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Serving the Canadian rental industry for 42 years.
4
EDITORIAL
We were doing just fine without increases to the minimum wage.
26 6 16 9
16
SHARING A DREAM
Ruckify is an online rental concept that borrows from the sharing culture.
22
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
The CRA’s vision for this industry is more ambitious than you might think. by Mike Maltby
6
INDUSTRY NEWS
Cooper buys Modern, good times at the B.C. show, Atlas Copco sells compaction to Husqvarna...
YOUR SHOW
Your complete guide to the 2018 Canadian Rental Mart.
9 INTRODUCING IPAF
A look at the international organization for powered access.
40 RENTAL MART 2018 SNEAK PEEK
An advance look at some of the great technology coming to the Rental Mart this year.
24 AT YOUR SERVICE
The right strategy can win even when you have fewer resources than your competition. by Russ Dantu
50 SAFETY FIRST AND LAST Motivation is key to a great safety culture. by Jeff Thorne
Unintended consequences
Minimum wage increases could reverse the good course we were on.
Iheard an interesting statistic the other day on Fareed Zakaria’s excellent international affairs show on CNN. Between 2013 and 2016, income for the lowest 20 per cent of Canada’s wage earners increased 20 per cent. In the U.S., incomes for their lowest 20 per cent fell 16 per cent over the same period. I can’t lie, I felt a little surge of pride at having such a flattering statistic for our society read out on a national broadcast in the country that considers itself the greatest in the world.
This improvement to the fortunes of our poor was achieved without any significant increases to welfare benefits. Yes, some social services that benefit lower-income families (affordable day care, for instance) have been introduced or expanded in various parts of the country, but the statistic addresses income, not wealth, and therefore isn’t affected by those programs. Essentially, Canadians in the lower income strata are finding more work, getting paid better or the lower-earning ones are somehow vanishing off the record and skewing the statistics. Our labour participation rate is not that different from the U.S.’s, so it’s not the latter. Somehow, we are doing a better at providing lower income jobs, helping people to get those jobs and/or maintaining and raising wages in those jobs.
There could be a lot of reasons for that and, since I’m not an economist, I won’t hazard a guess at what they are. It’s worth
What’s going on at the Rental Mart
The Canadian Rental Mart is live online at canadianrentalmart.com, on Twitter at @TheRentalMart and on Facebook. It’s easy to plan your trip to Canada’s largest rental equipment show.
What’s going on everywhere else
Our online Coming Events board is updated regularly with details and links to events around North America that are of interest to Canadian rental store operators. Have an event you’d like to promote? Drop the editor a line at pflannery@annexweb.com.
by Patrick Flannery
noting that the period covered by the statistic is after the Great Recession, so if anything the American numbers should have been improving. The point I’m making here is that these increases also occurred before the minimum wage hikes that have been proposed or implemented in various provinces (see our August 2017 issue).
Those hikes have been sold by their proponents as measures to help the poor. There’s no question that the statistic I’m admiring above will be improved even more in the short term once they take effect. My concern is whether they will undermine the factors that were causing us to do so well in the first place.
Companies like ours in the rental industry were already enthusiastically hiring lower-income workers and rewarding the good ones with raises. Our businesses have been growing – most stores I speak to report double-digit increases in their businesses the last few years. That means more jobs. Unless, of course, a sharp hike in the minimum wage causes you to look for other ways to support your growth. Maybe investing in some new software could allow you to streamline operations and do more with the same or fewer workers. Maybe you could focus your efforts to online sales and let counter staff go. Maybe you simply defer growth and keep the business the same size. However you decide to react, I don’t think I’ll be able to take the same pleasure from statistics like Zakaria’s the next time they come up.
If you are looking for productivity-enhancing solutions, may I suggest a visit to the Rental Mart on March 6 and 7. Rental stores all over the country tell me business is roaring. That makes this the perfect time to shop for new ideas and new solutions that could drive your business in a great direction. If labour costs and onerous regulations are about to become a challenge, now is not the time to sit on your hands and stuff money in the mattress. Upgrading and diversifying your fleet will drive new interest in your store and allow you to profit more from your rentals without having to add more people. And you can get more out of the people you do have by bringing them along and registering them for our free training sessions. See page 34 for more. CRS
SPONSORED BY
GOOD ENERGY IN B.C.
The Canadian Rental Association’s B.C. trade show took place on the past weekend, featuring some good energy and an uptick in attendance from local rental stores. The CRA reports a 12 per cent increase in attendees over the year before, with 45 per cent of local member houses coming to the event. Absolute numbers were not available, but there were 16 tables at the banquet, which translates to around 130 guests including vendors. The show followed its usual format running Friday evening and Saturday at the Agriplex barn at the Cloverdale Exhibition grounds in Langley, B.C. Vendors reported some good activity fuelled by the ongoing strong B.C. economy. Draws were held for Show Bucks valid at any exhibiting vendor, a 50/50 prize and a table full of other prizes throughout the day. The banquet took its usual buffet format with chicken, beef chunks and vegetarian lasagna on offer. Attendees threw in a toonie each and the last table drawn to get their food collected the pot. It’s about the only time you hear tables groaning in disappointment as their number is called to get their food. Banquet attendees heard from Colin Wilson of A World of Rentals in Kingston, Ont., who was there representing the national CRA board. Wilson is the national Ontario director. Wilson complimented B.C. on the lively event and reminded attendees about the many benefits CRA membership brings. Wes Friess of the Cat Rental Store, a B.C. director, MCed the night. Friess let everyone know that the B.C. board has some openings and that there is a great chance for members to participate at a high level in the association. Rumour has it some hands went up later to help fill those positions. Rentquip won B.C. Supplier of the Year and Star Rentals was honoured with BC Rental Store of the Year. Mike Faulkner accepted on behalf of Rentquip and Rob Potter took the stage to accept for Star. Comedian Todd Allen entertained the banquet crowd after dinner and hosted a “game show” where Angie Venekamp of Rental Network, Aldo Chies of A & B Rentals and Mike Faulkner of Rentquip had to get up and talk about a rentalrelated topic until they made a mistake, at which point they’d be ousted for the next speaker. The group ran into some difficulties when the host chose skid steer operations as a topic and none of the participants rent or sell those! A magician named Rod Boss was also entertaining attendees on the show floor.
However you decide to react, I don’t think I’ll be able to take the same pleasure from statistics like Zakaria’s the next time they come up. And if you are looking for productivity-enhancing solutions, may I suggest a visit to the Rental Mart on March 6 and 7. You can find all the details inside.
COMING EVENTS
Feb. 18-21
The Rental Show
New Orleans, La. therentalshow.com
March 6 - 7
Canadian Rental Mart
Mississauga, Ont. canadianrentalmart.com
March 6 - 8
World of Asphalt Houston, Texas worldofasphalt.com
March 8
IPAF Summit Miami, Fla. iapa-summit.info
March 10 Prairie Regional Trade Show Edmonton, Alta. crarental.org
March 27 - 28
Quebexpo
Drummondville, Que. crarental.org
April 5 - 6
Atlantic Heavy Equipment Show Moncton, N.B. ahes.ca
WESTERN CANADA LIFT SUPPLY ENTERS MARKET
Western Canada Lift Supply is a new provider of new and used lift equipment based in Vancouver. The company was launched this month by John Adcock, formerly of Leavitt Machinery. Western Canada Lift will represent major manufacturers for new lift sales and carry a variety of used equipment for sale and re-rental across B.C., Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba. “We’re taking a different approach that will bridge the gap between two kinds of equipment buyers,” Adcock says. “There’s the customer that wants to buy online in the comfort of their own home without seeing anyone, and there is a customer that is willing to drive four hours to kick the tires before they decide on a machine. We’re looking to partner with quality rental, service, parts and transportation providers throughout Western Canada that can handle both” Adcock says he’s looking to add to his 35 independent rental partners who want to take advantage of his flexible fleet supply solutions. He describes his model as the “Amazonification” of the rental fleet supply chain.
COOPER GETS MODERN
Cooper Equipment Rentals has announced it has acquired Modern Industrial Rentals. Established in 1978, Modern Rentals is a construction and industrial equipment rental company that services southern Alberta from its branches in Calgary and Medicine Hat. The company has built its business through an uncompromising dedication to customer service. Modern Rentals offers quality, late model equipment that is supported by a highly experienced team of rental professionals.
“We are excited about the opportunity to strengthen our business in western Canada with the addition of Modern Rentals’ experienced team of rental professionals, quality equipment fleet and strategically located branch facilities,” said Doug Dougherty, president of Cooper. Darryl Cooper, CEO, added, “This acquisition broadens our presence in western Canada and allows us to bring the Cooper difference to customers throughout southern Alberta. We are pleased to welcome the Modern folks to the Cooper team. We know that their energy and professionalism will further strengthen the impressive team that we have established in the western Canadian market.”
Justin Wharton, Cooper’s regional manager for southern Alberta, commented, “This transaction, as a follow up to the acquisition of Alberta Lift in July 2017, will allow Cooper to leverage its position as the premium aerial equipment supplier in southern Alberta and bring the full range of equipment rental services to Cooper’s and Modern’s valued customers. I am very excited to be working with the excellent team at Modern Rentals to continue our growth in Western Canada.”
ATLAS COPCO HANDS CONCRETE AND COMPACTION TO HUSQVARNA
Atlas Copco has agreed to divest its concrete and compaction business to Husqvarna Group’s Construction division. The business had revenues of approximately 57 million Euros in 2016. In total, approximately 200 employees will join Husqvarna Group. The planned divestment will allow Atlas Copco’s Power Technique business area to better focus on its core technologies of air, power and flow.
“Our commitment to the construction industry remains as strong as ever; moving forward we will have a more streamlined product portfolio through which we can more deeply focus our resources to add further innovation and productivity for customers,” said Andrew Walker, president of Atlas Copco’s business area, Power Technique. “We believe that Husqvarna Construction will be a good home that can develop the concrete and compaction business further”
The products include complete ranges for concrete and compaction, such as plate compactors, tandem rollers and concrete vibrators. The transaction includes the production facility in Ruse, Bulgaria, and production assets in Nashik, India, along with sales and service operations worldwide.
In other Atlas Copco news, Atlas Copco Canada has opened a new service centre and storage office in Varennes, Que., a suburb of Montreal, according to national service manager, Tristan Waldock. The new facility measures 8,000 square feet and features an expanded yard. Atlas Copco will hold parts for all its equipment there and dispatch new machine orders and service from the location.
“We see a lot of potential in the high-pressure air market there and the rental market,” Waldock explained. “We need to start pushing hard in Quebec with more feet on the street. With Montreal being a port and a lot of stuff coming in from Europe, it is perfect.”
HOLTSMAN ELECTED REGION 10 DIRECTOR
Jill Holtsman of Hub City Displays and Event Rentals in Saskatoon, Sask., has been elected Region 10 director on the 2018 American Rental Association board. She replaces James Morden of Rentshop in Alliston, Ont., who steps down after serving in the position for three years. Holtsman has served as a member of the ARA Party and Event Services SIG in 2017 and as national Saskatchewan director of the Canadian Rental Association from 2014 to 2017. She and her husband and business partner, Blair, have been heavily involved in all Saskatchewan local activities and the Prairie Show for many years. Canadian Rental Service profiled Hub City Displays in our May 2013 issue. Canada is considered Region 10 within the American Rental Association and as Region 10 director Holtsman represents the Canadian Rental Association on the board. John Bibbo will become the new president-elect for the ARA. Bibbo is president of Event Source/Panache Party Rental in Cleveland, Ohio. He will replace Kevin Hoffman of A to Z RentAll and Sales/Event Essentials in Madison, Wis., after Hoffman’s one-year term. as ARA president expires in 2019. All directors’ terms begin at the conclusion of the Rental Show on Feb. 21.
INDUSTRY NEWS
CUSTOM SELLS
An affiliate of Stratford-Cambridge Group (SCG), Plymouth, Mich., has acquired Custom Equipment, Richfield, Wis., with an additional manufacturing facility in West Bend, Wis. Founded in 1981 as a welding and fabrication business, Custom Equipment first developed lifts for the cemetery and mausoleum markets, which evolved into a full product range of scissor lifts and aerial work platforms under the HyBrid Lifts™ brand for the construction and industrial markets featuring an electric drivetrain, low weight and high maneuverability.
“Our family started this business over 36 years ago and are very proud of what we’ve built and the relationships that we’ve made. Today, we are happy to announce our partnership with Stratford-Cambridge Group. They
see the value in our products and understand the rich history that we have developed over the years with our customers, vendors and employees. We see this as a great opportunity to continue growing the company, while continuing to maintain those relationships,” said Steve Kissinger, who founded the business along with his wife, Lynn.
The sellers are going to retain a 20 percent stake in the business post-close and chose to partner with SCG for their financial, strategic and operational expertise, and in order to continue the growth trajectory that the company has enjoyed in its recent history.
“We are very excited at the prospect of partnering with the Custom Equipment management team to continue and accelerate their impressive history of growth and innovation. Custom Equipment checks all of our boxes in regard to our investment criteria: highly engineered product line, impressive growth trajectory and strong management team. We are looking forward to this next chapter in the history of Custom Equipment,” said Stephen Ellis, managing director of SCG.
NEW REP FOR LEAVITT
Thomas Lefebvre has been promoted to western region wholesale representative for Leavitt Machinery. Lefebvre has been with the company two years and is based in lower mainland B.C. He has a business degree from Jamestown University and came to Leavitt from the broadband TV industry.
“I’m young and ready to work - fresh to the equipment rental industry,” Lefebvre says. “I’m looking forward to growing the Leavitt brand with all the rental houses in western Canada in the years to come.”
POR ALLIES WITH MONERIS
Point of Rental Expert and Elite are now integrated with Moneris, Canada’s leading payment processing service.
The integration gives Point of Rental customers north of the border new options in taking payments from a leader in the credit card processing industry.
“We’re excited to open up new opportunities for our Canadian customers with Moneris,” said CEO Wayne Harris. “This gives them the opportunity to work with a company that really knows the Canadian market well. It also makes extra services available that can benefit their businesses.”
Moneris offers several secure payment processing options, from countertop and wireless terminals to mobile and tablet solutions to online payments.
Point of Rental customers interested in learning more about Moneris and their products should contact Point of Rental’s sales team. Point of Rental provides smart, scalable rental and inventory management software to over 4,800 business locations around the world.
You’ve escaped the cold and snow, but what are you going to read while relaxing on the beach? Why, your latest issue of Canadian Rental Service, of course! Thanks to Dan Barry of Rental Network in Squamish, B.C. for this photo from a happier place.
INTRODUCING IPAF
It’s the worldwide organization for powered access.
If your rental store is like most, renting scissor lifts, boom lifts, telehandlers and other powered access equipment is a big part of your business.
by INTERNATIONAL POWERED ACCESS FEDERATION
IPAF is a great resource for anyone who depends on powered access for a living. And they like to have fun, too.
Not only is the International Powered Access Federation (IPAF) an important non-profit organization that shares best practices and improves the safety of powered access worldwide, it’s also a community that serves as the voice of the industry. IPAF represents the diverse interests of manufacturers, distributors, users, rental and training companies. Here are a few of the reasons to get involved with this influential, thought-provoking and, yes, fun association.
NETWORKING
IPAF offers incredible networking opportunities in the powered access and mast climbing work platform (MCWP) industries. Not only are the industry’s most influential people members, but they attend events and conferences where you can approach them in a relaxed environment and share your thoughts.
You can also discuss ideas and concerns with your peers and make new contacts. “ARA focuses on rental, AEM focuses on manufacturers, but IPAF brings everyone in the industry together,” says Tony Groat the North America manager for IPAF. And have you ever wanted to get some free publicity for your company? The industry’s top magazine editors attend many of the IPAF events and conferences. Introduce yourself! You may just end up with a feature length story on your business in a top magazine, for free.
TRAINING EXPERTISE
Did you know that IPAF is the world leader in aerial operator training? IPAF offers both e-learning web-based training as well as an inperson, instructor-led training program which goes beyond the typical train-the-trainer. IPAF has trained over one million operators
worldwide since 1983 and there are over 650,000 active PAL cards around the globe today. “Our training program is unique,” says Groat. “Our mission is to offer a program based on integrity for compliant training, regardless of where, when or how it’s delivered. Trained operators receive a picture identification PAL card as recognized evidence of standard compliant training.”
VOICE OF THE INDUSTRY
IPAF serves as the core of the industry. When you become a member and attend events, you start learning more and sharing more of your own ideas, which drive the shape of the industry. IPAF also works directly on developing the standards and the regulations surrounding the safe and effective operation of equipment. Its conferences and networking events bring all the “who’s who”
together, allowing speakers to share topics on the most pressing industry issues and new ideas. You can attend events or speak at a conference, win an award, or even join a regional or international council. IPAF is a community, and you are able to shape the evolution of the industry’s future.
RESOURCE FOR STANDARDS CHANGE
IPAF pulls together technical experts in the industry to provide benefits and forward movement to all industry stakeholders. This organization is heavily involved in the development and promotion of the new ANSI and CSA standard changes. “Because the standards are changing, everyone has questions. We are fluent with the standards and are a great resource to help provide some answers about what’s going on,” says Groat. You can learn more about the key changes to ANSI and CSA standards by downloading an excellent white paper. If you would like to be involved with future standards changes, there are many opportunities to do so with IPAF.
INTERNATIONAL AND LOCAL
IPAF is international in reach but local in focus. Its international reach brings a broader and more diverse perspective to the North American industry. The Summit and IAPA conference, for example, is held every year and is attended by people from the global access industry. In 2018 it will be held in Miami. “These events afford you the opportunity to talk honestly and openly with other companies that are your peers but not your competitors because they don’t operate in the same country,” says Groat. Perhaps someone from the United Kingdom has a different approach to a problem you’ve been trying to solve. Or a Dutch manufacturer is trying something new that you haven’t considered. IPAF brings people together from all over the world, which will broaden your understanding of the aerial industry. And locally IPAF offers regional conferences so you can focus on local issues and ideas here at home.
NORTH AMERICAN PRESENCE
IPAF was founded in the United
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The social aspect is a big part of what IPAF does. The organization gives people in the lift industry a chance to get to know one another.
Kingdom in 1983, and has been present in North America since 2003. IPAF’s North American membership is made up of the industry’s diverse stakeholders: top manufacturers, rental companies, dealers, users and trainers. IPAF also offers 38 training centers located throughout the United States, with four of those in Canada.
RETENTION TOOL
For many reasons, companies can be limited on the upward mobility of their employees. Promotions just don’t come around very often. But the ability to attend IPAF’s events and network with the industry’s VIPs offers a rich opportunity to show that you value your employees and want to invest in their professional growth. Not only can employees gain a deeper understanding and bring it back home to apply to your
company, but they can make important connections which can benefit your bottom line. “One of our goals for IPAF is to extend beyond the managerial level. We’d love to see some ‘boots on the ground’ employees get involved, as well as members from departments like HR, product management, marketing and engineering. It makes our association that much more diverse and beneficial,” says Teresa Kee, director of field safety for United Rentals and the current IPAF North American council chair. “Some opportunities don’t even require leaving the office. Your employees can join one of IPAF’s many free webinars on a variety of topics throughout the year.”
EXCELLENT OPPORTUNITIES AND DIVERSITY, ESPECIALLY FOR WOMEN
IPAF offers excellent opportunities for
all members of the aerial access industry. You can grow your career and foster new business simultaneously. And if you are a woman, IPAF is a fantastic organization to join. Women make up a small percentage of the aerial industry, and with an association where you are exposed to so many influencers you are more likely to be remembered and make your mark. “IPAF presented me with the opportunity to be on an influential industry council and have speaking opportunities,” says Kee.
AFFORDABLE ANNUAL FEE
IPAF’s annual membership fee won’t break your bank. The $825 annual fee gives you access to experts and information on topics important to the aerial industry and discounts on networking events and conferences. How much do you pay per hour when you get expert advice? IPAF can provide a great ROI with expertise focused on a core business segment – powered access equipment. Plus, it’s a non-profit, so you will be contributing to a great cause.
FUN!
Last, but certainly not least, IPAF is a social experience. Its networking events often have a theme and partnering with KHL for conferences and awards ceremonies will bring you evenings of entertainment. Ask any attendee about Kevin O’Shea’s legendary award banquet roasts, or Skyjack president Brad Boehler’s outlandish outfits. Maybe head out with the karaoke faction to sing in some exotic locale like Miami or Toronto or Warsaw or Shanghai. You don’t even have to sing – you can laugh at the singers instead. IPAF events are about catching up with familiar faces outside of a tradeshow environment. “IPAF goes beyond the show atmosphere because it brings everyone together for a time where we can focus as a group on the industry, and build relationships with each other. It all comes down to people, and the access industry has some of the best,” says Groat.
If you are thinking about becoming a member of IPAF, please contact usa@ipaf.org or call Stacey at 630-9426583. CRS
Introducing a truly unique machine with endless possibilities. The new JCB Teleskid is the first and only skid steer and compact tracked loader with a telescopic boom, making it the most versatile machine you’ve ever seen. It can lift higher, reach further and dig deeper than any other skid steer on the market and can access areas you wouldn’t have thought possible, until now.
Actionable Insights Measurable Benefits
More than Telematics
Let’s Get to Work
Our mobile first interface helps contribute to a paperless job site and lets our industry get to work quicker, safer, and more efficiently.
Get Your Hands On It
Construction is a mobile industry with mobile roles. It requires a solution designed for mobile access. Get your hands on the data, wherever you are.
Flexibility First
Your goals are our goals. Elevate helps streamline your existing business models, not build a new one. The first step is finding out how you do business. How do you increase utilization? Plan service? Manage billing? Monitor usage? Improve safe use? You tell us. Adding real-time, accurate data to your existing processes makes them more efficient, more accurate, and more profitable.
Elevate makes your machines talk. It connects them with your service team, your ERP, your customer, and to your bottom line.
by LINDSEY MCCAFFREY
SHARING A DREAM
Why buy when you can Ruckify?
What do you do when you’ve already founded 15 local and national businesses throughout your career — many of them rental-related — and generated hundreds of millions in sales?
If you’re like serial entrepreneur Steve Cody, you start up another one!
Just last summer, Cody resigned as chief executive of Ottawa-based Better Software Company to focus on his newest venture: Ruckify (ruckify.com), an online marketplace where people can experience the financial and environmental rewards of sharing something they own with others.
A DIFFERENT KIND OF RENTAL BUSINESS
Cody has come a long way since age 15, when he first started up a window-cleaning business with just a bucket, squeegee, ladder and $1,200 to his name (a donation from his grandfather).
Struggling with dyslexia, Cody made a decision to drop out of school as a teenager. But he was always fuelled and driven by an entrepreneurial spirit. Consequently, he grew his first venture into a viable business over an eight-year span.
More than 25 years later, Cody has been the founder of more than a dozen businesses, including six rental companies: the popular Ottawa-based Cody Party Rentals chain of stores; the national franchise Monster Halloween Sales/Rentals; and numerous local businesses specializing in rentals of aerial lifts, Bobcats and general tools. Almost all of his companies have since been acquired.
“Where rentals are concerned, I think it’s cool that you can buy something once and make money from it,” he says of the industry. “It’s a great way of being in business. When you’re not
dealing in rentals, you’re always having to re-inventory or chase more business, whereas rental customers come back more often.”
Interestingly, even his latest business — the Better Software Company — is a rental business of sorts. As a SaaS (software as a service) company, it “rents” out its franchise business management software and customers pay a monthly subscription for access.
Moving forward with his newest venture, Cody will combine the technical expertise he gained at BSC with his extensive background in rentals.
HOW RUCKIFY WORKS
Essentially, Ruckify is a website and mobile app where people and businesses can post, promote, search, share and temporarily book any number of things from a specific geographical location. It could be a Jetski or an RV, sports equipment, camping gear or even heavy equipment. It could even be a chainsaw, which, in fact, is how Cody first came up with the idea for Ruckify.
After a tree fell in front of Cody’s house in 2013, his neighbour (tech CEO and Canopy Growth Corp. founder Bruce Linton) brought over a chainsaw to help clean up the mess. However, they soon realized they wouldn’t be able to get rid of the stump without a bigger tool.
“I realized someone in the neighbourhood probably had a bigger chainsaw — and maybe if I had an app to find them, I could get someone to rent it to me for free or at a really low price,” Cody recalls.
Cody let the idea marinate in the back of his mind for a few years, instead choosing to focus on the Better Software Company (which he grew to more than 30 employees and millions of dollars in annual revenue). Despite all that, he realized he could not let the idea go. Consequently, he made the decision only recently to step down from BSC to take on his newest dream.
“The moral of the story is that it is three-and-a-half years later and the tree trunk is still there, but I have a new company,” he says, joking, “and my wife is having trouble sleeping at night as a result of my decision.”
MANY OPPORTUNITIES WITH RUCKIFY
While Ruckify is about sharing items, it can also be used for sharing physical spaces.
For example, a caterer in need of a kitchen for one day can log onto Ruckify to book available space. Likewise, the owner of a garage could use Ruckify to share garage bays with people looking for space to work on their own cars.
People renting things will be able to post their asking price by hour, day, week, or even by month. Meanwhile, members will be able to provide customer reviews of their experiences.
While Ruckify sounds a bit like AirBNB, Cody believes there are many more opportunities with Ruckify.
“We think there’s a lot more business to be had with Ruckify versus AirBNB,” he says. “With Ruckify, you’ll be able to book not only a cottage, but also a boat within the same transaction. It’s more all-encompassing because we will be allowing the opportunity for people to share all kinds of associated products.”
Ruckify will collect a small percentage on all transactions. However, there is no cost to post items for rent.
Insurance will be part of the Ruckify customer experience, too.
“When you set up your profile, it’s linked to our insurance provider, and insurance is based on the category you’re going to be renting from,” Cody explains. “Let’s say you’re renting out the use of your car. The person who is renting it for the day will pay an insurance fee on
top of the price. It’s all built-in to ensure everyone is properly covered.”
As a result, average people will be able to use the Ruckify platform to create their own small business ventures.
Likewise, Ruckify can also be used by new and established businesses, including rental equipment companies.
“Like Shopify, Ruckify will be a platform for the ultimate customer experience,” says Cody. “It’ll be great for brandnew and existing companies who want to provide that enhanced experience, including those who already specialize in rentals.”
INNOVATION IN RENTALS
According to Cody, being innovative is about thinking (and even communicating) differently.
“We’re trying to create the future and that can be really hard,” he says. “For example, we’re creating something new, versus the traditional rental experience. But that can be challenging, especially when you’ve been in that industry all your life. It’s hard to think differently.”
Using new words can help create
It’s not about renting stuff that Ruckify owns, it’s about helping people rent the stuff they own. So no yard, no counter and only a small, talented staff of programmers and app designers.
PROFILE
those new experiences.
“If we say ‘rent,” then Ruckify is going to be compared to any other traditional rental experience. But when you say ‘ruckify,’ it’s different,” says Cody.
So what does “ruckify” mean, anyway?
“It’s ‘to return’ in German,” explains Cody. The idea for the company’s name is all thanks to his 14-year-old daughter, who found the word through a simple online search. “We were going to call the company ‘Rent It’ but she reminded me that we’re trying to create a different experience. We needed to own a different part of the consumer’s brain, so she encouraged us to use a different verb.”
By that same token, Ruckify will be straying away from the verb “rent” on its platform, instead using the word “book” when people make transactions on the Ruckify website.
SOCIAL SHIFTS TOWARD A “SHARING CULTURE”
Cody believes that Ruckify will meet the needs of many demographics, regardless
of age or location.
“There is a real social shift of people not wanting to own things, and that’s for a number of reasons,” he says. He points to people — from Gen X’ers to senior citizens — moving to smaller living quarters such as condos, which may not provide as much room for extraneous items.
Moreover, he sees the younger generations preferring great experiences over owning things and getting tired of buying and storing things they may not use all the time.
As an example, Cody points to other countries, where short-term rentals of everyday items are becoming more and more popular. “If you look at Europe and China, it’s very common to walk up to a basketball court and not own a ball, but you can rent one out of a machine,” he says.
Even more poignant, according to Cody, the appeal of Ruckify is also due to people’s interest in protecting the environment.
“Each time we rent, somebody isn’t
be part of a new sharing culture. And it’s demonstrating its environmental conscience by planting a tree for every booking it gets.
Your for complete source BREAKING rock
Owner Steve Cody considers Ruckify to
building something. And that has a real impact on the environment. Think about how things are made,” he continues. “If you wanted to create a canoe business, you could buy and sell 100 fibreglass canoes...or you can buy a few and rent them out over a year. If you
rent it, nobody is making more canoes and creating that environmental footprint.”
To amplify the impact of Ruckify, Cody has partnered with the Seedling Network, Tentree and other partners Canada-wide, to create the Tree Point
When you choose Chicago Pneumatic, you get much more than reliable equipment. You get a partner in your success. We can recommend the best products for your customer base, connect you with financing to meet your cash flow needs, and support you with technical expertise to keep your equipment running profitably. cp.com
Ruckify aims to take advantage of three trends: younger people’s interest in online sharing, the international tendancy to rent rather than buy and environmental concerns.
Program. The company will plant a tree for every single Ruckify transaction made.
PLANS FOR THE FUTURE
Currently, Ruckify is a small group of seven employees, and Cody plans to keep his team small. Ruckify had its soft launch in late 2017 and plans are in the works for a national launch soon.
“I want to see Ruckify go international eventually,” says Cody. “Our investors are placing big bets and are expecting big things from us. We have also been contacted by possible strategic investors from the rental industry, which would be an instant game-changer.”
As for what happens over the next year or so? Based on Cody’s continued successes, the sky certainly seems to be the limit! CRS
THE VISION THING
Figure out what success looks like for your business.
by MIKE MALTBY, CRA PRESIDENT
Most of us have an idea where we want to get to. Some even have a generic mission statement that reads something like “XYZ Rentals strives to become the best rental company in our market.” But how many of us have taken the time to think through appropriate measures that will allow us to measure where we are, and how far we have come? Vision statements were all the rage in every business a while back. I guess someone told owners about Microsoft’s (“A computer on every desk”) so they dutifully assembled the team in the boardroom, wrote one-liners on a whiteboard then chose one and made a plaque to hang in the office on the off-chance that this would turn them into Microsoft. For most companies, I think that is where it ended. There the poor vision statement has hung ever since, gathering dust. For the most part, this is because the vision statement was too vague in the first place and the company didn’t really understand why they were making one.
I was recently at a CRA members’ meeting held at Higgins Event Rentals, a rapidly expanding party and special event member in the crowded Toronto marketplace. The Higgins brothers have a very clear and well-defined vision for their company’s desired growth over the next five years. In fact, they’ve designed a “vision board” with measurable milestones and hung it on the wall of their warehouse for all to see. More to the point, each of their team members understands where the company is headed and, because of the included milestones, will know how their progress measures up to the goal.
In his welcome message to the group, John Higgins credited much of Higgins’ success to becoming “committed to saying yes” – a sentiment shared among many top players in our industry. When you commit to saying yes to your customers, you become an indispensable resource to them. When you don’t have something in your inventory but commit to finding it for your customer, you take the burden off their back. It reinforces why they call you first. If you continue to say yes enough times, you will become that customer’s only call. Higgins’ commitment to saying yes to customers will surely help them along their journey to achieving their vision.
Our vision at the Canadian Rental Association reads, “CRA envisions the time when consumers choose rental first as the solution to their needs.” So how do we get there? We get there when businesses like Higgins, and like all of our members, make a commitment to saying yes. We get there when it’s easier for customers to get their job, event or project done with our help. We get there when we can help customers handle regulatory compliance, training and demonstrating how our products work in a safe and effective fashion. These are what add value to our customers.
If you have ideas for how our association can achieve its vision, I’d love to hear them. The staff at head office, the executive team and the provincial directors are always available to hear from you.
Show season will be about half-way through as you read this. I hope you had the chance to attend your local CRA show, or are planning to if yours hasn’t happened yet. The Canadian Hospitality Night will be, as usual, the highlight of ARA’s The Rental Show in New Orleans and registrations for it are at an all-time high. But while you are at the show, don’t forget to exercise your right as a CRA member to attend our Annual General Meeting, taking place Feb. 19. It’s a chance to thank the old board, meet the new board and have your say on association business.
It’s also a time to gather new perspectives and new learning by getting out of the store for a while. Who knows? You may hear something that changes your company’s vision. CRS
Mike Maltby is vice-president of Ingersoll Rent-All in Ingersoll, Ont. Mike has been a fixture at CRA Ontario events since beginning his time with the association in 2006, and looks forward to connecting with CRA members nationally in the coming years.
Why Join!
Member benefits we have to offer you:
Deluxe Payroll Solution Provider
A perfect payroll solution that also entitles you to Human Capital Management services to help your business run more efficiently and effectively
Insurance
CRA offers its very own Protected Self Insurance Plan (PSIP). This plan is member owned and provides proper coverage for your rental inventory and competitive pricing. This plan has allowed every year for a rebate to PSIP members.
Legal Care Plan
Membership in our Association entitles you and your immediate family access to the CRA Legal Care Plan.
Ready2GO Rental Tags (R2GO)
These tags help you track your inventory and keep your service records up-to-date - discount pricing for members.
Members Only Corner – find it at www.crarental.org
This is a section of our website that only CRA members have access to, currently featuring safety resources and forms that are used by rental companies Canada-wide.
Networking opportunities
Network at our regional trade shows, golf tournaments, meetings, etc.
First Data Credit Card Processing
Preferred rates for members and multiple payment solutions . Members are provided competitive low rates and user-friendly online reporting
Petro-Canada SuperPass Program - Savings on fuel and a fleet management program
FCA Program - Fiat Chrysler Automobiles Discounts
CRA members are eligible for discounts on Dodge, RAM, Jeep, Fiat & Chrysler vehicles.
Having a dual membership entitles you to great resources from the ARA such as; Professional Driver Education Program - an online training program designed to improve safety, reduce risk and enhance customer service
Business forms—Through www.ararental.org you can access business forms, rental market research, training videos and more
The Rental Show - ARA's annual convention is the world’s largest equipment rental trade show.
Certified Event Rental Professional - CERP - designation program.
The YPN -There is also ARA's Young Professionals Network to help young rental employees learn about the industry, establish relationships and grow personally and professionally.
These are just a few benefits we have to offer! If you wish to learn more about CRA, feel free to contact our membership services at 1-844-643-2333 or 905-643-2333 or visit us at crarental.org
AT YOUR SERVICE Money ball
Get more from less with effective strategy.
by Russ Dantu
Maybe you have heard of the book and movie, Money Ball, that tells the story of the 2002 Oakland Athletics baseball team. They were managed by Billy Beane. Three key players had departed after the 2001 season and they were definitely lacking any star power or the budget to bring any in. Beane was very strategic in signing some key no-name players. He was known for his innate ability to scout and analyze players to build a better team. His simple philosophy of bringing in people who could get on base and not necessarily hit home runs was a key component on the success the team had. The more on-base occurrences led to more runs being scored. Even without the star power, he managed to take his team all the way to first in the American League West with a record of 10359. They also went on a 20-game winning streak and their 2002 season ranks amongst the best ever for this franchise.
How is this relevant? Well, sometimes in business, we cannot afford to pay our employees what our competitors do but that doesn’t always mean we cannot compete with those companies. A superior team-building strategy can win.
When it comes to building a truly cohesive team, there are four areas that play an important part to making it happen.
1) Build trust and integrity – This is the most important item when building a team. Can I trust you? We have to work incredibly hard to build trust and if we let our teammates down, the trust is gone and we then have to work incredibly hard to build it up again. This starts with the leaders in your organization and flows throughout your company. Instill this with your employees and almost everything else will fall into place.
2) Hold regular meetings – To truly build a positive culture and strong team, having open conversations and keeping everyone up to speed with what is happening with your company, and projects, is essential. The more departments share what is going on, the better understanding everyone will have. It also helps us avoid conflict.
3) Be kind to everyone – It sounds trite but goes such a long way. Do you want to work with miserable people or do you want to be part of a happy, thriving team? Working with negative, glum and disheartened people brings the rest of the team down. Smiling, chatting and being upbeat is infectious…try it out and see what happens!
4) Be accountable to your team – Do this in everything you say you will do for them or the company. Never make promises you cannot keep. Will you do what you say you will do? When everyone is held accountable, employees work harder to keep everyone happy (this doesn’t mean they cannot ask for help if falling behind due to an overload of work). Being accountable also discourages mediocrity.
We don’t have to have the biggest budget to compete with the biggest players in our industry but we do have to take the time to properly build and maintain the strongest team we can field. Once you have the right players in the right positions, functioning as an effective team, you are guaranteed to not only get on base but also hit a lot of home runs. CRS
Russ Dantu is a 30-year veteran of the rental industry and has been delivering workshops, seminars and keynotes on customer servicce for over 15 years. For more information, visit russdantu.com or email russ@russdantu.com
CANADIAN RENTAL MART
TRAINING DAYS
Make the Rental Mart an event for the whole store.
There’s a chance to get more of your staff involved in the Canadian Rental Mart with the exclusive free training opportunities on the show floor. Bring your supervisors, counter staff, drivers and shop workers to get them up to speed on critical knowledge.
WORKING AT HEIGHTS TRAINING WITH SCOTT OWYEN
MARCH 6 • 10 A.M. - 2 P.M.
Back by popular demand, the Canadian Rental Mart will offer working-at-heights training presented by Genie. Scott Owyen, Genie’s training manager, will conduct a three-hour course covering the following aspects of safe lift operation and elevated work practices:
• Overview of the responsibilities of all parties associated with the operation of aerial work platforms as outlined by CSA (manufacturer, dealer, user, owner and operator)
• Hazard recognition and avoidance
• How to perform a pre-operation inspection
• How to perform function tests
• How to perform a workplace inspection
• Safe machine operation
• Final exam
• Hands-on practical training
Employees working at heights above six feet are required under Ontario’s Occupational Health and Safety Act to have certified workingat-heights training. Thanks to Genie’s generous support, Canadian Rental Mart attendees have an opportunity to receive this training for free and avoid potentially severe penalties from workplace safety authorities. The course will also prepare students for advanced operation of many common designs of personnel lift equipment.
SAFETY OFFICER TRAINING WITH LUCIE GIROUX
MARCH 7 • 10 A.M. - 2 P.M.
Ontario has one of the most stringent sets of safety rules for businesses. Workplace injuries and property damage cost a lot for companies, and there are hidden costs and human costs that can impact businesses. The first step is understanding why some of the rules are in place, translating those rules into real-time policies that make sense for your workforce and finally bringing those rules and policies to life in a meaningful way. Having engaged employees is your best tool to a safe and productive workday, and the safety officer role is key to leading your company in the right direction.
In this half-day session, Lucie Giroux, manager of health, safety and environment for Sunbelt Rentals, will turn your staff members into qualified safety officers meeting Ontario’s requirements to have at least two trained employees on your Joint Health and Safety Committee. The course will also satisfy requirements for all employees to have safety awareness training under Ontario law, so every employee, supervisor and manager in your store will benefit, too. This training is mandatory for Ontario companies and severe penalties can be incurred if it is not carried out. Comparable courses from private providers can cost around $2,500, but Rental Mart attendees receive the training for free thanks to the generous support of Sunbelt. CRS
CRA ONTARIO AWARDS BANQUET
LET’S GET TOGETHER
The CRA Ontario banquet is a fun chance to meet.
The Canadian Rental Association Ontario will hold its Awards Banquet at the end of the Rental Mart show day at 6 p.m. on March 6 at the Delta by Marriot (the official show hotel).
by PATRICK FLANNERY
Party and event rental stores can show off their design chops at the CRA Ontario banquet and win big time! National Event Supply has ponied up a $1,000 prize for best table design and the winner will get a cover profile story right here in Canadian Rental Service.
The Canadian Rental Association Ontario will hold its Awards Banquet at the end of the Rental Mart show day at 6 p.m. on March 6 at the Delta by Marriot (the official show hotel). It’s the perfect chance for CRA members to get together, recognize the achievements of the past year and unwind with some great food and entertainment. If you aren’t a member, don’t miss out! Join the CRA Ontario today and help drive your industry.
This year’s entertainment is the duo of Randy Vancourt and Mark Kersey, known as Canada’s Original Dueling Pianos. Unique among dueling pianos shows both are seasoned comic actors with years of stage and television experience. Together with their twin pianos they bring a show filled with music, humour, flashy piano pieces, cabaret and championship yo-yo tricks.
The purpose of the evening is to recognize some outstanding contributors to the Ontario rental community over the past year. Membership nominates the award winners and the CRA Ontario board makes the final selections. The awards being handed out are:
• Image Award for General Tool/Construction
• Image and Innovation Award for Party and Special Event
• Supplier of the Year
• Rental Professional of the Year Banquet-goers will be greeted by the innovative and inspiring tabletop designs of some of Ontario’s top event-rental designers. Diners vote for the top design and the winner gets a cover story in this magazine and a $1,000 prize from National Event Supply! To enter the contest, contact CRA Ontario at contact@craontario.org. CRS
CRM CANADIAN RENTAL MART FAQ
LOCATION
The International Centre 6900 Airport Road Mississauga, Ont.
ONLINE
canadianrentalmart.com @TheRentalMart
HOTEL
Delta Hotels by Marriot Toronto Airport and Conference Centre 655 Dixon Road Toronto, Ont. 416-244-1711 marriot.com
FREE REGISTRATION
General attendance online, by fax or mailing form or at the door.
Training sessions require advance registration either online, fax or mail.
SHOW SCHEDULE
TUESDAY, MARCH 6
9:00 A.M. - 2:00 P.M.
MEWP Training with Scott Owyen sponsor: Genie
10:00 A.M. - 6:00 P.M. Show floor open
6:00 P.M. - 10:00 P.M.
Canadian Rental Association Awards Banquet
Delta by Marriot hotel
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 7
10:00 A.M. - 2:00 P.M.
Safety Officer Training with Lucie Giroux sponsor: Sunbelt Rentals
10:00 A.M. - 4:00 P.M. Show floor open
3:00 P.M.
Door prize draw for $2,500 travel voucher
POWERFUL, COMPACT AND BUILT TO LAST
Bigger is not always better. Our newest light tower and generator are designed to deliver reliable light and power in a compact footprint to save space in the rental yard and on the job site.
With powerful and durable LEDs, the new MLT6SMD light tower will save you time and money by eliminating metal halide light bulb replacements - in fact, our LEDs are designed to last up to 10 years.
The new MDG25IF4 mobile generator delivers Final Tier 4 power with a reliable Isuzu engine, comes standard with a fully programmable Power Zone controller and can be towed by
VANQUISHING VIBRATION
Improvements in NVH testing make life easier.
It’s easy to take for granted equipment that runs smoothly and is comfortable to operate. However, a great deal of research and testing goes into optimizing the vibration of an engine.
by MATT ANDERSON, OEM sales manager for Briggs & Stratton Commercial Power
Large shaker tables at Briggs & Stratton’s NVH lab allow engineers to test multiple engines at one time, helping new products reach the market in less time.
Advancements in the technology, tools and testing methods used in noise, vibration and harshness labs are allowing engine manufacturers to better evaluate how engines, equipment and components can be designed to reduce vibration and the effect vibration has on product performance and operator comfort. One industry that stands to benefit significantly, is concrete.
ZEROING IN
From soil compaction to cutting and finishing, machines used by concrete contractors present an abundant number of diverse challenges directly associated with vibration. Thankfully, OEMs and engine manufacturers are becoming more and more adept at finding solutions.
While some engine manufacturers offer NVH testing as a means of working with OEMs to ready products for launch, some
incorporate automotive grade technology to accelerate testing and improve their understanding of how an engine will interact with the equipment it powers.
These more advanced facilities allow manufacturers to hone in on aspects critical to a specific machine and application. For equipment used by concrete professionals, this may mean reducing overall vibration for a green concrete saw, testing component durability, or modifying an engine’s vibrational axis to improve the performance of a tamper or compactor.
SIGNATURE SOLUTIONS
The effects of vibration add up quickly for equipment used day after day on a jobsite. Knowing which components are most susceptible to vibration and how they can be improved can significantly reduce the failure rate. Every engine model creates it’s own unique
vibration due to variations in its design, weight distribution, horsepower and components. The specific vibration for a particular model is known as its vibration signature. Powering the same machine, engines with different vibration signatures may provide different results. Similarly, an engine running smoothly on one machine may cause excessive vibration and premature parts failure on another machine. To reduce vibration and improve overall performance for a given machine, engine manufacturers must first determine an engine’s vibration signature.
In labs using advanced technology, similar to what is used in the automotive industry but adapted for construction equipment, NVH engineers can capture the vibration signature for a machine, its engine and any attached components impacted by vibration. To collect the required data, engineers run the equipment in its normal environment with accelerometers attached to potential problem points to measure vibration. Accelerometers record specific frequencies of motion that can later be reproduced as sound waves for a shaker test. The shaker — essentially a massive subwoofer, which vibrates a steel plate that has engines and components bolted to it — replicates and accelerates real-world effects of vibration in a controlled environment.
To speed vibration’s effects, engineers run the vibration recording through software to isolate the fatigue damage spectrum — the waveforms most damaging for a given material, whether it’s aluminum, plastic or steel. By isolating this
portion of the recorded data, engineers can greatly reduce test times by increasing the occurrence of wavelengths within the fatigue damage spectrum during testing.
This helps engineers focus on specific components, simultaneously test multiple variations of a particular part, and quickly provide feedback to designers. It also helps OEMs get new products to market faster. Using this method, engineers can complete new product testing that would otherwise take six months or longer in only a month or two.
Additionally, some engine manufacturers work closely with OEMs to test the engine while mounted to the equipment to pinpoint potential design flaws that can be corrected before production. This results in engines and equipment that are more durable, less susceptible to vibration and are available to consumers faster.
CONCERNING CONCRETE
Beyond equipment failure, concrete applications present a number of specific challenges that NVH testing can address throughout the design process. For concrete finishing applications, low vibration is critical for operator fatigue, as well as the integrity of the end result.
Many applications work with green concrete, where vibration can pose a risk to the structural integrity or quality of the cut. Green concrete saws, for example, require engine models with lower vibration because excess vibration can be harmful when cutting reliefs while concrete is curing. Even the slightest vibration can produce jagged cuts or result in cracks and chips as the concrete hardens.
Trowels also benefit from low vibration, as a smooth ride helps to produce a smooth finish. For trowels, ride-on units in particular, low vibration is also important when considering operator fatigue. For larger pours, a worker may operate a rideon trowel continuously for as long as 8-10 hours. To minimize the effects of fatigue, engineers can reduce vibration at operator touch points. By placing accelerometers on the seat, handles and foot platform, engineers can determine what changes, if any, are required to reduce fatigue.
Software can model the effects of higher frequencies.
74 HP 7,000 LB
LOWER TOTAL COST
OF OWNERSHIP WITH THE JLG® 742 TELEHANDLER.
Designed to lift up to 7,000 lb, the 742 telehandler gives you just the right capacity, power and reach for the job. It has a standard 74 hp engine that doesn’t require DEF and meets Tier IV Final regulations. Without the need for DEF, fluid costs are reduced. Plus, extended service intervals and durable components decrease overall maintenance needs. See how No DEF engines can help you lower total cost of ownership at jlg.com/no-def
COUNTERING VIBRATION
Equipment used for soil compaction and ground preparation can pose more unique challenges. Since many of these machines create significant vibration on their own, such as tampers and rammers, engineers are less concerned with overall vibration of the engine. Instead their attention turns to the durability of the engine as well as the possible interference that an engine’s balance and directional motion may have on the machine’s performance.
To determine the durability of the engine and its components, advanced NVH labs complete extensive shaker testing to ensure everything will withstand the machine’s movement. To take testing a step further, NVH engineers conduct shock tests, which are also used to simulate the effect of an engine or equipment being dropped. The shock test abruptly displaces the shaker’s surface by 1 inch in just milliseconds before returning to its initial position. This can create up to 50 g/s of force. Doing so repeatedly is excellent for determining components’ strength in actual use.
Additionally, engineers must ensure that the specific balance of the engine’s vibration will not cause the machine to “walk” or become difficult to control. To accomplish this, engineers may reduce the vibrational axis that parallels the directional motion of the machine while increasing the crankshaft’s axis. From here, engineers can specify an ideal balance ratio for the given application. For tampers, if one axis of vibration is slightly out of line, it may affect equipment operation as well as lead to premature
Extra heavy-duty frame constructed of 1-1/4” steel tubing. 12 ” Flex Leader helps negotiate bends and traps. Compact machine with open cage design for easy inspection and cleaning. Belt Guard makes maintenance and repair easier. Cleans 3”– 6” diameter lines up to 100 Ft. Runs either 5/8” or 3/4” diameter galvanized aircraft wire inner core cable – The toughest cable in the industry!
failure of engine components.
In some cases, the NVH specialists will also work with designers to produce custom components for such applications. In one instance, an OEM experiencing problems with an engine’s mounting feet turned to Briggs & Stratton for assistance. Using strain gauges to measure stress, engineers determined that the flatness of the tamper base was not within specifications, causing the tamper to transfer load to the engine’s mount feet. Using the test data, product engineers were able to appropriately modify the base’s design, improving the productivity and user comfort of the machine.
ADDED VALUE
Engine manufacturers have long made an effort to prevent vibration from negatively impacting equipment performance and operator fatigue. As greater investments are made to improve the technology and testing capabilities of NVH facilities, manufacturers have the opportunity to deepen their understanding of what improvements can still be made.
To further improve the products and end users’ experiences, manufacturers such as Briggs & Stratton Commercial Power expand on this commitment by working closely with OEMs throughout this rigorous process. The result is better performing, more user-friendly equipment that gives operators the tools to improve the integrity and maximize the productivity of every job. CRS
Rugged stainless steel housed 1.68” dia. color camera for inspecting 3”–10” lines. Sapphire lens with 20 LED light ring and high resolution CCD element. Flexible camera spring designed to navigate 3” P-traps. Auto iris adjusts lighting automatically. Industry standard 512HZ sonde. 5.4” LCD monitor with AR film for optimal viewing in sunlight. Video output jack for recording option. 200 Ft. of braided Fiberglass premium 1/2” dia. push rod. Secure-locking reel brake and a heavy-duty screen cover. • Standard with One-Touch USB recording
• On-screen footage counter
• 8”wheelsforeasytransport and maneuverability. Distributed in Canada by
800-818-1199
The firstever *DBP Phthalate* Compliant PVCDischargeHose that MeetsorExceeds City By-LawsforSewerDischarge
BOOTH PREVIEW
ü Designed to Meet or Exceed Sewer By -Laws
ü Hi -Viz Green for easy on-site identification
ü Non-Detectable amounts of Phthalates *
ü Competitively Priced Vs. Rubber or Urethane Hoses
OUTSTANDING TRACTION
Booth #517 8 gcduke.com
The Barreto model E2348RTKH-6MS is a highly productive track trencher equipped with a Honda GX690 motor. With a total weight of 1,690 pounds and a track width of seven feet, one inch, this unit provides outstanding traction and flotation on wet soil, clay, sand or steep terrains. Onehanded controls make this unit easy to operate. Barreto uses rod linkages rather than cables for added reliability. Available in four- or six-inch chain, in lengths of 24, 30, 42 and 48 inches.
IDEAL FOR DIAGONAL CUTS
Booth #525
8 rubi.com
Rubi has come out with the next big-tile cutter. The TR-Magnet manual tile cutter allows for intensive
cutting of ceramic and porcelain tiles It features a new operating system by magnet, operable with one hand allowing for greater ease and speed of cutting A multi-point breaker delivers 800 kilograms of breaking power There’s a reinforced Soft-Grip handle and a highstrength aluminum base The TR-Magnet comes with a robust carrying case. Mobile breaker TR Manual tile cutters are ideal for diagonal cuts thanks for the new swivel square with fast and precise pin points for fast set-up. All Rubi tile cutters are equipped with a threeyear warranty This cutter takes the best of the old Rubi tile cutters and adds the ease of the new magnet breaking system for very accurate cuts of porcelain tile.
RENTAL SOFTWARE WITH CRM
Booth #526
8 zoho.com
Leverage more data than ever before with the Alert EasyPro integration to Zoho CRM. CRM (Customer Relationship Management) is a powerful sales pipeline management tool and now essential CRM information can be integrated with Alert
BOOTH PREVIEW
EasyPro. View and manage key contact information such as names, address, emails, and phone numbers. Handle important tasks and ticklers and look at notes to see where the sales cycle stands. Information flows back and forth between Alert EasyPro and Zoho CRM, so both systems will be up to date bi-directionally and automatically. Now customer relationships can be managed in either place, with information at your fingertips. Available in Alert EasyPro v.19. Zoho CRM is the choice of thousands of forward-thinking businesses. Some benefits include multichannel capability, performance monitoring, territory management and task automation. The platform is fully extendable.
NOT JUST ANOTHER LAYFLAT HOSE
Booth #1108
8 nationalhose.ca National Hose has introduced the Eco-Pump
PVC layflat hose. This allnew Hi-Viz Green hose is not just another PVC layflat hose; it was designed with purpose to meet customers’ needs. It is designed as a new PVC discharge hose that will change the way the industry thinks about PVC layflat hoses. It starts with safety, quality and reliability along with competitive pricing. National Hose encourages rental store operators to learn more about the great value of the new Eco-Pump PVC layflat hose at the Rental Mart.
THREE CUTTING SURFACES PER TOOTH
Booth #201
8 dosko.com
The Dosko 337-13HC features a Honda GX390 engine with an oil shutdown sensor, cyclone air filter, direct belt drive, unique side discharge frame and
BOOTH PREVIEW
is towable with the optional easy-to-install tow package. This unit uses Greenteeth 500 series teeth, which have three cutting surfaces in one tooth. It takes a 14-inch cutting wheel and operates at 2,200 RPM using a direct belt drive with a threegroove power band and idler bearing belt tensioners.
BREAK FREE OF PAPER
Booth # 709
8 texadasoftware.com
documentation, photographs and customer signatures allows rental managers to put billing disputes to rest smoothly and quickly. Keep billing cycles on track and get paid faster with the streamlined payment process.
DESIGNED FOR RELIABILITY
Booth #517
gcduke.com
2017-11-03 12:56 PM
FleetLogic is a SaaS solution that leverages the power of mobile technology. FleetLogic can unleash businesses from the limits of paper-drive manual processes. It’s designed to run on any device (iOS or Android) and syncs the back office and the field in real-time. Dispatchers use a web-based screen to assign and monitor job status. Drivers use a mobile app to view daily list of work, take pictures, add notes and close tickets. Business can be run from anywhere. If it feels familiar, that’s because it is. FleetLogic is developed with the user in mind. It has seamless integration capabilities to scale with any business. FleetLogic’s navigation feature shows users where the tech is, the job status and how long it’s been on site. This allows dispatchers to make crucial decisions with pinpoint accuracy. FleetLogic provides robust data-capturing capabilities on digital work orders, making it harder for fees to be disputed. Having time-stamped
The Ryan ZTS stand-on aerator is a highly robust aerator designed for reliability, production and operator comfort. Its patented self-tightening chain mechanism and depth controller make this the perfect unit for day- to-day
use. Capable of covering two to two-and-a-half acres per hour, this unit provides high performance and maximum rental profits. The hydraulic cooling radiator adds to the life of the pumps and motors maximizing its durability. It is operator-friendly and highly manoeuverable with its thumb control lift and lower. With 48 tines and downpressure of 700 pounds, the ZTS provides maximum ground penetration. The open frame design and jack stands provide ease of service and maintenance.
POWER FOR BIG MIXING JOBS
Booth#525 8 collomix.us Construction project today come with ever-greater demands for
efficiency and performance. Entering this field is Collomix with a full complement of powerful hand-held jobsite mixers. Chief among these is the XO6 heavy-duty professional power mixer. This 2.1-horsepower, two-gear mixer is designed to take on the toughest materials on the jobsite with ease. This machine can easily mix three to four bags of material per batch without breaking a sweat. Even with denser and heavier materials such as ready-mixed mortar or adhesives, the six-inchwide paddle mixes the product successfully. With an ergonomic design and reliable high-performance precision gear box, the tradesman will really appreciate the power. Other handy features include an easy-to-use ergonomic design and a Hexafix Quick-Couple connector for the paddle. All of this and proudly made in Germany, too.
GOES WHERE OTHERS CAN’T
Booth#314
8 progressiveturfequip.com
The Slope-Pro mower is designed to mow difficult and hazardous locations, including up to 50-degree side slopes. The design emphasizes operator safety and productivity on both sloped and flat terrain, operating where ride–on mowers cannot. There are many locations that
are too hazardous to mow and maintain by either conventional or manual methods, and this number continues to grow. Worker health and safety protocols as well as vegetation-control regulations (herbicide restrictions) continue to be tightened and more strictly enforced. As a rental product targeted towards a required albeit specialized application, the Slope-Pro can sustain a high charge-out rate – increasing ROI and cash flow – and can help drive increased traffic to the store. It is truly a heavyduty industrial mower and has been designed to keep utilization up and ownership costs low. It is easy to operate, reducing the chance of abuse and making renting stress-free. The Slope-Pro fits on most landscape trailers so it is easily picked up or delivered. The mower requires little routine maintenance and the time required for pre-rental prep is minimal. Most importantly, it is the right tool for hazardous jobs saving the abuse of other fleet mowers such as ZTRs.
The Slope-Pro is designed, manufactured and distributed worldwide by Progressive Turf Equipment based in Seaforth, Ont.
HIGH STATIC PRESSURE, LOW AMPS
Booth #610
8 frost-fighter.com
The new IDH200QR from Frost Fighter offers the proven reliability and durability of the IDF series with enhanced features and the newest technology.
Outstanding Flooring Results RENTING for 2 in 1 Cleats & Staples
BOOTH PREVIEW
The IDH200QR supplies up to 170,000 BTU with the ability to recirculate, which dramatically reduces fuel costs by utilizing heated interior air (instead of outside air) over the heat exchanger. Standard features include a high-capacity industrial grade burner; and 18-U.S.-gallon tank with environmental spill containment; six-ply pneumatic tires; a patented heat-recovery option and a fully insulated jacket for greater efficiency. The IDH200QR has a higher static pressure (five-inch water column), along with lower start-up and running amps (11 amps), making it a highly effective unit. Like the IDF series, the unit includes a proven multi-pass stainless steel heat exchanger, providing unsurpassed heat transfer, efficiency and durability. In addition, the IDH200QR has one of the lower decibel ratings ( less than 74 decibels) in the industry, providing powerful airflow with very little sound. The unit is available in diesel or propane/natural gas with an easy ball-valve switchover. The LP/NG unit comes with three trials for ignition to prevent nuisance service calls, and the diesel unit is available with a Genysis reader for easy troubleshooting. The new IDHQR series provides the most important features for heating applications: increased fuel and power savings, quiet operation, recirculation and high efficiency, and longer duct options.
EASY CONTROL OF ANY LOAD
Booth #206
8 hy-cor.com
RGC Pro platform hoists are engineered for professional
roofers with their safety in mind.
Two hundred and 400pound lifting capacities are available at heights up to 44 feet. Lightweight and easy to transport with durable wheels, Pro platform hoists assemble easily and quickly without requiring special tools. Available in a choice of gas or electric power, a single handle at hip height offers easy control of whatever is being lifted. Pro power supplies also allow easier speed regulation for lifting and lowering loads, providing additional safety for the crew. The Pro platform hoist also features easy mounting to first- and third-track cross ties without needing to lift it into place. RGC also offers a great selection of optional equipment including a solar panel carrier, a plywood carrier, shoe kits, a telescopic support (required for heights over 28 feet) and more.
HOT POWER
Booth #301
8 rdsi.ca
The HW3513HAD hot water pressure washer from BE Pressure Supply features a lowpressure chemical injector, low oil shutdown, a 6.1-liter fuel tank, a burner tank, a top-fired powder-coated heat exchanger and an electromagnetic firing system. It produces 3,500 PSI at four gallons per minute using a Honda GX390 engine
and an AR Triplex pump. The unit comes with a 50-foot hose; a gun and wand; 13-inch pneumatic tires; and a fiveyear pump warranty.
BUILT FOR CANADA
Booth #630
8 cp.com
The CPS 185 KDIT4 air compressor from Chicago Pneumatic delivers the power to get the job done. Designed for demanding job sites, these compressors allow operators to run multiple hand tools and hammers at the same time for maximum efficiency. They’re also ideal for sandblasting, irrigation blowouts and general construction applications. With noisereducing enclosures, straightforward controls and a low-maintenance design, they’re built for reliable performance day in and day out. Features include ease of transportation; user friendly controls; efficient operation; a low-maintenance design; a cold-climate package including synthetic oils, a block heater, an HD battery, and thermostatic by-pass valve; CRN-approved vessels for Canada; and a single-axle trailer design.
PERFECT FOR LARGE-FORMAT TILE
Booth #525
8 raimondispa.it
The Raimondi Pikus 130 is an Italian-made and -assembled professional wet saw for large-format porcelain tiles and stone. This saw offers a diverse range of abilities with a powerful belt-drive, 1.5-horsepower motor and a
10-inch blade that has great torque for its size. With a long 130-centimeter cut capacity, it allows for most large-format tiles to be cut with ease. It also sports a massive plunge-cut ability for cutting bricks, pavers, or stone up to six inches thick in two passes. The smart, cast and extruded aluminum frame design allows for easy transportation to and from a jobsite, and even through doorways for cutting indoors. The tilting motor assembly grants the operator the easy ability to perform up to 45-degree mitre or beveled cuts typically only obtainable by large CNC machines. The Pikus 130 comes assembled and ready to use.
ORGANIZED INSPECTIONS
Booth #102
8 point-of-rental.com
Point of Rental’s Inspection app streamlines the inspection and maintenance processes, helping businesses ensure their equipment is running properly while saving staff time and reducing safety and liability issues. Managers create checklists, determine which checklist items are critical and which ones need to be double-checked by management then assign inspections to people or management groups.
BOOTH PREVIEW
Inspectors can manage their checklists via mobile device and tracking enables teams to see which items are spending the most time being inspected, which employees are responsible for inspections, and lots of other reports that ensure accountability within the inspection process. The Inspection app integrates with Rental Expert and Rental Elite and enables rental businesses to manage their inspection and routine maintenance processes digitally, saving time and money while increasing trackability, efficiency, and profit.
GETS CLOSE TO THE WALL
Booth #213 8 werkmaster.com
specialized solutions for customers.
LIFT SAFELY
Booth #332
8 makinex.com
by booth #526 at the Canadian Rental Mart Show for a no obligation demo
The Boss by WerkMaster was specifically designed for use as surface preparation equipment for rental organizations and built for the rental equipment market. The design is aimed to relieve rental operators’ pain points: power, mobility and edging. Available in 110- and 220-volt models, The BOSS can separate into three components for easy transport and will edge to within 1/8 inch of a wall. With a simple change of tooling the Boss can prep concrete and other subfloors; refinish hardwood; remove aluminum oxide and other finishes from engineered hardwood; and refinish wood decks. The Boss delivers exceptional rental ROI 12 months of the year. WerkMaster takes pride in providing professional customer care and service combined with exceptional quality craftsmanship and
The Makinex powered hand truck PHT-140, previously known as the OneLift, is a universal materials handling solution that enables one person to safely lift and load small equipment or bulky goods weighing up to 309 pounds. It provides a quick and easy alternative to using a forklift or tailgate loader for small loads. The Makinex powered hand truck has many applications and can be used in workshops, warehouses, factories, depots, distribution companies and rental yards. The PHT140 features powered lift via a 12-volt 25-amp linear actuator. It is easy to operate. The lifting arm reach is controlled by the user lifting or lowering the handles and arm height is controlled via a simple thumb switch. The unique design enables one person to lift and load directly into vehicles or to place equipment and small loads on bench tops. It eliminates awkward and dangerous one- or twoperson lifts and reduces the incidence of back and other injuries caused by heavy lifting. The hand truck is lightweight and easy to manoeuver. After use it can be folded down flat for easy transport and storage. It comes standard with a hook attachment for lifting,
The Snorkel™ S3219E is far from ordinary. This 19ft electric slab scissor lift was designed to take everything a jobsite can throw at it - and more. Its super-heavy-duty steel construction and over-engineered components, maximize up time and minimize ownership costs. Plus, everything is easy to get to, which really cuts down on maintenance time. After all, the most valuable scissor lift on your jobsite is the one that’s actually working. FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT AHERN CANADA AT 780.467.0600
BOOTH PREVIEW
moving and loading small equipment and machinery fitted with a lifting eye, for example, water pumps, generators, air compressors, and plate compactors. A fork attachment for lifting, moving and loading small pallets and skids is optional and sold separately.
MULTIPLE ATTACHMENTS
AVAILABLE
Booth #431 8 easternfarmmachinery.com
Manufactured in Italy, Cast loaders are quality machines designed for commercial users. The full range consists of stand-on mini loaders from 11 to 22 horsepower in gas, electric or diesel configurations, to sit-down four-wheel-drive telescopic loaders from 20 to 45 horsepower. All units are powered with Kubota Tier IV emission-certified engines. Cast can also supply a range of over 60 attachments optimized to work with the loaders’ hydraulic and lift capacity.
NEW
TINES
Booth #301 8 rdsi.ca
The BA-4 lawn aerator from Bannerman is made in Canada. It features new fracture tines for rentalrugged durability. The aerator is a self-propelled
walk-behind design that aerates an 18-inch swath using a Honda GX120 engine with six-to-one gear reduction. The machine includes removable ballast bars for easier transport.
EXTRACTS MORE WATER
Booth #630
8 xpowercanada.ca
Users can achieve maximum humidity control in a space-saving design with the XPower XD-85LH LGR dehumidifier. XPower LGR dehumidifiers feature a patented dual intake system which boosts efficiency and performance in a wide range of operating conditions. Designed to maximize storage space, this compact unit stacks up to three high and features two moulded handle grip points on the front and back. For added mobility, this model includes wheels and handle. A user-friendly digital display screen gives a reading on current humidity and the desired humidity level may be programed. Developed to excel in even the toughest water damage restoration environments, the professional grade LGR series extracts more moisture than much larger commercial models. Features include focused airflow; a low-amp draw (under 7 amps); removal of more than to 85 pints per day; a wide operating range of 33 to 105 F; an auto-purge water pump with a 20-foot drain hose; stackability up to three units high; and lightweight at under 70 pounds. CRS
LITERATURE REVIEW
NEW RENTAL CATALOG
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.
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
pipe thawing machines.
A full line of compact machines your customers know by name. More than 100 models of Worksite Pro™ attachments. Not to mention your choice of vertical- or radial-lift small-frame skid steers that feature easy-access maintenance points, in-cab boom lock, and no-hassle footwell cleanout. Need more options to help you RUN YOUR WORLD? See your dealer.
CLEARLY SUPERIOR...
IN PRODUCT DESIGN
The X2 Keder Frame Tent was born from a collaboration between our designers, dealers, and special event professionals. And it continues to grow with new sizes and styles to meet the needs of most clients. You asked. We listened. Your customers are overjoyed.
IN PRODUCT QUALITY
We blend state-of-the-art technology with quality materials and superior craftsmanship into every tent we make. With more than 125 years of manufacturing behind us, we stand true to our quality promise and back it with the Eureka! warranty.
IN COMMITMENT TO OUR CUSTOMERS
Our customers’ success depends on great products, great service and memorable events. We go above and beyond to make sure that happens. No exceptions.
This 40' Wide X2 with Majestic Tops was installed by Purdon’s Rental & Sales, Lexington, KY. Photos by Adam Padgett Weddings.
