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Serving the Canadian rental industry for 33 years. www.canadianrentalservice.com
Are you ready for the turnaround? EDITORIAL
Although economic forecasters predicted that Canada would not be as hard hit as the U.S., the downturn in the economy looks like it will get worse before it gets better.
Last year, the federal government said that the country was in better shape than others to weather the global economic storm and we would bounce back quickly, but consumer confidence in December shrank to the lowest level since 1981-82, when the jobless rate reached 13 per cent.
In January economists from the big banks warned Canadians to brace themselves for another year of weak growth as the troubles in the weakening US economy continue to spill over. In other words, this slump will last longer than originally expected.
Many rental operators I have spoken with were prepared for this. They saw it coming when the sub-prime market in the U.S. collapsed while housing starts in Canada were still on the rise, and they were ready.
Equipment rental companies can weather economic slowdowns much better than those in the manufacturing sector as the concept of renting offers construction contractors the option to restrict their capital spending when cash flow has been interrupted. However, this in itself cannot sustain rental companies for long and belts will be tightened one notch more.
While most of the talk seems to be centred on how long it will last and how those in the industry are coping with it, I haven’t heard much talk about what they will do when the economy bounces back.
Canadian Rental Association (CRA) vice-president Andrew Paquette reminded the industry during a speech at the CRA Ontario annual awards banquet that they will need to be ready
for this as well. “We are faced with some tough economic times, but we have to be prepared for the turnaround because when the economy does turn it will turn real fast,” he said.
He’s right and veterans who were in this industry during the 1981-82 and 1990-92 recessions have seen this before.
In fact, the Bank of Canada’s first detailed economic analysis for 2009 predicted the economy will shrink until the middle of this year, but we will start rebounding as early as July and return to full capacity in mid-2011.
The central bank says the extraordinary monetary and fiscal stimulus being injected around the world will help rejuvenate battered economies and recoveries can come sharply. They add that Canada’s recovery will be quicker than previous recessions and stronger than recovery in other G7 countries because of the relative health of the economy, especially in Western Canada.
So while you are streamlining inventory, consolidating equipment purchases and tweaking your utilization rates, don’t forget to plan for better times ahead because they are coming. The question isn’t when, but will you be ready?
Canadian Rental Service welcomes new CRA president
If you think the only change we made to the CRA president’s message in this issue was to replace the photo and the first name of the president, you’re not keeping in touch with your association. This issue contains the first report by Jay Williams, no relation to past president Brad Williams who graced this newsletter with his words of “rental wisdom.” Jay has some wisdom to share with reader as well. Check it out on page 8.
Editor, Chris Skalkos
NEXT ISSUE:
The next issue of Canadian Rental Service is the annual Directory of Suppliers and Products. Watch for this valuable directory of who supplies what in the Canadian rental industry!
Cover: Chris MacLellan, managing director, left, and Rick Lukasik, president, of Affair Rentals.
Photo by Chris Skalkos
Where the best events start
State-of-the-art
facility is a testament to the successful growth of Affair Rentals
In the spring of 2008, Hazel McCallion, the mayor of Mississauga, Ont., presided over the ribbon-cutting ceremony that marked the grand opening of a new facility housing the operations of Affair Rentals, whose slogan reads, “The Best Events Start Here.” It is the third move for the company, which has grown to more than 10 times its original size, now widely recognized as one of the major players in the special events industry in Canada.
For guests touring the company’s new home it is hard to imagine, in this new state-of-the-art $4-million, 40,000square-foot facility, that the company started off as a humble rental store located in an isolated unit inside of a strip mall. But that is how it began, explains company president, Rick Lukasik, who relates how his mother Loretto started the business in 1985. “She saw the potential for this market early. Back then there were not many dedicated party rental stores. Most were divisions of equipment rental shops, but she wanted to focus exclusively on party rentals,” he says. “She started with the basic rental items, two patterns of dishware, one pattern of cutlery and disposables such as candles and balloons. It seems funny now, but back then the disposable items were popular.”
The company soon expanded its inventory, offering small tents. “Renting tents was a new ball game compared to other, less labour intensive products. We started with small 20- by 20-foot frame and pole tents from Eureka for parties of 20 to 25, mostly for residential use,” says Lukasik.
As the company built its customer base it quickly outgrew its single-unit facility, eventually taking over the unit next door and then kept moving into adjacent units as they were vacated. “We kept knocking down walls and expanding until we took over all five units in the building,” he says. The company operated out of that building
for 10 years before moving just down the road in 1996 to a 20,000-square-foot facility. “We thought that new building was going to last us forever. We joked that we might need a golf cart to get around in it. We didn’t think we would move again,” he says, but by late 2003, having greatly expanded their product lines and service offerings and with a satellite building in use a few minutes away, housing a tent repair operation and general storage, it became clear that more space was needed and plans began to find a new, much larger, home.
After more than four years of searching, in late 2007 a suitable building was found and renovation plans were begun to design a facility that would house the company for its next stage of growth.
In May of 2008, after several months of construction on the interior of the new facility, they settled into their current 40,000-square-foot location.
The new facility has undergone comprehensive renovations to address the unique operational needs of a company with such a wide range of products and services. Divided into four key departments, it includes a commercial laundry; a dishware department that is responsible for cleaning and packaging all incoming smallware items to rigorous specifications; a tenting division which maintains the company’s extensive inventory of tents and provides cleaning and repair services to a range
Rentals is a full-service event rental company located in Mississauga, Ont., that provides services to more than 8,500 functions a year.
The company offers a broad inventory of china, glassware, flatware, linens, tables, chairs, kitchen equipment, traditional pole tents, frame tents, high peak tension tents, lighting systems, heating, cooling and sub-flooring.
of other tent companies; and finally the company showroom, which provides a visual display of their product line and a place for event professionals and private clients to make their selections. In addition to a broad inventory of china, glassware, flatware, linens, tables and chairs to suit any need or budget, the company now has a large inventory of high quality mobile kitchen equipment, traditional pole tents, frame tents, high peak tension tents, and a wide range of options, including, heating, cooling, lighting systems and sub-flooring.
Complementing its tent and rental
Affair
CANADIAN RENTAL ASSOCIATION
Why join an association?
By Jay Williams, CRA president
As incoming president for the Canadian Rental Association (CRA) I would like to thank past president “Bobcat Brad” Williams for his guidance and his support during my progression to the president’s office. Throughout his term as president he worked tirelessly to promote the goals of the association while making it look easy. I hope to continue his President’s Message published here in Canadian Rental Service magazine where we have the opportunity to share association news with members and non-members alike. This column is a venue for sharing what we have learned, and the most important thing that I have learned from this business is that I am not alone.
I realized that in December after a fire in my rental store. Immediately I started receiving calls from other rental companies with all of them asking the same question: “How can we help?” I had offers for equipment, trucks and everything else I needed to keep my business running while we recovered from this incident.
Why?
The answer is simple, I am a member of the Canadian Rental Association and as a member I am never alone in the rental industry. I have met a lot of individuals in this industry and I have made a lot of friends along the way. I intend to make more as I travel across
the country meeting rental professionals and their suppliers.
Two of the most frequently asked questions I hear are: “Why join an association?” and “What is the association going to do for me?”
I can tell you right away by joining the CRA you will learn about the success of businesses like yours. You will attend conferences and seminars where exclusive topics of interest will be presented to you. You will meet experience rental operators who are willing to share their knowledge with you. You will learn by networking with
professionals and competitors who do the same work you do. You will connect with multiple suppliers and manufacturers and keep up to date with new and exciting technologies.
What is the association going to do for me? The answer is nothing, unless you are willing to do something. Simply, you get out of it what you put into it. Associations bring a sense of professionalism, education, and individual support that will eventually bring money back to your bottom line. Associations like the CRA provide educational resources and marketing tools. No one has the time to keep up with all of the changes in technology, government legislation and safety standards legal issues, employment situations, and other topics relevant to our industry. Your association can do this for you!
Support your association by joining and taking a little bit of time from your schedule to contribute to it. If you do so, you will see the benefits. If you are an owner or a manager of a rental company that is not already a member of the CRA, take the time to evaluate what you want to get out of this industry and what you can do to improve the industry as a whole. When you join the CRA you are joining a support group that is very much like a family and when you do you will learn what I have learned. As a member of the CRA you are not alone.
Pourquoi se joindre à une association?
Par Jay Williams, président de la CRA
En tant que nouveau président de l’Association Canadienne de Location (CRA), je tiens à remercier le président sortant “Bobcat Brad” Williams pour ses conseils et son soutien au cours de ma progression vers le poste de président.
Tout au long de son mandat en tant que président, il a travaillé sans relâche afin de promouvoir les objectifs de l’association. Je souhaite de continuer
les messages du président publiés dans la revue Canadian Rental Service, où nous avons l’occasion de partager les nouvelles de l’association avec les membres et les non-membres. Cette page dédiée au président de la CRA est un endroit où nous avons l’occasion de partager avec vous ce que nous avons appris; et la chose la plus importante que j’ai appris dans l’industrie, c’est que je ne suis pas seul.
Je m’en suis rendu compte en décembre, après un incendie dans mon centre de location. Le feu n’avait pas encore cessé de crépiter que j’avais déjà reçu plusieurs appels en provenance d’autres centres de location qui me demandaient tous « Comment pouvonsnous t’aider? » Je recevais des offres d’équipements, de camions et tout ce dont j’aurais besoin pour que mon
Suite page 28
PARTY & SPECIAL EVENTS
In style
By Rich Porayko*
The
difference between a fad and a trend is knowing what your market wants
In uncertain times, some things in the party rental industry remain certain. People are still going to get married. They are going to have children and birthdays and bar mitzvahs and anniversaries. Classic white never goes out of style. Cashstrapped consumers will rent expensive products. Word of mouth is the best form of advertising.
Other areas of the industry are not as concrete. Although private events are still going ahead, they are tending to be scaled back. Rental companies have to compete with discount retail giants like Wal-Mart and IKEA for smaller cost items such as glassware. Reality TV shows and the Internet are quickly overtaking bridal and wedding magazines as primary sources of influence. More and more couples are opting for destination weddings with limited “home receptions” when they return after the ceremony. Some corporate companies understand the value in promoting their businesses with events and functions, while other organizations have no choice but to cutback or cancel their events for 2009. Even with a recession looming, decreasing the environmental impact of having a wedding is still also a concern.
“Relative to past years, business this year has really been around the same. The holidays were a little bit slower but not noticeable,” says Dave Higgins, vice-president of Higgins Event Rentals in Toronto and Oakville, Ont. “During the Christmas season we had a few corporate events cancelled, but we also had a lot of annual events that were the same as always. Maybe scaled down somewhat though. The household parties seemed to go ahead as usual. We’re getting the calls and some deposits for May and June now; however, we typically get contacted much closer to the date than the hotel or caterer.”
“In terms of décor, square china is still very, very popular; very strong. Polished stainless trays and cutlery are also very strong. For colours, seafoam green was a trend that started last year and is continuing this year. In the last few years
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Courtesy of Tiffany Party Rentals
PARTY & SPECIAL EVENTS
some people have gone away from round tables for weddings, and they opt for rectangular banquet tables. Round tables are still the mainstay however.”
When brides-to-be walk into Higgins Event Rentals, they typically already know exactly what they are looking for. Higgins explains, “They are certainly a lot savvier than they were 20 years ago. We see ideas influenced by travel, bridal magazines, the Internet... “
In British Columbia, Peggy Daniel, co-owner of Squamish-based Rental Network, sees opportunity in some of the latest trends in the industry. “Some of the trends we’ve seen are more lounge furniture, washroom trailers as opposed to port-a-potties and patterned linens are chosen rather than plain. We carry a lounge square which is a four- by fourfoot cushioned square with fitted covers that can match the décor of a function and they are meant for lounging on as opposed to sitting on chairs. It makes it more informal or formal depending on the rest of the setting. It goes very well for reception type functions as opposed to dining functions. Washroom trailers are a like an executive washroom. They are trailers that have individual stalls. They are used for outdoor functions for anything from weddings to corporate events, especially tented ones where the washroom facilities are either primitive or non-existent. So we will bring in washroom trailers, which are heated and air-conditioned with flush toilets and running water in the sinks.”
“Vibrant colours seem to be the way that people are going, rather than muted. A lot of greens; everybody has
a green theme lately so vibrant greens and a little bit of browns. We see a lot of natural flowers. It has gone more natural. Daisies and twigs!” Daniel laughs tongue in cheek. “Worldwide everyone is environmentally conscious right now and along with that comes the softer tones. And be careful where you are, what you are doing and how you do it!”
Brad Blomme, president of Big Top Tent Rentals Ltd. in Edmonton, Alta., believes in keeping it simple. He also believes in providing value to his customers and in turn, “Business has been good. We are right on par with our early bookings for this year. That’s not to say that it won’t change, but for now we are right at where we were this time last year. So that’s a positive thing. We kind of roll with what kind of big events are coming to Edmonton outside of the usual and this year it doesn’t look like there are any of those types of events coming to town. Weddings are still obviously very popular, almost recession proof. If anything, they seem to be growing in size. So the wedding market is still looking solid. Family reunions and private functions still happen. Festivals are still solid. I don’t see any slowdown in that business.”
“It is still a little too early to tell about corporate events, however. The feedback that we are getting from our repeat customers is that they are definitely forging ahead. We find that when times are bad, the corporate business actually picks up as far as promotions go. For a couple years in Alberta here, we did very little work for show homes because there wasn’t any reason for
sellers to market them. But last year that changed. Last year we also did a lot of car dealerships because times are obviously a little tough. They are trying to find a way to bring customers in. Some stuff slows down but in other areas it picks up a little bit too. In what you might lose in customer appreciation events you might make up in promotional type work. People still have to find ways to bring customers through the door. A lot of times tent sales or promotions will do that sort of thing. Overall I think that people might be spending their money a little more wisely, maybe scaling back from what they were doing. It’s still a little early right now to tell how rough it’s going to be. At this time next year we might be seeing something entirely different. Time will tell; hopefully for the better!”
Big Top carries a complete line of event rental products including tents, tables, chairs, linens and dishes. However, the company has found that sticking with the basics has served them well. “We’ve found the meat and potato products are still the most profitable items and the stuff that keeps your doors open. High-top tables have really gained in popularity over the last few years. Spandex chair covers actually seem to be picking up in momentum even though they have been around for a while. They are a reasonably inexpensive way of
Photos
PARTY & SPECIAL EVENTS
dressing up an event. And people are taking that route. But as far as tent liners, we’ve been seeing very little activity. Square plates are certainly gaining in popularity, but for what we do it hasn’t been beneficial to bring in thousands of square plates. It’s popular but we’re not New York or Los Angeles either.”
Blomme recognizes the difference between a fad and a trend. More importantly, he also knows what his market wants. “There are so many of those design shows that you see restaurant makeovers or you open up a copy of People magazine and you look at the gala events. It’s very driven by New York and Hollywood. People open a magazine and that’s what they want. To say that there is no market for that stuff would be a lie but in Alberta people just want to have fun in their backyard. Some people do choose a fancy hotel but for the most part we find that our customers prefer to be married outdoors or the backyard in a more casual atmosphere.”
“We’ve never really taken the angle that we should be investing a lot of our resources in fad items because we just don’t find that we necessarily have the market or clientele for them. We try to stick with products that will still be solid years from now rather than stuff that is in now and back out in two years.”
In Regina, Sask., A-1 Party Rentals store manager Desiree Wright remains
optimistic. “The number of events in our area has been about the same. We do a lot of fundraising events. We haven’t seen as many office functions however, but after the Christmas season it usually slows down.”
“Weddings are staying really busy. Chair covers are very popular right now. Colour wise, I have seen a lot of people looking for purple. Table runners are also quite popular. Square plates and
dinnerware are strong. There are a lot of people looking for that whole line. Mainly because I think it is trendier. It is a little bit more unique, you don’t see it everywhere, and it’s not something that has been around forever. A lot of people come in for events have got their ideas from channels like the Food Network. And obviously when you have items in your showroom that helps to create different ideas too.”
PARTY & SPECIAL EVENTS
Wright’s passion for events is contagious. “I like what I do, I enjoy it. Every event is something different; it is never the same. Every client is looking for something different, something new, so you can use your imagination.”
At Bel-Ayre Rentals in Winnipeg, Man., Louise Serpa is taking a breather in between the Christmas rush and the start of the wedding season. “Christmas was ridiculously busy. It’s slow usually after Christmas and New Year’s but it’s been picking back up. It’s pretty typical, right after Christmas things slow down right up until around March when all the weddings and other seasonal events start.”
Being busy doesn’t happen by accident. Serpa and the team at Bel-Ayre have worked hard to establish relationships with suppliers and planners throughout the wedding industry. “The wedding show is really big for us. We didn’t even have a booth this year and a lot of the vendors that did have booths actually came to us to fill their booth space with our display items. In turn, they funnel customers to our store. We have a lot of event planners and decorators coming through us now, even more than before. Sometimes their customers will come back to us later for smaller parties and events they are not getting professionally planned and they will rent directly from us.”
Serpa also uses the shows to proactively search out new products
and opportunities. “There are lots of bright colours this year, especially at the wedding show. The whole spandex table cloth product is coming in which we really like. I saw them at the Rental Show in Las Vegas last year and I’ve been seeing them a lot around the city these days. Generally for the taller 42inch bar tables, they are a spandex tablecloth that goes over the bar table and basically hugs the shape of it like an hourglass. They are very sleek looking. Charger plates are also really big these days which are the decorative plates that you put under the place setting and remains on the table for the entire meal. It adds to the theme of the table. Square plates are popular as are oversize serving platters in different shapes and sizes.”
“Lots of big centrepieces are in right now like the super tall glass vases that are filled with anything you can throw
in them. Chivari chairs are also very popular. They look like fancy ballroom chairs and appear like they are made out of bamboo. We got a stock of them at the beginning of summer last year and they are out all the time.”
Serpa believes the trends are influenced by the likes of Martha Stewart and other TV celebrities including the reality restaurant makeover shows. “And even when they are going out to eat, a lot of restaurants have all the trendy plates and cutlery and people want to incorporate that into their events.” ■
*Rich Porayko is a professional writer and founding partner of Construction Creative, a marketing and communications company located in Metro Vancouver, B.C. richp@constructioncreative.com
FOR THE RENTAL MARKET
Glass walls
Advanced Tent Rental invites event professionals to step inside the future of tented events. The company has introduced the “Arcum” tent to the Canadian event industry, which features a stunning curved peak and is completely enclosed in glass.
The Arcum tent is 12 metres wide and comes in lengths up to 30 metres. The fixed plastic or glass system wall elements are sourced from Losberger Structures in Germany. The glass is tempered and there is a bottom beam that the glass panel sits in which fastens to the top frame and locks into place.
The glass is not scratch resistant and requires extra careful handling by Advanced Tent Rental, which uses a special rack system to deliver and pick up the tent.
John Gal, manager of sales, in Concord, Ont., says this is the first of its kind in Canada. He says that the see-through vinyl walls in traditional tent structures tend to get discoloured and foggy over time so the clear walls on the Arcum tent allow a better view. They require little maintenance except for being wiped with glass cleaner and a cloth.
“The glass wall at tent functions allows people inside to have a complete 360-degree clear view with assurance that you will have a secure tent so there is no vinyl flapping,” he says. “Glass walls give you the high end look that so many people are craving for in the Toronto market.”
Our business can be extremely intense in terms of the demands it places on a computer system. We rent everything from props and scenic decor to audiovisual equipment and lighting, and inventory is always coming and going. Enfinity gets us where we need to be. We’re pulling the right things from the warehouse, and we get the right inventory on our trucks. Enfinity tracks everything; absolutely nothing falls through the cracks. We have complete confidence in the information in the system.”
FOR THE RENTAL MARKET
A perfect fit
Eureka! Commercial Tents has a perfect fit for the challenges faced by many Canadian rental companies with a clearspan that is designed and approved specifically for event rental professionals.
Simple and strong the E!Span was engineered by Eureka! with the renter in mind as the company incorporated many special features requested by dealers. Until now, clearspan choices were limited and the expense to order, inventory and install the structure left many rental companies out of the fold. Eureka!’s new E!Span helps simplify the process from beginning to end. There are fewer components to order and the pieces are interchangeable between the sizes.
E!Span is one of the strongest tents on the market. It was developed to meet the latest 90 m.p.h. code. Sizes include 40- by 30-foot, 50by 30-foot and 60- by 30-foot twopiece end – 15-foot mid-sections with eight- or 10-foot legs. The company points out that they are measured in feet and inches, not in metric.
The E!Span does not require any tools or bucket of bolts to install. Plus, the company has reduced the number of different pins needed throughout the entire system to just two, each with the same lynchpinstyle fastener. For in-the-field ease, these standard pin sizes can be replaced with nuts and bolts found at any local hardware store. The E!Span! eliminates the need for carrying eight bins of metric bolts, eight metric wrenches and eight diagrams to identify where the bolts go.
Hooks without “left” and “right” sides, mean one less part to worry about and the adjustable leg insert means no more unsightly and cumbersome shims and blocking. The “Easy Glide” crown, designed to give the tops a gradual and smooth flow throughout the keder channel, significantly reduces the risk of getting the tops “hung up” or stuck at the peak, making the process of pulling tops through easier and faster.
The improved baseplate system with notches in each baseplate makes squaring and aligning the tent a breeze. Just line up each notch and chalk lines for a perfect fit, every time.
The company says this is one tough tent system as it put together a worldclass design team to make sure the
Interchangeable components allow crews to just add a few rafter splices, cables, gable legs and pins to create another size. The universal Gable Purlin
The 4 5⁄ 8 by 6 1⁄ 2 inch five-channel aluminum box beam is made from a heavy duty Aluminum extrusion for added strength.
LITERATURE REVIEW
Readers may request the literature items featured in this review. Simply contact the companies directly using the phone numbers indicated to request their latest brochure(s).
For a copy contact: Ed Cosman 888-599-2228 ext. 276 ecosman@annexweb.com
2009 Media Kit
The 2009 Media kit for Canadian Rental Service is now available for suppliers to the industry. Inside this 4-page brochure you will find information on Canada’s only trade publication devoted entirely to the rental industry. It contains the editorial topics and advertising features for the coming year and is available electronically as well. If your company sells to the rental industry, then this brochure is a must-have.
Crown Verity announces their new line of portable gas grills. They are manufactured using heavy gauge stainless steel for virtually the entire unit. (Body of the unit, burners, radiants, top grid, water pan, fasteners, everything but the control knobs and gas valves!) The portable gas grills & folding leg tables are ideal for the rental industry & have a 15% larger grill surface than our competitors. Both the tables & grills are stackable for easy transport & storage. Crown Verity offers the largest selection of commercial stainless steel outdoor portable cooking equipment and accessories in North America.
CROWN VERITY
Tool Selection Guide
For a copy of this brochure call: 1-877-324-6665 www.echo.ca
2009 Catalogue Available
Professionals have come to trust the power of Bear Cat chippers, chipper/shredders, log splitters, wheeled trim mowers, vacuums and debris loaders.
The new 2009 product catalogue is now available. Inside this brochure you will find the latest information on all of the different ECHO Bear Cat products, the differences between them and the models and specifications for every unit.
This product is sold to rental stores across Canada by Echo Power Equipment (Canada).
All New SQ Generators
For a copy of this brochure call: 1-800-245-6200 www.drainbrain.com/rental
A Tool Selection Guide for drain cleaning equipment is available FREE from General Pipe Cleaners. The Tool Selection Guide illustrates both cage-type and sectional power drain cleaners and manual equipment to clear lines.It is available in either poster size (35” x 28”) or as an 8-1/2” x 11” handout with general safety instructions on the back. A small version of the Tool Selection Guide can be downloaded from General’s website: www.drainbrain.com/rental or the posters or hand-outs can be ordered FREE from General Pipe Cleaners by emailing info@drainbrain.com. General Pipe Cleaners manufactures a full line of drain cleaning machines for the rental industry.
GENERAL PIPE CLEANERS
The Norton brand is known for high quality, product innovation and technology advancements. With over 100 years in abrasives manufacturing, Norton is a recognized world leader and your single source supplier for equipment, diamond blades/bits and abrasives. We invented the first masonry saw, developed the first laser welded diamond blade, and continue this tradition with innovative products and a commitment to the construction and rental markets. Our new mini catalog is available as an overview of our product line. Visit www.nortonconstruction.com.
Please direct your enquiries to John Fanjoy, National Sales Manager at 905-547-2551 ext 2226 or at john.m.fanjoy@saint-gobain.com
Kubota Canada has introduced its new SQ generators. These heavy duty, 4-pole units have a special enclosure with noise absorbing duct work that add up to super quiet performance. They are powered by Kubota’s own diesel engines, guaranteeing reliability.
Key features of these new units include:
• direclty coupled • clean emissions
• over-sized muffler • quieter cooling fan
• base mounted fuel tank
• easy maintenance
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For more information call (905) 294-7477 ext. 2216
For more information call 1-800-SULLAIR www.sullair.com
Sullair Paving Breakers: Built Tough with 30% Fewer Parts
The unique design of the Sullair 60- and 90- pound breakers contains 30% fewer high-wear parts than competitive breakers of the same weight. Fewer parts insure less wear, lower maintenance costs and reduce downtime. Direct impact piston reduces air consumption by 30%.
Exclusive Sullair Warranty provides two years assurance against most manufacturing defects. Parts worn out during first two years of normal operation are replaced.
FOR THE RENTAL MARKET
The E!Span is strong as concave and convex “beads” running the length of each beam make stacking, storing and transporting the beams simple, plus, it helps to channel water away from the tent tops and down the beam.
Other features include: a 23-degree pitch, the steep pitch means better weather protection and more interior height; a patent pending “Wire Management” system that hides all of the unsightly wires for lighting, sound and other AV needs; a patent pending T-Channel, which is built right into the beam design for lighting, sound, liner or décor to be easily installed, eliminating the use of unsightly zip ties or tape; die-cast aluminum removable end cap fits tightly on the end of each rafter for a cleaner exterior finish.
Eureka! Commercial Tents, Division of Johnson Outdoors, Inc., 1-800-235-2607, www.eurekapartytents.com
Maximize your visual presence
Kanopys Canada has a new eye-catching design for its “All-Aluminum” commercial Hexagons that attracts attention and provides greater coverage than a standard canopy.
The company makes special events come to life
by creating the perfect atmosphere for any occasion with easy to assemble and take down commercial event tents and banners designed for repeated use and transport. They are fully customizable to suit the unique needs of any party and special events rental store, as they can add their own graphics to maximize their visual presence.
Kanopys Canada also offers aluminum tents that go up fast and can be taken down just as quickly. There are no ropes or loose parts and they are designed for repeated use and easy transport.
The company’s steel tents are also affordable and durable. They feature a scissor-action powder-coated white steel frame and are the perfect solution for rental companies on a tight budget.
Kanopys Canada specializes in providing superior and reliable canopies at a fair price and with a passion to create and produce attention-grabbing graphics.
Kanopys Canada 1-905-849-3980 or 1-800-268-9612, www.kanopyscanada.com
Hospitality with a view
Etobicoke Ironworks Limited (EIW) offers the Total Scaffold System, a versatile way for creating many interesting project applications. One of these applications is the hospitality suite that has been customized and used at various special events.
The Double Decker Skybox is unique due to the design of the main supports which allows spans of 12 by 9 by 9 feet on a particular project without the need of any additional columns or joists. This structure can also be erected without the use of cranes or heavy machinery, eliminating any damage to the land beneath it.
After 10 years and more than a million chairs made, Drake Corp., has introduced a program that reflects its commitment to the environment. Starting this year, the company has launched a new “chair to chair” program, where it will retrofit chairs into brand new chairs with available colours in beige, grey, aquamarine and mauve, effectively bringing them back into “the circle of life.”
The company says the program accepts only Drake chairs or chairs made under Drake’s licence to ensure that the material used will be “reborn” with the company’s label and guarantee.
Drake Corp., known as the first
FOR THE RENTAL MARKET
to make the white resin folding chair in 1999, has been advertising that its chairs are recyclable. The company says customer feedback indicated that its chairs are durable, lasting a long time with only a few needing to be retired. The program will allow rental companies to refurbish chairs instead of replacing them.
Drake Corp. 1-732-254-1530, www.drakecorp.com
Heavy gauge stainless steel
Crown Verity has introduced its new line of portable gas grills for the rental market.
The grills are manufactured to the same high standards that Crown Verity manufactures its other products by using heavy gauge stainless steel for virtually the entire unit. This includes the
body of the unit, burners, radiants, top grid, water pan, fasteners, everything but the control knobs and gas valves.
The new Crown Verity portable gas grills and folding leg tables are ideal for the rental industry and for caterers as they feature a 15 per cent larger grill surface than other models. Both the tables and grills are stackable for easy transport and storage.
Crown Verity, 1-888-505-7240, www.crownverity.com
A perfect backdrop
B & C Mortensen’s eight-foot Sunlight Backdrop Combo is the perfect backdrop for the head table at a reception as well as for prom pictures, a room accent, or for an in-store display. White sheer curtains, which are sold separately, are easily attached and can be backlit in any colour.
Each panel measures 47 inches (120 centimetres) wide, in either 84 inches (213 centimetres) or 96 inches (244 centimetres) in height. It is a one-piece
construction from three-quarter-inch (19-millimetre) hardwood plywood for years of service. Panels fold in half on a continuous hinge for ease of storage and transport. Also available is a six mil poly transport/ storage bag.
B & C Mortensen Wood Products, 1-208-437-5665, www.weddingequipment.com
Expanded capabilities for party rental
The Enfinity rental business management system from Solutions by Computer now offers expanded capabilities for party and event rental companies with the introduction of FlashBoard, an on-screen display that shows changes to processed orders and existing pick tickets.
FOR THE RENTAL MARKET
Flashboard indicates revisions to inventory items on reservations and deliveries scheduled for picking, with contract number, customer name, venue address, old quantity, new quantity and delivery date. Additional features are also available.
With FlashBoard, Windows-based Enfinity successfully addresses the need of rental operators to verify that last-minute order changes reach the warehouse in time for delivery. FlashBoard saves substantial time and money by eliminating the need to repeatedly check order content. The feature capitalizes on Enfinity’s integration of user-friendly Windows capabilities with the company’s powerful applications software. Solutions by Computer, 1-800-950-2221, www.solutionsbycomputer.com
Light party lighting
Weighing only 30 pounds, the GlowBug Solo Jr., by Multiquip is the ultimate in portable lighting.
Ideal for backyard parties, weddings and other special events, the GloBug Solo Jr. provides 360 degrees of glarefree lighting. It is quick and easy to set up, the balloon inflates in less the 30 seconds and its lightweight design makes it easy to carry.
This stand-alone model features a maximum mast height of 10 feet. Its air shock-absorbing mast system protects the light bulb and prevents sudden descent.
Powered by standard 120-volt, it incorporates an energy-saving 400-watt Metal Halide lamp that delivers 34,000 lumens. The GlowBug Solo Jr. can be customized with colour message strips or custom made for a special occasion.
This model can be stored away by simply pulling up a strap. For increased illumination, its two-stage mast comes with an optional 35-inch extension pole. Standard features included carrying cases and a protective canvas cover for unit protection when not in use. Multiquip, 1-800-421-1244, www.multiquip.com
Casts an even glow
Subaru Industrial Engines expanded its product lines with a new balloon light tower. The system casts an even 360degree glow, making it ideal for special events, parties, road construction, and parking lot lighting.
The balloon light tower’s design keeps the unit compact for easy transport. Setup is simple with fold-out outriggers, an easy-to-operate manual winch and steerable pneumatic wheels. The balloon self-inflates to four feet in diameter, providing a brilliant 105,000 lumens from the 1,000-watt metal halide lamp. A three-stage mast extends the light to a height of 14.2 feet.
The light tower includes a standard 40-watt sublight. When the halide lamp
FOR THE RENTAL MARKET
is shut down to cool before reassembly for transport begins, the sublight continues to glow, making shutdown safer and more convenient.
The balloon light can be powered by a conventional or inverter generator, which is sold separately, or run on commercial power. Adding Subaru’s ultra-quiet inverter generator to the balloon light cart provides the best solution for noise-free illumination in any situation.
Wacker Neuson has launched a new series of light towers that incorporates a sleek, durable design, quieter operation and excellent lighting features. The new LTN 6 (Light Tower Narrow body, sixkilowatt generator) with its compact design takes up less room on site and in the rental yard while reducing
freight costs by allowing 12 units to be transported on a truckload.
The company says the housing has been changed from the box metal style to a unique streamlined curved design made from a high-impact plastic that is incredibly durable, making it virtually dent and rust proof, to extend the life of the unit. The units are easy to service because the new housing allows the doors on both sides to extend the full length of the unit for easy and complete service access.
Borrowing from the automotive industry, the LTN 6 is the first light tower to utilize a stamped 10-gauge steel tub, which provides superior strength and full protection from ground debris. The fully enclosed bottom also helps to reduce sound emissions as low as 67 dBA at 23 feet compared to the industry average of more than 70 dBA. The steel
tub and all of the other metal surfaces including the inner mast sections and outriggers are protected by durable powder coat paint, and all external hardware is zinc dichromate treated for extreme rust resistance.
Wacker Neuson’s light towers come equipped with distinctive elliptical light fixtures which offer a diffused and even illumination without glare. The lights can be manually adjusted without tools and the light fixtures come preinstalled at the factory, reducing setup time.
The light towers are available with a manual or power winch and a fully equipped highway ready trailer with torsional axle for superior towing and rough terrain handling. The trailer draw bar can be fully connected or disconnected with three bolts for storage and can be removed and stored as a theft deterrent at the job site. Wacker Neuson, 1-905-795-1661, www.wackerneuson.com ■
The power to be efficient, precise and tough.
The Husqvarna® FS413 is ideal for small service and repair jobs in concrete or asphalt. The patent-pending spring-assist screw feed adjustment reduces the force required to adjust the blade in and out of the cut, minimizing operator stress. The compact push saw also features a patented engine and bladeshaft mounting system that decreases overall vibration and produces better cutting performance.
RENTAL RUMBLES
IPM joins HosePower
After serving the rental industry for 33 years, IPM Hose & Fittings has joined the HosePower group and will begin doing business under the name HosePower Canada.
The company says ownership and management will remain the same as it continues to offer the same products and services, including the high-
quality Flextral product line. Under the HosePower name, the company enters into a strategic alliance and marketing agreement with other service-minded companies to bring the highest quality hose service to its customers. In addition to its three Canadian locations, HosePower will offer 14 locations in the eastern U.S., 11 locations in the western U.S. and two locations in Mexico.
“By joining the HosePower group,
we will more effectively appeal to customers with a North American footprint. Inventory will be available from all locations allowing HosePower to become North America’s largest hose service company,” says IPM president Mark Forget. “With the ability to more closely co-ordinate our purchasing efforts. HosePower will become an integral conduit for our manufacturing partners to bring their products to market.”
www.hosepowercanada.com
Diesel-powered loaders operate on alternative fuel
The Toro Company has announced that all 2009 model year Toro Dingo TX 525 wide track and TX 525 narrow track diesel compact utility loaders will be biodiesel compatible for blends up to B20, which represents a mixture of 20 percent biodiesel and 80 per cent petroleum diesel fuel. Biodiesel is a biodegradable, non-toxic alternative fuel derived from biological sources. Compared to petroleum-based diesel fuels, biodiesel releases less carbon dioxide, unburned hydrocarbons and particulate matter which are all major contributors to greenhouse gas emissions.
This enhancement to diesel-powered Toro Dingo loaders follows on the heels of earlier announcements regarding Toro’s biodiesel-ready landscape contractor equipment and golf course and sports fields and grounds equipment.
The Toro Dingo TX 525 narrow track and TX 525 wide track compact utility loaders feature a 25-horsepower Kubota diesel engine and deliver added torque and hydraulic flow for enhanced performance.
www.toro.com/dingo
Cody Party Centre opens two franchise stores
Cody Party Centre has announced the opening of two new Cody Party Centre franchise stores in Ontario.
Jeremy Post has started his very first Cody Party Centre franchise store at 1460 Merivale Road in Ottawa; and Amy Simpson and Miva Harris, a mother
RENTAL RUMBLES
and daughter team, are opening a new Brockville Cody Party Store in February.
President and founder Steve Cody says the company is building an exciting franchise program in a 20-billiondollar-per-year industry. “It’s a fun and exciting business, and a business where you have a chance to brighten up people’s lives. Every customer is celebrating something special and at the end of the day, you know you were able to contribute to their dreams and that’s the most rewarding part.”
Cody Party Centre is a member of the Canadian Franchise Association (CFA). www.codypartyfranchise.com
Creating autism awareness one piece at a time
After reading a story about a rental company that used boom lifts to raise money for breast cancer awareness, AirWorx Construction Equipment & Supply, an equipment rental company in Indianapolis, contacted JLG Industries,
a producer of access equipment to see if JLG would work with AirWorx to produce a uniquely designed boom lift that could help promote autism awareness.
The idea was simple, AirWorx would purchase the boom lift for their rental fleet and JLG would paint it a special colour and create unique “jigsaw puzzle” graphics that would cover the entire surface of the machine to symbolize the pieces of the autism puzzle that have yet to be completed. The boom lift would then be rented to AirWorx’s customers and a percentage of the rental income would be donated to fund autism-related activities. In addition to AirWorx’s contribution, rental customers could elect to contribute an additional amount
over the rental rate, with 100 per cent of that amount going directly to autismrelated programs.
The two companies agreed and AirWorx took delivery of the custom painted machine donating 20 per cent of all rental revenue generated, with half going to related causes.
AirWorx immediately rented it out where it captured much attention. After all, it is hard to miss a bright yellow, 86-foot-tall machine with red and blue jigsaw piece graphics.
As a “thank you” to the customers who rent the unique JLG boom lift, AirWorx will have the customers’ name, project name and amount of money their rental of the machine raised for autism printed on a label that will be placed on top of one of the coloured jigsaw piece graphics on the machine. It will become a permanent part of the design and serve as a testament to those who helped create awareness for autism and generated funds to help those affected with the disorder.
www.jlg.com ■
The art of clean TENTS
Much time, effort and money goes into keeping tents clean. Special event rental companies that specialize in tent rentals agree it is a considerable investment but a necessary one as the cleanliness of their tents directly reflects the company’s image to customers.
Mike Carleton from Happenings Party Rentals in Collingwood, Ont., appreciates how important it is to keep tents clean and how to go about getting them that way. The company purchased a Teeco 1800 tent washing machine last year that can wash 1,800 square feet of tent fabric in one load. In addition to laundering its own inventory, it has created a tent washing division, Clean Tent Canada, offering a fabric laundering service to other rental companies.
“We understand how important it is for special event rental companies to rent clean tents. We also understand the time it takes to wash large and small tent tops and sidewalls by hand. That’s why we are offering our Teeco washing and drying facility to the tent rental industry,” he says. “No matter how well they are cared for, tents eventually get dirty. Washing will extend the life cycle of your inventory, which in turn enables you to generate more revenue.”
How does it work? Carleton takes Canadian Rental Service readers through the process of getting tents clean:
“Once the tent arrives we take it out of the bag and pre-treat it if necessary. We unroll and inspect every single piece of fabric that comes through our facility. The inspection process is done to locate any heavily soiled areas that may need to be pre-treated to begin the cleaning process before it even reaches the machine. If ropes are still attached they are gathered into a small roll and fastened with zip ties to prevent them from tangling during the wash cycle. We also remove all straps and throw them in with the wash cycle so they go through the same cleaning process on their own. We then fold the section, set it into the machine and begin the wash cycle.
“The fabric is fan-folded prior to entering the wash to ensure that all areas of the tents
Heavily soiled areas are pre-treated before being placed inside the machine.
The fabric is fan-folded so all areas of the tents are washed evenly.
are washed evenly. Once the tent has been folded properly, the tent is loaded into the Teeco washing machine. The machine has been designed to wash tents. It’s not a retrofitted laundry machine. Nor does it have a spin cycle like a laundry machine. Before starting the cycle we throw in a specially formulated soap mix designed specifically for vinyl products such as tents and industrial fabrics.
“Upon completion of the wash cycle, which can range anywhere from 30-60 minutes, we drain all of the water to ensure the dirt and excess has been removed from the tent. Once the dirty water has been completely drained, we do two rinses without soap to get maximum results.
“After the initial wash and rinses are complete, the tops are inspected to make sure they have come clean to our standards. Once inspected the tops are hung in a spacious drying area until they are completely dry. This step is important to prevent mould from developing. When dry, they are rolled according to the customer’s instructions.
“Our large warehouse enables us to hang numerous tops at once allowing for large
Two rinses without soap are required to get maximum results.
The Teeco washing machine is designed to wash tents and is not a retrofitted laundry machine.
The tops are hung for three to four days to completely remove all moisture.
volume. Not only is the warehouse heated, but we hang the tops for a minimum of three to four days as well as use industrial fans to get all the moisture out of the tops, including webbing and ropes.”
Carleton says rental operators are welcome to come and watch their tents being cleaned, promising this is a lot easier than doing it themselves. ■
Attendance up at B.C. show
By Rich Porayko*
CRA
in 2009
in Surrey,
was well supported by 46 exhibitors from across Canada and the U.S. and by 130 people who attended the two-day event.
The timing of the Canadian Rental Association’s (CRA) regional trade show in British Columbia has always been important as spring generally comes earlier to the west coast, and quite often what happens in B.C. is a sign of things to come for the rest of the country. This year, more people attended the show in Surrey from Jan. 16 to 17, to generate some business and take their turn peering into the crystal ball to see what the future holds.
“Attendance is well up. In previous years we had 65 pre-registered attendees and this year we are at 104 so it is up considerably. And already as of Friday night with all the non-registered people that came we have already beat last year’s attendance,” says president of the CRA B.C., Angie Venekamp, co-owner of Squamish, B.C.-based Rental Network, “it has been good so far, very good.”
The annual event has been held in the Cloverdale Exhibition Grounds for years and has consistently expanded over the last three years, including selling out the 2009 show with 46 exhibitors from across Canada and the U.S., including Pennsylvania, Texas, Massachusetts, Maine and New York.
Proactive exhibitors and curious attendees were both factors in the increase at this year’s show but, as Venekamp explains, there are other influences that smiled upon the show management, “The American Rental Association (ARA) has a big show every year and this year it’s in Atlanta. It’s a long way to go from here with the dollar the way it is so that could be part of the increase in attendance. Weather is also a huge factor; it’s foggy but the roads are clear.”
Venekamp continues “We’ve always found that it works good to have the show over two days. Basically it is 130 attendees over 11 hours. Including sponsors, we had 192
The
show
show
B.C.,
INDUSTRY EVENT
registered yesterday for the free barbecue dinner. The show is free to members and non-members pay $50 per person. Everyone is welcome to come but the show is meant as a benefit for the membership. A lot of our attendees come from Vancouver Island and the B.C. Interior. They arrive on Friday night for socializing and networking and then they come on the Saturday to do the buying. Everyone has their pencils sharp today and they are writing up orders. We like to see them with their order books out.”
Shows like this are vital to the CRA, which represents the voice of the rental industry across Canada. It is the primary means of enabling the dedicated individuals who work proactively to improve the entire industry. Venekamp explains that the CRA is reaching out to get involved with more party rental companies. “We’re trying to expand our show to get more event supplies out here because, historically, it has been an equipment show. And it’s not even necessarily new suppliers or exhibitors, a lot of the time it is the same companies. They have patio heaters and barbeques so we encourage them to bring them to the show to try to grow attendance even more. Not to mention that there are a lot of companies already renting equipment that are adding tables and chairs and tents to their rental fleet in order to diversify.”
Continued on page 30
Exhibitor Terry Morrison of StarDiamond Tools says exhibiting at the CRA show is a good idea.
Exhibitor Rick Hermans, A.E. Sales, B.C. Interior Region. The timing of the show in January gives companies a head start for spring.
INDUSTRY EVENT
checked this site out some years back and felt that the pool, water slides and atrium would be a great environment for rental operators and suppliers to bring their families. London was also chosen by our general commitment to move events geographically to represent Ontario as a whole.”
The event was designed as a meet and greet to give rental operators and suppliers a chance to socialize and do business in lieu of a fullblown equipment show. “We have for quite some time now considered doing a tabletop type show. Our board supported doing a full trade show every other year and felt that a low cost event for the suppliers might work in the off year,” he says, adding that this was a nice fit with the success of the CRA meetings and tours held at rental shops and supplier facilities.
“It helps to set our awards night in a more formidable setting. We are committed to offering the regular members and associate members a place to meet. We continually attempt to incorporate contemporary ideas and tweak what was successful to be better the next time. We feel a certain need to be consistent,” he says. “As we gather feedback we will assess whether we will do this again. Our initial findings support a repeat event.”
The CRA Ontario will continue to add variety to its regular meetings for the rest of 2009 with a Next Generation meeting on March 25, and a rental store tour of Stayner Rental, near Collingwood. Its next major event will take place in September as it celebrates the 40th anniversary of its golf tournament, which will also coincide with a CRA national board meeting. ■
Larry Lisoy, left, from Larry’s Rentall is presented with the Image Award by CRA Ontario associate director Lloyd Smith, from Echo Power Equipment (Canada).
Jim Freeman, left, from Rentquip Canada is presented the 2009 Supplier of the Year Award from CRA Ontario president Neil De Jong.
Ken Malott from Kensal Rental Services received the Rental Professional of the Year Award.
centre puisse fonctionner adéquatement tandis que nous nous remettions de cet incident.
Pourquoi?
La réponse est simple, je suis membre de l’Association Canadienne de Location, et en tant que membre, je ne suis jamais seul dans l’industrie de la location. J’ai rencontré beaucoup de personnes dans cette industrie et j’ai fait beaucoup d’amis en cours de route. J’ai l’intention d’en faire encore plus par l’entremise de mes voyages à travers le pays, en rencontrant d’autres professionnels en location ainsi que leurs fournisseurs.
Deux des questions qui me sont le plus fréquemment posées sont : « Pourquoi se joindre à une association? » et « Qu’est-ce que l’association va faire pour moi? »
Je peux vous dire tout de suite que par votre adhésion à la CRA, vous apprendrez davantage les succès des entreprises comme la vôtre. Vous assisterez aux conférences et aux séminaires qui vous livreront en exclusivité des sujets d’intérêts qui vous seront présentés. Vous rencontrerez des experts en location qui sont prêts à
partager leurs connaissances avec vous. Vous apprendrez par l’entremise du réseautage avec des professionnels et des concurrents qui font le même travail que vous. Vous communiquerez avec plusieurs fournisseurs et fabricants, et vous aurez la chance de vous mettre à jour avec les nouvelles technologies passionnantes.
Qu’est-ce que l’association fera pour moi? La réponse est : rien… à moins que vous ne soyez prêt à faire quelque chose. Tout simplement, vous en retirez ce que vous y avez investi. Les associations apportent un professionnalisme, de l’éducation et un soutien individuel, ce qui, au bout du compte vous permettra d’accroître financièrement.
Des associations comme la CRA fournissent des ressources pédagogiques et des outils de marketing. Nul n’a le temps de suivre tous les changements dans la technologie, dans la législation gouvernementale et dans les normes de sécurité qui portent sur les questions juridiques, ni même les changements dans les situations d’emploi, ou d’autres sujets pertinents auxquels fait face notre industrie. Votre association peut faire tout ceci pour vous! Soutenez votre
association en devenant membre et en contribuant un peu de votre temps. En faisant ceci, vous en tirerez les avantages. Si vous êtes propriétaire ou gestionnaire d’une entreprise de location qui n’est pas encore membre de la CRA, prenez le temps de faire une évaluation de ce que vous voulez sortir de cette industrie, et ce que vous pouvez faire pour améliorer l’ensemble de l’industrie de location. Lorsque vous vous joignez à la CRA, vous vous joignez à un groupe de soutien qui ressemble beaucoup à une famille, et vous apprendrez ce que j’ai appris. En tant que membre de la CRA, vous n’êtes pas seul. ■
Editor’s note:
The Funny Page column by Steve Milcik is absent from this issue. Please see the May issue of Canadian Rental Service magazine for a continuation of his rental humour column.
• complete portable generator systems from 8kW to 250 kW
• fully rated for all common voltages
• portable distribution panels
• “rent to rent” fleet of large systems in stock
• brand name engines
• quiet, fuel efficient operation
• “user friendly” controls Canada’s generator specialists for over 70 years
BUSINESS TO BUSINESS
INDUSTRY EVENT
Continued from page 25
Even with the attendance up, time will tell if attendees were just walking the show or if there was any actual sales activity. The mantra of the exhibitors echoed time and again was quality not quantity. In order to attract the attention of the attendees that were quality, exhibitors were actively promoting show specials and cash-back incentives.
CRA B.C. board of directors: from left, supplier director, Mike Falkner, Rentquip Canada, Richmond; director, Danielle Henson, Kerrisdale Equipment, Vancouver; president, Angie Venekamp, Rental Network Ltd., Squamish; CRA national director for B.C., Peggy Daniel, Rental Network Ltd.; Squamish, and vice-president, Jim Clipperton, Nor-Val Rentals, Vernon.
international company in 22 countries so we are in a lot of different markets.”
“We had a good crowd last night but it’s been a slow start this morning,” says Steve Milcik, sales manager for Orion Software. Milcik confirms that the show is growing. “Usually there is only one other software company at the show and this year there are five of us.” When asked about the economy, Milcik speaks candidly, “I talk to so many customers and prospects out there, everyone seemed to have a really good year last year in Canada, and the fear about the economy hasn’t hit them as bad as it has in the States. Orion had a great year last year: the best year ever. But we’re a little bit safer than some of our competitors because we are an
COMING EVENTS
March 3-5
ARA The Rental Show
Atlanta, Ga.
www.therentalshow.com
March 5-6
Heavy Equipment Show Toronto, Ont.
www.nhes.ca
Joe da Silva, sales representation for Trinitec Distribution says that trade shows are expected to see a decrease in numbers during economic downturns, but the rental industry is different. “In these tough economic times, rentals should actually be increasing because people are going to want to rent rather than buy. I really think that rentals are actually going to be improving,” he says.
Douglas Krasowski, regional sales manager for Magnum Products LLC is equally optimistic. “The show has been good. A little slower this morning but that’s expected. If you have a thousand people come by and they are not quality
calls, it’s not worth the time being here. If you have three people come by and they are quality calls, it’s worth it. So if you do your homework and you do your job right, you are going to get a good show. Even if no one showed up, I did my pre-homework, made some sales calls while I’ve been here and so far it’s been successful. It’s always nice to see everyone.” ■
*Rich Porayko is a professional writer, photographer and founding partner of Construction Creative, a marketing and communications company in Metro Vancouver, B.C. richp@constructioncreative.com
March 14
CRA Prairie Regional Trade Show Saskatoon, Sask. 1-800-486-9899, www.crarental.org
March 25-27
Canadian Special Events and Meetings Expo Toronto, Ont. www.canadianspecialevents.com
March 31- April 1
CRA Quebec Regional Trade Show St. Hyacinthe, Que. 1-800-486-9899, www.crarental.org
Oct. 29-31
The Green Industry and Equipment Expo Louisville, Ky. www.gie-expo.com
Jean-Alain Tibbaut, CEO, Eliet, says it is quality over quantity that counts at trade shows.
