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. Plus, easy-to-find and easy-to-use machine tie-downs make trailering quick and easy. You’d expect nothing less from such an easy-to-rent machine. Find out more at www.bobcat.com/value2
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4
E DIToRIAL: Free will and touchdowns
The SuperBowl makes me question humanity’s ability to choose its own destiny. by Patrick Flannery
23
Party showcase Dunk tanks, lightweight tents, duct ports, glowing bars, generators and more.
6
Industry News
Volvo Rents comes to Ontario, CRA national awards announced, report from the B.C. show, Paul Tomc passes
16
CRA President’s Message by Ed Dwyer
18 Legalese Some things to think about before you sue. by Deryk Coward 10 7 20 23
10
No horizon too far Erik Gerlof’s search for new frontiers gives the B.C. CRA a dynamic new president.
20 Forest of lights
New LED trees can transform customers’ events into something out of a fairy tale.
30
George’s Corner
Thou shalt train thy staff in gas safety. by George Olah
Free will and touchdowns
Philosophical musings from the depths of a Super Bowl hangover.
This is our March party issue, and I write this the day after one of the biggest parties in North America, the Super Bowl. The NFL has really done a great job of turning its big game into an unofficial holiday for everyone who likes football, and now it is drawing in the wives and girlfriends as well with acts like Madonna at halftime. Super Bowl game day has the feel of a holiday in the U.S., and if others at work this morning feel the same way I do, there is probably widespread support for making the holiday into an official three-day weekend. Write your member of parliament.
Last night, I saw a man score a touchdown when he was not supposed to. It was a rare situation in football where it was actually better to not score and hold possession of the ball than it was to get the points. The player (Ahmad Bradshaw of the New York Giants) was clearly aware of this, but equally clearly unable to stop himself given a chance to score. His internal conflict was amazing to watch as he stopped at the goal line, almost knelt down, almost tried to run off to one side, then ended up pirouetting and falling, butt-first, into the end zone and scoring anyway. He tried to say later that he realized too late he was about to score and could not stop his forward momentum, but I saw the play
ON THE WEB:
Manitou and Yanmar to co-operate
Manitou, a world leader in material handling and compact equipment, and Yanmar, a global manufacturer of diesel engines and a broad range of compact equipment, have announced the formation of a strategic alliance. The two companies have had a successful longstanding partnership that includes the use of Yanmar engines in Gehl- and Mustang-branded compact equipment manufactured by Manitou in the United States.
Boehler to lead Skyjack
Linamar Corporation has announced the appointment of Brad Boehler to the position of president of Skyjack. Skyjack is a world leader in the design, manufacture, and support of self-propelled aerial work platforms.
c R a announces na T ional awa R d winne R s
The Canadian Rental Association has announced its 2011 award recipients, with national supplier director Paul Everitt receiving the second-ever Distinguished Service Award. The winners will be presented with their awards at the CRA Annual General Meeting, Feb. 6, at the Canadian Hospitality event at the Rental Show in New Orleans, and at the 2012 regional trade shows.
The Distinguished Service Award has been presented only once before. In awarding it to Everitt, the CRA noted that he has at all times promoted the association, and brought the board of directors valuable ideas to highlight rentals in the
public and media. Everitt was instrumental in organizing the CRA’s partnership with HGTV star Bryan Baeumler, for instance. The previous Distinguished Service Award was presented to a company, Uniquip Canada, in 2006.
Winn Rentals, of Kelowna, B.C., won the President’s Image Award, which is chosen by the CRA president and CRA supplier members. The Supplier of the Year Award, which is chosen by rental store members, went to Rentquip Canada. CRA rental store members make nominations for Rental Person of the Year, and this year CRA executive director Mandy Wellnitz chose Angie Venekamp of Rental Network in Squamish, B.C.
The Regional Awards are chosen by the CRA national directors for each region. This year’s winners were: Jim Clipperton of Nor-Val Rentals in Armstrong, B.C.; Paul Everitt of Rentquip Canada in Woodstock, Ont.; Tony Gudel of Hilti Canada in Winnipeg; Olivia D’Eon of Pubnico Rentals in Pubnico, N.S.; Orrin Knapp of RSC in Edmonton; Benoit Legare of Location PRO in Quebec City; and Gene Elash of The Rent It Store in Saskatoon, Sask.
Paul Tomc Passes
Paul Tomc, president and co-founder of Target Equipment Sales since 1976, passed away Jan. 23 after a brief illness. Tomc was very well known in the Canadian rental industry and he and his wife Lois could be seen everywhere from trade shows in Canada and the U.S. to Canadian Rental Association meetings and golf outings.
SoMMerS exPandS in new BrunSwick
Sommers Motor Generator has announced its expansion to a new Atlantic Canada headquarters at 707 Malenfant Blvd., Dieppe, N.B. Sommers designs and builds customized standby, PTO and offgrid generator power solutions and is a leading Canadian manufacturer of packaged generator systems for residential, commercial and industrial applications.
It maintains a large, privately held inventory of generators for sale or rent from three kilowatts to two megawatts. Established in Tavistock, Ont., in 1936, Sommers has been a trusted name in generating, delivering and applying electrical power for three generations.
Chris McGregor, Sommers general manager and vice-president of sales and business development, explains, “We chose Dieppe as our new headquarters because of its central location close to major highways and the Moncton International Airport. This allows us to provide efficient service to our customers throughout the Maritimes. The new facility will be fully stocked, like all Sommers branches, with a complete inventory of diesel generators, transfer switches, replacement parts and a rental fleet of mobile generator systems.”
“In addition to stocking products and components for immediate shipment,” McGregor continued, “the Dieppe facility now has expanded Sommers service staff to support its wide range of preventative maintenance contracts, load bank testing and emergency service support for customers in the Atlantic region.”
m o R ba R k R aises b
a RR
Morbark is pleased to announce the addition of Keith Barr to its sales team as national accounts sales manager. With more than 30 years of experience in the forestry and tree-care industries, Barr comes to Morbark after four years with Reading Truck Body as director of national accounts and forestry products. Prior to that, he worked for Arbortech for nearly 28 years, most recently as director of Arbortech fleet sales.
“We are proud to welcome Keith to the team,” said Morbark Tree Care Products sales manager, Casey Gross. “With his extensive experience, broad network of contacts and highly respected reputation in the industry, Keith will bring a great deal of talent and positive energy to Morbark.”
“I’m excited to be joining the Morbark family,” said Barr. “Morbark’s high-quality equipment and strong customer focus drew me to the company.”
B.c. regional Trade Show drawS a crowd
The B.C. Regional Trade Show went off without a hitch Jan. 13 and 14, unless you count a freak snowfall of about two inches in Langley, B.C., on the Friday night. Still, the determined West Coasters plucked up their courage and braved the slightly slushy roads to enjoy camaraderie, great deals, valuable prizes, a packed banquet and even a drink or three.
Luminaries from around the rental industry were on hand around the show and at the banquet, including ARA president Ted Cook, CRA national president Ed Dwyer, CRA executive director Mandy Wellnitz, B.C. national director Angie Venekamp, CRA national vice-president Jeff Campbell, ARA Region 10 director Rhonda Pedersen, and the entire B.C. Local board of directors.
The show featured a full lineup of rental equipment from most of the major industry suppliers, with soil compaction and other landscaping products the most prevalent. Some products were on display for the first time, including Ox Blades and Terra-Pro Power Screens. Two party suppliers were present: Impact Canopies and National Event Supply.
Attendees had many chances to win prizes of various kinds. A 46-inch LCD TV was raffled off, and there was a 50/50 draw with a prize over $800. Rentquip had its wheel of fortune located on the Milwaukee booth, with each order over $1,000 entitling the customer to a spin for cash and giveaways. Some suspicious activity was detectable around the wheel, especially when it appeared likely to land on the coffee mug, but spinners came away happy for the most part.
The banquet hosted a record crowd of over 150 to enjoy a great meal, drinks and the comedic talents of Mike Harrison. B.C. CRA president Jim Clipperton made his final address as president, actually reading a prepared speech for the occasion. Clipperton was praised many times during the night and received several enthusiastic ovations for his energetic leadership. His colleagues on the board pointed to his tireless efforts in setting up the Propane Heater Certification course in B.C., and in
The B.C. board of directors posed for a photo with ARA president Ted Cook at the banquet.
fighting for fair equipment licensing regulations with the Insurance Corporation of British Columbia. Clipperton himself noted his pride in the number of people in the room, which was, he said, more than three times the number that used to attend the banquet when he started working with the association.
Clipperton will be replaced as president by Erik Gerlof of Rogers Rental. In his speech, Gerlof praised Clipperton’s leadership and told the crowd some of his own story of coming to Canada and buying a rental business eight years ago.
Cook thanked the B.C. CRA for the warm welcome he had received and praised the friendly spirit of the association. He noted the B.C. CRA won the ARA’s 2011 Membership Award.
Angie Venekamp announced the winners of the B.C. CRA’s annual awards. Supplier of the Year went to Wacker Neuson. Winn Rentals of Kelowna won Rental Store of the Year. Clipperton won Regional Person of the Year, and Russ Walsh of EZE Rent It Centre in Chilliwack won the Achievement Award.
INDUSTRY NEWS
VolVo renTS MoVeS inTo onTario
In 2011, Volvo Rents acquired more than 50 companies in the United States. Recently, however, the brand announced its first acquisition of a competitor north of the border with the recent signing of the Centreline Group of Rental Companies, a six-location construction equipment rental company found throughout Ontario. This new acquisition lifts Volvo Rents’ North American location total to more than 90 stores.
The new Volvo Rents locations are located in Windsor, Leamington, Chatham, London, Dumfries and Hamilton and are the first for the company in the province of Ontario.
“As the recession abates, the construction equipment rental industry is projected to be one of the fastest-growing industries in North America, as more people are choosing to rent rather than commit to capital expenditures,” said Mike Crouch, vice-president of business development for Volvo Rents. “Our strong brand recognition, coupled with the growing demand for equipment rental, allows us to look to the future with great enthusiasm.”
In addition to Volvo Rents’ expanding line of Volvo compact equipment – such as backhoe and skid steer loaders, compact wheel loaders, compact excavators and compaction equipment – the rental centre carries a comprehensive line of essential equipment and tools for the construction, commercial, industrial and homeowner markets. The focus is
on daily, weekly and monthly rentals.
“Currently, the U.S. is undergoing an unprecedented shift from buying equipment to renting,” Crouch said, noting that construction equipment rental revenue grows an average of seven per cent annually. “This puts us in a very favourable position as we continue to expand our footprint in various markets across the country.”
Previous owners Louis and Al Bertoia will take on new roles within the Ontario Volvo Rents locations. Louis will serve as the Ontario operations manager while Al will become fleet manager for the division.
“The Centreline Group has been very successful in the equipment rental industry throughout the southern Ontario market. Our success has been driven by understanding and executing our company values, and by understanding our customers’ requirements and exceeding their expectations through a high level of service,” Bertoia said. “We are a family-run business that works well as a team. I believe that joining the Volvo team is the best decision for the future growth of Centreline and offers great opportunities for our team members. Volvo shares our values, goals and visions and has responsive decision making. Volvo was the right decision for us. We are excited to grow with Volvo and execute our growth plans throughout Ontario.”
n ew vice- PR esiden T
of ma R ke T ing a T Paladin
Paladin has appointed John (J.T.) Thomas to the position of vice-president of marketing and business development. He will be responsible for all aspects and functions of marketing and business development for Paladin and its Bradco, CP, CustomWorks, FFC, Harley, JRB, McMillen and Sweepster brand companies on a global basis. Thomas replaces Doug Amerman, who has been promoted to director of Sweepster Aviation. Both Thomas and Amerman will use their industry experience to continue to advance Paladin’s attachment offering.
Thomas brings a rich history of experience in the construction attachments business. He most recently served as vice-president of the Blades and Attachments business unit at Esco Corporation. He has a total of 14 years of experience with Esco in various capacities from sales and product management to manufacturing and general management. Thomas obtained a bachelor of science degree in finance from the University of Illinois and an MBA degree from Miami University, Oxford, Ohio, and brings with him a solid mix of industry knowledge, functional skills and experience.
“John Thomas understands the industry,” stated Mike Flannery, vice-president and general manager of Paladin Construction. “He knows what customers expect from their attachments and has the skills and experience to work with our engineers to create the best attachments for the industry.”
The right staging equipment can make all the difference in any special event. Which is why people turn to you when they need to rent staging. Right now, we’re offering fabulous discounts on all your Versalite® Staging ... The Best in the Business! Equipment that can set the stage with savings everyone will applaud.
For a limited time only, you can save up to 30% on all Versalite Staging. Purchase up to $5,000 and get 20% off. Purchase $5,001 or more and save a cool 25%. Purchase $10,001 or more and get a total of 30% off. It’s this kind of savings that gives you the freedom to get the equipment you need or want without feeling a pinch in your budget.
Versalite® Staging
Versalite® with Canopy
by PATR i C k FlAnne Ry
No ho R izo N too Fa R
There are no boundaries for Rogers Rental.
Alively, entrepreneurial spirit animates Erik Gerlof, owner of Rogers Rental in Kamloops, B.C. only eight years after moving to Canada and buying the business, Gerlof has expanded and is moving into a new role as president of the B.C. local of the Canadian Rental Association.
People often talk about the importance of lifestyle and how you do not really have anything if you are not happy in your environment and your daily activities. We also hear a lot about the importance of keeping an open mind and being open to new challenges and experiences. When we hear these things in Canada we furrow our brows and nod in solemn agreement, then go back to doggedly shovelling snow under leaden winter skies while we fantasize about the sunny beaches we never take time to visit. Gerlof is different. Here is a guy who, at the age of 33 with a wife and two young children, took a look around at the small town south of Rotterdam in the Netherlands where he had lived all his life and decided he wanted a change of scenery. For most of us, that might
mean painting the living room. For Gerlof and his wife, Diana, it meant considering locations in the Caribbean, Australia and various points in the U.S. and Canada before deciding to move half way around the world to Kamloops and buying a business in an industry they had barely touched before. And, as “they” keep telling us, the acceptance of risk and challenge has paid off. Rogers Rental is growing fast and Gerlof has risen through the ranks of the B.C. Canadian Rental Association to take his seat as president in January.
Gerlof grew up just outside of Rotterdam in the Netherlands. From the age of 12, he spent as much time as he could riding around in trucks and hanging around his future partner’s business. Mostly, he admits he was just trying
Rogers Rental provides full event rental services in about a 150-kilometre radius around kamloops. Weddings are the biggest part of the business, but Gerlof has several important corporate clients as well.
Photos by Jose Larochelle
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to avoid going to school. He did finish school at the age of 22, however, then went into storing and warehousing goods using shipping containers with that same friend. Before long, the business grew to the point where just using shipping
containers was no longer enough and he and his partner bought warehouse space and launched a full logistics company. After 10 years in business, Gerlof was ready to sell out to his partner and find somewhere outside of the “crowded”
Netherlands to raise his children. “There are 17 million people in a country the size of probably half of Vancouver Island,” he says. “We got married in Hawaii and found we really like the North American lifestyle and space. It was mostly for the kids because Holland is really, really crowded.” They settled on Kamloops because they still wanted seasons, but liked the mild winters.
Gerlof brought his family to Kamloops in 2001 after several trips to the area to locate a business to buy and a place to live. He had identified Rogers and had been speaking to the owners, Rod and Laurence Thiessen, for a year before being able to obtain his visa papers and buy the business. The Thiessens were not the original owners; the company had been started by Glen Rogers in 1974. Its well-established nature was one of the appealing things for Gerlof, who was looking for something stable and proven. He also found the rental industry fascinating because of the way it extracts value over and over again from the same capital investment. “The whole idea really intrigues me,” Gerlof says. “You can buy something, rent it out, then it comes back again, you clean it up, do repairs and you do it all over again. It is a good way and an interesting way to make a living.”
Gerlof closed the sale of Rogers a little over a week after receiving his visa papers in September 2003. One of the reasons he went into business immediately was because buying a business and employing Canadians for at least a year was a condition of his visa. His initial plan was to buy Rogers, run it for a year, then look for opportunities to sell it and get back into dockyard logistics, his familiar field back in Europe. Eight years later, Gerlof admits the plan changed.
Of all the challenges that one might encounter when setting up shop in a new country, the one that springs to mind for Gerlof is surprising. Business communication, he says, is quite different in North America than it is in the Netherlands and the rest of northern Europe. “I had a really hard time in the first few years,” he remembers. “The Dutch are really direct. We basically speak our minds and in the business environment that is not really that big of a problem. But here in Canada people want things wrapped in
Gerlof is a big believer in documentation, using ready-to-rent tags to track maintenance and committing all his company procedures to writing. Having a written manual greatly simplifies training, he says.
CRA PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
Joi N the pa Rty
CRA membership carries significant advantages for you.
by e D DWye R, CRA PR esi D enT
Iam writing this message from New Orleans while attending the big ARA trade show here. This month’s issue of Canadian Rental Service happens to be the party and event issue and I would like to talk a little about our party and event members. While they are small in number (stores make up about 20 per cent of our membership) they are big on volunteering for the Canadian Rental Association and are one of our key strengths. Party and event people like Andrew Paquette, who was just awarded the ARA President’s Image Award in New Orleans, Rhonda Petersen, Blair Holtsman and many others are always ready to step up to the plate for the CRA. I thank them for that.
If you are a party and event rental store and are not a member of the CRA (which automatically makes you a member of the American Rental Association) I would encourage you to join and become active in your provincial association. I understand that there is a quarterly party and event newsletter sent out and webinars are held throughout the year. Go to some meetings and get to know some of us tool people. We are not all that bad and we can be a great referral service for you, as well as potential clients. Maybe we can help you with some regulatory issues I have been hearing about such as permits for tent installation. You are not alone; your local rental association can help organize an event where we have the regulatory people come out and hold an information session. This can help get your regulations harmonized with your input as an organization. The B.C. CRA has had great success working with the B.C. government to reverse new regulations that would have required new registration and insurance fees for the selfpropelled equipment common in rental yards.
One of the biggest benefits that I see for party and events stores in the CRA is the Certified Event Rental Professional program. This program was specifically created for those in the party and event rental industry. It was developed by rental industry experts, and is an in-depth, self-study, workbook program for individuals who seek an edge in the party and event rental industry. I see these people go up and get their certificates at the shows and I say, “Wow, these people really like their jobs and are now professionally trained.” The investment in time and money will show up on their bottom lines.
ed Dwyer owns and operates C & T Rentals in Winnipeg, Man. He is a past president of the Manitoba Rental Association and also an active member of TAB (The Alternative Board).
Another big benefit I see is that the ARA hosts one of the biggest party and event shows in North America. Whether you are a member of the CRA or not, if you are a party and event rental store this is the place to be. If you are not a member of the CRA and are sending people to the show, the money you will save by joining our association will be more than offset by your savings on registration costs and hotel bills for the show.
Another huge benefit of membership for our party and event members is the CRA insurance program. This program, which is an exclusive benefit to members of the CRA, offers coverage that is tailored for the rental industry through a unique protected self-insurance structure. The CRA insurance program’s structure is the envy of the world when it comes to insurance for rental companies. If you are a CRA member and are not yet insured through the program, call vice-president Justin Friesen from Western Group Insurance Solutions for more information at 1-800-665-8990 ext. 7211. This year, due to the positive claims experience, most members of the CRA insurance program will receive a return of approximately 15 per cent of their yearly premiums. If you are not a member, but are considering joining the CRA, the savings from the insurance program would likely more than offset your cost of membership. Additionally, the superior insurance coverage and ongoing opportunity for annual premium rebates is something that simply cannot be beat. This is one example of the great things that can be achieved when members of the rental industry come together to achieve a common goal.
Please call me at 1-204-489-0003 and I would be happy to talk to you about the best trade organization in Canada, the CRA. CRS
understanding court costs
by Deryk Coward
A number of factors can influence your decision to sue.
Many people worry about the potential costs associated with lawyers and the Canadian justice system. It is a wellknown fact that choosing to pursue and defend litigation can be costly. Questions usually arise as to lawyer fees, disbursements and costs associated with court proceedings.
When a matter is brought before the court, the presiding judge has the ability to award costs to a party. The term “court costs” refers to the amounts one party to the litigation may be ordered to pay to another party.
In most Canadian jurisdictions, there is a loserpay cost regime. Subject to the discretion of the court and whether or not any settlement offers have been made, the unsuccessful party must often pay a portion of the legal expenses incurred by the successful party. The judge can order a specific amount of costs to be paid, or can order the costs to be assessed in accordance with a schedule of costs known as a tariff. It is important to note, however, that a successful party will almost never achieve a complete recovery of all of the costs associated with going to trial.
It is also important to keep in mind that settlement offers made prior to trial can have an effect upon the award of costs. Courts always try to encourage settlement before having to proceed to court. The judge only learns of the terms of the offer(s) to settle after making his or her decision in the case. The judge will compare the offer to settle with the award made at trial. The judge may determine that litigation could have been avoided, had the other party accepted the offer to settle. Additional cost compensation may be awarded on this basis.
So the question most people then want answered is: when are court costs awarded? The simple answer is whenever the parties attend court. At any time, a judge or officer of the court hearing a particular matter has the power to fix or determine the amount of costs.
A good way to avoid court costs is to try to reach a settlement or to bring your matter to small claims court. A small claim is a way to settle monetary disputes that do not exceed a certain amount of money. For example, in Manitoba the disputed amount cannot exceed $10,000, in Ontario the amount disputed cannot exceed $25,000 and in Alberta the amount disputed cannot exceed $25,000. Costs and interest may be requested and added to a judgement; however, it is probable that costs will be much lower than proceeding to court as you may represent yourself and proceedings are less formal.
In the final analysis, when considering whether to proceed with any court action, you should not only consider the amount which you feel is owing but
“Settlement offers made prior to trial can have an effect upon the award of costs.”
It should be noted that each province has different rules when it comes to the awarding of costs. Individuals should consult their own lawyers for advice on what a judge may or may not award.
also the amount you could potentially receive from the court in the form of a cost award. CRS
Deryk Coward articled with D’Arcy & Deacon in 1996 and was called to the Manitoba bar in June of 1997. He is a partner with the firm, practising primarily in the area of general civil litigation, personal injury, insurance, debtor-creditor and labour and employment law. Coward is legal counsel for the Canadian Rental Association.
by Ro B e RT MAy, AvATR ee.n eT
L e D tR ee S Loo K GR eat
Beautiful by day, spectacular by night.
You might have to fight off the brides with this one in your inventory. Asian manufacturers are introducing full-sized LED lighted trees to the Canadian market. And while LED lighting is a hot product in itself, incorporating it into life-sized and realistically crafted trees makes for a remarkable sight.
The first LED tree to enter the Canadian market is from Avatree. Designed in Australia, manufactured in China, the Avatree is manufactured to withstand outdoor weather conditions and is rated for temperatures from 40 degrees to –40 degrees. This is achieved through rugged construction and quality materials.
Construction of the Avatree starts with a welded steel frame. The complete steel frame is power coated and then built up with an epoxy plaster to form the lifelike shape of a natural tree trunk. Once it has set, a moulded fibreglass skin is wrapped over top of the plaster and provides the sturdy and weather resistant exterior of the trunk that is both realistic and durable. Each tree has between two and nine of these main trunk branches and they can be produced
in two colour choices, natural brown or flat black, depending upon their intended use. The interior of the steel and plaster trunk is hollow and allows for the low voltage power cable to run safely inside. At the base of the trunk is a welded steel plate with boltholes for anchoring the tree to a portable base or to a permanent setting. A common concrete sidewalk block makes for an easy, stable and reusable base for those not wishing to permanently anchor the tree in one place. Once mounted to its base, the Avatree is very stable and able to withstand weather conditions ranging from the Australian heat to the southern Alberta wind. Every one of the Avatrees is covered in LED light blossoms. Depending upon the size and model of the tree, there may be between 10 and 65 branches, each with numerous lighted
le FT: imagine a few of these lighting up an outdoor courtyard for a summer wedding reception. your staff can set them up quickly once they are familiar with the process.
righT: The le D lights only pull 0.6 watt each. Along with the esthetic appeal, the trees also constitute an energyefficient light source.
There are between 10 and 65 branches on each tree, but they connect easily with built-in male/female connectors.
blossoms attached to it. The branches are lit with 0.6-watt LEDs rated for 50,000 hours, and can be ordered in a variety of light colours ranging from bright white, soft white, red, blue, green, or custom colours. Small trees have approximately 1,000 LED blossoms while the larger trees have in excess of 5,000 LEDs. The entire tree runs on low voltage (24 volts) and all of the standard connectors are easily contained inside the tree and attached while being set up. A recent improvement in the design of the trees made specifically for the harsher weather of Canada has been to add an additional layer of protective wrap to the exterior of all of the branches. This improves the product appearance and the durability and ensures that all electrical connections are protected from the elements. Additionally, the trees available for distribution in Canada have the necessary 110 volt electrical transformer, rated at IP44, which connects to the tree with an eight-metre, low-voltage cable. Due to the simple electrical requirement of a standard electrical receptacle, the Avatree can be positioned anywhere that a regular indoor or outdoor plug or extension cord can be found.
Why is this pump buried in sand?
it’s designed to!!
TSURUMI PUMP MODEL
Originally only available only in a Blossom Tree design, in 2011 Avatree launched a Weeping Willow version of the product. Now with two tree styles and sizes ranging up to 3.8 metres tall, there is a large variety of design possibilities for this product. The most popular models thus far have been the traditional 1.8 metres and 2.8 metres Blossom Tree in natural colours with bright white LEDs, and the Willow Tree with a black trunk and branches also featuring bright white LEDs
Avatree has already made a splash in the Australian market, with the product gracing the stage of the television show The X Factor, as
TECH TIPS
well as a couple of national talk shows and televised charity events. The product is ideally suited to designers, architects, decorators, and commercial applications with its ease of set-up and durability. Initial product testing has been very positive primarily in the wedding and hospitality industries.
Each Avatree comes shipped in reusable cardboard carton that is reinforced with a steel skeleton to increase its durability and to protect the product. The framed shipping box allows for convenient stacking of multiple Avatrees and may be used over and over again in situations where the tree is assembled and disassembled multiple times, such as for the rental industry. Also included in each box are extra branches, LEDs, heat shrink tubing, and parts needed to make minor repairs should the tree ever get broken or damaged. Small repairs such as replacing broken LEDs are easily done by the customer with the included supplies and do not require factory service. The product does come with a full warranty and the
A power conduit runs up the middle of the trunk, concealed from view and well protected from the elements.
customer support is based in Canada.
Upon delivery to the customer the Avatree setup and assembly is very simple. The main trunk comes in
two large sections that are joined and bolted together. Next, the trunk should be attached to its base or fixed location by using the boltholes in the steel base plate. Once the trunk is mounted and assembled, the tree will be stable enough for the addition of the smaller lit branches. Each of the LED branches is connected to the trunk by first attaching the low-voltage male and female connectors and then inserting the branch into the marked spot. This is repeated until all of the supplied branches have been attached. The power supply can then be attached to the low-voltage input and the tree can be lit up. Initial assembly may take two individuals an hour following the included detailed instructions, but subsequent assembly and disassembly takes very little time once the user is familiar with it.
More information on the product including pictures and video can be found at Avatree.net, or you can look for the product travelling across Canada at many of the major tradeshow events in 2012. CRS
Introducing Koshin Powered Pumps
p R o D u Ct S ho WC a S e
CoNVENIENT
TENT P oRT
8www.ntiglobal.com
The patent-pending Port Wall from NTI Global Events and Tents is an effective solution to heat or cool any event. No more cutting holes in walls or stuffing duct through the bottom of a wall. Port Walls have specifically designed ports, which can be opened for duct applications or hidden when not in use. The number and placement of ports in a wall can be specified to fit your needs. Ports are available in virtually any diameter to accommodate your ducting.
AFFoRDABLE
FRAME TENT
8www.eurekapartytents.com
Customers keep asking for an affordable frame tent, one that stands up to the Eureka brand name, but for a fraction of the cost of most frame systems on the market. The new Empire Frame Tent is suitable as a starter tent or an addition to
a seasoned tent inventory. Lightweight fittings offer a significant weight reduction compared to competitive systems. Empire Frame Tents offer the same Eureka quality and innovation at a fraction of the price. Sizes available are 20- by 20-foot sectional ends and 10-foot mid-sections, with 10- and 15-foot widths coming soon. Options for sectional tops include a 10-ounce translucent
fabric as standard or an available 13-ounce blockout. Units include a catenary valance and a permanently installed sidewall rope. All tops come with storage bags, and one-piece tops are coming soon. The frame and fittings are entirely made of aluminum and the lightweight fittings reduce weight, speed installation and lower labour costs. The new tubing design increases strength while decreasing weight.
The tubing is colour-coded for easy identification, pickand-pack and installation.
Qu IET P ow ER
8www.multiquip.com
Multiquip WhisperWatt Super-Silent generators are engineered to operate in the most challenging environments and can be modified to meet any application. They are designed and built to withstand tough environments at construction sites and provide dependable temporary power at entertainment venues and disaster recovery operations.
The DCA220SSC offers a prime rating of 176 kilowatts and a standby rating of 194 kilowatts. The patented open delta generator winding provides precise voltage control, allowing superior motor starting capability. An electronic governor maintains frequency to plus/minus 0.25 per cent from no load to full load. It features an automatic start/stop that allows the generator to start from a remote location. The unit is equipped with a powder-coated, weatherproof steel housing that allows a substantially
low operating noise level of 75 decibels. Equipped with a durable and comprehensive digital control panel along with analog instrumentation, it also includes the AC ammeter, AC voltmeter, frequency meter, AC circuit breaker, engine gauges and much more.
Du RABLE LED BAR
8www.specialeventrentals.com
Special Event Rentals has searched the world to bring rental operators the latest in LED bars. The problem with most LED bars is they are
flimsy and cost an arm and a leg. Special Event Rentals LED bars deliver all the best features at an affordable price. They feature polyethylene construction for extra durability and seven-colour LED lighting that comes with a rechargeable battery system and remote control. The bar holds integrated LED lighting that is recessed to protect the
The new Ditch Witch SK650 Compact Tool Carrier delivers more power and productivity for its size than any minitrack loader in its class. With diesel power, advanced hydraulics, and multi-attachments, you get class-leading power and maneuverability in one compact package. And your new Ditch Witch is backed by Brandt – giving you access to our 24/7 Product Support Centre, staffed with certified parts people. Brandt’s proven commitment to uncompromising after-sales support means we’ll always be there when you need us. That’s powerful value. Delivered.
PARTY SHOWCASE
The CR60 is a powerful 6”, 38Hp commercial wood chipper with standard dual active rollers and an intelligent feed control system that improves productivity.
6-inch Wood Chipper
to mobile trailer units. The under-slung spring axle and 4.8- by 12-inch tires absorb road bumps, delivering a smooth
when experiencing high wind loads. In addition, the weight and bulk of standard stakes makes them difficult to store and pack. Toughstake sand stakes are designed to be a solution for this centuries-old problem.
Toughstake is suitable for securing a large tent or awning in sand or snow. The large Toughstake is manufactured from 6061 T6 aluminum, which is lightweight (only 7.0 ounces), and the stakes nest together, which minimizes the footprint for transportation.
ride behind any vehicle. The trailer body is built of tough 1/10-inch thick, 12-gauge steel finished in a non-toxic, heatresistant black enamel. These units are fully equipped with dual tail-brake lights, 1-7/8-inch coupler and a swing tongue jack. The design combines all the performance, safety, durability and convenience of the Porta-Grill with the ease of trailer transport.
Toughstake sand stakes for tents use new and innovative patented technology for anchoring tents in sand. The Toughstake is designed to handle large wind loads normally found in desert and beach areas. Historically, tents are staked in the sand only to have the wind continually work the stakes free from the ground. This usually results in the tent falling down or blowing away. All ordinary sand stakes work in the same manner: the guy-lines of the tent or rainfly are attached to the top of the stake. Over time, and with little force, the wind will work the stake out of the sand. Other manufacturers have tried to solve this problem with either a large, wingshaped object, a screw auger, nylon bags of sand or increased length. Each of these designs is futile
The minute any wind load hits your tent or awning, normal stakes begin to slowly work out of the ground and ultimately fail. Toughstake sand and snow anchors eliminate the small load displacements which lead to failure. In addition, Toughstake sand and snow anchors have over 10 times the holding force of normal stakes. We recommend using the large Toughstake sand and snow anchor for larger tents, awnings, pop up awnings and large outfitter wings. In beach sand, the large Toughstake can hold up to 275 pounds before any movement occurs.
oSTRICh FEATh ER CENTREPIECES
8www.eventswholesale.com
Ostrich feather centrepiece kits from Wholesale Event Solutions include everything event planners need to create their own centrepieces. They come with a 24-inch glass trumpet vase, 20 8- to 22-inch ostrich wing plumes, a foam bouquet holder to hold the feathers in place and gel water bead pearls. Users can customize by choosing their own colors. To assemble the centrepieces, the user puts the quill ends of the ostrich feathers into the foam bouquet
holder, starting at the bottom and moving around the holder in a circular motion and upward direction until reaching the top. Then the stem of the foam bouquet holder holding the feathers is placed into the vase. For an even more stunning effect, decorators can place floralytes in the vases and put the feather centerpiece on a centerpiece mirror or a light base. Acrylic crystal diamond confetti and battery tealights are good additional touches.
TowABLE wooD GRILL
8www.grillstogo.com
Grills to Go makes towable grills to please the largest, hungriest crowds. With three sizes available and durable meticulous craftsmanship, this is a professional wood and charcoal towable solution. Towable grills feature a 3/16inch reinforced steel body with leaf spring suspension construction and 3/16-inch plate construction. They are available in three sizes: six, eight, or 12 feet long. Each trailer includes a two-inch ball with safety chains and tail lights are standard. The removable hitch makes for easy use and storage. The grills have a large grill surface that travels up and down over 36 inches. The paint tolerates up to 1,000 degrees and the side shelves hold up to 250 pounds. A clean-out door
and tarp hook are standard. Rugged, dependable, and made to go anywhere, the Grills to Go series is a suitable barbeque system for professionals. Excellent for restaurants, universities, country clubs, caterers, amusement parks, golf courses, institutions, hotels, ski resorts, business and industry, sporting events, night clubs and bars or any event where there is a need to feed lots of hungry people. Because it is so easy to position and set-up, renters will be grilling very quickly. And take-down is a snap: just close-up the Grills to Go Towable and go. The optional cutting boards make a perfect presentation and staging area. The distinctive Red Wheel with rich, heat-resistant paint and rock-solid, all-steel construction always draws compliments. The Grills to Go Wood Towable features excellent temperature control and the available rotisserie gives that perfect wood or charcoal flavor to all grill recipes.
S PANDE x TABLECLoTh S
8www.tableclothsfactory.com
Tableclothsfactory.com has new spandex tablecloths specially made to fit 60-inch, eight-seat tables. They will also fit the smaller 48-inch or the larger 66-inch tables, as well. Made from high quality spandex, the clothes need hand washing or dry cleaning only and should not be bleached. They are 60 inches in diameter in a seamless, one-piece design. Available colours include fushia, gold, white, red, ivory, burgundy, eggplant, silver and black.
PARTY SHOWCASE
R ELIABLE FoLDING TABLES
8 nationaleventsupply.com
National Event Supply has announced the arrival of its newest NES Reliable folding table, the six-foot NES
Reliable Blow Mold Adjustable Height Folding Table. This commercial-grade table adjusts from banquet table height (29
inches) to bar height (42 ½ inches) with three stops in between. The six-foot NES
Reliable Blow-Mold Adjustable
Height Folding table is just as strong as other NES Reliable non-adjustable tables, and can hold 700 pounds evenly distributed across the top. Like all other NES Reliable products, these also come with a two-year material and manufacturing defect warranty. These tables are in stock now.
March 13-15
World of Asphalt Charlotte, N.C. 8 www.worldofasphalt.com
March 17
Prairie Regional Trade Show Saskatoon, Sask. 8 www.crarental.org
March 27-28
Quebexpo St. Hyacinthe, Que. 8 www.crarental.org
April 13-14 Expo Grands Travaux Montreal, Que. 8 www.masterpromotions.ca
2013
Feb. 10-13
The Rental Show Las Vegas, Nev. 8 www.therentalshow.com
2014
March 4-8
ConExpo-Con/Agg Las Vegas, Nev. 8 www.conexpoconagg.com
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).
Pearl Abrasive Co. is pleased to introduce our NEW line of Equipment. We now offer 18” & 20” Gas Powered Concrete Saws, available with various engine choices as well as push-behind or self-propelled. Pearl also supplies a Single-Head and Double-Head Floor Grinding machines as well as our New Floor Scraper, which is designed to remove tile, vinyl, parquetry, cushion, etc… from floors.
General Pipe Cleaners has completely redesigned their line of Jet-Set™ water jets to offer more power, portability, and ease of use. Water jets clear soft stoppages and ice with a stream of highpressure water that gives you wall-to-wall cleaning action. Ranging from the JM-1450 compact electric jet, to the JM-2512 Typhoon™ trailer jet, General has a jet for you.
Learn more about General’s full line of water jets in our new Jet-Set catalog. For more information contact the Drain Brains® at General Pipe Cleaners at 800-245-6200 or 412-771-6300, or visit www.drainbrain.com/jets.
Pearl Abrasive Co. supplies bonded abrasives, coated abrasives, wire brushes, diamond blades, cup wheels, core bits and polishing pads. We also offer a complete line of tile saws, masonry saws and surface preparation equipment, as well as our new Gas Powered Concrete Saws, Floor Grinders & Scrapers and Core Drill Rigs. Pearl also carries dust containment products, the Tuscan Leveling System, and the new Roto-Wedge.
proper training is not optional
by George Olah
workers have been taught and required by regulations to wear safety shoes in almost all commercial establishments. Fewer foot injuries sustained by staff translates into reduced medical expenses and more staff productivity. Safety training also helps users understand that a propane barbecue is meant to grill food and not to heat a garage, and that a 33-pound propane liquid cylinder is great to fuel a forklift but not to fuel a temporary construction heater that needs propane vapour for correct operation. If training and regulation are justified when it comes to preventing people from dropping something heavy on their big toes, surely it is justified when it comes to preventing the kinds of catastrophes that can occur with unsafe use of fuels.
This all sounds simple enough but unfortunately not all rental customers are logical.
That is why provincial governments require employers and workers alike to be trained regularly by authorized training professionals. This includes undertaking various testing in order to receive a Record of Training indicating the trainees have met a multitude of provincial requirements.
As a propane marketer, a renter of propane appliances and a trainer, I face a serious issue with numerous individual propane customers and larger construction companies. Most balk at having to pay for and complete the various required ROT courses. There are customers who opine that having to get retrained every three years is insulting to them since many have already been trained before. Quite often their ROTs have expired recently. As such, I cannot provide them with propane fuel or rent them propane-fuelled equipment. Many just balk at paying another fee to get trained again.
There is no question that provincial safety certification is a mess, administratively. It is tedious, often confusing, and ultimately frustrating to all concerned. I can see that in this economic climate everyone who can work wants to work and any hindrance to doing so is frowned upon. Many workers and companies just want to take the chance and not spend the resources to undertake required training. This is dangerous, stupid
and an unfair business practice that must not be tolerated.
When getting your staff trained, remember that not all courses and trainers are created equal. Make certain your trainer is an authorized trainer and the certificates or ROTs they issue clearly state what you have been trained for, what specific regulations or standards you have met and the expiry date. I have had customers show me ROT cards with information barely stating their name and some vague reference to what training they completed. These cards are dubious at best.
Online training could streamline much of this. Students would have to possess a good grasp of English and not be afraid of computers, which are barriers in some cases but not all. I can definitely see the appeal for lowering the cost of propane training materials to reduce the overall cost of training certificates and ROTs. Doing so may make the whole training process more attractive to existing and potential propane users. Reducing the overall price of training would serve as inducement to individuals to get trained as well as to increase their knowledge of safety practices for a variety of products.
Presently there are many excellent training materials from associations, qualified training organizations and professionally recognized trainers in Canada. All this comes at a cost, of course. This cost has to be borne by someone. The question is: should it be the user alone who pays the full freight? Transferring 100 per cent of training costs to customers could reduce business. Should there be training subsidies, perhaps even tax breaks or government or insurance industry grants to the trainee? I believe government regulators and various industry associations may need to rethink their strategies behind safety training requirements.
Ultimately this is about the value one places on avoiding loss of life or loss of the ability to work or enjoy life because of a needless accident. In my opinion, while some rethinking of the whole training process is necessary, money spent on safety is money well spent. Our only other challenge is to make sure everyone is trained in safety, not just a few. CRS
Courtesy of Special Event Rentals Edmonton, AB
Courtesy of All Shelter Sales & Rentals of Shelter
