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Serving the Canadian rental industry for 39 years. www.canadianrentalservice.com
4
EDITORIAL
Today’s events are all about focus.
14
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
Here’s to our suppliers. by Dave Mintenko
10
LIFE IN THE FAST LANE
Just because Raymond Brothers is over a century old doesn’t mean it can’t move.
16
LEGALESE
Remedies on default, interest and assignment. by Deryk Coward
20 PARTY AND EVENT SHOWCASE
It’s our annual roundup of everything you need to make your customer’s event special.
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SAFETY FIRST AND LAST
Your plan must be custombuilt to attract buy-in. by Jeff Thorne
Events ascending
Events are changing even as they become more popular.
It’s March and that means it is time for our annual focus on the party and event rental sector. Our cover profile is Raymond Brothers, a 113-year-old tent manufacturing and rental company in London, Ont., and you can find pages of great new products to help you help your customers host the perfect special occasion starting on page 20.
Canadian Rental Service and our parent company, Annex Business Media, are in the event business ourselves. Every other year we host the Rental Mart, Canada’s national show for the rental industry. Annex owns many trade magazines in many markets across the country (over 60 at last count) and each has a special event or conference attached to it. And, of course, I attend as many of the Canadian Rental Association trade shows across the country as I can each year. So we are always looking at events and assessing them to see what works, what doesn’t, what is new and what is getting old.
One trend is simply that events that bring people together are becoming more popular as marketing vehicles for all kinds of businesses. There must be 100 ways to communicate with customers in a market, but what I’m seeing is events, conferences, parties and networking opportunities are the flavour-of-the-month with marketing professionals, displacing to some extent vehicles like advertising and one-on-one contact.
Canadian Rental Service website redesign
After many hours of work, canadianrentalservice.com has a new look and a new organizational structure. Interesting and informative content about the Canadian rental industry will be “up front” and easy to see and browse in the new layout. Information about new equipment will be easier than ever to find.
Nominate a great young rental person
Nominations for Canadian Rental Service’s Top Ten Under 40 feature are now open online. Just go to canadianrentalservice.com and click the Top Ten logo. Let’s promote our industry’s next generation!
by Patrick Flannery
Why? Events lend themselves naturally to social media tie-ins. Just look at the huge political demonstrations that seem to happen every week around the world organized, largely, over social media channels. Event planners can use the networking power of social media to fuel much greater interest and awareness of their event than they could in the past. The message in old media was “This is happening.” The message on social media can be “This looks cool. I’m going. Are you?”
But even as they rise in popularity, events are changing. Big national events where the goal was to get as many people as possible in attendance from all over the continent seem to have hit their peak in the mid-’90s. After a long decade of steady decline, during which people speculated that events would go away entirely in favour of Web surfing, a new kind of event is emerging. It is often organized by just one company, or a company in collaboration with a few suppliers. Often, a professional organizer is engaged to give the event a special flair or hook. The event is smaller, often by invitation only, and drawing from a localized area even if the host company has a wider reach. And the money saved on long-distance travel and huge venue spaces is channeled into goodies for the attendees - better food, better beverages, better giveaways and better entertainment. The result is a more focused, intimate gathering that better lends itself to longer conversations and socializing. The proliferation of small but upscale events of this kind should spell opportunity for all you party and event rental operators.
I’d like to draw your attention to a new and exciting feature of your rental magazine, the Safety First and Last column by Jeff Thorne, manager of training and consulting for Occupational Safety Group. Jeff has been teaching companies how to improve their safety performance and how to operate equipment safely for many years, and he has kindly offered to share his knowledge with us in a regular column. Safety is a topic that just can’t be addressed enough in these pages, and I hope Jeff’s contribution will help you and your customers to get home at the end of the day. CRS
SIGNATURE RESPONDS TO CHARGES
Signature Event Rental Shoppe of London, Ont., was fined by the Ontario Ministry of Labour in February for an accident that resulted in the death of Jeremy Bowley, 21, and injuries to four other workers in August of 2013. The case has attracted national media attention. Following the ministry decision, Signature owner, Mari-lea Johnston, issued the following statement:
“On Aug 1, 2013, a crew of six [Signature Events] workers was sent to a property near Watford, Ont., to set up a tent in advance of a wedding to be held at that site. As one of the tent poles was being put into place, it came into contact with an overhead electrical service line. Five of the six workers were injured by the initial shock, one resulting in a fatality.
“We were originally charged with nine offenses, two of which were carried down on Feb. 3, 2015. One fine was, as a constructor, failing to ensure that the health and safety of workers was protected. Second was failing to provide adequate information, instruction and supervision to the workers about the hazards of overhead electrical wires as required under the Occupational Health and Safety Act. We cooperated fully with the ministry and provided all requested documentation.
“When the charges were explained to us, we had a decision to make. Pay our lawyer or pay the Ministry of Labour. It was soon pointed out to us that we would not win against the Ministry of Labour, so why spend money on a lawyer when you would be facing the same outcome? So even after giving all the information to the ministry, it would make no difference because it was still not adequate to their findings. I do find it interesting - though we were fined with not ensuring the health and safety of our workers and failing to provide adequate information, instruction and supervision to the workersthat not once and still to this day the Ministry of Labour has never asked us or stopped us from installing tents. Right after the accident, the words from the ministry were, ‘Business as usual.’
“The fine that we received was $50,000 for each charge, $100,000 in total and a 25 per cent victim surcharge, which I will point out is used to help the ministry with government programs related to victims. Not one penny goes to the family for their loss. They did take into consideration that, since 2002 when I started the business, we never had an incident. They also took into consideration that they had no other cases to reference, so they needed to set a precedent.
“As for Signature, I love this work, I like what I do. It would have been easy to crawl into a hole and stay there. The media makes you the worst person ever. I felt bullied, which I thought our society had taken measures to prevent. I had to remember that I have great employees and I had a commitment to them also to continue to make this a great, safe place to work and provide a great service and product. I will continue to do the same as always: hand out employee handbooks and safety books, make sure that all procedures are being followed and have a safety representative appointed by our workers’ peers. I wish to thank the whole rental industry for the help and support we have received through this difficult time.
“I advise everyone in the event industry to oversee that the safety rep is making sure their fellow co-workers are following the proper safety guidelines and make sure that we keep up with all the Ministry of Labour rules and the Occupational Health and Safety Act. Make sure you know what positions your employees hold and that it is documented and followed by the Ministry of Labour. For example, supervisors have special courses and regulations that need to be done followed.
”This entire process has been based on the ministry’s position that ’there are no accidents.’ We find this quite unfair, as obviously there are accidents, despite everyone’s best attempts to prevent them. We maintain that the events in August 2013 were a tragic accident.”
DON FLINT RETIRES
After a long and storied career working in the equipment rental industry, Don Flint of Multiquip, has retired. Flint was with Multiquip for the last 14-plus years working in sales for the company. Prior to that he worked for over seven years for Dynapac and also sold for Bomag Canada. Flint says he is looking forward to honing his golfing skills in Canada in the summer and at his Yuma, Ariz., home in the winter.
COMING EVENTS
March 5 - 6
National Heavy Equipment Show Mississauga, Ont. 8 nhes.ca
March 9 Quebexpo Laval, Que. 8 crarental.org
March 14
Prairie Regional Trade Show Saskatoon, Sask. 8 crarental.org
March 25
CRA Ontario Conference and Product Expo Guelph, Ont. 8 crarental.org
May 29 - 30
Canada North Resources Expo Prince George, B.C. 8 cnre.ca
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LOOKING FOR CANADA’S TOP 10 UNDER 40
Canadian Rental Service will once again promote the next generation of Canadian rental store operators with its Top 10 Under 40 feature, appearing in the August issue. Major sponsors have stepped up to show their support for the industry’s future. Honda, Lackmond, L.M. Temperature Control and Rentquip have all confirmed as official sponsors of the special report.
“The ‘greying’ of our industry continues to be a concern,” says Ed Cosman, Canadian Rental Service sales manager. “It seems like every month we hear about another independent rental store being sold or auctioned off because the owners are retiring with no one to take over. We want to do what we can to honour the younger people who have shown their commitment to this great industry. They are a special group.”
Any person owning, managing or working in a Canadian rental operation is eligible for recognition in the feature, as long as they will be under 40 years of age as of Dec. 31 of this year. Nominating someone is free and can be completed online by filling out a short form, or by emailing Patrick Flannery at pflannery@ annexweb.com . Nominating co-workers and family members is allowed. Honourees will be selected by Canadian Rental Service staff.
ARA PREDICTS RENTAL GROWTH FOR CANADA
A strengthened economy, growth in employment and lower gas prices at the pump, generating increased disposable income, all spell favorable news for consumers as well as the equipment rental industry in the United States and Canada. The American Rental Association’s Rental Market Monitor forecast for Canada calls for 3.7 per cent growth in 2015 to $4.1 billion, with growth of 6.3 per cent expected in 2016 to nearly $4.4 billion.
The ARA forecasts equipment rental industry total revenue growth of 8.1 per cent in 2015 to reach $38.5 billion in the U.S., including all three segments — construction/industrial, general tool, and party and event.
“The equipment rental industry continues to grow at a fast pace with strong equipment rental demand within all markets,” says Christine Wehrman, ARA’s executive vice-president and CEO. “While the news focuses on the energy sector of the economy, our industry is fortunate to have a balanced marketplace in which rental is in demand and energy represents only one of those markets. Rental companies have always been flexible in meeting customer demand by adapting quickly to changing markets. The industry growth forecast remains more than double that of the overall economy.”
“The number of positive offsets in commercial construction, multifamily housing, healthcare and manufacturing help to counteract the drop in oil prices and contribute to the strong 2015 growth projections for the equipment rental industry,” says Scott Hazelton, managing partner, IHS Inc.
Projected revenue increases for equipment rental due to more direct and indirect demand from the energy sector may be lower now than previously expected, but Hazelton says the other rising segments for the equipment rental industry will remain a positive factor for 2016 as well. “IHS already had projected softness in the energy markets in 2016, so the quick drop in oil prices now presents less of a change in the overall forecast for the equipment rental industry,” he says.
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IN THE FAST LANE
The Jacobs family accelerates a London institution
What is 113 years old and goes really fast? Answer: Raymond Brothers, the tent and event rental store owned by the supercharged Jacobs family in London, Ont.
by JAMES CHLIBOYKO
When the Jacobs are not providing in-house sewn and welded tents and a full range of party supplies to as many as six weddings on a weekend, you can usually find them at the stock car race track, cheering on one of their four out of five kids who drive. It’s been a radical change of pace for Ken and Jodi since Ken left his career as a funeral director, and there are no yellow flags ahead as the shifting world of social media marketing keeps this busy team on its toes.
“My wife and I bought Raymond Brothers back in the fall of 1998 — seems like a long time ago now,” says Ken. The idea for it initially came across their accountant’s desk. He had located the business up for sale in London and suggested it to Ken and Jodi, knowing Jodi hailed from nearby Tillsonburg. Ken was ready for a change from the funeral business, which he was finding more corporate and competitive in an environment where big franchises were taking over the independents. Looking for a chance to own a business that would bring him back into touch with his customers, he was surprised to find the wedding industry was similar in many ways to the funeral business.
“Although it’s a happy occasion, it’s not unlike a funeral, where you have one opportunity to make it right,” Jacobs explains. “A lot of organizing is involved and a lot of high stress, whether it’s the bride or the mother of the bride or you name it. And so there are a lot of similarities to a funeral. We kind of liked that aspect of it so we decided to jump in. It was more of a family decision.” The Jacobs bought the company and moved from Brampton, Ont., to London, about an hour-and-a-half’s drive away.
At that time, Raymond Brothers was strictly
a tent fabrication and rental operation located in London’s Hyde Park area. In 2004, the Jacobs found an opportunity to expand by buying Forest City Rentals from Jim and Pat Rudder, who were retiring. Acquiring Forest City gave Raymond Brothers a full offering of tables, chairs and other party rental fleet. A year later, Ken and Jodi moved the company across town to its present, much larger, facility on Oxford Street.
That’s the recent history of the company under present ownership. But the Raymond Brothers of the company name and logo are not merely the brainchild of graphic designers; they did actually exist. They originally came over from around Detroit over a century ago, moved to Windsor and two of the three brothers eventually went to London. “That’s why our logo only shows two, because it was two that actually formed the London location,” said Jacobs. “When they started, it was mostly exterior canvas manufacturing. So, anything to do with camping: tents, cots, some party tents back then. The factories all had window awnings on them to cool the factories, so there was a lot of that. When the war came on, a lot of efforts apparently turned to the war effort, backpacks and clothing and that type of thing, because they had the equipment to make the heavy-duty goods.”
“And as time went on, they started making rental tents. Obviously, they’re too large for someone to purchase, so they started making them for their own rental, and we still make them today for our own rental purposes. Again, even in today’s market, they’re still pricey for an individual to buy to only put up twice a year. So, it’s still a rental item for the most part.”
The Jacobs family (Ken and Jodi are parents
In addition to fabricating tents and renting party gear, Jacobs has kept the Raymond Brothers tradition of custom awning sales alive and well. Here he shows one of their own designs made of aluminum — much lighter than steel and very strong.
to Marc, 21, Savannah, 19, Jaxson, 17, Paighton, 14 and Shane, 11) bought Raymond Brothers from a couple named the McCreadys.
One way Raymond Brothers never changed from its earliest days was in making and selling custom awnings to local stores and houses. “The awning division was always part of Raymond Brothers, going back to 1903, more so because of the factories and that’s how people cooled homes,” Jacobs says. “Now, we’re seeing awnings more for esthetics. You know, they’ve got these big air conditioners, so the air conditioners will
cool the home no problem, but now it’s more for curb appeal. And the canopies at the back of the home are obviously for sitting under. A lot of people are going to couches and more indoor furniture coming outdoors, and that needs to be covered for the summer, for rain, wind, that type of thing.”
Making and selling awnings gives Jacobs a chance to reap additional revenue using much of the same space and resources he uses to make and rent tents. “That was the nice synergies from being under the same roof, because we mixed both party and tent rental and awning
and shade products so we have installers on both sides and we kind of put the installers where they need to be that day. They’re all interchangeable. So if we have a large tent going up, we’ll steal some from the awning side and just make sure that tent gets erected properly and installed on time. It’s nice to be able to do that. When we were working in two buildings, it was always kept separate.”
In terms of what’s needed to produce their tents and awnings, Jacobs says, “You know, back then it was a lot of canvas, so it was a lot of sewing, and now of course, we have a lot of vinyl material,
which is heat welding. We manufacture new tents every year, so the designs change a little bit, and it’s just a matter of keeping things fresh and white and clean and new. The largest tent we have now is 100 feet wide by 300 feet long so it’s a huge tent. But, again, it’s great for those organizations that want to make
in the summer, that grows to about 40. Three of those employees have over 20 years of experience with the firm. Their business, Jacobs estimates, is 40 per cent weddings, 50 per cent corporate events and 10 per cent miscellaneous things, like Christmas parties. Their territory is generally Chatham to Goderich, to
Raymond Brothers gets great support from London institutions like 3M and Western University.
money, like charities, so they can erect the tent, sell tickets whether it’s a dance or music or whatever they want to do, and they can generate a lot of money with just one night or one weekend.”
Raymond Brothers is located in the light industrial area of London, out towards the airport. In the wintertime, the company employs about 10 people;
Kitchener to Longpoint, though they can go farther afield if it’s needed.
The company gets great support from local businesses like Fanshawe College, Western University, 3M, many of the car dealerships, and General Dynamics, a manufacturer of military vehicles which is just across the road. As a London institution itself, it seems natural that
Raymond Brothers would do business with many of the other long-time pillars of the business community.
Jacobs says Raymond Brothers can handle up to about six weddings at a time. “We don’t want to normally take on any more than that, only because we start to spread ourselves too thin. And, so, again, a lot of these events have to go up on a Thursday. Wednesday’s sometimes too early — they want to cut the grass, they want to get things organized before we show up. Friday’s too late because they want to dress it up. That’s again where that whole stress thing comes in with the bride”
Serving weddings takes a special level of customer service and dealing with customer stress. “Whether it’s myself or the installers or the ladies at the front counter, we all know how to handle it as far as dealing with the issues at hand and resolving them immediately. We don’t dwell on who’s right, who’s wrong. Because it’s not about that at that point; it’s making sure the tent is white. And I
Upcoming Trade Shows
Prairie Regional Trade Show Ontario Conference and Product Expo
March 14th, 2015
Prairieland Park, Saskatoon, SK
Trade Show Giveaway! $1000 will be awarded to a member on the morning of the show this can be spent with any of the show sponsors!
CRA Saskatchewan Local will be hosting a tour of some of the rental companies located in Saskatoon on March 13th at 1:00pm.
Join us on March 13th for the Friday Night Social Event!
March 25th, 2015
Holiday Inn Hotel & Conference Centre Guelph, ON
The CRA Ontario 2015 Conference and Product Expo Committee is honoured to announce that the Special Guest Speaker will be Christine Wehrman, CEO of the American Rental Association
Equipment & Party Rental Workshops in addition to the show register now!
Gala Awards Banquet following the show!
Canadian Representatives
Mfg. Reps for Western Canada:
M.S. Sales ltd.
Tel: 1-800-451-2537 (office)
Felix Pasqua Cell: 604-351-9491
Drew Wood Cell: 604-760-9120
Fax: 1-800-665-0597
E-Mail: mssales@telus.net
Mfg. Reps for Eastern Canada: Eastcan Marketing Ltd.
Tel: 416-748-8045/877-748-1130
Fax: 416-748-7922/800-748-9989
Email: eastcan@rogers.com
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HATS OFF TO SUPPLIERS
by DAVE MINTENKO, CRA PRESIDENT
As the Ides of March approach us it is a great time of season to reflect on recent trade shows that have just been completed — including the ARA’s Rental Show in New Orleans — and to ponder the upcoming spring trade shows. I hope you were you able to attend one of these shows or plan to attend one of the upcoming shows. Hopefully, you did or will make purchases at the show and attend some of the many seminars and keynote sessions presented. Your involvement is key. Involvement in trade shows is so very simple, yet so educational. There is a wide array of seminars which touch on many aspects involving the rental industry. Some of the best educational value is in walking the trade show floor and stopping to talk to the many suppliers. They are walking Wikipedias of information and all of these fine people truly want to share their knowledge with you. In return they want to hear you share your thoughts and opinions to fuel their understanding of your needs and the prevailing conditions in the market and your business. Not only is it a great opportunity to do some networking, but I have met many individuals over the years that have become steadfast friends. It also shows great respect in stopping to talk and acknowledge the hard work, long hours and travel that these dedicated people have to put in for these shows. A great number of them are not doing just the ARA show but countless other trade shows within a threemonth window. The logistics of the behind-the-scenes preparation are daunting. Couple this with the in-between and post-show functions they are obliged to attend (yet do so with a smile) along with their normal day-to-day duties and leaving their families behind for extend periods of time, and the demands can become very overwhelming. So I very much encourage each and every one of you to take the time, spend some of those hard earned dollars and attend these trade shows. It shows class and respect to the people that help support and drive your business — your suppliers.
March is a great time to gear up, clean up and round up for what we all anticipate will be a profitable year. Time to put some spit and shine on your establishment. Make sure your summer gear is ready to roll and to do a last-minute inventory stock ups at the remaining trade shows. This is also your last chance to have some great conversations with numerous suppliers before the rental season kicks into high gear.
Dave Mintenko is senior branch manager of Hertz Equipment Rentals in Winnipeg and national president of the Canadian Rental Association. He has
March is also Banquet and Party Awareness Month. Spring is always a great time to have your place of business hold those “spring flings.” It could be an open house to show off new products, or a campaign to implement new ideas and services to old and new customers. Maybe it is time for a company outing with staff. Your local party and banquet locations have a wealth of knowledge combined with great ideas and products that will help ensure your functions are highly entertaining, educational and a success to all involved. I know from past experiences that Bel Ayre Rentals and its owners, the Serpa family have helped the CRA Manitoba Local make the yearly wine and cheese outing for members and guests a tremendous and fun event. This past one in September there was even a lounge-style atmosphere complete with couches and music. Highly entertaining!
In closing, I would like on behalf of the CRA ask all of you to reflect and pay your respects in your own way on the recent losses of the people who helped contribute to our industry and were involved in the CRA. Wishing all a very productive, happy and safe upcoming season. CRS
More on your rental contract
by Deryk Coward
Deryk Coward is a partner at D’Arcy & Deacon, a Winnipeg law firm. He is legal counsel for the Canadian Rental Association.
Last month in this space I discussed rental contracts and the important elements that every contract should have. We looked at four of the seven concepts: signing authority, wear-and-tear, insurance and indemnity. This month, I’ll take you through the remaining three.
REMEDIES ON DEFAULT
Your rental contract should spell out your remedies on default, in other words, what you can do if your customer does not pay. The remedies that could potentially be available to you are subject to negotiation. For example, your customer may agree that if they are late in making a single payment, you have the right to enter onto their property in order to seize your piece of equipment. You ought to describe in detail what exactly constitutes default, so that there is no misconception as to what default means.
agrees to interest in advance they will be far more likely to pay it. That is good for business! You must stipulate the annual rate of interest on your rental contracts. This is mandated by federal legislation. If you do not stipulate an annual rate of interest, the maximum annual rate of interest will be limited to five per cent. On a practical level, your interest charges should be clearly delineated from your other charges. This is not only good for business, but the court will want to know exactly how much interest is being charged.
ASSIGNMENT
Assignment of a contract involves one party to the contract transferring legal rights and obligations over to another party. As a general rule, you do not want your customers to be able to do this without your prior written consent. You, however, will want the ability to assign contracts without the notice or consent of your customers. For example, you may wish to raise some funds without selling your business, and as such you assign all or part of your accounts receivable to a third party. You would not want to be forced to notify or obtain the consent of your customers in order to do this. Therefore, assignment becomes an issue that you should ensure is properly dealt with in your rental contract.
In certain situations, especially larger rental contracts, the ability to seize your equipment from your client may be critical. Every province has different personal property registry laws, so you would be well advised to seek out the advice of a lawyer in your own jurisdiction in order to protect your legal rights.
INTEREST
As I’ve discussed in other columns, you cannot just assume that you get to charge interest on late payments. The annual rate of interest must be agreed to, and shown on the contract. You must also make it very clear when the interest begins and ends. Far from strictly a legal matter, the fact is that if your customer knows and
These examples are just scratching the surface. There are a great many considerations for you in the drafting of your rental contracts. Any time you spend with professional advisors discussing these matters will not be time wasted. You may be surprised that it actually has the benefit of making you more productive and less exposed to certain risks. CRS
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always say, and it’s kind of a joke around Raymond Brothers, that the tent better be as white as her dress or it’s not going up. You don’t want issues? Make sure it’s white. And so the guys understand that.”
Ken sees a shifting landscape when it comes to how companies like his reach out to customers. “The marketing is really changing, I think, with the Internet, Google, with the home shows, that type of thing. I don’t know how long those shows will be around. It costs a lot of money to do them, a lot of money to set them up, a lot of money to rent the space and do you get the same bang on Google? If the bridal show is in January, well, that only serves maybe one week of brides because then it’s gone. So now you have to rely on the Internet. Because obviously they’re still going to be trying to find rentals in February, March, April, and there’s no shows then. I mean we don’t do any Yellow Pages anymore — zero. It’s all Google now. It’s all keywords and AdWords.”
As for other social media, “We do a little bit of Facebook, a little bit of Twitter, as well. Probably not as much as we should be. We also do radio. It tends to work for us because I can turn it on, turn it off. February might be a time for engagements, so we can run some ads then. And the same when it’s summertime, when it’s really hot, it’s nice to advertise awnings.”
Like in the funeral business, Jacobs says constant marketing and promotion is key because he’s providing you service for something that happens (hopefully) once in your life. “We can do a beautiful job on a wedding and now we have to go find another bride. So it’s very hard. We have to constantly advertise somewhere, somehow. And the same with awnings — you put an awning on a home, now we have to find another home. The bride, hopefully we won’t see again. And on a home, it could be 10, 20 years before that awning needs to be addressed again. It’s always find a new customer, find a new customer.”
Local partnerships alleviate some of the difficulty in digging for new business. “We do a lot with caterers. And with caterers, it’s mostly tableware— dishes, cutlery, glassware, that type of thing. And they’ll come in on a Friday
and rent for the 200-person catering that they have to do. They rent it all clean, Monday it all shows back up all dirty, and then so we turn it around in a couple of days and rent it out the next Thursday. So, that’s kind of another aspect of the business. My term is, we’re the caterer to the caterers. So, we kind of take what’s the most stress for them off their plate. They know food and how to prepare it and present it so they can just show up here (they know they can show up anytime) pick it up clean, return it on Monday dirty and so that aspect of all the dishes and tableware is off their plate. So we kind of work hand-in-hand with them and it’s a good fit.”
Another concern is that safety, which is no light matter, especially since the electrocution death of a young tent installer erecting a tent in nearby Watford in the summer of 2013. Says Jacobs, “We do go through the WHMIS training and the health and safety aspects of it. So, you know, where we walk them through videos and booklets and that type of thing. And then they’re put with a crew leader, who’s an experienced crew leader –and, again, it’s their job to assess the area first obviously, before anybody even starts putting stuff in the ground, or to look above, in that case.”
And while the magazine spoke to Jacobs during the slow midwinter days, post-Christmas, one might have been able to sense that he was gearing up for another strong year. After all, summer is only ever a few months away. He seemed to be ready to get his hands dirty, again.
“I think the main secret, and as far as the secret to any business, I’m handson here every day and I think the staff appreciate that,” said Jacobs. “So, that I know what’s going on, I know what’s coming in, what’s going out, kind of on all sides of the business. If issues come up, they get dealt with right away and they’re not waiting for an answer. I think as far as a secret to success, there’s a lot of things roll into there. And obviously, with Raymond Bros, when we ramp up to 40, it’s pretty hopping here in the summer. So we try to treat people as fairly and as properly as possible, as we would ourselves. We’ve been able to retain a lot of staff. And when push comes to shove, we get ‘er done.”
48” BBQ Gas Grill
PRODUCT SHOWCASE
AVAILABLE BY THE DOZEN 8 nationaleventsupply.com
Maria flatware, inspired by the Oneida Geneva flatware line, is an 18/10 stainless steel flatware line perfect for the event rental industry. Specially tested to ensure no rusting or imperfections
occur, Maria flatware is National Event Supply’s most popular flatware pattern that combines pleasing esthetics with durability. The collection consists of five standard table pieces in addition to eight assorted accessory pieces and is a well-balanced line that has a good weight
in a diner’s hands. The Maria flatware line also comes with a proprietary hors d’oeuvre fork measuring 2 5/8 inches as an alternative to traditional bamboo skewers. All pieces are dishwasher-safe and available in economical packages of 12 as an alternative to a full set.
The new Ditch Witch® SK750 and SK755 are built to outperform on any jobsite. Both models feature a high-drive track system along with an enhanced operator station, delivering superior performance through increased ground clearance, more lift capacity, faster ground speed, longer track life, and more operator comfort. And these new SK mini skid steers send more horsepower to the attachment than any competitor. That’s a lot of might from a small machine! Count on Brandt for quality products and the support to help keep you productive and profitable, job after job. That’s Powerful Value. Delivered.
Recognizing the next generation of the Canadian rental industry!
Canada is full of young, skilled and knowledgeable people who are driving the rental industry forward. From mechanics and store managers, sales representatives and event planners, they are the best and brightest in our industry. Join us as we celebrate the future of rental in Canada.
The Canadian Rental Service Top 10 Under 40 will recognize the achievements of the newest generation of rental industry owners and workers. Strong work ethics, leadership by example and efforts to grow the quality of our industry will be acknowledged.
WHO CAN BE NOMINATED?
Anyone who works in an equipment or event rental operation in Canada who will be under the age of 40 as of September 31, 2015.
NOMINATIONS ARE NOW OPEN
To nominate someone to be recognized as one of the Top 10 Under 40, visit www.canadianrentalservice.com to fill out a nomination form. Nominations close on May 29, 2015. The Top 10 Under 40 will be featured in the August edition of Canadian Rental Service magazine.
ACROSS THE INDUSTRY, from equipment and party rental businesses to equipment suppliers and service providers, we all face a single overarching challenge – finding the next generation of innovative, dedicated talent to drive the industry forward. Join us in celebrating that talent!
CUSTOM SOLUTIONS
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Portable shelters from Impact Canopies are suitable for any rental fleet. They come in nine convenient sizes and are engineered and crafted for durability and reliability. Canopies are held in a fully stocked domestic North American facility for quick turnaround. Looking for more than just an unprinted canopy to add to your rental offering? Impact Canopies has customization available for all products. With locations across North America, Impact Canopies can be a one-stopshop with an increased product
line designed to surpass your rental or branding needs with solutions that fit any budget.
50-FOOT
LIGHTING
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The LM-50-5S-TLR-16X400LTLLED from Larson Electronics is a trailer-mounted, fold-over, seven-stage light mast that provides a safe and effective way for operators to quickly deploy 16 400-watt LED light heads to elevations up to 50 feet. This light plant folds over for easy transportation, features a hydraulic upright-assist air-poered mast and high-output LED light fixtures. The entire assembly is mounted to a 21-by-eight-foot tandem axle trailer, allowing operators to transport this unit from location to location. Included with this megatower are 16 of our wet-area-suitable, high-output LED light fixtures producing a com-
bined 832,000 lumens of pure LED illumination. The 16 LED light heads are mounted atop the light mast and can safely and quickly be deployed up to 50 feet for full lighting coverage or collapsed to 13.5 feet for applications where a footprint smaller is required. Each light is securely fastened to the light boom and each lamp includes a support bracket to help maintain lamp stability within its housing.
Anchor released the F3 tent in 2014. It is simple, with a unique slide-track frame that has 65 per cent fewer parts than comparable frame tents. The F3 uses a one-of-a-kind push-stop button connection. It is strong and engineered to withstand the rigors of the tent rental industry. It is elegant; with no interior braces or cabling the F3 creates a modern, clean, and attractive look. And it provides value, offering tent renters easier installation.
THE ULTIMATE IN IN VERSATILITY!
NEW
QUIET POWER
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Simply plug the AirGo Big Ass Fan into any 110V/15A receptacle and feel the cooling breeze. This eight-foot fan delivers air flow half the length of a football field (about 140 feet) and is quiet enough to allow conversation directly in front of it (AirGo is eight times quieter than a 34-inch high velocity fan). Simple, variable-speed adjustments with the push of a button and floor-to-ceiling coverage with the adjustment of handles make this unit easy enough for anyone to operate. It is easy to move and use indoors or outdoors with its four-wheel steering and also has an option for a misting kit for those hot summer days. For parties, weddings, festivals and events, this versatile fan delivers the breeze where customers need it most.
CURVED CROWN CONNECTION
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Fiesta’s new generation of tents, the Legacy Series, is now offered in 40- and 50-foot wide options. With its curved lines, the Legacy Series boasts aerodynamic qualities and an innovative look that is sure to draw the eye. Combining the advantages of frame tents
and clear span structures, this product will add value to any tent rental inventory or create a unique and practical hospitality area for any hotel, private club or golf course. Features include kedered roofs and walls with a curved crown connection for easy installation of roof covers by preventing the keder from snagging in the joints. Legacy tents also feature rigid connectors and frame assembly without any nuts or bolts. The new Legacy extrusion creates lightweight rafters and uprights, which allow for erection with only a four-man crew while maintaining structural integrity of the frame. The 40- and 50-foot Legacy models include a 24-degree roof slope for superior water shedding and higher interior space with a bigger and sturdier frame on swivel base plates to facilitate raising the arches.
LIFETIME WARRANTY
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Crown Verity’s Pro-Series Grills are built to perform in any environment and withstand the harshest conditions. Double crash-bars protect the control knobs and valves, while heavy-duty handles on either end of the unit allow for easy transport. Oversized wheels and locking castors offer excellent mobility. The units ship fully assembled with a reinforced frame and tapered legs for maximum strength and durability. This grill is built to withstand the rigors of the rental industry. Crown Verity
offers a lifetime warranty on the body and cooking grates and a 10-year warranty on the burners. Stainless steel construction makes cleanup and maintenance a breeze. It also means this unit will heat up and recover in seconds. Angled drip-guards and the under-grill water pan keep flare-ups to a minimum.
The RCB-48 is the most popular model with the optional roll dome. It features a 46-by-21-inch cooking surface, six burners and 99,000BTU heat capacity. Larger 60- and 72-inch models are also available.
SUPER VERSATILE
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Lind Equipment’s patented Beacon360 LED area light will light up to 50 feet in every direction with no dangerous heat and low energy usage. Its
small form factor and variety of mounting options makes it incredibly versatile. It can be mounted on a four-by-eightfoot tripod for large area lighting, or hung upside-down in a tent. The Beacon360 is rated for indoor and outdoor use. Bright white LEDs will last for over 50,000 hours, meaning no maintenance required between rentals and no more bulbs to replace or dangerous heat to worry about from traditional bulb-based lights.
SPEEDS UP AS NEEDED 8 subarupower.com
Subaru Inverter Generators feature the latest in inverter generator technology. Models in the line include the RG3200iS at 3,200 watts and the RG4300iS — the first-ever 4,300-watt inverter generator. The Inverter Series is covered under Subaru’s new five-year limited warranty, which includes both the engine and generator. The advanced inverter technology significantly reduces running sound. Conventional generator designs run the engine at full speed regardless of the amount of power being used. Subaru inverter generators run the engine at a slower speed for low power use and automatically increase speed as more electrical power is required. Further sound reduction is achieved through
the advanced reverse cooling design. This allows the generators to be fully enclosed in a sound-absorbing poly-resin enclosure for near-silent operation. The RG3200iS and RG4300iS models are powered by Subaru’s EX OHC (overhead cam) gasoline engines. Voltage and frequency are electronically controlled to maintain accuracy through the full power range.
FILLS TWO NEEDS
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Doosan Portable Power offers a single solution for two important event needs — power and light — with the L20 light tower and mobile generator. The L20 features a hydraulically powered vertical mast light tower perfect for illuminating outdoor and nighttime events, while the 20 kW generator provides reliable power. The L20 light tower has four 1,000-watt metal halide lamps mounted on a vertical mast that extends to a full height of 25 feet, eight inches in less than 30 seconds. Minimum stowed height is eight feet. Each lamp easily adjusts with a locking pin system that provides simple, fluid movement. The light head can be adjusted horizontally and vertically and each light fixture can be maneuvered independently to provide optimal illumination. The 20 kW generator is powered by an Isuzu 4LE2 direct injected engine with a single-phase Leroy Somer alternator. This Isuzu engine provides a 14 per cent fuel savings over competitive indirect injected engines in this power class. Proving that power doesn’t
have to be noisy, the L20 provides reliable, quiet operation at just 69 decibels. The L20 is a model of durability, able to withstand winds of more than 65 miles per hour, while a 70-gallon fuel tank provides 57 hours of continuous operation at 100 per cent load. The unit comes standard with 110 per cent fluid containment and includes a removable panel for radiator fill, a hooded exhaust cover and central drains. A detachable drawbar offers trouble-free towing, while convenient internal lamp storage ensures protection during transport.
SELF HELP
8 twisterdisplay.com Twister Display introduces the Selfie Booth, an affordable alternative to expensive photo booths. Why spend a lot of money on a pricey camera and computer only to have the added expense of costly photo paper and ink when people just want to use their phone to take a picture they can upload to social media? Your customers can save money by renting just the equipment they really need: a booth, backdrop and fun props. Everyone has a mobile phone these days and the selfie craze continues to grow in popularity. Plus, by providing just the booth and props and allowing people to use their own phone cameras, you don’t run the risk of having a computer glitch or printer problem ruin the event and cost business. The Selfie Booth is suitable for corporate events, birthday parties, wedding receptions, bridal showers, proms, and bachelor/bachelorette parties. It includes a powder-coated steel frame, drapes and valance, three different colourful backdrops, a hard-shell, wheeled carrying case for the frame and a sturdy
bag for the backdrops and a set of props. A sign, trunk and extra backdrops are sold separately. The backdrops are printed using the latest high-quality digital printing process. They are printed on special non-glare vinyl that produces photo-like results.
ENERGY-SAVING LED 8 beaconledlight.com
Now available in a white housing, the Lind Equipment
PARTY
50-watt Beacon Light puts out the same amount of light as a 500-watt quartz halogen but with only 10 per cent of the energy used. Additionally, there are no bulbs to replace and the light doesn’t give off dangerous heat. Available with interchangeable four-by-eightfoot tripod floor stand, magnet mount or clamp mount, the Beacon Light can be rented in a variety of ways. Rated for indoor and outdoor use, the 50-watt Beacon Light will work in rain, snow and extreme temperatures. Your customers can light up their next event with safe, dependable, energy efficient LED lighting from Lind Equipment.
FUEL-EFFICIENT GENERATOR
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as 120/240-volt single-phase capability. With 29 hours of fuel autonomy at 75 per cent load and a sound rating of 65 decibels, these generators are ideal for special events. Particular attention has been given to the overall product quality, user friendliness, ease of serviceability and economical operation to ensure superior cost of ownership. Compact and corrosion resistant enclosures house a single-point lifting frame and 110 per cent fluid containment.
ADJUSTABLE CENTRE POLE
The Atlas Copco QAS 25 is a prime power, multi-voltage, sound attenuated, mobile generator. These Kubota powered units feature the 29.6 horsepower, 2.4 liter V2403 iT4 liquid-cooled, four-cylinder diesel engine ⎯ arguably the most fuel efficient engine in its class. These generators produce 20 kilowatts in prime power applications and 22 kilowatts in standby applications. Equipped with a heavy duty Leroy Somer alternator with an AREP excitation system and marine grade protection this unit is capable of motor starts that are three times nominal current. Standard equipment includes 208/240/480-volt threephase connections as well
8 specialeventsales.com Ugly tent setups due to improperly tensioned tops are a thing of the past with the new adjustable centre pole for marquee frame tents from Special Event Sales. This exclusive centre pole is designed to be adjusted by hand, without tools while on site. In some applications, the adjustment is enough to use the same centre pole for multiple tent sizes to alleviate the concern of grabbing the wrong one. You can adjust the tension even after the tent has been erected. Using the folding handle, the centre pole can be adjusted infinitely within its range by virtue of the threaded mechanism,
providing perfect tension. Once adjusted, the handle folds elegantly against the centre pole; you wouldn’t know it is there unless you are looking for it. All frame tents purchased from Special Event Sales employ this exclusive innovation, with the adjustable centre pole included at no additional cost. If you have already purchased your Special Event Sales tent you can still retrofit your existing centre pole by purchasing the retrofit kit. The kit is also compatible with other brands of tents that use the same diameter centre pole.
MODULAR DESIGN
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Strong, rental-tough and offering an excellent return on investment, Warner Shelter Systems’ fabric-clad structures are designed and manufactured to suit virtually every purpose from special events, trade shows, catering and outdoor concerts to warehousing and industrial use. Warner’s award-winning tents are designed for elegance, drama, beauty, user-friendliness and quick set-up. Warner Shelter Systems tents are built with simple-to-erect interchangeable parts, reducing the complexity of inventory, transportation, and set-up for the rental industry. The Tent-X-Span is Warner’s newest addition to its fleet. The engineered boxbeam aluminum frame can be expanded by adding modules to accommodate any party rental venue. The interior
features a high ceiling and is obstruction-free to maximize space. The baton walls can slide to allow for natural ventilation. No large equipment is required for erection; the Tent-X-Span can be completely set up with the use of ladders only. It is available in 20-, 30-, and 40-foot widths. WSSL is committed to craftsmanship in the manufacturing of all its products in Canada using North American-supplied materials to ensure quality and durability.
JUST LIKE THE MOVIES
8 manufacturedfun.com
Styled just like the poppers you see at the local movie house, the Theatre Pop line has a bright red cabinet and classic graphics. Each full-featured machine pops delicious, theatre-quality popcorn in three to five minutes and is easy to use and maintain. The stainless steel bottom trays, drop doors and old-maid drawers are removable for quick cleaning. The tempered glass side and back panels are designed for safety and easy cleaning. Theatre Pop cabinets feature aluminum extruded side post construction to withstand heavy commercial use without damage. The design also protects wiring from oil residues that cause operational interruptions. The side-hinged kettles are simple to operate and maintain. Just wipe with a damp cloth regularly to eliminate most of the baked-on carbon. These poppers also
“A
PREFERRED PIECE OF EQUIPMENT”
Larry Steele, Owner Aurora Rents, Seattle
PARTY SHOWCASE
feature high output, hard coat anodized aluminum kettles for optimum performance and easy cleaning. Theatre Pop machines are available in four-, six-, eight-, 12- and 16-ounce sizes and are all made in the U.S.A.
SOLAR CHARGING UMBRELLA
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Zon Technology has introduced the patented Zon Powersol, a patio umbrella that can charge three mobile devices as fast as a wall outlet using solar power. The Powersol can stand alone or can be installed in any existing patio table. Zon Powersol umbrellas are suitable for any event. Parties, music festivals, races, weddings and corporate retreats are just a few examples. Guests will not have to leave the event in order to go charge their phones. The Zon Powersol sends the message that the rental company offering them cares about the environment and sustainability. It’s a great way to demonstrate responsibility and provide shade, all powered by the sun.
FLAT GRILL
8 slimfoldgrills.com
There are no cinders in a Cinders Slimfold gas grill, but it folds slimmer than any other grill of its size, at 7 ½
inches flat. Its UK manufacturers, Cinders Barbecues, offer the simple grills for enhanced ease of maintainance. One heavy-duty burner slides out from under its stainless steel heat exchanger and that’s about as complex as it gets. Add to this a one-person lift and single-piece construction (nothing drops off), and you can understand why most major rental companies in Europe have catalogued these grills for over 20 years. Manufacturing began in 1984 and changes have been limited to improvements in materials. Comparing a modern Slimfold 6 to the 30-year original, it becomes obvious that there is no policy for obsolete spare parts. The company claims they have no plans to change this winning formula any time soon. Karen Swift is the president of the Cinders Slimfold North American subsidiary which sells direct to rental in Canada and is 100 per cent owned by the manufacturers. Distribution is from Chicago, with offices in Sarasota, Fla. “We actually play down the main feature of the grills, because few people believe it,” says Swift. “Internal self-cleaning means no dismantling, and sliding the flat griddle accessory over the cooking surface to burn away black carbon means no scrubbing.”
Fax (416) 748-7922 • Toll Free 1-800-748-9989 E-mail: eastcan@rogers.com For Quebec: Erick Desormeaux • erick@equipdistribution.net Tel 514-249-9706/866-611-0843
NEW RENTAL CATALOG
A new catalog of drain cleaning tools designed for the rental industry is available from General Pipe Cleaners. The catalog illustrates both rental tough power drain cleaners and professional drain cleaning equipment with automatic feeds to clear clogged drains from 1-1/4” to 10” in diameter. General manufactures a full line of drain cleaning equipment, high pressure water jets, video pipe inspection and location equipment, and pipe thawing machines.
SAFETY FIRST AND LAST
Guiding principles
by Jeff Thorne
The goal of Canadian health and safety law is to protect workers from the risks inherent in the workplace. Health and safety laws may differ in details from province to province, but the underlying basics are always the same. Workers must be informed about the hazards associated with the work; they must be given the ability to participate in the process of making their workplace safer and, ultimately, they must have the right to refuse work when working conditions are unsafe. These principles are referred to as the three inalienable rights of workers and health and safety laws serve to spell out and embellish these ideas as well as to reinforce another essential concept known as IRS.
In Canada, IRS refers to a philosophy that is the lynchpin of health and safety: the Internal Responsibility System (IRS). The philosophy of the IRS holds that it is desirable for everyone in a workplace to be involved in making the workplace as safe as possible. Workers are responsible for identifying and reporting hazards to supervisors. Supervisors also look for hazards and take steps to ensure known and reasonably foreseeable hazards are addressed before they become a problem. The IRS holds that everyone in the workplace has responsibilities with respect to hazards; therefore the employer also has responsibilities, usually around creating rules and systems that ensure procedures for safe work exist.
The importance of employer commitment to health and safety cannot be overstated. Those employer efforts represent the due diligence of an employer to prevent incidents in the workplace and are critical to establishing a legal defense in the event of an incident and subsequent regulatory prosecution for violation of health and safety laws. The objective of the IRS is to get everyone in the workplace involved in the process of making the workplace safe. So it is not just up to the employer; supervisors and workers must be involved in the process. The goal is to have a workplace where everyone is aware of their duties and responsibilities and where they truly “buy-in” and believe in the importance of creating a safe and healthy work environment. Buy-in can be a very powerful tool. Consider
a workplace where an employer has developed a set of rules for the safe handling and use of chemicals. A comprehensive health and safety program will have detailed procedures that are task-specific and enforceable. Supervisors will ensure that workers are informed of the specific hazards and that job tasks are monitored for compliance and sub-standard acts and conditions are managed appropriately. But buy-in also means the workers become actively involved in the safe use and handling of chemicals. Thus workers will follow the rules because they have been educated about the hazards and report to management any hazards they might observe in the course of their workday. The power of buy-in is that it is not just the employer or management staff that are involved in health and safety, it is everyone in the workplace. Thus all workers are actively monitoring what is happening and reporting up the chain of command when things are not as they should be. Buy-in exploits the power of numbers.
What would a workplace look like if the culture of safety was not strong, where the level of buy-in was reduced and where the IRS was dysfunctional? In such a workplace the employer might have rules or company procedures that are not particularly well thought out. Worse, they may have been lifted whole from an inexpensive boilerplate health and safety template. In such a workplace, supervisors might be loath to enforce rules that are not really applicable to the specific workplace and would reinforce a perception that “this is really just for show.” In such an environment one would not expect workers to take their safety responsibilities seriously, no matter how earnestly upper management professed to believe in the ideals of health and safety.
In the coming weeks it will be the goal of this column to explore the means by which workplaces and employers achieve the goal of establishing a strong IRS and thereby avail themselves of the benefits due diligence. CRS
Jeff Thorne is the manager of training and consulting at Occupational Safety Group.
