Rental June/July 2022

SAFETY Tips for confined spaces training

June/July 2022

2022 RENTER’S REVIEW

A behind-the-scenes dive into one customer’s equipment rental experience.

BUSINESS MANAGEMENT

WHAT’S NEW IN RENTAL SOFTWARE

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VOLUME 43 ISSUE 5

JUNE/JULY 2022

12

A behind-the-scenes dive into one customer’s equipment rental experience.

COVER: RENTER’S REVIEW

16

BUSINESS MANAGEMENT The Evolution of Rental Software

IN EVERY ISSUE

20

Find out how equipment rental software is jumping to the cloud, delivering better online reservation experiences and enhancing supply chain agility.

20

04 Everybody’s Business

CONSTRUCTION

06 Online Exclusives

Forklift Efficiencies Three key ways rental companies and their customers can optimize efficiency with their electric forklift fleets and, ultimately, do more with less.

08 Market Watch 28 Rental Snapshot

24

30 New Products Lawn & Ground Tools + Software

21

GENERAL TOOL

34 Eye on Rental

Choose the Right Trencher

Training tips for rental store employees, part 1

Crucial questions to ask to help rental customers select the right trencher for their landscaping jobsite.

21

24

SECTOR REPORT

Confined Spaces Safety Advice on how to create a safe environment when working in confined spaces.

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JUNE/JULY 2022

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EVERYBODY’S BUSINESS // BY SARAH WEBB swebb@ACBusinessMedia.com ™

TIME FOR REVIEW

T

his month’s issue of Rental includes our annual Renter’s Review feature, where someone on staff “secretly” visits a rental store nearby to rent out a piece of equipment.

This year, Group Publisher Sean Dunphy had the honor— he rented out a pressure washer for a project he had cooking at his house.

Overall, he said the experience was so simple and relatively inexpensive that he wondered why anyone in a similar situation would opt to buy the piece of equipment.

You can find the full story on p. 12.

In prepping to put together the story, I took a deep dive into previous Renter’s Review stories. Reading about past editors’ experiences renting out equipment got me thinking about what our readers can glean from what those rental stores did well and what they didn’t do so well, so I put together a list of “lessons learned” from some of our most popular ones.

Are there any lessons you have learned throughout your experience in the rental equipment industry? Is there anything you would recommend other rental stores start doing to enhance their customer experience? What have

PRODUCT NEWS INSIGHT ■

■

www.ForConstructionPros.com/RENTAL Published by AC Business Media 201 N. Main Street, 5th Fl Fort Atkinson, WI 53538 (800) 538-5544

you found to be successful?

While we’re on the topic of the customer experience, this issue includes several articles to help you serve your customers in the best way possible.

Our business management department focuses on equipment rental software that’s making it easier for customers to book equipment (p. 16), our general tool department lays out three questions that’ll help prompt your contractor customers choose the right trencher for the job (p. 21), our Rental Snapshot profile highlights Tom Brown Jr., vice president of operations and sales of Rental Solutions and Events in Sykesville, Md., who shares his successes and challenges within the industry (p. 28), and finally, in our Eye on Rental column, Dick Detmer explains how the continuous education of employees leads to happier and safer customers (p. 34).

Keep an eye out for our next issue of Rental, which will include our new and improved Editor’s Choice Award, and in the meantime, feel free to reach out with questions, story ideas and press releases via email at swebb@ acbusinessmedia.com or via LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahwebb-1ba8b2109/.

www.ACBusinessMedia.com

Publication Staff Publisher.................................................................... Sean Dunphy sdunphy@ACBusinessMedia.com Editor...........................................................................Sarah Webb swebb@ACbusinessMedia.com Senior Production Manager........................................Cindy Rusch Art Director.................................................................... Willard Kill Audience Development Manager..................................Angela Franks

Advertising Sales (800) 538-5544 Kris Flitcroft.................................kflitcroft@ACBusinessMedia.com Sean Dunphy............................... sdunphy@ACBusinessMedia.com Nikki Lawson............................... nlawson@ACBusinessMedia.com Megan Perleberg..........................mperleberg@ACBusinessMedia.com Tadashi Soma.................................... tsoma@ACBusinessMedia.com Circulation & Subscriptions PO Box 3605, | Northbrook, IL 60065-3605, Phone: (877) 201-3915 | Fax: (847) 291-4816 circ.rpn@omeda.com List Rental Sr. Account Manager...........................................Bart Piccirillo | Data Axle (518) 339 4511 | bart.piccirillo@infogroup.com Reprints Megan Perleberg, mperleberg@ACBusinessMedia.com

AC Business Media Chief Executive Officer................................................ Ron Spink Chief Financial Officer......................................... JoAnn Breuchel Chief Digital Officer............................................. Kris Heineman Chief Revenue Officer......................................... Amy Schwandt VP ofOperations & IT .............................................. Nick Raether VP Audience Development .................................. Ronda Hughes Director, Demand generation & Education .................. Jim Bagan GM Online & Marketing Services....................Bethany Chambers Content Director .................................................. Marina Mayer Published and copyrighted 2022 by AC Business Media. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording or any information storage or retrieval system, without written permission from the publisher.

SUBSCRIPTION POLICY: Individual subscriptions are available without charge in the U.S. to rental centers, equipment distributors, and other businesses with rental departments. To subscribe please visit www.ForConstructionPros.com. Publisher reserves the right to reject nonqualified subscribers.

One year subscriptions for nonqualified individuals: U.S. $35.00; Canada and Mexico $60.00; and $85.00 all other countries (payable in U.S. funds, drawn on U.S. bank). Single issues available (prepaid only) $10.00 each.

Rental (ISSN 2375-9925, Print | ISSN 2471-7657, online | USPS 686-370) is published eight times per year: January/February, March, April, May, June/July, August/September, October/November and December by AC Business Media, 201 N. Main Street, 5th Fl., Fort @ MonsterZtudio-stock.adobe.com

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Atkinson, WI 53538. Periodicals postage paid at Fort Atkinson, WI and additional entry offices. POSTMASTER: Please send change of address to Rental, PO Box 3605, Northbrook, IL 60065-3605. Printed in the USA. Vol. 43, Issue 5, June/July 2022

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THE LATEST ONLINE NEWS YOU CAN USE Would you like to stay up to date on the latest happenings across the rental industry but can’t wait for the next print issue of Rental magazine to come out? Be sure to subscribe to our e-newsletters—including Rental Watch, Rental Market Watch and Power Rental, just to name a few—using the QR code, so you can stay informed on what’s going on around the industry. https://rnt.news/58qmf9

THERMAL INTELLIGENCE TALKS SUSTAINABILITY

@OneClic-stock.adobe.com

STAY SOCIAL

@Mykyta-stock.adobe.com

As strict emissions regulations become a pressing concern in the industry, Mark Malekoff, director at Thermal Intelligence, sat down with Rental Editor Sarah Webb to talk about what the company is doing to promote sustainability and increase efficiencies to boost end users’ bottom lines. Do you have an interesting story that you’d like to talk about? Email your ideas to Rental Editor Sarah Webb at swebb@acbusinessmedia.com, and you may be featured in an upcoming episode of our The Bottom Line podcast. https://rnt.news/mdujft To stay up to date on the latest happenings around the rental industry, be sure to follow Rental’s social media channels: @Syifa5610-stock.adobe.com

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@RentalMagazine

@RentalPNI

@rentalpni

Rental Magazine

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MARKET WATCH //

United Rentals entered an agreement with Ford Pro to purchase all-electric vehicles for its North American rental and company fleets.

The agreement initially includes orders for 500 F-150 Lightning trucks and 30 E-Transit vans, with 120 trucks and all 30 vans to be delivered in 2022. The vehicles will be used

by United Rentals customers on construction and industrial jobsites and by the company’s sales, service and delivery personnel.

United Rentals has selected the Ford F-150 Lightning model with a maximum target range of 320 miles and a maximum towing capacity of 10,000 pounds. The E-Transit is an all-electric commercial cargo van with a target range of 126

ARA IMPROVES RENTAL INDUSTRY FORECAST GOING INTO THIRD, FOURTH QUARTER OF 2022 Even with supply chain issues and labor shortages, U.S. equipment rental revenue, including both construction and general tool, is expected to grow by 11.1 percent to reach nearly $56 billion in 2022, according to ARA’s latest forecast.

Construction equipment rental is leading the way, with 13 percent growth this year to total $41.7 billion in revenue following a 10.2 percent increase in 2021. General tool in 2022 is expected to grow 7 percent to reach $14.1 billion.

While equipment rental revenue growth slows to 6 percent in 2023, 2.9 percent in 2024, 3.6 percent in 2025 and 3.9

BIGRENTZ GAINS ISO 9001 CERTIFICATION BigRentz recently attained its International Organization for Standardization 9001 Certification. The International Organization for Standardization (ISO), based in Switzerland, is a nongovernmental independent organization that develops standards to ensure the quality, safety and efficiency of products, services and systems. BigRentz has achieved the 9001 validation, which focuses on quality assurance principles such as customer service and management commitment to the process.

miles. Both models are equipped with Pro Power On-board and an array of connectivity features, including F-150 Lightning’s Intelligent Back-Up Power. The company expects to deploy the vehicles in the second half of 2022.

United Rentals

UNITED RENTALS TO ADD FORD ELECTRIC VEHICLES TO FLEET

https://rnt.news/pvkddj

percent in 2026, the industry is expected to surpass $60 billion in 2024 and is forecasted to reach $65.5 billion in 2026.

“One thing we know is that rental revenues grow when the fleet expands or when rates increase,” said John McClelland, Ph.D., ARA vice president for government affairs and chief economist. “In reality, both things are happening today.

However, supply chain issues are inhibiting fleet growth while inflation is pushing rates higher. In the past, we saw a lot of revenue growth that we attributed to fleet growth. Now we are seeing revenue growth that is being driven by higher rates.”

https://rnt.news/gq3n8u To become ISO certified, a company must develop, maintain and continuously improve its business processes. To maintain certification, companies must continue to fulfill the guidelines pertaining to the processes involved in each of the categories. Certification is good for three years as long as the standard is maintained as proven through annual audits by the external certifying body.

It involves measuring and comparing business performance to seven quality standards or principles: • Customer focus • Leadership • Engagement of people • Process approach • Improvement • Evidence-based decision-making • Relationship management

https://rnt.news/yvfqf4 ©MasterSergeant-stock.adobe.com

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www.ForConstructionPros.com/RENTAL

ARIENSCO BUYS THOMAS EQUIPMENT AriensCo. has purchased Thomas Equipment from A-L Parts, allowing AriensCo. to offer a new four-season product line, including mini skid loaders, under the Gravely brand to reach into the rental and construction markets.

Thomas Equipment has been a manufacturer of outdoor equipment for 79 years and is based in Beechwood, New Brunswick, Canada. Started in 1943 by the Thomas Brothers as an agricultural repair business, Thomas Equipment quickly expanded into manufacturing equipment for agricultural purposes, namely potato harvesting and handling. Thomas Equipment was purchased by A-L Parts in 2013.

AriensCo. is partnering with Al Downy and Leon Butterfield, owners of A-L Parts, to launch the production of the Gravely branded mini skid-steer line in their Canadian facility.

“We think this is a perfect extension of our Gravely product line,” said Dan Ariens, chairman and CEO of AriensCo. “This multitool piece of equipment is great for

AriensCo

hardscape work with accessories like a tree auger, stump grinder, pallet forks, etc. It’s a big tool but is small and compact, so it can fit through a gate and can be hauled on a trailer with other mowers. We think it will be a great offering for commercial landscapers.”

AriensCo. is providing management support for the production ramp.

Five Gravely branded mini skid loaders (three diesel and two gas-powered models) are planned for this fall.

https://rnt.news/ux5478 DAEDONG CORP. CELEBRATES 75 YEARS

DedMityay-stock.adobe.com

CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT RENTAL FORECAST TO BE $105.29B BY 2030

The global construction equipment rental market size is expected to reach $105.29 billion by 2030, registering a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.2 percent, according to a new report by Grand View Research.

Key findings from the report include: • The global market was valued at $73.44 billion in 2021 and is expected to exhibit a CAGR of 3.9 percent from 2022 to 2030.

• The earthmoving machinery segment dominated the market in 2021 and is expected to generate a market revenue of more than $54.01 billion by the end of the forecast period.

• The construction equipment rental is witnessing high competition across the globe. Major players are inclining toward enhancing the business and product offering through strategic business acquisition.

https://rnt.news/pt7mzz www.ForConstructionPros.com/RENTAL

Daedong Corp., parent company to Kioti Tractor, is celebrating its 75th anniversary this year.

“The spirit of innovation that fueled the company’s founding remains our guiding principle today as we develop quality products that meet the needs of our customers around the world,” said J.S. Kim, chairman and CEO of Daedong Corp. and chairman of DaedongUSA. “We’re proud of the impact Daedong Corp. has had on the global agricultural industry.”

In 1947, Sam-Man Kim founded Daedong Corp. alongside his four brothers. As Korea battled famine in the wake of World War II, the need for agricultural mechanization fueled Kim’s determination and creativity. The brothers’ work resulted in machines that increased food production throughout a critical time during Korea’s industrialization.

Today, Daedong exports to 70 countries, and this past year, the company produced Korea’s first 3.8-liter diesel engine, launched the country’s first remotecontrolled and autonomous tractor series and entered the e-mobility market.

In late 2019, Kioti completed a $13 million renovation of its North American headquarters, including a new training facility for dealers. Following this expansion, Kioti opened a distribution center in Mississauga, Ontario.

https://rnt.news/bu53u8

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CM Labs Simulations, developer of Vortex training simulators, has issued a new software release for its construction simulator training packs.

This new release is designed to boost trainee engagement by featuring heightened visuals, greater training immersion and increased learning retention. The result is faster, more efficient operator skills development, according to the company.

The new graphics provide a level of depth and realism that, in conjunction with CM Labs’ machine simulation, further reduces the gap between classroom training and the worksite.

HEAVY EQUIPMENT OPERATOR TRAINING TAKES PLACE IN LAS VEGAS Dig This Las Vegas, billed as the “world’s first heavy equipment playground,” opened its Dig This Academy, an entry-level heavy equipment operator training school.

This Academy is an accredited National Center for Construction and Education Research Training Unit. All Dig This Academy programs are state certified by the Nevada Commission on Post-Secondary Education.

Dig This Academy programming uses curriculums from the National Center for Construction Education and Research’s Heavy Equipment Operations. Multiple Heavy Equipment Operator Ready Certification programs were offered for excavators, dozers, backhoes and loaders. The

3 CONSTRUCTION EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES NOW AVAILABLE IN SPANISH

National Center for Construction Education and Research

The National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER) is offering three popular curricula in Spanish.

This includes Core Sixth Edition, Roofing Level 1 Second Edition and Concrete Construction Levels 1 and 2 Second Edition. While previous editions of Core curriculum have Spanish translations, this is the first time that Roofing and Concrete Construction are available in Spanish.

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The new release can be experienced across CM Labs’ fleet of construction and forestry training packs. The lifting simulations include the luffing tower crane, flat-top tower crane, crawler crane, rough terrain crane, boom truck and forklift. The earthmoving simulations consist of the excavator, dozer, wheel loader, backhoe and motor grader.

https://rnt.news/mz9u5h

one-week courses were be specific to the type of heavy equipment and designed to provide safety, knowledge and basic operating information. Upon successful program completion, trainees have the knowledge and experience to enter the workforce as an entrylevel operator.

Dig This

CM LABS SIMULATIONS RELEASES NEW SIMULATOR TRAINING PACKS

CM Labs Simulations

MARKET WATCH //

https://rnt.news/p9yjwt The new resources are part of NCCER’s goal to help organizations train skilled craft professionals in an increasingly diverse workforce. NCCER partnered with the National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA) to develop the second edition of Roofing. The Spanish translation of Roofing Level 1 meets the Department of Labor’s standards for a time-based apprenticeship program. New Steep-Slope Roofer and Low-Slope Roofer interim credentials from the program provide additional specialized career paths to learners. The Spanish translation of Roofing Level 2 will be coming later this year.

The Spanish translations of Concrete Construction Levels 1 and 2 cover a range of specific content, such as the characteristics of concrete, using concrete as a building material and the process of curing concrete. Updated and revamped, the second edition features illustrated designs, technical hints and tips from industry experts, review questions and more.

https://rnt.news/r8eps3 www.ForConstructionPros.com/RENTAL

Research. Compare. Communicate.

All within an Interactive Showroom Built for the Construction Industry

To get the full experience, visit:

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COVER STORY //

BY SARAH WEBB

NO PRESSURE

RENTAL

F

or this year’s Renter’s Review, Rental Group Publisher Sean Dunphy recently rented a pressure washer at a local hardware store over one spring weekend.

He remarked that because the rental was so inexpensive—only $40—he wondered why anyone like him would spend the money to buy one. He also noted that the customer service experience was quick and easy.

Of the overall experience, Dunphy said: “The guy who ran the rental operation was named Hank. I said ‘Hardware Hank? I bet you’ve never heard that before.’ He didn’t think it was as funny as I did. He explained the machine and how it worked and helped me load it into my car.

There was no discussion of safety other than to make sure

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the tip was completely on when used because it will shoot off at high speed otherwise. This was especially important because the tip quick release did not work properly. Some of the ball bearings in the mechanism were seized up so it was hard to get the tip on and off completely.

Other than that, it was a good experience. I will rent equipment there again, and there is no reason ever to buy and maintain an item I can rent that quickly and easily. Returning it to the store was also easy.”

In addition to pressure washers, the location also rents out full-sized trenchers, a stand-on skid-steer, and it also had a pretty good selection of equipment for a homeowner of small contractor.”

www.ForConstructionPros.com/RENTAL

W

hat do you think is a top priority when you see a new customer coming into your store? What do you do to make sure your customers keep coming back? Email Editor Sarah Webb at swebb@ acbusinessmedia.com to let us know, and you may be featured in an upcoming issue of Rental magazine.

Read the full story here.

@bubutu-stock.adobe.com

@bubutu-stock.adobe.com

Rental Group Publisher Sean Dunphy breaks down his experience renting a pressure washer at a local hardware store.

The lessons: 1. Emails don’t work when it comes to renting equipment, but rental companies should be sure inquiries don’t go unanswered.

2. Be sure to rent the proper equipment for the job at hand.

2019: A+ RENTAL MARRED BY LACK OF ACCOUNTABILITY

The backstory: Then-Editor Jenny Leschohier rented a walk-behind trencher for her coworker’s son, who wanted to install 50 feet of gas and electric lines from his house to his garage.

Leschohier noted that walk-behind trenchers are simple, durable machines that are typically rented and returned without incidence. The day before the project, she received a call from the rental company to tell her it had just delivered the trencher to the job. While this meant the machine was ready to go by the time they were ready to start the job, it also meant that no one was there to receive the machine and get any sort of familiarization on how to operate it. When she mentioned this to the person at the rental company, he said they could call with questions if they couldn’t get the machine started.

Overall, she reported that the service of the rental company was good and the equipment performed well, but the

LESSONS LEARNED FROM PAST RENTER’S REVIEWS: 2021: TRAILER RENTAL GOES OFF WITHOUT A HITCH The backstory: Previous Rental Editor Alexis Sheprak rented a car trailer to help her father pick up his Triumph convertible four hours away. She started the entire process by Googling equipment rental houses by her. She had trouble getting into contact with the rental houses online, but she finally had success after one rental company that didn’t have the trailer she needed recommended another one that did.

All in all, she was incredibly pleased with the company, its customer service and the trailer itself.

www.ForConstructionPros.com/RENTAL

JUNE/JULY 2022

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COVER STORY // company’s sketchy recordkeeping sent the wrong message. Leschohier noticed she never received a receipt even though her credit card was charged, she never signed a rental contract and the machine wasn’t picked up two days after the company said it would be.

Read the full story here.

The lessons: 1. Be sure that all paperwork and contracts are in order.

2. Confirm dropoff and pickup times and stick to them.

2018: BEWARE THE ‘YOUTUBE EFFECT’ – A CAUTIONARY TALE

Read the full story here.

The backstory: Leschohier investigated repairing her old and uneven asphalt driveway, specifically an 8-foot by 4-foot area. It had numerous depressions, the worst of which were concentrated close to the entrance to her garage. The next step was finding a rental store that had a plate compactor available.In her research, she stumbled upon YouTube videos depicting someone using cold patch asphalt. She thought it seemed easy enough, so she set out to rent a plate compactor.

However, at her local hardware store, she learned that her “simple” project wasn’t so simple after all.

The lessons: 1. Be wary of the YouTube effect, a phenomenon where an end user determines a rather complicated task to be simple because it looked that way on a video.

2. Rental stores should match the DIY market levels of services, advice and instruction often found at local hardware stores.

2016: A TALE OF TWO RENTALS The backstory: Leschohier helped a friend who wanted to build a playset in their backyard and needed a post hole digger. The store she rented from looked rather inviting from the streetview: It boasted excellent signage and the building looked to be in very good shape. Inside, the employee behind the counter greeted her with a smile and quickly got to work on the contract. He didn’t spend too much time explaining the terms of the rental, but she was told to bring the machine back with a full gas tank or there would be an additional $12 charge. The rental experience turned sour when she discovered the machine was not in good condition. Upon having the machine loaded into her car, she could see that it was literally held together with duct tape in several places.

The lesson: 1. Maintenance is everything, and equipment should be in tiptop shape.

Sean Dunphy

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www.ForConstructionPros.com/RENTAL

Read the full story here.

Editor’s Note: Each year for our Renter’s Review, members of our staff rent equipment for personal projects and report back on their experiences. The goal is to get a real-life picture of the rental transaction—the good, the bad and the ugly.

2013: CAN YOU HANDLE THE HOMEOWNER? The backstory: Leschohier rented a concrete grinder to remove wornout sealant used on her patio.

Switching gears, she instead decided to rent a compact stump grinder to remove some stumps from her patio landscaping. After a few more challenges and a few more turndowns from rental businesses, she used the rented stump grinder found to help her neighbor grind down a tree stump in his yard, after Leschohier found that the stump in her own yard couldn’t be removed.

She said the machine worked well for her neighbor, but she had a more difficult time making it run properly.

She summed it up by saying the machine was not designed to handle the purpose she had in mind for it, despite being told it would by two separate rental businesses. At the end of the day, she said that the rental didn’t feel like money well spent.

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The lessons: 1. Sometimes you need to say no to your customer.

2. All rental businesses, particularly those with a large homeowner customer base, must ask questions to qualify the rental.

www.ForConstructionPros.com/RENTAL

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JUNE/JULY 2022

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BUSINESS MANAGEMENT //

BY CHARLES RATHMANN

RENTAL SOFTWARE EVOLVES for Web Commerce and Supply Chain Constraints

Equipment rental software is jumping to the cloud, delivering better online reservation experiences and enhancing supply chain agility.

B

usiness software and e-commerce tools aimed at the rental industry are making important leaps in sophistication—the leap to the cloud, the leap to artificial intelligence (AI) and rapid evolution in supply chain management sophistication.

Point of Rental, Quipli and DOZR share what innovations are coming to market.

POINT OF RENTAL REINVENTS ITSELF ON THE CLOUD

Point of Rental Software provides smart, scalable rental and inventory management software to more than 4,800 rental businesses and has served the space for nearly 40 years. To evolve over the years, Point of Rental has developed a construction equipment rental legacy software solution, Rental Expert, and cloud-native solutions, Essentials and Elite.

Quipli

Rental equipment software is making a move to the cloud and, in turn, is helping rental companies and their customers become more efficient.

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As is the case with other software, a legacy solution designed for on-premise use may be migrated to the cloud as a hosted solution, while new SaaS solutions have to grow over time to become more functionally robust.

“Recently, Essentials, our cloudnative platform designed for retail businesses and small-to-medium businesses in the rental industry, has added a lot of flexibility-based functionality,” says Point of Rental CEO Wayne Harris. “We’ve added the ability to create, select, report and filter your delivery vehicles and your contracts by salesperson. This makes for better, more specific reporting.

You can modify your rental processes, going straight to a reservation without writing a quote, and you can reopen items upon receiving them if you didn’t get everything that was due back. On the road map for Essentials over the next year is the ability to define taxes by delivery area, create customerspecific jobsites, set delivery fees for delivery windows and add e-commerce features like an availability calendar.”

Elite handles more complex tasks.

“Over the past few months, we’ve added integrations to tax services to handle the complex, ever-changing tax structures across multiple districts, counties, states and even countries,”

www.ForConstructionPros.com/RENTAL

Point of Rental

Harris says. “We’ve built more mobile functionality and expanded our customer resource portal to include ‘how to’ videos in addition to system documentation. We’ve added price modeling, which allows users to apply a formula to price sales inventory and used rental equipment based on factors like age, hours used and repair costs.”

Other new developments include: • Deepened integrations with the Point of Rental One app • An enhanced public application programming interface (API) to help with software integrations • Shareable search views, so users can create their own customized dashboards and share them with teammates

At 40 years old, Point of Rental has its legacy Rental Expert solution, but also a portfolio of software-as-a-service (SaaS) products for construction equipment rental companies.

As for its legacy software, Harris says Rental Expert will continue to

receive updates, and the company will continue to support it, but

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BUSINESS MANAGEMENT //

DOZR

DOZR has launched WebStores, which delivers robust e-commerce web solutions to construction equipment rental companies.

it’s incompatible with today’s best development, user experience, support and deployment options.

QUIPLI BORN IN THE CLOUD

While Point of Rental makes a shift from its legacy solution to the cloud, Quipli was born in the cloud.

“We launched our first customer last May, so we are pretty young,” says Quipli founder and CEO Kyle Clements. “We started with online rental e-commerce—we are committed to helping our customers deliver the experience United Rentals and Home Depot are. We know that to support this modern online rental experience, we need to offer a better overall rental management system, including inventory management, point of sale, payments and digital rental agreements.”

Founded in 2020, Quipli is ramping up its staff and has prioritized building out integrations to third-party software products. One area where Quipli is doing its best to catch up is in standard integrations with other software.

“We have integrated with Quickbooks online,” Clements says.

“We are working with Codat, and that

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relationship will unlock integrations with 20 different software products.”

Codat’s API integration platform offers more than 30 standard integrations to accounting, banking and commerce applications. These bidirectional integrations share data between applications in real time.

MORE POWERFUL RENTAL E-COMMERCE SOFTWARE

Because e-commerce has become omnipresent and major rental houses like United Rentals have set a new standard for what an online rental experience should be like, smaller equipment rental businesses are making investments in web-enabled equipment reservation and rental.

“In early 2021, we acquired Rental Hosting, which provides e-commerce functionality that integrates completely with our software,” Harris says. “Rental stores can opt to be as transparent as they like with availability, pricing, spec sheets and more. Data updated within the software will automatically update on their online storefront, reducing data entry time, the cost of working with a web developer to update information and eliminating

opportunities for miscommunication.

This can save counter staff lots of unnecessary work, as customers are able to answer most of their basic questions like cost, availability and even equipment specifications on a company’s website.”

Rental Hosting includes features that make life easier for a rental company’s customers, who can see what they have on rent, call items off rent, see their payment history and make payments.

Quipli, too, includes e-commerce capabilities. The rental functionality emulates tools end users are already familiar with, such as Airbnb, so equipment will be crossed off from inventory if it is not available.

“We built our own inventory management to integrate with the web storefront,” Clements says, adding that sometimes a rental company will want to obscure availability of its own inventory. “We also make sure they can configure for overbooking and re-rent from someone else.”

The Quipli software delivers: • White labeling, so customers can brand their sites their way • Mobile features including a shopping cart • The ability to edit landing pages, product pages and category pages • Shopify credit card processing • Tax automation on the county and state level, based on location • Search engine optimization tools • A dashboard displaying sales, orders and traffic Quipli is also planning to mirror other gig economy apps by enabling equipment rental companies to offer dynamic pricing, based on demand.

DOZR INTRODUCES AI FOR AVAILABILITY

Kitchener, Ontario-based DOZR is targeting the equipment rental market from two directions—with its DOZR.

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com multivendor marketplace and, more recently, through its DOZR Webstores SaaS offering for rental companies and Order Tracker offering.

WebStores is a software solution that allows rental companies to meet their customers’ need for an e-commerce solution with touchless, paperless rental transactions integrated into the supplier’s existing website and ERP systems. The e-commerce websites delivered by WebStores can be white labeled, reflecting only the rental company’s branding. Since last year, the company has, according to DOZR co-founder and CTO Adeel Zaman, tripled its revenues and increased online transactions tenfold.

“A big part of our strategy is SEO,” Zaman says. “If you search for excavator rental or any other

equipment category with rental terms, we want you to find equipment listings in DOZR.” Apart from delivering e-commerce tools that drive rental equipment into Google search engine results pages, Zaman says the company is also helping its customers buy Google Ads to drive traffic and build their business.

“We are building a great blog called DOZR Hub, which is where contractors can go to learn how to build their business,” Zaman says.

DOZR is also working toward a machine-learning approach to enable equipment rental companies to surface anticipated availability of equipment currently out to rent.

“We will be allowing access to realtime availability information,” Zaman says. “Booking rental equipment is

usually not like booking an airline seat. You are not guaranteed to get that equipment—the request goes to a rental coordinator. It is just not known when things are returned, whether maintenance will be required when it is returned or whether equipment that is reserved will be canceled.”

Some equipment rental companies, however, will want to human engineer a solution the problem of availability so they can creatively find workarounds to avoid passing up rental opportunities.

“You can have an estimated time for dropoff listed on our e-commerce tool,” says Clements of Quipli. “But a number of customers just want to accept every single order and then figure out if they will approve it. They often want to take the order and then fulfill it on their own through subrenting.”

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See our full range of forklifts and more at manitou.com

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CONSTRUCTION //

DO MORE WITH LESS Three key ways rental companies and their customers can optimize efficiency with their electric forklift fleets and, ultimately, do more with less.

L

Creating efficiencies with a forklift fleet can, in turn, save on the bottom line.

CARE FOR THE BATTERY

When rental companies buy a fleet of forklifts, they put together a schedule for planned maintenance to keep them in optimal shape and extend the life of the units. However, batteries in those units rarely get the same level of care, which can lead to a number of potential inefficiencies, including adding more units to your fleet, costly battery replacements or potential damage to the forklifts themselves.

We recommend that batteries be kept charged at over 40 percent and stored over 80 percent. We also recommend adding a separate planned maintenance schedule for the forklift batteries themselves so that they stay in optimal shape, are regularly watered (lead batteries) and properly charged.

The average utilization of forklifts on construction sites is quite low, and from our experience, certain batteries are more likely to experience premature failures on a construction site due to a lack of maintenance.

For example, in 2022, construction forklifts that have been retired or sold from one of our rental customers averaged only 264 hours of annual

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Toyota Material Handling

et’s be honest—we’re all constantly looking for ways to do more with less in every area of our lives. That is especially applicable to the business world, where any inefficiency can have a significant impact on your company’s bottom line.

Let’s explore three ways to optimize efficiency with electric forklift fleets.

use. In other words, the forklifts may be unused for extended periods of time, which makes it easy to ignore the maintenance of those units. The problem lies in what you can’t see— the battery—which also needs to be maintained properly to perform, even when the forklift is not in use. We suggest putting a planned maintenance plan in place for the batteries.

USE TELEMETRY DATA TO HELP

The data received from a telematics system can help reduce costs by allowing you to keep track of your fleet of forklifts and batteries and ensure they are being used in the right place and in the right way.

Again, for the construction industry, caring for the battery is of particular importance, so investing in a telematics system that allows you to remotely monitor battery performance and state of charge and diagnose and troubleshoot issues to increase uptime can provide significant

value. Additionally, a GPS component of telematics can help you identify optimal charging windows such as idle times or breaks.

CREATIVE CHARGE STATIONS

We understand there is almost always a period of time where electricity is not yet available on a construction site, which makes charging batteries and ensuring they’re in their optimal zone of charge a complicated proposition.

Luckily, many battery manufacturers are developing portable and solar charging stations to solve this problem.

If you put a maintenance plan in place for forklift batteries and invest in telematics and solar charging stations, you can eliminate inefficiencies and optimize your business.

Bret Bruin President of Aftermarket Operations Toyota Material Handling

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GENERAL TOOL //

QUESTIONS TO ASK

When Choosing a Trencher By answering three key questions, you can be sure to help your rental customers select the right trencher for their landscaping jobsite.

T

renchers are a staple piece of equipment on landscaping jobsites. From digging and moving dirt to cutting through rock, contractors know that these machines allow them to install utilities quickly and efficiently.

The most popular machines to cut a trench are walkbehind trenchers and stand-on skid-steers with a trencher attachment. With two different machines and an abundance of machine sizes, features and attachments, it can be overwhelming to know what trencher fits your jobsite best.

By answering three key questions, you can be sure to help your rental customers select the right trencher for their landscaping jobsite.

1. WHAT TASKS NEED TO BE COMPLETED?

consider using a walk-behind trencher. This single-purpose machine is built with the features and power needed to make a cut quickly and efficiently.

The walk-behind trencher’s dedicated chain, teeth and sprocket combination are specifically designed to work together to make trenching as efficient as possible.

Additionally, the machine’s reliability minimizes unnecessary downtime to efficiently complete the installation of irrigation

RENTAL Designed to Reach Heights of

When choosing the right equipment, it’s important to identify what tasks need to be completed throughout the process. Does your project require versatility, or would a single-purpose machine get the job done? If the latter,

19 - 55 ft

Reliable Lifting Up to

12,000 lbs

Ditch Witch

See our full range of construction telehandlers and more at manitou.com

Walk-behind trenches work well to help contractors dig irrigation trenches. www.ForConstructionPros.com/RENTAL

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GENERAL TOOL // lines, water lines or pipes and move on to your next project.

To ensure jobsite success, it is also important to follow walk-behind trencher best practices. Go slow, never force a cut and let the machine do

the work. Following these guidelines will increase efficiency by reducing machine wear and tear and minimizing downtime.

On the other hand, if you plan to use the machine to complete other

tasks in addition to trenching, a stand-on skid-steer with a trencher attachment will be the right choice due to its versatility.

A stand-on skid-steer with a trencher attachment is an ideal fit for jobs that will have a range of tasks.

With the ability to simply switch attachments through an automated latching system, users can efficiently jump from one project to the next.

By using a trencher to a bucket, auger or fork, end users can benefit from the versatility these machines offer and handle countless tasks with ease. For example, if they need to install a sprinkler system, the stand-on skid-steer allows them to make the trench and then switch out attachments to relandscape once completed, eliminating the need for additional machines or personnel on the jobsite.

At Mi-T-M, we pride ourselves on building mighty, damn good equipment. It’s what sets us apart from our competition. When you purchase equipment with the Mi-T-M name on it, you are buying dependable equipment that is designed, built, and tested by good people. Mighty. Damn. Good.

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Ditch Witch

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As a best practice when using a stand-on skid-steer, check that the plate is clean and the pins holding the attachment are engaged. This reduces the risk of the attachment falling off while in motion and unnecessary downtime.

2. WHAT ARE THE PROJECT’S REQUIREMENTS?

When choosing between a walk-behind trencher or a stand-on skid-steer with a trencher attachment, it is important to understand the project requirements.

A great place to start is by evaluating how deep the product will need to be installed. For example, if the product needs to be installed up to 250 feet long, 2 to 4 feet deep and up to 8 inches wide, a walk-behind trencher will do the trick. However, if the trench needs to be longer, deeper or wider, a stand-on skid-steer with a trencher

attachment will be needed.

Identify how much power is needed on the jobsite. A walk-behind trencher provides up to 30 horsepower and is a cost-effective solution to help you complete many landscaping trenches, while a stand-on skid-steer provides up to 59 horsepower, allowing for increased trenching speed and better cycle times.

3. WHAT ARE THE JOBSITE’S CONSTRAINTS?

Keep in mind the jobsite, as each has a mix of different conditions and constraints. For example, if contractors are working in space-restricted areas like residential backyards with fences, they may need to consider machine size above other characteristics. In this case, a walk-behind trencher will help them easily maneuver

through fences or around sheds, gardens and other structures.

In contrast, if there are fewer space constraints, they will be able to select a larger machine that has more power.

A stand-on skid-steer offers maximum power and lifting capacity to help move heavy material on and off the jobsite more effectively. Additionally, its increased maneuverability and visibility provide an unobstructed view, helping boost productivity when working in residential areas where obstacle avoidance is necessary.

Brant Kukuk Compact Equipment Product Manager Ditch Witch

NEEDS Designed to Reach Heights

51 - 114 ft

Equipped to Lift Over

15,000 lbs

See our full range of rotating telehandlers and more at manitou.com

A stand-on skid-steer with a trencher attachment allows end users to simply switch attachments through an automated latching system, providing more efficiency and versatility. www.ForConstructionPros.com/RENTAL

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SAFETY //

SAFE

SPACES C

onfined spaces may hold serious physical and atmospheric hazards for the people working in them.

To address these potential dangers, regulations have been put in place to make sure workers can get in and out safely and do their jobs without threatening their health.

Employers are required to follow set procedures whenever employees work inside or near a confined space. A confined space is an area large enough to bodily enter but that has limited or restricted means of entry or exit. It is not designed for continuous occupancy by a worker.

Examples include tanks, underground vaults, manholes, tunnels, sewers, storm drains, equipment housings, crawlspaces and HVAC ducts. Open trenches and excavations, such as building foundations, may not be subject to the rules of the confined spaces standard. This is not to say that excavation work does not have similar hazards. The regulations that govern excavation work address access and egress, and hazardous atmosphere issues in a different way.

A confined space is less dangerous if workers have had proper training.

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Training is important in helping workers recognize potential hazards and work safely in and around these spaces. Training is not just a good idea; it is the law. Employers must train employees in a language and vocabulary they can comprehend. If training does not seem to be understood, then the training must be repeated until it is understood.

As companies build project plans, here are three elements in creating a safe environment for workers that are operating in a confined space.

United Rentals

Advice on how to create a safe environment when working in confined spaces.

Confined spaces are less dangerous if workers have the proper training.

Identifying a Confined Space Confined spaces can be found on virtually every worksite. Spaces that meet the description of a confined space may appear to be harmless, but be wary of becoming complacent about entering them. Since confined spaces have restricted access, they often lack sufficient natural ventilation.

Nonmoving air within those spaces can

hold and collect toxic gases, making those places extremely dangerous.

Remember, atmospheric hazards accounted for 56 percent of fatalities in confined spaces in the past several years.

If the confined space contains an actual or potential hazardous atmosphere, material that could engulf an entrant, an internal configuration that could result in entrant entrapment

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or asphyxiation or any other recognized serious safety or health hazard, it is a permit-required confined space (PRCS). The best way to keep safe is to stay aware of the hazards and to recognize symptoms and warning signs of potential problems. Threats in a PRCS can include: • Asphyxiation, caused by a lack of oxygen in the space or toxic gases or poisoning by toxic gases.

• Injury from a fire and/or explosion if there is a buildup of dust or

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if flammable liquids are present.

• Shock or electrocution from electrical hazards.

• Injury from hazards associated with rotating or other mechanical equipment.

• Obstructions to access or egress points.

• Drowning from water or another liquid that engulfs the space.

• Heat exhaustion or heat stroke from a high ambient temperature.

• Respiratory problems due to dust buildup.

Not every area that is considered a confined space is marked with a “danger” sign. Not every confined space is a PRCS, and the word “danger” is not required on all nonpermit spaces. Be careful, though—just because a space that has always been a nonpermit space does not mean that conditions won’t change. It is possible for previously nonpermit space to transition to a PRCS. It is important that work crews recognize hazards that can be present in seemingly “normal” situations.

Examples include: a crawlspace where a generator is placed too close to the entrance, potentially filling the space with carbon monoxide, and a drainage shaft on a residential worksite that lacks sufficient oxygen, potentially rendering workers unconscious.

Taking a Team Approach to Safety OSHA requires a general contractor, subcontractors and the owner keep

each other informed about potential dangers in a confined space. If anyone sees or suspects a problem, they must let the other jobsite partners know about it immediately.

Looking at some individual roles in a confined space, for example, the entry supervisor has to sign the permit for the confined space before anyone can enter it, confirming all required tests have been conducted and acceptable entry conditions are found.

If conditions become unsafe, the entry supervisor must suspend the entry and the prohibited condition must be corrected before work can resume.

The entry supervisor monitors the space to ensure those acceptable entry conditions are maintained. An entry supervisor must ensure a rescue team is available.

Before work begins at a jobsite, each employer must ensure a competent person identifies all confined spaces in which one or more employees it directs may work and identifies each space that is a permit space through consideration and evaluation of the elements of that space, including testing as necessary.

Projects must have an entry attendant stationed outside the PRCS while workers are inside with the job to ensure employees can safely enter and work within the space. An entry attendant must stay in communication with workers in the space, alert them if there is a problem and call the emergency rescue team if necessary.

An attendant can perform a nonentry rescue as specified by the employer’s rescue procedure. If the attendant is required to perform an entry rescue, they can only do so after the attendant has been relieved by another attendant.

The relieved attendant may enter a permit space to attempt a rescue when the employer’s permit space program

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SAFETY //

@Lemonsoup14-stock.adobe.com

allows the attendant entry for rescue and the attendant has been trained and equipped for rescue operations. One person can serve as both entry supervisor and entry attendant if they have been trained for both jobs.

Authorized entrants into a confined space must know hazards they might face and the symptoms that indicate they may have been exposed to those hazards. They must know how to use any necessary personal protective equipment and make sure it is being used. Authorized entrants are required to be in communication with the entry attendant. Authorized entrants must let the attendant know if they encounter a dangerous condition, or signs or symptoms that could indicate there is a hazard in the confined space.

Keeping workers in confined spaces safe is a team effort. Recognizing a confined space and understanding its dangers, along with all parties being trained on how to handle their safety responsibilities are Bruce Magee essential to keeping Region Product Development Manager workers safe.

United Rentals

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• Extended service intervals that minimize maintenance costs and maximize uptime.

Ammann compaction equipment provides all that – and more.

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Ammann America Inc. | 1125 SW 101st Road, Davie, FL 33324 For additional product information and services please visit : www.ammann.com/Lightweightchampions MMP-2488-03-EN | © Ammann Group

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ALL THINGS CONSTRUCTION, ALL UNDER ONE ROOF. • Digital issues • Spec guides • Construction news • Industry directories • Video network • Featured articles • And more!

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RENTAL SNAPSHOT //

TOM BROWN JR. of Rental Solutions and Events Tom Brown Jr., vice president of operations and sales of Rental Solutions and Events in Sykesville, Md., shares how he got started in the industry, his favorite part of the job and more.

Rental: How did you first get your start in the rental industry?

Tom Brown Jr.: I got started in the rental industry at a young age when my father Tom Brown Sr. was an area vice president for Rental Tools/ United Rentals in Glen Burnie, Md. In the summers, I would work washing windows, emptying trash cans and cleaning equipment.

When I returned home from college, I came back to work for my father, who, at the time, was president of Signature Special Events. During this tenure, I started out as a shop technician, then quickly excelled and became an event technician, traveling and setting up special events. From there, I became branch manager in Sykesville, Md. After Signature Special Events was sold, my father started Rental Solutions and Events/Mobile Kitchen Solutions, where we continued with event and kitchen rentals, but also brought back general construction rentals.

equipment and services for local homeowners and contractors. We also offer our Power & Air division that works with local and regional customers and event planners providing temporary power, power distribution and portable HVAC. Our largest division—Mobile Kitchen Solutions—provides temporary kitchen and dining facilities, kitchen trailers and individual kitchen equipment/refrigeration for renovations, special events, disaster relief and

expanded operations.

We opened the doors back in 2009, and 12 years later, we have grown from two employees to over a dozen fulltime employees with several subcontractors during the busy season.

Rental: What have been some of the challenges and successes you’ve had over the years you’ve been in business?

Rental: Can you give us some insight on your current company?

Brown: Rental Solutions and Events comprises three different divisions.

Our general equipment rental provides

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Rental: What would you say is your favorite part of the job?

Brown: As with any business, you always have your ups and downs.

When we first started Rental Solutions, the demand for equipment that supports the mobile kitchens and special events was greater than our inventory and labor force. We had to quickly partner with other companies, find subcontractors and piece together projects while trying to purchase equipment. We had to weigh the costs of subrenting versus purchasing equipment during the early stages of the business. For our local general rentals, it was the challenge of getting our name out, letting the community know what we have to offer, and showing them they could trust in our services and equipment.

As with any new company, it takes time to gain the trust of customers and contractors, but our one-on-one, personable service made Rental Solutions a popular, trusted choice for homeowners and contractors. As we continued to build our inventory and customer base, we were able to service larger projects

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Rental Solutions and Events

Brown: Rental Solutions and Events works with many local organizations, schools and sporting teams to provide equipment and donations supporting their causes all the way to working with large event planners on national events like the Kentucky Derby, where we provide equipment.

We have a large customer base, not just locally, but nationwide, which makes it fun meeting people from all over the United States and being onsite at so many events and businesses.

It’s great to be able to support our local community as well as work with highend clients. Every day seems to bring a new challenge.

and get to the next level as our branding and name was becoming widely known throughout the industry.

Recently, the new challenges have been trying to find reliable employees to help support the growth of the company. We treat our employees very well, and we have a great core group, but trying to add to our team to help service our clients and equipment has been a tough task.

In addition to this, just recently, our biggest challenge has been purchasing new equipment. We have been getting responses of equipment being six months to two years out. Then we look at buying used and repairing equipment, but we fall into the same problem with finding parts and the lead times being 10 times longer than usual.

Rental: Do you have a mentor or someone you look up to in the rental industry?

Brown: My mentor and the person that I look up to not only in the rental industry, but personally, is Tom Brown Sr. He has successfully been working in the rental industry since he was a teenager and brought me in and guided me to become successful. He has helped me establish my own relationships with clients nationwide and has introduced me to local businesses.

Over the past several years, he has worked on teaching me the backend

of the operations of the business (accounting), what he has done to make things successful and brought me into the decision-making with him.

As anyone knows, working with family can be challenging, and we have had our difficulties. In the end, we’ve been able to keep business and personal life separate, and it’s only strengthened our bond.

Rental: OK, fun question!

Outside of work, what do you like to do for fun?

Brown: Being in the rental industry, you’re working 24/7. Whether it’s equipment that needs to be repaired, an emergency rental need or an event during the weekend, you are always on call and ready to work. However, when I get some free time, I enjoy the outdoors, like fishing, hunting, riding/ racing dirt bikes/ATVs and spending time with my family. We all love to do the same things, so it makes it more fun having them along and enjoying the same things I do.

In the end, you have to make sure you give yourself time to wind down and relax. I always try to make the best of each day, don’t worry about the past and look toward the future!

Alexis Sheprak Freelance Columnist

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new

PRODUCTS

Crary Bear Cat CH1015H Chipper The CH1015H engine-powered chipper has a 10-inch capacity to allow for chipping larger trees and less pruning of smaller trees. Features include: • 5 7-horsepower Kubota gas engine equipped with a block heater for cold environments • R otor includes six reversible blades and four paddles for efficient chipping and discharge

Vermeer RTX250 Trencher The Vermeer RTX250 is a rubber tracked, steerable pedestrian trencher designed for ease of operation, jobsite maneuverability and convenient maintenance. A 25-horsepower EFI Kohler engine provides excellent dependability and startability in all temperatures and altitudes. EFI fuel efficiency is increased while reducing the amount of greenhouse gas on average by 25 percent compared to conventional carbureted engines. The RTX250 features a digging depth capacity of 48 inches, a maximum digging width of 8 inches and a slender profile that allows the unit to move through narrow yard gates.

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• D igital display controller offers push-button control, in-field troubleshooting and hydraulic system diagnostics • S elf-contained hydraulic system with flow control to allow optimization of the feed rate • M ounted on an easily towable trailer with a four-position, 18-inch telescoping hitch pole

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Ditch Witch C24X Walk-Behind Trencher BlueBird BH270 Cyclone Blower BlueBird’s BH270 Cyclone Blower is a 9-horsepower commercial wheeled blower featuring a rugged all-metal frame construction. It also includes: • S teel proprietary backward inclined airfoil centrifugal fan • Intuitive directional air flow control

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Ditch Witch’s updated C24X walk-behind trenchers comes with a 24-horsepower Honda engine that’s fuel-injected to improve performance and reduce maintenance frequency. The new engine also has eliminated the choke to ease machine startup and includes throttle by wire to simplify maintenance. The unit is able to put more head shaft horsepower to the ground, and an updated auger shaft support allows bricks and rocks to pass more easily. It is able to reach a trench depth of 36 inches and a width of 6 inches. The CX track system features a longer right track to keep more track on the ground and a shorter left track to ensure maneuverability.

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Billy Goat’s F9 Billy Goat’s F9 is ideal for medium commercial and large property applications.

• F eatures a single shot 16-blade closed face fan

Fecon 225VST Mulching Tractor The 225VST mulching tractor from Fecon features a Cummins QSB4.5 Tier 4 Final engine that delivers 200 horsepower and 576 ft.-lbs. of torque at 1,500 rpm. Key features include: • H ydraulic system delivers 80 gpm at 5,000 psi to the mulcher circuit to power the RK8620 Bull Hog mulcher • P ower management system manages engine and hydraulic outputs to deliver strong cutting power and balanced track power • E ven weight distribution over the length of tracks and an oscillating track design keep tracks engaged on all terrains for consistent ground pressure • S pacious operator’s cab provides wide-angle visibility to tracks and the mulching head

• S mooth, rounded housing that eliminates air voids for a smooth, quiet and powerful flow • T hicker padded handles • A im N Shoot directs the airflow where you need it most with fingertip controls • S tandard forward discharge with soft rubber design for cleaning along walls and curbs

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new

PRODUCTS

ASV Augers, Breakers, Trenchers and Soil Conditioners ASV Holdings has expanded its line of ASV machine branded attachments featuring augers and bits, breakers, trenchers and soil conditioners. The attachments are efficiency and performance tested with ASV equipment.

Features include: • A ttachments are available through ASV’s dealer network • I nclude a two-year warranty with all parts and support available directly through ASV • E ach attachment is matched and tested for use with ASV machines for compatibility • E ligible commercial buyers who purchase through an ASV dealer can finance the attachment with their machine

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OUTDOOR POWER EQUIPMENT PARTS, TOOLS & ACCESSORIES.

Stihl BR 800 C-E Magnum and Stihl BR 800 X Magnum Backpack Blowers The Stihl BR 800 C-E Magnum and Stihl BR 800 X Magnum backpack blowers are designed for professional landscapers tackling large properties and heavy debris.

• O ffer 20 percent more power than the Stihl BR 700 backpack blowers • B oast an excellent power-to-weight ratio, reducing fatigue while allowing users to complete heavy-duty cleanup tasks quickly • M ultifunction control handle providing easy access to all of the controls on one comfortable handle operators can easily adjust to find their proper handle position • S tihl antivibration system that helps reduce operator fatigue and provides a comfortable working experience.

• S emi-automatic choke lever, saving users time through a simplified three-step start procedure • O ne-touch stop switch allowing the user to turn off the engine with the simple press of a button

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• O ne-touch stop switch that automatically returns the blower to the start position when the engine is off • H anging slot in backplate that lets the machine be hung easily on the wall or other surfaces without jostling or falling when not in use • S towaway hook for the blower tube allows the tube to latch into place on the carrying handle, making the machine compact and easy to transport • R ubberized control handle grip providing a comfortable grip of handle and control of nozzle BR 800 C-E MAGNUM • E quipped with a unique starting handle on the side of the unit, allowing users to easily start—and restart—the engine while continuing to wear the blower on their back • O ffers a telescopic tube, making it easy to quickly adjust the length of the blower tube to accommodate various user preferences and working condition STIHL BR 800 MAGNUM • Offers comfort and convenience features designed for professional users

1.800.841.3989 • rotarycorp.com

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©2022 Rotary Corporation. Rotary is a registered trademark of Rotary Corporation.

Available through servicing dealers & distributors.

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InTempo Software InTempo Software’s newest offering, a real-time payment processing module for InTempo Enterprise, allows users to securely process credit and debit cards without leaving their rental software. With Curbstone, rental companies can keep cards on file, reduce their PCI compliance obligations and save money on their payment processing fees. Full support for rental-specific transactions, such as cash customers and cycle billing, make payment processing simple.

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Little Beaver Kwik-Trench Little Beaver’s Kwik-Trench mini trencher is offered in two models, both able to trench up to 30 feet per minute. A compact design paired with durable construction and components allows the KwikTrench to tackle a multitude of projects. Featuring carbide-tipped teeth and a powerful drive system, the mini trencher cuts through tough surfaces such as road fill, asphalt and tree roots.

The Kwik-Trench is designed to minimize backfill and cleanup time by depositing soil beside the trench.

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CONTRACTOR’S HOSE & ASSEMBLIES • • • •

Air Hose Water Hose Suction Hose Discharge Hose

• • • •

Hydraulic Hose Pressure Washer Hose Plaster/Grout Hose Sand Blast Hose

SmartEquip, Lowe’s Tool Rental Software Integration SmartEquip integrated its software with Lowe’s Tool Rental to automate stores’ equipment service and repair processes. The SmartEquip Procurement software solution enables equipment owners in the construction industry to streamline parts ordering and purchasing, increasing technician productivity, eliminating spare part order errors and improving tool and equipment fleet uptime and availability. SmartEquip’s single login access to suppliers enables Lowe’s Tool Rental to implement a solitary, consistent process for every brand of equipment, at every location. With one consistent workflow, the platform makes the process easy to train and even easier to use. As part of the integration, repair technicians can order directly with manufacturers and preferred dealers of more than 50 brands of equipment, while simultaneously updating purchase orders and work orders. The platform offers suppliers instant reductions in the cost of supporting equipment fleets on the SmartEquip Network and improved efficiency in supplying spare parts.

World Class Solutions

1311 MEACHAM RD., ITASCA, IL 60143 (847) 952-1800 (800) 852-1855 FAX (847) 952-0156 E-MAIL sales@abbottrubber.com WEBSITE www.abbottrubber.com

M E M B E R

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33

EYE ON RENTAL //

BY DICK DETMER

EDUCATING RENTAL STAFF, Part I

P

erhaps not surprisingly, many rental companies have a “learn as you go” mindset for employees. There is often no structured education to speak of at all. Even when there is a small amount of show-and-tell teaching at some companies, it tends to revolve around rental inventory familiarization.

(This topic is vital to the success of an equipment rental company and is the focus for next month’s column.)

However, there are plenty of rental companies with employees who are experienced with equipment. So, one way to stand out from your competitors can be through an effective employee educational program that concentrates on several skills in addition to product knowledge.

If your team is not properly educated in the use of your software and other technology, your company is missing sizable growth and profit opportunities, but it is also important to place a premium on the customer interaction portion of your employees’ responsibilities. Many rental companies are still not investing enough in developing the communication skills of their staff.

Certainly, all employees who have contact with customers should be trained to become skilled in the most effective rental salesmanship techniques. For example, it is important to have employees become

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skilled in @iQoncept-stock.adobe.com attempting a “trial close.” Truly effective training bridges the gap from wishing that employees would attempt to “build the order” and “close the deal” to them actually doing so.

Also, train your employees to give customers the appropriate amount of information; some employees tend to drone on, and some are far too brief.

There are also benefits in enhancing employees’ verbal and nonverbal communication. It is amazing how slight facial expressions and posture changes can improve the chances that your message of care, concern, knowledge, confidence and quality will be received by your customers.

Another big opportunity comes with establishing more efficient procedures and implementing them consistently. It is wise to get employees to “buy into” the importance of time management.

Overall, strong staff education program helps with employee retention. If employees feel confident and strong in their duties and are continuously learning new skills, they tend to stay longer. Many of the

employees you want to stay with your company for many years desire more education and have an appetite for growth opportunities. Feed their need to succeed, excel and grow. Also, some workers want to learn and progress to higher levels of job responsibilities. If higher-level duties are not delegated to those with excellent potential, it is unlikely that these employees will view their positions with your company as long term.

Provide additional educational opportunities for your supervisors as well. Be certain that they are welleducated to excel in not only the technical portions of their positions but also in the “people part.” Educate them to become better leaders.

What’s more, having supervisor training at your location reduces the chances of your top people being “poached” by other companies when they are attending workshops away from your facility.

Dick Detmer is a nationally recognized consultant, lecturer and writer with 40+ years of experience in the equipment rental industry. In 2018, he celebrated the 30th anniversary of his business, Detmer Consulting Inc., and his column in Rental. Dick can be contacted at dick@detmerconsulting.com, (309) 781-3451 or by visiting his website www.detmerconsulting.com.

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