance activity, such as oil changes, daily and weekly greasing and changing fuel and hydraulic filters, can add up to thousands of dollars over the course of a year.
LESS UNPLANNED MAINTENANCE
Beyond regular maintenance and wear parts, periodic track derailment is an expensive and all-too-common issue for compact track loader operators. The main culprit is tracks that are rigid and derail relatively easily in rough terrain or side slopes.
All-rubber tracks reinforced with flexible, high-strength, internal polycord allow the tracks to maximize ground contact by flexing around objects that find their way into the undercarriage. These
machines also feature extra track guiding, virtually eliminating track derailment, as well as reducing the number of tension adjustments required as hours are put on the tracks.
Track derailment can waste the better part of an entire workday. Your customer can expect four to five hours of downtime every time a track derails and you can expect a service call. Factor in some labour and travel, and derailment can cost around $600 per event, plus a lost day of work for your client.
UTILIZATION AND DOING WHAT OTHERS CAN’T
An often-overlooked element of total cost of ownership is equipment utilization and performance. A compact track loader that can function in a variety of conditions and multiple seasons, for example, increases its value as part of your fleet. You should consider a track loader’s capabilities in muddy and wet conditions, as well as snow and ice in colder months.
Year-round utilization has huge implications for the profitability of the machine. Staying busy in winter months with snow removal services can help rental stores get more value out of their equipment. Compact track loaders tend to have a reputation for lackluster performance on snow and ice. Some manufacturers, however, make CTLs that perform as well or better than their wheeled counterparts in snow. A high number of ground contact points is key for winter work because it increases traction, allowing the machine to push and turn well on snow and ice. It also reduces ground pressure, which increases flotation and decreases the risk of the track loader getting stuck in tricky areas.
Compact track loaders are sometimes overlooked because wheeled machines historically have had faster ground speeds. Today, however, some manufacturers are making compact track loaders with ground speeds comparable to wheeled machines. This is good news for the contractor who can save money by using their CTL year round, capitalizing on the advantages of a tracked machine while avoiding the challenges commonly associated with a skid steer.
A compact track loader increases its value and versatility when it can work safely on sensitive turf, especially in landscaping applications that require being conscious of damage to sensitive lawns. A high number of ground contact points reduces overall ground pressure and prevents turf damage. A higher number of bogie wheels spreads the unit’s weight more evenly, granting more flotation in snowy or muddy conditions and causing less damage to turf. Minimal turf damage means less time
spent repairing ground after a project and therefore happier customers. A turf-conscious CTL can open doors to new business and new applications from landscaping and lawncare customers.
RESALE VALUE
The final piece to a comprehensive total cost of ownership calculation is expected resale value. A good place to start is researching equipment trading websites or other used equipment listings online to estimate what different machines tend to sell for used.
Assuming the average CTL trade-in happens at the three- to four-year mark and track loaders are rented on average 750 hours per year, the average machine will be at somewhere between 2,250 and 3,000 hours at trade-in. With these conditions in mind, it will help fleet managers to know that the average midsize compact track loader will sell for 50 to 60 percent of its retail price at three years old, and between 40 and 50 percent at four years old. This figure is certainly not going to hold true in every situation, but it can be a good starting point for the store manager searching for a CTL investment that will hold its value.
BRINGING IT ALL TOGETHER
Calculating total cost of ownership up front can help you anticipate expenses over the life of a machine. Taking the time to consider every facet of total cost of ownership – purchase price, maintenance costs, utilization and resale value – will help minimize any unwelcome financial surprises in the life of the machine, and help set up a rental business for long-term success. With as much as $10,000 in service cost savings in the first two years of ownership alone, it is certainly worth your time to consider total cost of ownership before purchase. CRS
Buck Storlie is a product manager for Yanmar Compact Equipment North America.
Track derailment is a major cause of downtime in CTLs. Choose designs with flexible yet robust tracks to reduce this cost of ownership.
Information technology is expanding beyond enterprise organization into many new areas.
SOFTWARE SOLUTIONS
NO MORE GUESSTIMATING
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trackunit.com
Global IoT player Trackunit has launched its new Emissions Reporting software, which will significantly enhance fleet owners’ ability to meet carbon dioxide targets and win contracts with strict sustainability criteria. Emissions Reporting harnesses synthesized machine metadata and individual equipment profiling to unlock comprehensive total fleet emissions reporting for off-highway machines and equipment, effectively something the sector has been unable to do until now. The new software is designed to put an end to the practice of “guesstimating” emissions numbers, which will become increasingly important over the coming years. That’s because government- or state-mandated projects now typically require a raft of emissions-re -
porting stipulations that put an onus on contractors to demonstrate they are not just tracking but also reducing their emissions. The software can be used on every type of machine in the off-highway sector and gives users an at-their-fingers display of emissions from all connected equipment enabling easy tracking and, where necessary, almost instantaneous action to reduce emissions through the value chain. Emissions Reporting should also enable smarter deployment decisions to avoid the under-utilization of machinery, ensure fleets are in line for tax-saving benefits where local authorities incentivize better tracking, and also offer an abundance of brand-building opportunities through data-based validation of sustainability claims.
CLEANER INTERFACE
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Rental software supplier
MCS has now revamped and modernized its web solution with a new, state-of-the-art interface, making working on the move easier than ever for rental companies worldwide. As part of the
software supplier’s constant development of its solutions, MCS recognized the need to use experts to ensure its web interface is user-friendly, intuitive to use and ultimately faster and easier to get to what the user needs in no time. New features include more mobile responsivity, new accessibility features and easy-to-follow pathways. The project has been ongoing for several months to ensure this update would succeed in its mission to provide a webbased solution designed with the end user in mind. Heavy analysis was completed to understand how users interact with MCS Rental Software, helping to steer the direction of the new interface update. Users can now get the information they need much more quickly, with less scrolling and clicks along the way. Usability has also been greatly improved with clearer workflows and more structure.
REDUCES FALSE POSITIVES
8 visiontrack.com
VisionTrack, an AI video telematics and connected fleet data specialist, is enhancing commercial fleet safety with the launch of a sophisticated AI-powered post-analysis solution.
NARA (Notification, Analysis and Risk Assessment) will revolutionize how vehicle camera footage is assessed and help vehicle operators to dramatically reduce road deaths and injuries. NARA is device-agnostic so it can be integrated with existing connected camera technology, whether VisionTrack or third-party hardware. It adds another powerful layer of analysis to AI vehicle cameras installed with edge-based AI technology that are often limited by the processing capacity
of the device. Cloud-based NARA software is designed to save time, costs and, most importantly, lives, by providing proactive risk intervention and accurate incident validation. NARA proactively removes false positives and monitors driver behavior without the need for human involvement. With traditional video telematics solutions, commercial fleets can be experiencing hundreds of triggered daily events, so this will enable them to deliver more efficient working while not compromising on-road safety. NARA represents a step forward for video telematics as it uses ground-breaking computer vision models with sensor fusion to assess footage of driving events, near misses and collisions. This ensures the review process is manageable and timely, while eliminating human availability or error, so vehicle operators can make best use of video telematics insight to better protect road users and help prevent collisions. During the testing phase, a 1,100-strong logistics fleet was found to be generating on average 2,000 priority videos a week, which would typically take someone over eight hours to review. NARA reduced the time needed to review events that require human validation to just minutes per day. As a result, the company is now targeting more efficient risk management, while supporting its road safety strategy. Advanced object recognition uses deep learning algorithms to automatically identify different types of vehicles, cyclists and pedestrians. With high accuracy levels, it will be able to distinguish between collisions, near misses and false positives that can be generated by harsh driving, potholes or speed humps. The software will also include occupant safety rating that uses a range of parameters to calculate the percentage probability of injury and immediately identify if a driver needs assistance.
REAL-TIME DATA
8 gopettibone.com
Pettibone offers X-Command, a telematics program that comes standard on the company’s X-Series Extendo and Traverse telehandlers and Cary-Lift pipe and pole handlers. The system offers real-time access to machine data, thereby saving
time, money and hassle for equipment owners, rental centres and maintenance technicians.
X-Command allows users to remotely track a machine’s location and observe data points such as engine hours, fuel rate and usage, diesel exhaust fluid level, battery voltage and more. By obtaining accurate and current performance information, users can quickly identify and address minor mechanical issues before they become serious. Equipment owners can access data and generate reports using the online X-Command dashboard on their computer or mobile device. The platform allows for quick and simple remote diagnosis of a telematics-equipped machine, potentially eliminating the need for certain field service calls. By ensuring maintenance is up to date, users can consistently increase equipment uptime and improve their overall return on investment. In addition to being a standard feature on new Pettibone X-Series Extendo and Traverse telehandlers, X-Command is also available as a retrofit for existing X-Series models in the field.
TRIED AND TRUE
8 rentmaster.net
RentMaster is a trusted and well-established rental management software solution that has been serving small and medium-sized businesses in the party, event and equipment rental industry
for over two decades. Known for its longevity and reliability, RentMaster offers various editions tailored to specific rental operations, making it a versatile choice for businesses of all sizes. One of RentMaster’s standout features is its user-friendly and intuitive interface, which simplifies the management of essential rental aspects. Users can effortlessly handle inventory, customers, vendors, quotes and orders, streamlining their rental processes for maximum efficiency. Real-time inventory availability checks are a crucial aspect of RentMaster’s functionality. This prevents accidental overbooking, ensuring that businesses can meet customer demands without risking double bookings or stock shortages. The software also facilitates the quick generation of essential documents, which can be printed, emailed, saved in PDF format, or e-signed, saving valuable time for both renters and rental companies. RentMaster integrates seamlessly with various payment processing gateways, enabling secure and convenient
Auger Drives & Accessories
credit card and e-cheque processing. This feature enhances the rental experience for customers, making transactions smooth and hassle-free. Scheduling delivery and pickup jobs is made effortless with RentMaster and it even provides routing and driving directions through integration with Google Maps. This ensures that deliveries are prompt and efficient, enhancing customer satisfaction. Additionally, RentMaster’s robust reporting capabilities empower businesses with valuable insights into their operations. Users can generate various reports for in-depth data analysis, helping them make informed decisions to improve their rental business’s overall performance. In summary, RentMaster is a time-tested rental management software solution that combines ease of use, realtime inventory management, seamless payment processing, efficient scheduling, and powerful reporting tools. With RentMaster, rental businesses can streamline their operations, reduce errors, and provide exceptional customer service, ultimately boosting their bottom line and success in the competitive rental industry.
FREES UP PHONE LINES
8 point-of-rental.com
Point of Rental’s new Consumer Portal empowers rental businesses of all sizes to
deliver an eCommerce experience rivaling the biggest companies in the industry. The eCommerce solution provides online self-service features to a rental store’s customers. Users will have around-theclock, real-time access to manage their accounts, see statements, pay invoices, call items off rent and more. Consumer Portal not only empowers renters, but it frees up phone lines and enables rental owners and operators to focus on growing their business. Rental leaders pride themselves on their in-person customer service. But consumer preferences have shifted over the past decade, accelerating during the COVID outbreak. Providing great customer service now requires eCommerce features. Consumers expect to be able to get information, service and make payments 24/7. Consumer Portal allows every rental business to stay competitive in an increasingly-demanding marketplace. Consumer Portal is already integrated with Point of Rental’s Elite software. Integration work is has started with the company’s other products and should be available in the coming months.
CALIBRATES ATTACHMENT TO PLATFORM
8 fecon.com
Fecon is offering Fusion, a user-friendly telematics platform that uses state-of-the-art features such as automatic machine calibration, location services and performance tracking to make productivity gains in mulching operations. Fusion automatically calibrates the attachment to the carrier in real time to optimize performance, minimize
downtime and expand the machine’s lifespan. Fusion is initially available on highflow Bull Hog and Blackhawk attachments. The ingenuity of Fusion’s performance lies in its simplicity. From the get-go, Fusion automates mulcher setup to improve performance and productivity through its plug-and-play design that eliminates manual setup and tuning. With this feature, customers can attach their mulcher to any compatible carrier and run the machine with increased performance. The mulcher is optimized to the carrier and working conditions at all times with no extra work for the user. Another attractive feature is how the technology continually collects and adapts to information based on dynamic conditions such as temperature, altitudes, carrier settings and carrier efficiency. At the start of the day Fusion will detect a cold carrier and automatically adjust and tailor machine settings to those that work best in colder temperatures. As the machine warms up throughout the day, Fusion will tune the settings for those higher temperatures. The machine starts learning as soon as it is attached to a carrier, but an operator can choose to initiate a learn sequence through the Fusion app. This learning system ensures a Fecon mulcher is always operating at peak performance. Fleet managers can use the data to assess and improve machine perfor-
mance, note a machine’s last location or identify problems in operations. Dealers can use the data to better service their customers by quickly identifying the source of a problem in machine function and make swift corrections. With Fusion, users can see up to 50 percent faster rotor recovery times, 30 percent fewer stalls and 40 percent increases in jobsite efficiency. Fusion works seamlessly with the Fecon mobile application, available in the Apple App Store, allowing users to easily incorporate the benefits of Fusion into their day-to-day operations. Users can use the Fecon Fusion app for several tasks, including changing the mulcher settings, initiating the learn function or simply viewing real-time information on how the mulcher is running. The real-time display offers operators convenient access to crucial information. Fecon plans to continue to expand the benefits of the Fusion system by adding additional features to the software such as performance modes that will allow users to automatically adjust machine settings to match the current job. Similar to a four-wheeldrive vehicle where a user has the option to select “snow” or “mud” based on current conditions, the upcoming performance modes will tailor the mulcher to the optimal settings for that particular application.
FULL PACKAGE FOR EVENT RENTALS
8 alertrental.com
Alert’s party and event rental software eases all the pain points for rental operations. It includes real-time inventory tracking that means what’s
in the system matches what’s actually in the warehouse. It integrates with leading GPS, CAD, CRM and other software packages. Users can provide even better service with no over-bookings and a complete sub-rental package. The system sends personalized emails and payment links, giving the store a polished image. Alert enables event rental stores to send open tickets, work orders, invoices, statements and more from one central location. RFID (radio frequency identification) offers a tracking solution for tents, inflatables, linens, equipment, and more, with Alert’s integration service providing users with a seamless management experience. All RFID functionality happens directly within Alert. RFID allows users to track bulk and individual items; reduce staff time manually counting items; and find specific items more easily in the warehouse with handheld scanners. Rover brings Alert Rental to mobile devices, so managers
AD INDEX
can access tickets and manage incoming rentals; process outgoing orders on a mobile device or tablet; process incoming rentals from the yard; take photos, add comments and attach them to the ticket; and capture signatures and collect payment on the mobile device. E-Commerce is true online shopping for event store clients. Alert’s service provides a developer’s tool kit for the web designer. Users maintain control of who can place an order and determine the criteria for adding, changing, or deleting reservations.
FULL BUSINESS PLATFORM
8 texadasoftware.com
Texada offers a comprehensive cloud-based platform for managing every aspect of an equipment rental business. With Texada, rental companies can handle more than just rentals and inventory. The platform fuels rental business growth by utilizing rental
management workflows with a mobile app for field service, online customer access, an e-commerce store, secure payment processing and visual reporting tools. Texada’s flagship rental management solution, Systematic Rental Management is the central nervous system of the platform. SRM assists rental managers with tracking equipment from purchase to disposal, through rich and robust features including rental reservations and contracts; cycle billing and rental returns; pickup and delivery management; equipment work orders; merchandise and equipment sales; document emailing; and inventory barcode printing and scanning. Business owners can also cut out third party accounting software by leveraging SRM’s full accounting modules for accounts payable, accounts receivable and general ledger. For service departments, Texada FleetLogic allows dispatchers to connect with field mechanics and drivers in real-time. Work orders, delivery tickets, and custom inspection forms can be created, assigned and updated through the mobile app to allow for smoother control over teams working on the road.
NEXT-LEVEL GRAPHICAL INTERFACE
8 orion-soft.com
Sirius E is not only a rental software, it’s a complete platform that allows deployment of solutions adapted to the business size and processes. Users experience a new level of simplicity. They can deploy graphics in a fraction of a second that describe clearly the availability status of an item or to view the performance of the business. The graphical interfaces are brought to a new level with actionable options within the graphics. From its inception, Sirius E, was developed with mobility and simplification in mind. Every aspect of the rental business can be managed in Sirius E. Quotes become highly flexible with very attractive presentation features like drag and drop. Rental contracts have availability integrated at each step. Reservations can be made online or in the back office system. Mobile RFID and bar code scanning is available. CRS
A manufacturing homecoming? Companies
by Andrew Snook
are turning to near-shoring to secure supply chains.
You’d have to be living under a rock to be unaware of the supply chain issues that have plagued virtually every industry on the planet over the past few years. The combination of tensions between the U.S. and China, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the severe supply chain disruptions that occurred throughout the COVID-19 pandemic (and continue to impact operations today), have pressured and persuaded many companies into embracing near-shoring practices. Large corporations like General Motors, Tesla, Ternium, Deere and Terex have announced major investments in new manufacturing taking place in the U.S. and Mexico, as the companies look to secure their supply chains for the North American market.
How does this impact the equipment rental market?
During Conexpo this past March, Terex CEO John Garrison announced that the company would move 10 production lines to its manufacturing facility in Monterrey, Mexico, including Genie scissor lifts being assembled in China. In June 2022, Deere announced an agreement with Wacker Neuson to design and manufacture John Deere compact excavators in the zero- to fivemetric-ton range at its facility in Menomonee Falls, Wisc. and Linz, Austria, largely to supply the North American market. Deere also recently invested tens of millions into its operation in Thibodaux, La., so the facility could build medium-chassis cotton harvesters that are currently being built in China (not rental equipment, I know, but interesting to note). Over the last few years, Schneider Electric also announced significant investments in multiple facilities across the U.S., as well as Mexico, totalling more than $100 million as part of its reshoring efforts moving production operations away from China.
One doesn’t need to look farther than Mexico’s annual exporting reports to see the impact
near-shoring is having on the country. This past June, Mexico’s total exports experienced a 5.8-per-cent increase compared to the previous year, totalling $52.9 billion. The June report stated that Mexico’s sale of manufactured goods comprised 88.6 per cent of the country’s total exports for 2023 (up until that time).
This past June, Ternium announced in a press release that its new $2.2-billion steel slab mill would be built in Pesqueria, Nuevo Leon, Mexico. In the release, Ternium’s CEO stated, “This decision is a significant milestone for our company as we continue to integrate our downstream manufacturing capabilities. The value chain in Mexico is rapidly addressing and responding to the growth opportunities presented by the nearshoring of manufacturing capacity. We are confident that the skilled workforce and supportive business environment in the country will enable us to achieve our ambitious goals.” There appears to be no argument that Mexico is hands-down the short-term winner in North American-based companies’ decisions to embrace near-shoring, but their long-term victory isn’t guaranteed. There still appears to be some challenges to address to ensure long-term success for Mexico and all of its corporate allies – the biggest one being energy. According to the Mexico Business News, the country’s “uncertain energy supply” could hinder Mexico’s current economic boom. As for the companies investing billions upon billions of dollars in bringing their manufacturing close to home, only time will tell if this strategy pays off in the long run. In the shorter term, we can hope to see shorter lead times and stable availability as the ultimate source of our parts and machinery moves one ocean closer to home. CRS
Andrew Snook is the former editor of Rock to Road, Crane and Hoist and On Site.
