Canada- 1 Year $42.00 (plus 5% GST - $44.10) U.S.A. - 1 Year $60.00
Occasionally, Canadian Rental Service will mail information on behalf of industry-related groups whose products and services we believe may be of interest to you. If you prefer not to receive this information, please contact our circulation department in any of the four ways listed above.
Serving the Canadian rental industry for 35 years. www.canadianrentalservice.com
4
EDITORIAL: Show Time! It’s the most wonderful time of the year by Mike Davey
26 Spring Forward
How, what and why to rent for lawn and garden season by Pierre Pereira
10 Two Perspectives Paul Tomblin and Mike Keizer open the doors of their operations so we can see how they tick
30 Product Showcase
The latest and greatest in lawn and garden products
16 Show Preview
What to expect at regional trade shows and The Rental Show in Las Vegas
34 Go Long
How to get the most profit from long reach air tools by Dennis von Ruden
6
Industry News Events, new faces, and much, much more…
24 George’s Corner
Making the most of your trade show experience by George Olah
44
CRA President’s Message Andrew Paquette bids farewell as president by Andrew Paquette
It’s rental show season again!
Great opportunities are coming our way, both at regional shows and in Las Vegas.
The rental trade show season is already in full swing. The action started in British Columbia, with the CRA B.C. chapter’s annual regional trade show.
I must admit that there’s a special place in my heart for this particular show. It was the very first rental trade show I ever attended, way back at the beginning of 2010, and the unofficial kick-off of two months of travelling across the continent and meeting the many fine people who have made the rental industry their life’s work. The only disappointment (and it was a small one) was that the belt sander races, which had been a traditional fixture of the B.C. show, did not take place. Hopefully the races will return soon.
For those of you who attended the B.C. show, I know that you found it fulfilling. The regional shows are some of the best possible opportunities to see new gear and to network with your peers in the rental business.
The great thing is that we have other regional shows still to come. I strongly urge you to attend your regional shows, and if you’re not already a member of the Canadian Rental Association, to join as soon as possible. I don’t intend to turn this into a commercial for the CRA, but it’s a simple fact that association membership has numerous benefits, and you can see those benefits for yourself at your regional show.
AEM releases annual outlook report
The Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) is predicting modest upticks in business through 2013.
Hy-Cor expands, offers several new lines
Hy-Cor is pleased to announce the company is expanding again due to customer support. The company has moved into a new facility in Komoka, Ont.
The CRA has signed an agreement to designate Canadian Rental Service magazine as the association’s preferred media partner.
EDITORIAL
by Mike Davey
For information on all the regional shows, please check out our extensive preview coverage starting on page 16 of this issue. We’ve got previews of every CRA regional show, as well as tons of information on the educational and networking opportunities at The Rental Show 2011, taking place in Las Vegas, Nev.
Navigating trade shows can be difficult. Add in the fact that you’re away from the influences of home and office, and what could have been a successful visit may turn into a frustrating disaster. If you feel that you could be getting more out of trade shows, then you should definitely check out George Olah’s column on page 24. Even if you’ve been satisfied with what you’ve managed to accomplish at trade shows in the past, I strongly recommend reading George’s column. It’s chock full of tips that can really help you to get the absolute maximum value for your trade show dollar.
Last year, I managed to make it to most of the regional trade shows, and I also attended The Rental Show in Orlando. This year, I won’t be able to travel as much as I would like, but I still intend to make it out to one show I really regret missing last year. I’m looking forward to finally getting to meet many of the rental professionals in the Maritimes when I attend the CRA Atlantic trade show later this year.
I would like to attend the ALQ (CRA’s Quebec chapter) show as well, but, frankly, my command of French is a little rusty. I’ve already got the show (and some more French classes) pencilled in on my calendar for 2012.
Getting away from trade shows for a moment, you may have noticed something a little different about this issue of Canadian Rental Service. There’s a new look that helps to reflect the always changing and ever evolving rental industry landscape. The new look of the magazine happens to coincide with our 35th anniversary. As the year progresses, we’ll be rolling out more surprises for you, both in print and online at www. canadianrentalservice.com. It’s been quite a year. In closing, here’s hoping for the very best for yourself, your business, your family and your staff. CRS
NEXT ISSUE:
Get ready to party with our annual special events issue in March! With all the great content you’ve come to expect, plus several articles for the dedicated party rental firm, it’s guaranteed to be a blowout!
The broadest selection of chipper/shredders in the industry.
The broadest selection of chipper/shredders in the industry.
Unleash the Power!
Professionals have come to trust the power of Bear Cat Chipper/Shredders to make short work of tree branches, leaves and yard debris. Bear Cat models include the unique 8” turntable Chipper that allows you to get the work done anywhere, safely.
Bear Cat models range from a compact 1.5” Chipper/ Shredder to the most powerful 12” Chipper producing the smallest wood chips on the market today! Bear Cat’s product lineup also includes EZ Trimmowers, heavy duty Bear Vacs, Debris Loaders and powerful Log Splitters.
For dependable performance... Trust a Bear Cat!
Chippers and chipper/shredders
Bear Vacs
Log Splitters
AEC To ACqUIRE THE MIllER PowER bUggy lINE
Jay Allen, president of Allen Engineering Corporation (AEC), has announced that AEC has entered into an agreement to acquire the Miller Power Buggy Line from the Miller Spreader Company. The acquisition was expected to be finalized before the end of 2010.
Upon the completion of the acquisition, AEC will begin manufacturing both the walk-behind and ride-on Miller Power Buggies. The Miller Power Buggy brand will join the Allen Concrete Equipment and Allen Concrete Pavers brands, which are currently designed, engineered, and manufactured by AEC.
AEC will display the full line of Miller Power Buggies at both World of Concrete (Booth #O30629), to be held at the Las Vegas Convention Center in January 2011, and The Rental Show (Booth #4276), to be held at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in February 2011.
For more information about Allen Engineering Corporation, please visit www.alleneng.com.
Split-Fire appointS Con X aS eXCluSive SaleS agent For QuebeC
Split-Fire Sales has appointed Con X Equipment as its manufacturer’s sales agent exclusively for Quebec. Con X Equipment will sell Split-Fire’s complete line of hydraulic wood splitters and wood chippers to rental companies in the province based out of its office and warehouse location in St. Laurent.
“Quebec is a very important market for Split-Fire. Many rental houses in the province already have our log splitters and wood chippers,” explains Chris Skalkos, Split-Fire’s marketing director. “We needed a sales representative that understands the unique demands of our equipment rental customers and Con X Equipment already has a long and successful career servicing the Quebec rental industry.”
Split-Fire has also recently announced that it is replacing the suspension system on all its 4000 series wood chippers with a heavy-duty rubber ride suspension system. Starting with shipments to Quebec, all 4013, 4020 and 4024 wood chippers will have the heavier axle, spindles and larger tires rated at 1,400 pounds each.
Con X Equipment will have Split-Fire wood splitters and chippers on display at its booth during Quebexpo 2011 being held March 22 and 23, 2011 in St-Hyacinthe, Que.
DATE SET foR IRE 2011 RENTAl EXHIbITIoN
The second International Rental Exhibition (IRE) will be held at the RAI exhibition centre in Amsterdam on June 7, 8 and 9, 2011.
Alongside the exhibition, the European Rental Association (ERA) will be holding its annual conference and the prestigious European Rental Awards dinner will also take place. The combination of exhibition, conference and awards, makes IRE a truly world-class event.
IRE 2011 is being held at a time when the industry is emerging from more than two years of recession. With fleet sizes down and equipment aging, IRE 2011 comes at the start of what should be a new buying cycle for the rental industry.
Exhibitors will include global companies and small local suppliers of equipment as well as suppliers of specialist services to the rental sector such as software and asset tracking technology. In equipment, the focus will be on compact equipment and tools.
This is the second International Rental Exhibition. The first was held in 2008, and it is once again being organized in co-operation with the European Rental Association (ERA). In total, more than 1,500 of the industry’s top professionals from all over the world attended the inaugural show.
Helping attract visitors to the event will be a wide program of rental seminars and workshops organized by the ERA. Senior executives from many of Europe’s biggest rental companies will participate in the conference program. See www.erarental.org for details.
Q3 proFit beatS market eStimateS
Wajax Income Fund, posted its largest quarterly profit in nearly two years, helped by strong demand and improved margins, and declared a special cash distribution. The company is headquartered in Toronto, Ont. Wajax, which also distributes industrial components and power systems, said it expects to see revenue and earnings growth in the Q4 compared with last year. For July-September, the trust earned $19.4 million, or $1.17 per unit, compared with $6.8 million, or 41 Canadian cents per unit, a year ago. WajaX
Doug Mitchell has been posthumously awarded the ARA’s Distinguished Service Award. Mitchell passed away on July 29, 2010.
Two CANADIANS NAMED foR ARA volUNTEER RECogNITIoN AwARDS
Each year the American Rental Association (ARA) recognizes outstanding volunteers for their service to the association. The following are the recipients of this year’s volunteer recognition awards, which will be presented during Lunch With ARA at The Rental Show on Feb. 27. The Rental Show is Feb. 27 to March 2 at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center, Las Vegas.
The late Doug Mitchell, who had been a partner in The Rent-It Store, Saskatoon, Sask., will receive the Distinguished Service Award. This award recognizes an individual who has demonstrated exemplary leadership with long-term service to the association at the national, state, provincial and local levels.
Mitchell was very involved in the Canadian Rental Association (CRA), the CRA Saskatchewan local association and the ARA. He held many positions on the board of directors, including president of CRA in 2007-2008, and was instrumental in organizing the yearly CRA Prairie Regional Trade Show.
He was the main motivation for the Prairie Regional Trade Show and had been in charge of all aspects of the event since its inception in 1989. The show is a successful forum for rental stores and associate members to gather together, receiving full participation from rental businesses of all sizes.
Mitchell was an advocate of the member partnership between CRA and ARA, with both associations benefiting from his active leadership. His legacy is one of caring for people, stepping forward to lead by action to benefit the associations and honest enjoyment of life.
Mitchell died on July 29, 2010. The CRA established the Doug Mitchell Scholarship in his memory, with the scholarship specifically intended for students affiliated with a Canadian associate member business, to honour his work with the Prairie Regional Trade Show. Mitchell and his business partner, Doron Broadfoot, were strong supporters of the ARA Foundation and were honoured at The Rental Show 2010 with the 1976 Club Award for their contributions.
The Meritorious Service Award will be presented to Tim Ranson, safety/risk manager for Finning, The Cat Rental Store, Edmonton, Alta. This award recognizes an individual who has demonstrated exemplary leadership in a defined area of association service, such as through a committee, special project or service activity.
Ranson is being honored for his work on the development of the new ARA Professional Driver Education Program. He was one of the first ARA members who approached ARA regarding the development of a program for drivers and was a participant in the initial November 2007 meeting to discuss such a program. He became a key volunteer during the production of the program, including organizing and hosting a production shoot in Edmonton. Ranson also served on three review teams responsible for program content. His rental-specific expertise offered throughout the program’s development was essential to its success. His commitment to safety reaches beyond his organization for the betterment of the entire rental industry. Since the program launched, he’s taken an active role in training the drivers at Finning, The Cat Rental Store.
ENTERPRISES EXECUTIvE
The Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) has named Tony Hughes of Infotech Enterprises to the AEM board of directors. Hughes is Senior Account Manager-Strategic Accounts for the company. Hughes is also the 2011 chair of AEM’s Associate Member Group.
AEM directors help set the guidelines and operating policies of the association, which is the North American-based international trade group for companies manufacturing equipment and products, and offering services used worldwide in agricultural, construction, forestry, mining and utility sectors.
AEM is headquartered in Milwaukee, Wis., and has offices in Washington, D.C., Ottawa and Beijing, China, with a European presence in Brussels, Belgium. For more information on AEM and its activities, go online to www.aem.org.
eCHo poWer eQuipment
Canada
diStributor oF tHe Year For na
Accepting the award on behalf of ECHO are (from left) Mike Best of ECHO, Yoshiaki Nagao of Kioritz Corporation, Dan Obringer, Ed Zynomirski and Laurie Workman of ECHO, Yasuhiko Kitazume of Yamabiko Corporation and Joe Fahey of ECHO.
ECHO Power Equipment Canada was recently honoured with the prestigious Distributor of the Year Award for North America. The award recognizes ECHO Power Equipment (Canada)’s achievements in sales growth, increased market share, outstanding fill rates, service training and overall dealer satisfaction.
The loss prevention panel consisted of (from left) James Morden of Rentshop, Peter Webster of McLean Sherwood Party Rental, Penny O’Sullivan of ABCO Equipment and Ken Fingler of Western Financial Group Insurance Solutions. Photo by Neil DeJong.
loSS PREvENTIoN MAIN foCUS AT CRA oNTARIo MEETINg
The Ontario chapter of the Canadian Rental Association (CRA) held a members’ meeting recently in Toronto, drawing together about 40 members of the rental industry. The evening was kicked off by a facility tour of Trinitec’s Cansel facility, which was hosted by Richard Barker. Afterwards, the meeting moved across the street to the DoubleTree Hotel.
A panel discussion on loss prevention took place after dinner. Moderated by Mike Maltby of Ingersoll Rent-All, it featured James Morden of Rentshop, Peter Webster of McLean Sherwood Party Rental, Penny O’Sullivan of ABCO Equipment and Ken Fingler of Western Financial Group Insurance Solutions.
Each of the panelists detailed examples of losses that occurred in their business and discussed how rental operators can avoid a similar fate. There was an intense discussion, with many members of the audience participating. Everyone that attended came away with some excellent ideas on how to prevent loss from their business locations.
The next Ontario chapter event will be the tabletop show in London at the Lamplighter Inn on Saturday, Jan. 22.
aWardS For ipaF SaFetY video and training kit
Filming IPAF’s “Spot the mistake”
won
first prize as the best media in the DVD/CD category in a “Health and Safety at Work” information media contest.
The International Powered Access Federation (IPAF) has won two prestigious awards for a safety video and a training kit that it produced with the aim of promoting best practice in the use of powered access equipment.
The Aerial Work Platform (AWP) Operator Training Support Kit produced by IPAF through its North American subsidiary AWPT won a Leadership in Lifting Equipment and Access Platforms (LLEAP) Silver Award in the category “Aftermarket Support Products and Services.”
The kit assists users of AWPs to develop an operator training program that complies with regulations and standards and meets the requirements defined in the U.S.-based industry document Statement of Best Practices of General Training and Familiarization for Aerial Work Platform Equipment.
“This is a desperately needed product from the most reputable name in the industry,” said the LLEAP judges. “Finally, a standardized training guide that will help owners and operators promote safety.”
The Leadership in Lifting Equipment and Access Platforms (LLEAP) Awards are organized by Lift and Access magazine. The awards were developed to recognize products, accessories and design concepts that are considered innovative or have advanced the state of the lifting equipment industry. This year’s panel of judges comprised 14 equipment rental professionals and industry consultants.
More information on the OTS kit is at www.awpt.org/ots .
“Spot the mistake” is available in English, Dutch, French, German, Italian and Spanish. It can be viewed and downloaded at the Publications/Film section of www.ipaf.org.
CHRIS RHoDES joINS NoRSEMAN
Norseman has announced the appointment of Chris Rhodes as sales representative, construction products. Rhodes joins Norseman’s growing western outside sales team for construction products.
With over 10 years of experience as an inside/outside technical sales representative, Rhodes’ experience in concrete construction, geotechnical and waste management industries brings valuable knowledge and insight to Norseman’s construction product customers.
In this position, Rhodes will be responsible for continuing to build Norseman’s brand and grow market share for all of the company’s construction products within British Columbia and the northwestern United States. His major focus will be on promoting and growing Norseman’s construction foam and fabric products business, along with continuing to provide support and service to Norseman customers.
Rhodes will be working out of the Norseman Langley office and can be reached directly at 1-800-661-8073.
For more information on Norseman products, please call 1-800-268-1918 or visit www.norseman.ca.
video. The video
the
TWO DIFFERENT
PERSPECTIVES
Inside Home Hardware’s Rental program.
There are bound to be certain similarities among rental stores. However, it’s often the differences that are most illuminating. Even when two stores are part of the same organization, they are bound to be different in some vital ways. These differences are often informed by location, customer base and other factors.
by MIKE DAVEY
Long-time readers of Canadian Rental Service will no doubt notice a difference in this issue’s cover story. Typically, we focus on one rental operation. In this case, we’re showcasing two different stores. Although both are participants in the Home Hardware Rentals program, and therefore have many things in common, there are a number of areas where they differ.
Todd Cressman is Home Hardware’s product manager for farm, rentals and construction. He has been involved with the Home Hardware Rentals program since 1999.
“The history goes right back to the Handy Rental Program, which was more or less selfrun. It was much smaller than the full program we have now,” says Cressman. “That’s the way it was until about 1999, when Beaver Lumber was bought out by Home Hardware. At that time, Murray Cutler was put in charge of the rental program, and we started to formalize it.”
The formalization of the rental program also meant a formalization of rental training for Home Hardware. Canadian Rental Service spoke to two different graduates of that training program to get their perspectives on running a rental operation through the company’s auspices. Paul Tomblin is the manager of the rental division at the Home Hardware Building Centre in Wellesley, Ont. Mike Keizer is the owner/operator of a Home Hardware store in Smithville, Ont.
Paul Tomblin has been a rental professional for most of his adult life. After spending a number of years working in the construction industry, he enrolled at the University of
Guelph, eventually obtaining a degree in history. Soon after graduation, he attended a job fair in Kitchener, Ont., where he met Tom Newell of Stephenson’s Rentals. Although Tomblin hadn’t worked in the rental business previously, he was aware of it through his work in construction. To cut a long story short, he applied for a job with Stephenson’s Rentals, and started working for the company in February of 1998. It was a working relationship that lasted roughly 11 years, at which point Tomblin took his current position with Home Hardware.
It was definitely a shift in perspective for Tomblin. Stephenson’s Rentals is, naturally, very focused on the rental business. The Wellesley Home Hardware Building Centre, on the other hand, had never had a rental division of any kind before Tomblin started working there.
“It was my responsibility to get it started,” says Tomblin. “There were challenges in trying to fit the rental division within the larger aspect of the home improvement building centre, as it was never and very different from the other departments. The approach to sales and the customer is different, and I had to think about how the business reflects that. With rentals, you’re getting the tool back, and that means you need to have the support services to keep it up to standard. In one sense, I really needed to bridge that gap, and bring everything together under one roof.”
There are many points of similarity between an independent rental store and a Home Hardware Rental department. One obvious
example is that both stores rent tools and equipment. However, there are differences as well.
“Since the larger Home Hardware structure is focused on retail sales, our information technology needs to be grafted into the regular system,” says Tomblin. “We can use rental-specific software for a lot of our day-to-day functions, but for taking payment, we still need to interface with Home Hardware software. That’s a step that standalone operators wouldn’t have to take.”
Although the Home Hardware Rentals program does recommend certain brands of equipment, individual operators do
have the freedom to make their own choices. However, any equipment carried has to measure up to certain standards set by the program.
“The dealer has the freedom to choose a brand, but we do have recommended lines. The equipment has to meet certain standards, but within those guidelines there is freedom to choose. Part of the program training at Home Hardware involves expectations of product selection, and the awareness that anything you choose has to meet those expectations.”
Product selection is one area that Paul Tomblin definitely knows
something about.
“When we started, I was responsible for purchasing, getting the right mix of tools together, and fitting them into the space I was allotted to work in,” says Tomblin. “Over time, we were able to expand that space by about 400 square feet. In our first few months, it was really all about understanding the opportunities that came with being in an existing home improvement centre. I put in a lot of time and effort in educating customers on the benefits of rental.”
Before establishing the Home Hardware Rental program in Wellesley, most of Tomblin’s career had been
Paul Tomblin is the manager of the rental division at the Home Hardware store in Wellesely, Ont. He started his career in the rental business with Stephenson’s.
Jesse Brubacher works with Paul Tomblin. A machinist by trade, Jesse has a passion for both tools and design.
spent working in urban markets, such as Burlington and Mississauga. The move to a rural setting required a different approach to determine what customers wanted.
“One of the biggest differences is that contractors in more urban environments are used to using rental stores as tool sheds,” says Tomblin. “Most of the time, they’re close to a rental shop, so they just pick up stuff on their way to the jobsite. [Having a business dedicated to rentals] gives rental companies a chance to demonstrate reliability and convenience.”
However, contractors operating in more rural locales are not always used to the convenience of a local rental operation.
“Many of our local contractors have ‘tool shed trailers’ that they tow behind their truck. Highlighting the benefits of renting is sometimes an entirely new conversation for them, as they’ve never had to have it before. The renting option was never in front of them,” says Tomblin. “Because of our customer base, we’ve expanded what we do to include contractor tool sales. It’s really an extension of what rental stores everywhere do, in the sales of tool accessories like blades and drill bits. We also sell the tools themselves. Our sales are specialized in the high-end, contractor grade equipment. There’s also a place in Home Hardware for opening level and mid-grade tools, but that’s in the main store. We showcase the contractor grade.”
One challenge Tomblin faced when opening the new department was in making sure it could integrate across the larger organization. Although most
(about 70 per cent) rental customers at Wellesley’s Home Hardware Building Centre are contractors, the rental centre has something to offer almost any customer.
“Early on, I held a seminar during a meeting we were having on crossselling,” says Tomblin. “When a customer approaches any department, they should be pointed to a further department. If a customer says they’re renovating a bathroom, the first question should be, ‘To which departments does that apply?’ The existing staff have been very supportive in asking themselves, ‘What would this customer need from rental?”
Tomblin says that, within the store environment itself, there’s enthusiasm and a growing acceptance of the new department.
“People are often skeptical when anything is added or changed,” he says. “But we’re definitely part of the team, and we’re now part of the community. Since we opened, business has increased and traffic has increased. We see repeat customers and new customers every day.”
Mike Keizer brings a different perspective to a discussion of the Home Hardware Rentals program. Rather than a rental professional who joined Home Hardware, Keizer was involved with the company first, and became involved in rentals second. Keizer is the owner/ operator a Home Hardware store in Smithville, Ont.
“In our old store, we did the occasional rental, when customers asked to rent a cut-off saw or a concrete breaker,” says Keizer. “When we moved into our new location in 2001, people were still asking
• Only
• Only
• Fits
for those. We also had a dead area in the store that wasn’t generating any income, and I thought the rental program might fit the bill.”
It was an idea that found success. Over the years the rental operation at Keizer’s store has grown significantly.
“It’s something that was an easy addon,” says Keizer. “It’s grown steadily since we started. We’re up by 20 per cent this year compared to last year, so I would say it’s definitely going well.”
Keizer makes it clear that having a rental division can benefit a Home
Hardware location, but also that certain concerns may prevent more dealers from becoming involved with the program.
“A lot of guys are concerned about things coming back broken or at least needing service, and not having the guys on hand for maintenance or repair,” says Keizer. “There are also challenges in determining how to grow that part of the business. What do I invest in next? Do I invest in aerial equipment, or larger excavators?”
Both Keizer and Tomblin are members of the Canadian Rental Association (CRA) through Home Hardware.
“We get all the benefits of that through Home Hardware,” says Keizer. “I’m heading out to The Rental Show in Vegas, and I go to the Canadian Rental Mart. I try to make it out to as many local events as I can.”
CRA membership isn’t the only benefit available to participants in the Home Hardware Rentals program. For one thing, there’s the obvious advantage of being part of a large organization with a lot of buying power. For another, there’s a formal training program that tries to teach managers and dealers what they need to know to find success with rental. There’s a lot that goes into that formalized training program. The instructors are Todd Cressman and Jeff Campbell of St. Thomas Rent-All. Campbell works as a consultant for the program, and is well known in the industry for his work with the CRA at both provincial and federal levels.
Numerous topics are covered during the training. The list of topics reads like a quick primer on what any rental operator should know. Standards, insurance, risk management, merchandising, procedures, fall arrest training and propane training are just some of the topics covered during the training. Numerous suppliers also attend to educate students on their particular product range.
Although comparatively few of the Home Hardware stores in Canada have a rental division, there is still some common ground between rental operators and Home Hardware dealers. Both groups are primarily composed of entrepreneurs who aren’t afraid to take risks. As Todd Cressman puts it, “We have much in common with the independent rental companies because Home Hardware is 100 per cent dealer owned.” CRS
Dan Young is the main point of contact for many of the customers at Smithville Home Hardware’s rental counter.
Mike Keizer is the owner/operator of a Home Hardware in Smithville, Ont. He got involved with rental a few years ago, after moving to a new location.
Register now for CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2011, the most information-packed show in construction. Get close and compare the newest equipment, technologies and strategies for profitability. See how the construction industry has become environmentally friendly, safer and more efficient. Be there to experience the latest innovations and enjoy the attractions of Las Vegas!
Go to www.conexpoconagg.com/intl for details on how to register.
by MIKE DAVEY
TR a DE S h OW
SE a SON
It’s that time of year again . . .
The season of rental trade shows is once again upon us. Over the next few pages, you will find a good starting point for making sure you get the most out of your regional trade show. We also offer an extensive preview of The Rental Show, taking place this February in Las Vegas, Nev.
Information on the regional shows is presented in the order in which the shows will take place. The exception to this is The Rental Show, information on which you will find after the Canadian shows.
CRA ONTARIO TAb LE TOP S HOw jan. 22, 2011 best Western lamplighter inn london, ont.
The following companies have been confirmed as exhibitors at the CRA Ontario Table Top Trade Show. Many of the companies listed below are first-time exhibitors at the CRA Ontario Table Top Trade Show.
The show runs from 12 to 4 p.m. on Jan. 22, 2011. A cocktail and social hour is set to take place starting at 5 p.m., with a banquet
dinner and CRA Ontario awards taking place afterwards. A Silent Auction and a Loonie Auction will be held after dinner and the awards presentations.
A block of rooms has been set aside for the night of Jan. 22 at the Lamplighter Inn. The booking should be made under “Canadian Rental Association Ontario.” Rates start at $129 per room.
To make banquet reservations, please contact Shirley McCormick by phone or fax to 905-697-0380 or via e-mail to smc1smc2@gmail.com.
• Abmast Inc
• All Cover Portable Systems
• Bartell Morrison Inc.
• Bismar Inc **
• Construction Equipment Solutions
• Eastcan Marketing
RI g HT: Education is a big part of the trade show experience. A group of rental professionals sits in rapt attention at an education seminar during The Rental Show 2010.
• Ericson **
• George Daan Supplies 2009
• Gray Tools Canada **
• Greenline Hose & Fittings **
• G.C. Duke Equipment
• Hilti Canada Corp.
• Husqvarna Construction
• Hy-Cor International Inc. **
• Magnum Products LLC
• Marindustriel Ontario Inc.
• National Hose Equipment Ltd.
• Norseman Inc. **
• Patron Products **
• Pearl Abrasive Co. **
• Pidex Inc. **
• Point-of-Rental Systems **
• Quest Plastics Limited **
• RDSI
• Rentquip Canada
• Stihl Limited **
• Trinitec Distribution
• Vulcan Demolition Tools Inc.
• Wacker Neuson Ltd.
• Weber MT, Inc **
• Western Financial Group Insurance Solutions
** First-time exhibitor at CRA Ontario Table Top Trade Show
CRA ATLANTIC TRADE S HOw
Feb. 12, 2011
ramada plaza Crystal palace dieppe, n.b.
The Atlantic chapter of the CRA says hello to a new venue for the 7th annual rental show. This year’s show will be held at the vibrant Ramada Plaza Crystal Palace in Dieppe, N.B.
Suppliers can set up tables on Friday, Feb. 11, and then attend the annual Social Evening, which will feature the always popular Chinese Auction. The evening will also feature a Casino Night with lots of fun and prizes.
The show itself will be held on Saturday, Feb. 12, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Luncheon will be at noon, and will include a short meeting and discussion. The show will be closed during this time.
For more information, please
ON DEMAND Inventory
Supply year round.
contact Olivia D’Eon at 902-762-3294 or via e-mail to prs@ns.aliantzinc.ca.
CRA P RAIRIE R EGIONAL TRADE S HOw
march 12, 2011 prairieland exhibition Centre Saskatoon, Sask.
This full-day event takes place at the Prairieland Exhibition Centre in Saskatoon, Sask., on March 12, 2011. The host hotel will be the Radisson Hotel Saskatoon. The CRA Prairie Regional Trade Show brings together representation from three provinces (Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba) under one roof.
The CRA Prairie Regional Trade Show is well known for the sense of camaraderie it fosters, and for extremely well-attended social events. This year promises to be no exception. The following companies have been confirmed as exhibitors at the CRA Prairie Regional Trade Show for 2011:
• A.E. Sales Ltd.
• Abmast Abrasives
• Atlas Copco Compressors Canada
• Bartell Morrison
• Brandt Tractor
• Canadian Rental Service
• Cavalier Industries Ltd.
• Celtic Distributors
• CES Construction Equipment Solutions
• CM Equipment
• Con-X Equipment Canada Inc.
• Crown Verity
• Cyclone Diamond Products
• Deltaquip Supplies Ltd.
• Diamond Products Inc.
• Distribution Equip
• Doosan Portable Power Canada
• Eliet USA Inc.
• Engineered Performance Ducting
• Equipements Mathieu Inc.
• Falcon Ladder & Scaffold Mfg.
• FGI Supply Ltd.
• G.C. Duke Equipment
• Genie Industries
• Goodall Rubber Company
• Hilti Canada
• Husqvarna Construction Products
• ICE/Frost Fighter
• Leavitt Machinery
• M.S. Sales
• M.S. Sprayer
• Magnum Products
• Mancorp Industrial Sales Ltd.
• Multiquip Inc.
• National Hose & Equipment
• Norseman Inc.
• Renown Industries
• Rentquip Canada
• Skyjack Inc.
• Sure Flame Products
• Terra Cut Supply Ltd.
• Total Equipment Sales
• Trinitec Distribution
• Tsurumi Canada
• Uniquip Canada Inc.
• Volvo Construction Equipment
• Wacker Neuson Ltd.
• Wallenstein
• Warner Shelter Systems
• Wayne Weight Marketing
• Weber Machine
• Western Financial Group Insurance
Qu E b E x PO 2011 march 22-23, 2011
Hotel des Seigneurs St-Hyacinthe, Que.
Quebexpo returns to the Hotel des Seigneurs in St-Hyacinthe, Que. In addition to hosting the trade show, Hotel des Seigneurs is also the official show hotel for the 27th annual Quebexpo.
The show is traditionally very well attended. Despite bad weather that closed some roads on the first day of the show in 2010, last year’s regional trade show still managed to bring in 388 rental professionals from across the province. The following companies have confirmed that they will be exhibiting at Quebexpo 2011:
• A.E. Sales
• Abmast Abrasives
• Action Marketing A.G. Inc.
• Assurances Michel Brosseau
• Aubin et St Pierre Inc.
• Bobcat de Montreal
• Bock Inc.
• Bomag Canada Inc.
• Bosch Power Tools
• Boyaux & Raccords Greenline
• C.E.C. Equipements
• Canada Power Technology
• Carmix Canada
• Centura- Montreal
• Cisolift Distribution Inc.
• CM Equipment
• Con-X Equipment Canada
• Corniver Technologies
• D & K Imports
• Defco Ltee
• DHP Sherbrooke Inc.
• Distribution E-Quip
• Diversco Supply Inc.
• Dynapac/Atlas Copco
• Eastcan Marketing
• Echo Power Equipment
• Eliet USA Inc.
• Equipements Mathieu Inc.
• Gauthier Interlift
• Groupe Lou-Tec Inc.
• Hertz Location d’equipement
• HIAB Quebec
• Hilti Canada
• Hitachi Koki
• Husqvarna Construction Products
• Intro Marketing Inc.
• Jet Equipment & Tools
• Johnny Vac
• Kaeser Compresseurs Canada
• Les Equipements Twin
• Location Serca
• M.S. Sprayer/Pulverisateur MS
• Magnum Products of Canada
• Marindustriel
• Micanic Inc.
• Multiquip Inc.
• NB Securite Industrielle
• Norseman Inc.
• O.J. Compagnie
• Pearl Abrasive
• Phoenix/Systemes de Fixation Phoenix
• Plafolift Inc.
• Power Ease/Action Mktg
• Propane Express
• Quest Plastics Limited
• Rentquip Canada Ltd.
• S&S Supply Ltd
• S.N.S. Machineries
• Select-Lift Inc.
• Skyjack Inc.
• Star Diamond Tools
• Stihl Limited
• Sure Flame Products
• Tentes Fiesta Tents
Trade shows, either regional or national, are one of the best ways to see new equipment and network with peers.
Pr P im d ed for y – and d f from back k to front, M M-Series loadders from m B Bobbcat handle e diffiic
Primed for productivity – and protected from back to front, M-Series loaders from Bobcat handle difficult jobs and stand up to tough renters. For starters, the rear bumper protects the tailgate from obstacles on the jobsite. Recessed rear lighting minimizes damage to tail lights. Protected quick couplers, mounted directly into the front plate of the lift arm, have no exposed hoses to damage. A guard that extends beyond the couplers offers even more protection. The removable hose guide makes it simple to correctly route hydraulic hoses, minimizing attachment wear and tear. Keep it looking new and making money. There’s only one manufacturer with standards as high as yours. Find out more at www.bobcat.com/standard2
• Theo Turgeon Equipement Inc.
• Total Equipment Sales
• Tsurumi Pumps
• Uniquip Canada Inc.
• Vermeer Canada
• Wacker Neuson Ltee
• Warner Shelter Systems
• Weber MT
• Western Financial Group Insurance
THE R ENTAL S HOw Feb. 27-march. 2, 2011 mandalay bay Convention Center las vegas, nev.
The Rental Show runs from Feb. 27-March 2 at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas, Nev. In brief, The Rental Show 2011 will feature a full day of educational seminars, a special New Product Showcase, a host of networking events (including one just for the Canadian contingent) and an inspirational keynote message from Leigh Anne Tuohy, the real-life inspiration behind Sandra Bullock’s character in The Blind Side. The keynote session will also include the posthumous induction of Hotch Manning into the Rental Hall of Fame. First, let’s take a look at this year’s education lineup. Sunday, Feb. 27, offers a full day of educational seminars, with morning seminars before the trade show opens on Tuesday, March 1, and Wednesday, March 2. Also offered on Sunday are half-day sessions, focused on improving your cash flow and “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People.”
A full schedule of seminars is reproduced below. Seminar sessions marked PARTY! are part of the Events and Tents portion of The Rental Show.
SATu RDAy, F E b. 26
4 - 5:30 p.m.
• it’s time to get Savvy about Social media Lara McCulloch-Carter, READY2SPARK
• table talk: Sharing Core business Concepts Rental industry facilitators
• razzle dazzle Your Clients With Spectacular table designs Robin Brockelsby, Creative Coverings
Su NDAy, F E b. 27
8:30 - 10 a.m.
• Hiring: make Sure What You See is What You get Mel Kleiman, CSP, Humetrics
• How Social media Can Change Your business Jeff Korhan, True Nature
8:30 - 11:45 a.m.
• For improved profits, manage Your Cash Flow Carl Forssen, Business Resource Services
9 - 10:15 a.m. (partY!)
• personality marketing to today’s bride Susan Southerland, Perfect Wedding Guide
• Catering Connections: partners Helping partners Industry panel
• time to Shine with led lighting Carol Lee Cundey, Eureka! The Tent Co., and Thomas Markel, Bravo Events Expos Displays
10:15 - 11:45 a.m.
• How to Sell to a Skeptical Society Russell White, CSP, Pinnacle Solutions
• Crucial Conversations: tools for talking When Stakes are High Todd King, Vital Smarts
10:30 - 11:45 a.m. (partY!)
• Seal the deal With Five-Star Customer Service Jan Franke, iQ Edge
• is party a large enough Slice of Your rental business? Rental industry panel
• table talk: tenting tips and techniques Rental industry facilitators
1:45 - 3:15 p.m.
• Hiring: make Sure What You See is What You get Mel Kleiman, CSP, Humetrics
• Creating and executing a Smart business plan Christine Corelli, Christine Corelli & Associates
• How Social media Can Change Your business Jeff Korhan, True Nature
• indispensable by monday Larry Myler, By Monday
1:45 - 5 p.m.
• the 7 Habits of Highly effective people James Cathcart, Franklin Covey Client Sales
3:30 - 5 p.m.
• table talk: marketing Strategies for today’s business Facilitator panel
• de-Stress for Success Barry Maher, Barry Maher & Associates
• advanced Communication Skills for leaders Sue Hershkowitz-Coore, CSP, High Impact Impressions
• Creating the ultimate Customer experience Scott Deming
Tu ESDAy, MARCH 1
8 - 9:30 a.m.
• rental town Hall: party and event rental Rental industry panel
• rental town Hall: Construction and tool rental Rental industry panel
• leveraging information in Your rental business Tom Hubbell, John McClelland and Wayne Walley, American Rental Association
• because . . . it’s more than driving: ara’s professional driver education program Rental industry panel
8 - 10 a.m.
• Cerp exams
wEDNESDAy, MARCH 2
8 - 9:30 a.m.
• evolve or die Robin Crow, The Crow Co.
• expanding business opportunities: is government Contracting for me?
Vicky Miller, Illinois Procurement Technical Assistance Center
• aWp training: Fall protection Rental industry panel
• new products
The Rental Show will also feature a New Product Showcase area on the trade show floor. This area will be used exclusively to highlight the latest products in of each of the main show floor departments: Construction/ Industrial, General Tool/Homeowner and Party/Special Event. The Rental Show 2011 will also feature a first-time exhibitor pavilion to spotlight companies that have not exhibited previously.
While some swear by formal continuing education, and new products will always be an impressive draw, for some rental operators the true value in The Rental Show lies in the networking opportunities it presents.
NET wOR k ING EVENTS
Su NDAy, F E b. 27
7:30 - 8:45 a.m.
• networking Continental breakfast and presentation
• through the looking glass: a peek at a High-performing event team King
Dahl, MGM Resorts Events
This offers event professionals a chance to view the leadership practices and design process of internationally renowned MGM Resorts Events. King Dahl, executive director of event design, will share the specific strategies that make his organization successful. Dahl will discuss his building blocks for creating an effective, creative and interdependent team culture with today’s employees.
12 - 1:30 p.m.
• lunch With ara
New for 2011, this networking and awards luncheon provides an opportunity to connect with fellow attendees between the morning and afternoon seminars. All attendees participating in the Sunday Show seminars and Events and Tents are invited. The ARA volunteer recognition awards will be presented and the Certified Event Rental Professional (CERP) graduates will be recognized during the lunch as well. Tickets are $15 each. Advance registration and ticket required. Lunch With ARA is sponsored by John Deere, Palmer Snyder/PS Event Furniture and Volvo Construction Equipment.
12 - 5 p.m.
• 26th annual ara/ara insurance golf open The Arroyo Golf Club at Red Rock
Enjoy a day of golf and networking with your rental peers and exhibitors at the Arroyo Golf Club. A shotgun start is set for noon, with transportation provided. Buses will depart from the Shark Reef Entrance at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center at 10:30 a.m. There is an entry fee of $140. The tournament is sponsored by ARA Insurance. Course holes are sponsored by Arrow Material Handling Products; Doosan Portable Power, formerly Ingersoll Rand; and Volvo Construction Equipment. Lunch is sponsored by Arrow Material Handling Products.
6:30 - 9:30 p.m.
• leverage at laX LAX Nightclub, Luxor Las Vegas
This is an exclusive event at LAX Nightclub, open only for ARA on Sunday evening. The event will feature classic rock by the live band Yellow Brick
Road, along with food, beer, wine and soft drinks. Tickets are $40 per adult. Food and two drink tickets will be included with the evening’s admission. Guests must be 21 and show proper identification to attend. A passport is required for international guests. Leverage at LAX is sponsored by Arrow Material Handling Products; Doosan Portable Power, formerly Ingersoll Rand; Graco; John Deere; Takeuchi Manufacturing (U.S.); and Volvo Construction Equipment
MONDAy, F E b. 28
5 - 6:30 p.m.
• region 10 (Canada) reception
Each of ARA’s 10 regions will host a reception, providing a different spin on networking from the previous regional lunches and breakfasts. Receptions will include a short program by leaders from each ARA region, as well as light hors d’oeuvres and one drink ticket. Tickets are $15 each. Advance registration and ticket required.
6:30 p.m. - 12:00 a.m.
• Canadian Hospitality night Mandalay Bay Hotel and Casino
This event follows the Annual General Meeting and the Region 10 Reception. It is orchestrated by the Canadian Rental Association (CRA).
7 - 9 p.m.
• next generation event Nine Fine Irishmen, New York New York Hotel and Casino. Sponsored by Arrow Material Handling Products.
The spirit of family, friendship and camaraderie continues with this year’s event, which will take place in an authentic Irish restaurant and pub. Next Generation of Rental Owners members, their parents and families are invited for a fun, casual evening of conversation and connections. Tickets are $40 per person and include hors d’oeuvres and two drink tickets. Advance registration is required. This event is not restricted to those 21 years of age and older. However, the restaurant reserves the right to card anyone upon arrival or during the event and wrist-band those under age. The Next Generation Event is sponsored by Arrow Material Handling Products.
For more information about The Rental Show 2011, please visit www.therentalshow.com. CRS
Get the most out of shows
First, make sure you’re going for the right reasons.
by George Olah
Have you ever given any thought as to why you go to a trade show? Most would probably say that it’s an opportunity to see the show and enjoy the town. Others go because they have been attending a particular event for years with their colleagues and buddies. For many, it’s a pat on the back for work well done during the year. None of these is the right reason to invest the time to attend a trade show.
Nevertheless, countless attendees continually go because of the lure of locations like New Orleans, Las Vegas, Atlanta, and Vancouver . . . and these are just some of the North American venues. There are many international trade shows held throughout the world in places such as London, Paris, Amsterdam, Milan, Moscow, and Beijing.
While the potential business opportunities and ideas are plentiful at these occasions, so are theamusements – golf, late dinners, gambling, entertainment shows, side trips and, of course, wine tasting into the wee hours. It is certainly enjoyable to have fun, but concentrating on such distractions makes for a colossal waste of a good show and is an insult to the show organizers and exhibitors who have invested much time and money to execute the event. It is also a waste of resources for your business, for you personally, and for your management.
Reflect for a moment . . . have you ever tried, as an exhibitor, to explain something to an attendee who is clearly hung over from the night before? Or as an attendee, have you ever walked a large exhibition hall after a long evening of dining and drinking? Or have you tried to sit through a seminar, if you made it there at all, after such an intense evening?
I have been fortunate to attend trade shows and events around the world both as an attendee and as an exhibitor. I have also been a show organizer. All of these roles require a lot of effort and work, if you are to get your time and investment back from the event.
A good trade show creates what the marketers
call a positive buzz. This buzz is the excitement that a good show has and it is infectious. And those show attendees, exhibitors and organizers who catch this infection are the lucky ones.
So before you go, really sit down and decide the worth of the show to you. Read the show syllabus, research who is exhibiting, determine what is being shown, who are the special presenters and forget about the two-for-one beer specials at the hotel. Before you hit the show floor, map out which booths you want to visit. Make a list of key points about what you want to learn. Write down the questions because I guarantee you will forget what you wanted to ask by the time you visit your 14th trade show booth.
And please prepare yourself physically. Convention exhibit halls found in Atlanta and Chicago, for instance, require a good night’s sleep, a GPS, rations of bottled water and the best walking shoes money can buy to complete the event trek.
There is another, more important, aspect of attending a trade show. You learn to trade ideas with other like-minded individuals outside of the confines of the office. For instance, I have discovered the pros and cons of many products simply by talking to – yes, wait for it – my competitors. Why? Because we were looking for the same product and the show was neutral territory where we could actually talk professionally and not be competitive.
With a little judicious planning and discipline you can maximize the time you will be spending at the event. Who knows? You may even come home from a trade show with more than a hangover, a glow-in-the-dark pen and a baseball cap. CRS
George A. Olah has over 35 years of experience in training, marketing, and renting commercial appliances and equipment. He is presently the general manager of operations at ABCO Equipment & Supplies, a family-owned rental company located in Weston, Ont.
S PRING
FORWa RD
better your bottom line with lawn and garden rental.
Understanding demand during the lawn and garden season will increase revenue, improve return on invested capital (ROIC) and help customers.
by P IERRE P EREIRA
lE fT: Leaf collection using a rag and bag is tedious. Do your customers know that there’s a better way?
RI g HT: There is a season for every piece of equipment. When the winds of autumn blow, you can help with blowers.
After a long winter and wet spring, waterlogged yards begin to dry out and customers begin the annual ritual of renting equipment and preparing lawns for the outdoor summer fun ahead. After assessing the damage caused over the prior year by drainage, shade, soil ph, soil compaction, high foot traffic, pests, and thatch – customers need equipment and advice to renovate their properties. Luckily, simple problems such as thatch, bare spots and soil compaction are easily solved by renting power rakes (de-thatchers), overseeders and aerators –and proper advice on fertilization, mowing, watering and drainage typically resolves the other issues, improves customer satisfaction and generates re-rentals. Here’s a list of equipment and general advice to keep lawn and garden rental revenue flowing and customers happy.
MARCH:
Leverage spring cleanup by advertising and displaying items such as outdoor vacuums, chippers, aerators, power rakes overseeders and walk-behind blowers. Customers are in the midst of spring cleanup of sticks, blooms, seeds and leftover leaves.
Recommend a two-step rental process: Early in the month, clean the property with blowers, vacuums and chippers – and later in the month, before grass starts to grow, rent a power rake to remove thatch accumulation from the prior year. Excess thatch prevents water and nutrients from reaching the soil and may contribute to turf disease. Rental of overseeders for any thin spots that may appear or were missed by customers in the fall is also ideal. For shade areas, recommend that they overseed with shade-tolerant mixes. For northern grasses, mixes of bluegrass, fescue and rye are most common.
As an added service, you might also take a moment to offer your customer soil testing as a service or refer customers to the local nursery or garden center to determine acidity. Generally, a pH of 6.0 to 7.0 is desired for a healthy lawn. If the pH is less than 5.0, a healthy balance can generally be achieved by applying lime at a rate of 50 pounds per 1,000 square feet. Also, determine the right trencher to help repair any drainage issues that may have occurred during the winter and spring. Customers generally set mole traps during this month, so consider placing them at or near the counter.
APRIL:
Customers typically apply crabgrass preventer by April 15 and start their mowing regimen soon thereafter. If you are asked, between two- and threeinch mowing height is recommended to hold in water, discourage weeds and promote deeper roots. At this time, spring aeration begins if the yard is heavily compacted. Aeration improves root depth as well as air, water, fertilizer and nutrient flow. Customers should feel free to leave the plugs on the lawn, as they will be mulched back after a few rains and cuttings. However, if they want to pick them up – wait a day or two for them to dry and rake or vac them up. Watering the night before is recommended to soften the soil and allow core depths to three inches.
Overseeders can be rented twice a year, in March and September.
MAy:
Keep spreaders available as customers begin to fertilize when the rapid spring growth begins to slow. Most lawns will not need more the one pound per 1,000 square feet in May and again in September. In early June, as the season begins to dry out, recommend that customers start their regular morning watering routine (before 8 a.m.), but do not overwater, as it can promote fungal growth. Water just enough to take off drought stress. As a rule of thumb – consider no more 3/4 to 1.5 inches total per week, depending on climate. Sell and rent sprinklers.
AuG uST:
Recommend pesticide applications for grubs if the population exceeds nine grubs per square foot only. If the population is below that, they are unlikely to cause
damage to customers’ root systems. Keep in mind, if the lawn is lush and healthy, a small population may be in balance and not causing enough damage to justify the expense. So, keep spreaders out. Also, this month is ideal to begin brush cutting. Put your pedestrian brush cutters front and centre – they will cut down brush up to six feet high at a rate of about an acre per hour.
S EPTEM b ER:
After lawns take a beating from the summer heat and recreation schedule, customers start fall aeration, overseeding and fertilizing this month. It is the best month for customers to rejuvenate coolseason grasses such as rye, fescue and blue grasses. It is a month with minimal weed pressure, cooler temperatures and increased moisture, which makes conditions ideal. Aerating, overseeding,
Why
TSURUMI PUMP
HS2.4S- 62
How dedicated are your homeowner customers to lawn care? They might not be able to afford to purchase professional-grade landscaping equipment, but they might be able to rent it.
and fertilizing lawns is just the answer to rejuvenate them. Have your fleet ready again. Recommend a crisscrossing diagonal pattern for overseeders at half the drop rate. Consider new hydrostatic overseeders that improve productivity and eliminate the fatigue factor for customers.
O CTOb ER / NOVEM b ER:
Rent walk-behind leaf blowers and leaf vacuums to keep leaf drop from packing and smothering grass. Prepare the snow thrower rentals and repeat in the spring. Enjoy the revenue flow, improved ROIC and happy customers. CRS
Pierre Pereira is the vice-president of sales and marketing for Billy Goat Industries.
w HAT TO RENT
March
• outdoor vacuums • chippers • aerators • power rakes • overseeders • walk behind blowers
The latest in lawn and garden products. by Mike Davey
PRODUCT S h OWC a SE
welcome to our review of some of the lawn and garden equipment that you can offer to your customers as we finally awaken from the long, cold night of winter. Items listed here will be useful to professional landscapers, weekend gardeners and everyone in between. What are you waiting for? Start digging, and before you know it your hard work will bear fruit.
Inclusion in this section does not constitute an endorsement of any kind by Canadian Rental Service magazine or its staff. Please take care and exercise due diligence before making any purchases.
MDL M ECHANICAL EARTH DRILLS
Little Beaver
8www.littlebeaver.com
Little Beaver’s line of MDL
Mechanical Earth Drills offers a solution for one-man hole digging applications. Featuring a 360-RPM operating speed,
Little Beaver says the drills are faster and produce cleaner holes than similar competitive units, while the compact design allows access to areas unreachable by skid steermounted augers. The MDL line is built to be reliable, powerful and lightweight.
Four models are available in the line, each featuring a powerful overhead valve gas engine. The MDL-5B and MDL-5H are available with a Briggs & Stratton or Honda 5.5-horsepower engine, and are mounted on eight-inch semi-pneumatic tires. Offering the choice of an 8-horsepower Briggs & Stratton or Honda engine, the MDL-8B and MDL-8H come mounted on 10-inch pneumatic tires. The entire unit offers a smaller footprint for easy access in any area, and can be used on lawns, golf course greens and other delicate surfaces without causing damage.
The MDL drills feature a steel torque tube, allowing operators the ability to use large diameter augers without fear of dangerous kickback. In addition to increasing operator safety, the torque tube provides easier drilling, reducing operator effort and fatigue.
The MDL drills are designed with high-quality features for reduced maintenance and
extended life. The heavy-duty transmission, built by Little Beaver, includes cooling fins for quick heat dissipation and improved longevity. Furthermore, all steel features are powder-coated for enhanced strength and durability.
uS250 SPRAyER
TurfEx
8www.turfexproducts.com
The new US250 sprayer from TurfEx features a universal mount that allows it to attach to the front of most available zero-turn mowers. This unique mounting system stays within the mower’s footprint. The US250 is completely electric powered, meaning there are no engines or hydraulics to maintain.
Driven by a 12-volt electric motor, the sprayer draws its power from the mower’s battery. The pump is rated at two gallons per minute at 60 psi, and the corrosion-resistant polyethylene tank holds up to 25 gallons. To apply liquid, the US250 features an adjustable
spray wand, which is attached to 25 feet of hose.
For extended versatility, the US250 is available with an optional 48-inch, frontmounted boom for spraying directly to the ground. Also available is the boomless spray head, which uses a single nozzle to spray liquid up to a 15-foot-wide pattern.
TurfEx also offers spreader, sweeper, dethatcher and leaf pusher attachments for zeroturn mowers. The company says that each one utilizes an innovative mount system for quick attachment.
240 HOLE DIGGER
General Equipment Company 8www.generalequip.com
According to the company, the 240 hole digger from General Equipment Company features the industry’s first use of fourstroke engine technology on a single-operator, handheld hole-digging product. The 240 is just one model in General Equipment’s line of portable
hole digging equipment designed for use in lawn and garden, homeowner and light construction digging projects.
A 1.6-horsepower Subaru EH035 four-stroke gasoline engine supplies the power to the 240 hole digger. The engine’s four-stroke technology is far more fuel efficient than a two-stroke system, and it complies with all applicable emission control regulations. The four-stroke engine also eliminates the need for premixed fuel and oil solutions, which the company says effectively removes any worries of engine damage caused by improper mixing techniques.
A Magura twist grip throttle controls the engine speed for optimal power output. This same throttle has been utilized and field proven for 20 years on General Equipment two-man diggers. Using a highly efficient spur gear transmission, the 240 produces a maximum drilling torque of 55 foot-pounds for improved digging performance.
The 240’s all-metal centrifugal clutch slips upon overload or when the auger makes direct contact with a buried obstruction.
The industry standard one-inch-diameter driveshaft connection accommodates the use of earth augers ranging from two to eight inches in diameter. The standard digging depth is 30 inches, which can be increased with an available 15-inch, non-flighted extension.
Topdresser from Earth & Turf Products features a 10-cubicfoot struck-level capacity, 18-9.5-8 drive tires that are easy on turf, and 13-6.5-6 steering tires for sure-footed control.
A hydrostatic drive offers positive traction and excellent flexibility. The engine is a 10.5-horsepower (7.8-kilowatt) Briggs & Stratton.
The 100 SP Self-Propelled Topdresser also features a 30-inch brush expeller for even spread distribution. The unit can even access very narrow paths, due to its 35.5-inch overall width.
MODEL 42 SPREADER
Gandy Products
8www.gandy.net
With an approximate 225pound capacity, Gandy says the Model 42 spreaders accurately sow seed, apply fertilizer, herbicides and insecticides, and using interchangeable fixedrate bottoms with optional spread plate shut-off, overseed and spread dry top dressing and dry lime. Model 42 spreaders can also be used in the colder months, to spread sand or salt to make walkways, parking lots and driveways safer.
Other features include positive shut-off, a standard spreadplate, optional jigglers to insert inside the hopper to reduce bridging, optional calibration pan for catching and calibrating material, and the choice of either 16-inch pneumatic tires or 20- and 26-inch wheels with semipneumatic tires.
When it comes time to clean, Model 42 spreaders disassemble without tools. Wing nuts release retainers holding bearing and rotors adjustable stainless steel
bottoms resist corrosion and snap off for easy cleaning. The Model 42 can be used with utility and lawn tractors, and it is also available with a push handle.
LAw N R EVITALI z ER
G.C. Duke
8www.gcduke.com
According to G.C. Duke, the Lawn Revitalizers, available in nine horsepower and 13.5 horsepower, are quickly becoming the units of choice for the rental and landscape industries. These solid-built overseeding units feature hydrostatic drive system and two speed forward and reverse. The company says the units offer both the homeowner and landscape professional single hand ease of operation at speeds of 3 and 4 m.p.h.
The seed hoppers are constructed of steel and are available in both 40 and 50-pound sizes. They are easily adjusted to dispense seed at the operator’s preferred rate.
EA190V E NGINE
Subaru 8www.marind.ca
Featuring a vertical shaft configuration, Subaru’s new EA190V Engine is the first to offer chain-driven overhead cam (OHC) technology to the small, air-cooled, vertical shaft engine market. The 189cc
displacement engine is designed to be lightweight, yet durable and rugged enough for a variety of lawn and garden equipment including pressure washers, walk-behind string trimmers, aerators and lawn vacs.
Subaru says that by incorporating industry-leading OHC technology, the EA190V offers easier starts, quieter operation and more power than same-class competitive engines. OHC engines have fewer moving parts, and, as a result, produce less mechanical noise than competitive technologies. Additionally, the EA190V features a low-tone muffler to further reduce noise levels. This combination makes the engine a full 3 dBA quieter in exhaust tone than other same-class engines.
In addition, the EA190V is built with high-quality materials and designed to further extend engine life. Heavy-duty piston rings and a cast-iron cylinder liner reduce engine wear, while a patent-pending oil delivery system increases longevity.
The engine is available with an optional primer bulb or auto choke to enhance starting in cold weather. Primarily for use with wheeled string trimmers, a throttle cable connection is offered to allow the operator to choke, change the speed of and stop the engine with one lever.
MODEL ENLS20HC LOGSPLITTER
Uniquip 8www.uniquip.ca
The Model ENLS20HC Logsplitter from Uniquip
PROFIT BOOSTER
R E al I z ING
POTENTI al
Reaching farther with long reach air tools.
Oby D ENNIS VON R UDEN
Due to their functionality, long reach air tools fit the job requirements of a wide group of customers ranging from homeowners to contractors. They are ideal for removing vinyl and ceramic tiles, carpet adhesives and material buildup from floors and walls. The small size and high power output of these tools make them useful for chipping away concrete and asphalt or removing slag and scale materials on industrial and marine job sites. This equipment can also be used for overhead projects including asbestos and acoustic tile removal.
However, despite the tools’ wide-ranging capabilities, they are often difficult to sell or rent because they simply are misunderstood. Although an effective solution when a customer has limited resources and a relatively small job, they are many times eliminated from suggestion because a rental professional doesn’t completely understand the customer’s needs or how the tool can help address them.
Selecting the proper machine and process involves an
f all the tools sitting on the rental showroom floor, the long reach air tool may be the most underappreciated and underutilized. Despite having been on the market for more than four decades — and touted by many contractors for its value — the tool’s potential often is not used to its fullest extent, especially by rental centre operators, and is commonly relegated to collecting dust in a corner.
accumulation of experience, skill and practical sense. Now is the time to gain knowledge of these tools and make a solid return on investment.
AIR TOOL EDuCATION
Consider this situation: A customer walks into the rental centre looking for a solution to a surface removal
Long reach air tools fit the job requirements of a wide group of customers ranging from homeowners to contractors.
problem. Perhaps it’s removing stuck floor tiles in a hard-to-reach area of a bathroom or kitchen. Maybe it’s a contractor trying to peel material off a wall. Either way, the customer is in need of the right equipment to get the job done quickly and effectively. While the customer understands the end goal, they’re not quite sure of the best way to get there.
This situation is not uncommon; therefore, it’s crucial that a rental centre operator or employee is educated on the proper use and benefits of long reach air tools. It’s imperative to understand how they work and how to properly power them. Ask yourself: What equipment should I give to my customer? How should I outfit this tool? If this information isn’t known, contact the manufacturer or sales representative for technical assistance.
Unless the person behind the counter has experience with surface preparation, the customer probably isn’t going to be as successful with this equipment as they should be. It’s the job of the rental centre operator to maximize
PROFIT BOOSTER
marketing opportunities. Ideally, every time a customer walks through the front door, the rental professional should have a solution for that customer’s problem.
Once it’s clear these tools are the best fit for a customer’s job, other concerns must be addressed. The customer needs a power source for the tool, like an air compressor, and a way to transport it to his job site. Make sure these basic needs are taken into account before sending a customer out the door. After all, an informed and well-armed customer is more likely to return.
DEALING w ITH THE FLOw AND PRESS u RE
The informed customer will understand the basic concept that long reach air tools operate on compressed air. Therefore, it is vital to power the tool with an appropriately sized compressor. Long reach air tools always tax a small air compressor, so it’s important to identify the pressure and airflow needed to meet the tool’s demands. Most of these tools operate best at 90 pounds per square inch (psi) of pressure. Required flow rates can vary from five to 15 cubic feet per minute (CFM). These performance values can usually be met by most common five-horsepower and higher gasoline-powered compressors. But remember, if you’re unsure whether the compressor is adequate or not, contact its manufacturer for assistance.
It’s also critical that the compressor is in proper
Selecting the proper machine and process involves an accumulation of experience, skill and practical sense. You can help your customers (and put more dollars in your pocket) by knowing exactly which machine is right for a particular job.
operating condition. An older, well-used compressor may not be able to produce the air pressure and flow it’s rated for or be able to maintain this performance throughout the job. Ensure the compressor that is rented is functioning properly so the customer’s project can be completed efficiently.
Of course, a properly sized and efficient air compressor won’t help much without having a way to deliver the compressed air to the tool. At this point, the rental professional will know what diameter and length of air hose to recommend. After all, utilizing a 1/4-inch hose on a job requiring at least a 3/8-inch hose will restrict the amount of air going to the tool, essentially choking it of its necessary air supply and inhibiting it from operating properly. The same rule applies for the quick couplers, so make sure they match the hose size for maximum efficiency.
Too much hose length will also negatively affect the
performance of the tool. Poiseuille’s Law, which relates friction to increasing hose length, tells us that the friction of a longer hose will reduce the air pressure over its length. This means that even with a correct hose and coupler diameter, the tool may still not be getting correct and steady amount of air.
A common situation when too much hose length is used on a job site is when the compressor is powered by a generator. Usually the generator is placed far from the actual work area to reduce noise and emissions concerns. However, locating the compressor too far away requires a longer length of hose and increases the effects of Poiseuille’s Law. If adequate ventilation is available and ear protection is used, consider placing the generator and compressor closer to the project to ensure the tool receives the necessary amount of air to work properly.
Remember, the amount of air pressure (psi) determines the blow force or how hard the tool hits the surface. The flow rate (CFM) determines frequency or how fast the tool hits. The tool may be hitting at a good frequency, but if it doesn’t have the air pressure behind it, the job isn’t getting done as effectively as possible. The same can be said if pressure is sufficient, but the flow rate is restricted.
F INDING THE RIGHT ATTACHMENTS
Having the right compressor, hose and couplers is important. It’s also vital to provide the proper attachments so the customer has the correct tools to get the job done. With long reach air tools, it isn’t always a “one-size-fitsall” mentality. Find out exactly what the customer needs.
For example, if removing ceramic tile, how is the tile bonded? What type of adhesive was used? What is the backing layer the tile is adhered to? Don’t be afraid to ask questions. The more one knows about what the customer is trying to accomplish, the easier it will be to determine the necessary attachments.
PROFIT BOOSTER
Long reach air tools have a wide variety of attachments from which to choose. In some cases it may be ideal to offer a kit containing many attachments. In the above example, it’s likely a four-inch-wide chisel might not be the best tool for the entire job. Maybe it will take a two-inch chisel to get the right results. The key is for the customer to work with the attachments until they find one that really works.
THE IMPORTANCE OF PROPER MAINTENANCE
With all equipment, the key to longevity and maximum performance is maintenance. It’s no different with long reach air tools. Practising routine maintenance will keep them in top form and ready to rent.
Maintenance is often ruled by common sense. It’s important to keep the tool’s internal mechanism lubricated so retained moisture doesn’t cause corrosion. As part of a regular maintenance schedule, it may be necessary to run lightweight oil through the tool to clean it out. This ensures it hits properly and at the right frequency. Additionally, special air tool lubrication oil is readily available.
If the tool isn’t rented out on a regular basis, it’s wise to take it out and run it periodically. This loosens up old
It is vital to power the tool with an appropriately sized compressor. Long reach air tools always tax a small air compressor, so it’s important to identify the pressure and airflow needed to meet the tool’s demands.
oil deposits and corrosion, which may interfere with the piston’s movement and affect blow force and frequency. This practice also ensures the tool is always in proper operating condition and ready for the next customer.
Since these machines aren’t particularly complex, performing routine maintenance can be both quick and easy. Taking a few steps to ensure the equipment functions properly will save rental professionals from repair headaches down the road.
D ON’T FIGHT THE MACHINE
The beauty of employing a piece of equipment to tackle a task is that less manual labour is required for the operator. However, this benefit can sometimes be forgotten if the customer insists on using muscle instead of letting the machine do the work. Before customers walk out of the store, remind them to allow the tool to do its job. Don’t fight it! Not only is this a more efficient way to complete the task at hand, but it also guards against damaging the tool and reduces the risk of operator injury.
Rental centre operators should also avoid fighting the potential these tools can bring to their business. When savvy professionals increase their understanding of the product and follow a few tips, long reach air tools can help do the work to grow business. This equipment’s wide variety of applications offers exceptional versatility for customers. By taking advantage of the tool’s benefits, rental centres may see big returns – in both customers and investment. CRS
Dennis Von Ruden is the president of General Equipment Company. For more information, please visit the company online at www.generalequip.com.
APPLICATIONS
Long reach air tools have many different applications for both homeowners and professional contractors. Their versatility is further enhanced by their relatively small size and high power output. Below are just a few of the purposes to which long reach air tools can be put:
• Removing tiles (either vinyl or ceramic)
• Removing carpet adhesives
• Removing other kinds of material buildup from floors and walls
• Chipping away concrete or asphalt
• Removing slag and scale materials
• Asbestos removal
• Overhead projects, such as removal of acoustic tile
continued from pg. 32
features heavy-duty tubular frame construction for rugged applications, and the units are powered by Honda GX series engines for tough performance.
Ball-hitch and safety chains included for added security in transport, and the road-worthy design allows woodsplitter to be towed on highways to move from site to site. Uniquip says that a high-quality hydraulic system delivers forceful woodsplitting capabilities, and the unit converts easily from horizontal to vertical positions to split wood in either position.
The unit features a 5.5-horsepower Honda GX160 OHV engine, and offers 20 tons of splitting power.
P Ow ER D OG
Con X Equipment
8www.conxequipment.com
The Power Dog is a hydraulic powered tiller offered in two versions, the 209 and the 213. Both feature tandem, variable displacement pumps and a six-month warrantee.
The Power Dog 213 utilizes a Honda GX 390 OHV, while the Power Dog 209 is available with either a Honda GX 270 engine or a Subaru EX 27 engine.
Both models feature dual rotating tines, the ability to quickly adjust tilling depth, easy to adapt controls and variable speed on the go with the twist of a wrist.
At 400 pounds, the 209 is the larger of the two and
offers a tilling width of 24 inches. The 213 weighs in at 315 pounds and offers a tilling width of 18 inches. Both models have an eightinch tilling depth.
LAIV P LuS AERATOR
G.C. Duke
8www.gcduke.com
The LAIV Plus aerator from G.C. Duke is a high-speed, coring, roll-type unit built for the rental industry, as well as commercial users with smaller aeration jobs. According to G.C. Duke, the unit is now even more rugged and versatile than before.
A fold-down handle and protected lift grabs allow for safer, easier transportation. New ergonomic features include a more comfortable handle, handle-mounted throttle and rubber grips allowing for easier operation. For increased reliability, the solid steel axle is mounted on construction grade ball bearings and is driven by a single O-ring sealed chain. The company says that easy-attach dual weights give excellent results in harder soils by increasing ground pressure by more than 25 per cent, as well as balancing the unit on uneven terrain. With the water drum filled, the tines will penetrate down to 2.75 inches. CRS
P Ow R-F LITE INTRODuCES GREEN FLOOR CARE
The all-new Predator 14 (with a 14-inch cleaning path) automatic scrubber is a low-moisture machine that Powr-Flite says uses less water and fewer chemicals than comparable traditional scrubbers, making it healthier for the environment.
Further, the company says its parabolic squeegee system mounted just one inch behind the pad ensures that solution, contaminants and soils are recovered instantly, even when making 180-degree turns.
The battery-operated scrubber has a 70-minute run time and can clean up to 11,300 square feet in an hour.
For more information, visit www.powr-flite.com.
CASE INTRODuCES NEw LINE OF ANGLE b ROOMS FOR w HEEL LOADERS
Case Construction Equipment has introduced a family of hydraulic angle broom attachments designed to increase the utility of Case wheel loaders.
Ranging in width from 96 to 120 inches, the new angle brooms enable Case wheel loaders to sweep streets and parking lots, clean up jobsites and remove snow from jobsites. Angle broom models are available for Case 521D and E, 621D and E, 721D and E, and 821E wheel loaders.
The brooms feature durable poly-wire brushes, broom heads that adjust 30 degrees left or right and an integrated nozzle for applications requiring water for dust control. The Case angle brooms attach to the CNH Quick Coupler (JRB-compatible) for wheel loaders. Quick-change hydraulic fittings enable the operator to attach and detach the broom without disrupting hydraulic lines. Dual hydraulic motors power the broom attachment, driven by the loader’s optional third-function auxiliary hydraulic control. A rugged steel frame houses the broom. Broom models are available with either solid or pneumatic tires.
For more information, please visit www.casece.com.
N Ew HyDRAu LIC SAND SPREADER FROM CEATTACHMENTS
CEAttachments has announced the addition of the new EDGE hydraulic sand spreader to its lineup of attachments for the skid steer loaders.
The company says the EDGE hydraulic sand spreader is the perfect attachment to quickly and efficiently spread sand or sand/salt mixtures on icy sidewalks, driveways, parking lots or roads. The spreader is suitable for surfaces only 29 inches wide up to 28 feet wide.
This attachment allows you to scoop the sand into a selfloading eight-cubic-foot hopper that features an agitator to prevent bridging of material and ensure constant flow. A heavy-duty screen with three-inch openings is bolted to the top to protect inside components. Material moves down through three adjustable gates at the bottom of the hopper and onto an 18-inch wheel with six paddles that disperse the material. Side steps are positioned on each side of the unit for easy access to and from the cab.
This new EDGE Hydraulic Sand Spreader requires 10-22 gallons per minute hydraulic flow and measures 41 inches high, 32 inches deep and 54 inches in overall width.
An optional Sidewalk Deflector Kit is available and allows you to spread the sand in one of two precisely measured widths, keeping the material on the sidewalk or path. Set it up on the inside pegs for a 29-inch radial spread or on the outside pegs for a 37-inch spread.
While the new EDGE Hydraulic Sand Spreader is designed for spreading sand and sand/salt mixtures, CEAttachments also offers an electrically powered 5.75 cubic foot Salt Spreader for handling other dry, free flowing granular materials including salt, seed and fertilizer.
For more information, please visit www.ceattachments.com.
M ILwAuk EE INTRODuCES S ub- COMPACT HAMMER DRILL DRIVER
Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation continues to expand its M12 Lithium-Ion system with the introduction of the industry’s first sub-compact hammer drill driver.
Delivering 275 inch pounds of torque and 0-400 / 0-1,500 r.p.m., Milwaukee says this new tool features best-in-class power, speed and durability in a compact, lightweight size.
In addition, the M12 hammer drill driver features a metal gear housing for durability and a single sleeve, metal ratcheting chuck for superior bit retention. An integrated fuel gauge and LED light provides added user convenience and minimizes downtime on the jobsite.
Compatible with over 25 tools on the M12 cordless system, the new hammer drill driver is one of the first products powered by Red Lithium battery technology.
For more information, please visit www.milwaukeetool.com.
JLG u PDATES TOuCAN VERTICAL MAST LIFT
JLG Industries has announced it is relaunching its vertical mast lift – T26E, formerly named E26MJ.
The T26E mast boom lift features a vertical telescopic mast with a jib that enables operators to reach above and around obstacles. The company says it is ideal for plant maintenance applications, heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) contractors, electrical contractors and workers in automotive plants. The T26E allows operators to easily manoeuvre around assembly lines, shelving, ductwork and partitions to complete jobs with minimal disruption to worksites. With the enhanced direct electric drive, the T26E boasts a longer battery life with
more duty cycles to increase productivity. The AC motor also features quieter operation with lower maintenance costs.
For additional operator support, the T26E offers improved style and control. Furthermore, with a platform capacity of 500 pounds, overall width of 39 inches and platform height of 26 feet, the T26E is compact enough to access hard-to-reach areas and navigate through narrow aisles, and is robust enough to hold two workers and their supplies.
For more information, please visit www.jlg.com.
N Ew MSP 445 R IDER FROM ALLEN
The Allen MSP 445 Rider is a totally new mechanical drive riding trowel in the Allen Engineering Corporation riding trowel lineup.
According to the company, the higher horsepower, improved torque-converter clutch and improved weight to horsepower ratio allow the operator to pan through the toughest pours, making the MSP 445 a concrete finisher’s dream. The MSP 445 is the latest addition to Allen’s Mechanical Super Pro (MSP) Series of Riders.
MSP 445 standard features include:
• manual steering and pitch controls
• 40-horsepower air cooled Kohler gasoline engine
• torque converter clutch system
• two 46-inch-diameter, five-blade non-overlapping rotors
• rotor speeds of up to 165 r.p.m.
• electrically powered spray system for application of retardant
• flip-up seat and removable screens for superior accessibility to engine, clutch and driveline.
For more information, visit the Allen Engineering Corporation website at www.alleneng.com.
N Ew E LECTRIC E EL MODEL E-AF DRAIN CLEANING MACHINE
The Model E-AF drain cleaning machine features a two-way auto cable feed that advances and retrieves cable with the push of a lever, while a cable guide spring keeps hands off rotating cable for added safety. A cable guide spring holder is conveniently located on the base.
The Model E-AF drain and sewer cleaning machine cleans 1-1/4-inch to three-inch-diameter lines of up to 75
feet. Cable is available in 3/8-inch and 1/2-inch diameter with “galvanized aircraft wire inner core.” Typical applications include vents, downspouts and kitchen drains.
Electric Eel produces a full range of drain and sewer cleaning machines, including sectional units, drum machines and a full line of pipeline inspection systems. For more information please visit www.electriceel.com. RIDGID E x PANDS DIAGNOSTIC
RIDGID has expanded its existing diagnostic line with the addition of three new hand-held diagnostic tools: the RIDGID micro LM-100 laser distance meter, the RIDGID micro CD-100 combustible gas detector and the RIDGID micro IR-100 non-contact infrared thermometer.
The RIDGID micro LM-100 laser distance meter provides simple, quick and accurate distance readings up to 164 feet. The rugged, portable, compact device weighs 0.5 pounds and measures accurately within 1/16 of an inch. It offers adjustable units, enabling the user to read the measurements in feet, inches or metres, and add or subtract measurements at the touch of a button.
The RIDGID micro CD-100 combustible gas detector provides simple and fast readings to quickly identify the presence of combustible gases. The detector is designed to detect methane, propane, butane, ethanol, ammonia, hydrogen and many other combustible gases.
The RIDGID micro IR-100 non-contact infrared thermometer provides simple, quick and accurate surface temperature readings at the push of a button. By squeezing the trigger and pointing the ultra-sharp dual class II lasers to spotlight the surface being measured, the micro IR-100 thermometer provides an immediate temperature measurement on a clear, easy-to-read backlit LCD display. The rugged ergonomic pistol-style grip allows the user to keep a solid grip on the device in the harshest industrial environments.
All three RIDGID hand-held diagnostic tools run on alkaline batteries and come with a RIDGID warranty.
CRA PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
2011 al RE a Dy!
It’s going to be an exciting year!
by ANDREW PAq UETTE, CRA PRESIDENT
There’s lots going on with your association this year. 2011 will start with a couple of local shows, all of which give our associate members a chance to exhibit their equipment, while we get together locally to talk about business in a social and educational setting. Don’t miss your local shows.
You’ll be hearing a lot about the cost of doing business survey this year. The value is great and we need your participation. If you submit your numbers, you’ll get a free copy. Go through it, understand it and then give it to your bookkeeper and/or your accountant, and show it to the bank; they will be very interested in seeing how you benchmark to the rest of your industry. Even if you haven’t improved as much as you’d hoped, the bank will see you are not unique.Those who lend us money have difficulty comprehending what we do.
I was sending out e-mails in December, as I have tracked airfares to Vegas. I’m sure you all have major plans to go to The Rental Show by now. The airfare and room rates have rarely been cheaper. If you have never been to Vegas, this is an inexpensive opportunity. The show website is a one-stop wonder for everything about the show [ or check out our coverage in this issue – Ed. ]. Here are a couple of tricks that can help you get the most from the show. Look up the CRA associates who will be exhibiting. It’s a great opportunity to see the new stock, new products and prices that they’re offering. Also, take a look at the exhibitor list and find first-time exhibitors. Take a moment to go and visit them for new ideas.
Andrew Paquette, CERP, is the president of Bravo Rentals in Montreal. He served as CRA president for 2010 and can be reached at 514685-8000 or via e-mail to andrew@bravoparty.com.
Win-Win-Win is how Mandy Wellnitz described the new CRA-media partnership with Canadian Rental Service magazine. It’s a win for our members and for the magazine.
You already know about the Protective Self-Insurance Program, and remember, it’s easy to contact HED insurance at 1-800-665-8990 to discuss a quote for your insurance. The CRA will work hard this year to learn about the prospective members across Canada who have not yet discovered the benefits of the CRA. If you can help us with names, the CRA head office will contact them or send a package.
Thanks for allowing me to serve as your president. I’d like to thank all the members of the CRA for making my term as president interesting and valuable, and for sharing their ideas about our association with me. It’s been a pleasure talking with every member. Thanks to chairman Jay Williams for his hard work at the Quebec local level and then through the national chairs. Thanks to the staff at the head office and all the board members, local presidents and volunteers across Canada who take time to help others, participate and are active in our great industry. I will be continuing on as the chairman, but I leave you in strong hands, knowing that Wayne Beckett takes over the role of president at the AGM.
If you’re coming to Montreal take an opportunity to visit Bravo. Drop me a line any time with your comments on how the CRA is doing. Have a great year, work hard, play hard and put some money in the bank. CRS
• Dri-Eaz Dehumidifiers, Blowers and air conditioners
• OztEc concrete Vibrators Paper Shredders ceiling grinders
• JENNY air compressors & Pressure Washers
• tErraMitE compact loaders backhoes & Street Sweepers
IAndrew Paquette, CERP, est le président de Location Bravo à Montréal. Il a été président de la CRA en 2010 et peut être rejoint au 514685-8000 ou par courriel à andrew@bravoparty.com
2011 Déjà!
Ce sera une année excitante!
l y a beaucoup de choses qui se passent dans votre association cette année. Tout d’abord, l’année débute avec les Salons d’exposition qui permettent aux membres fournisseurs de montrer les tous nouveaux équipements, tandis que nous nous rencontrons pour parler affaires dans un environnement social et éducatif. Ne manquez pas d’assister à votre Salon local.
Vous entendrez beaucoup parler de l’enquête au sujet du coût des affaires cette année. La valeur de cette enquête est très grande, et nous avons besoin de votre participation. En participant, vous aurez droit à une copie du rapport gratis. Feuilletez-le, comprenez-le et ensuite passez-le à votre comptable et montrez-le a votre banquier. Ils seront très intéressés à voir comment vous vous comparez au reste de l’industrie. Même si vous ne vous êtes pas améliorés autant que vous l’auriez voulu, la banque verra que vous n’êtes pas seuls. Ceux qui nous prêtent l’argent ont parfois du mal à comprendre ce que nous faisons.
Puisque le Rental Show de l’ARA approche vite, je gardais en décembre un œil sur les tarifs des billets aller-retour pour Las Végas. Je suis certain que la plus part de vous avez planifié votre voyage en février. Les prix des billets d’avion et d’hôtels n’ont jamais été aussi abordables. Si vous n’êtes jamais allés à Végas, c’est le moment ou jamais. Le site web du Rental Show vous montrera tout ce qui se passe au salon. Voici quelques astuces qui vous aideront à profiter du salon au maximum : sur la liste d’exposant du Rental Show, retrouvez les membres associés de la CRA qui y participeront. C’est une excellente façon de voir en premier lieu les nouvelles marchandises qui se retrouveront probablement éventuellement dans votre inventaire. C’est aussi une bonne façon de voir les prix qui sont offerts. Aussi, trouvez sur cette liste les nouveaux exposants. Visitez leurs kiosques, c’est une excellente opportunité pour les consulter et obtenir des nouvelles idées.
Le nouveau partenariat entre la CRA et la revue Canadian Rental Service est une entente qui rend les deux parties gagnantes, comme l’indique Mandy Wellnitz. C’est un bénéfice pour nos membres et pour la revue.
Vous connaissez le programme d’auto-assurance, et vous savez qu’il est facile de communiquer avec HED Courtier en Assurance Inc au 800-363-9538 pour discuter d’une soumission pour votre assurance. La CRA travaille assidûment pour trouver les centres de location qui ne connaissent pas encore tous les bénéfices qui sont disponibles à travers l’association. Si vous connaissez des centres de location qui ne sont pas membres, envoyez leurs noms au bureau de la CRA et nous les contacterons et leur enverrons des informations.
Merci à tous de m’avoir permis de servir à titre de président. Je tiens à remercier tous les membres de la CRA d’avoir rendu mon mandat de président aussi intéressant qu’il l’a été. Merci d’avoir partagé vos idées avec moi au sujet de notre association. Cela m’a fait grand plaisir d’avoir parlé avec vous. Merci à notre président d’assemblée, Jay Williams, pour tout son travail avec l’ALQ et au niveau national. Merci aux employés de notre bureau à Winnipeg, et à tous les membres des comités nationaux et locaux, les présidents et les bénévoles à travers le Canada qui prennent le temps pour aider les autres, qui participent et qui sont actifs dans notre grande industrie. Je continue à titre de président d’assemblée, mais je vous laisse entre bonnes mains avec Wayne Beckett qui reprend le rôle de président lors de l’AGM en février.
Si vous venez à Montréal, venez faire un tour chez Bravo. Envoyez-moi vos commentaires en tout temps. Je vous souhaite une très bonne année, allez-y à fond sans oublier de mettre quelques sous à la banque. CRS
UR AMAZING LIT TLE ARMY SCALES TO GREAT HEIGHTS.
TThe Hatz small diesel line has risen to the top in choices. In fact, our horsepower range (2 to 10.6 hp) is as wide as the Rockies: 1B20 (2 to 4.6 hp); 1B30 (3 to 7 hp); 1B40 (4.8 to 9.9 hp); 1B50 (5.3 to 10.6 hp) and vertical shaft models (2 to 10.6 hp). Plus, features as great as Everest: fully auto recoil starting, electric starting option, dependable cold starting, easily changeable PTO shafts, excellent fuel efficiency, extremely quiet running and proven durability. They’re also emissions compliant. Put a little Hatz in your products and we’ll help you climb to the top.
