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JULY 2017
Delivering equipment across the Island from Victoria to the West Coast and even to Haida Gwaii CREDIT:ISLAND EQUIPMENT RENTALS
Gerry Pool (centre) getting the Island Equipment Rentals sign installed at the new location in Duncan CREDIT:ISLAND EQUIPMENT RENTALS
because of the variation in services and products it provides. “We have a wide variety of equipment to maintain. From weed eaters to 18,000 pound excavators. Our shop foreman, Tom Spratt, is a farm boy who I think was born with a wrench in his hand. He isn’t just one type of mechanic; he can fix and maintain the whole spectrum of products we carry, including electric equipment,” said Pool. Paul added that Spratt and several other employees were with Highway Four before Cat took over and that he and Pool inherited good people. The growth potential for the
business is strong. Island Equipment has seen it across the Island, from companies not wanting to buy their own equipment, finding it more financially feasible to rent. “As the Island and Province’s infrastructure grows, so does our business,” said Paul. “We’ve serviced projects from Victoria to Port Hardy, to the West Coast and even over to Haida Gwaii. We don’t like to say ‘no’ to customers. If you need something and we don’t have it, we’ll find it. There has always been a sense of urgency in everything we do.” It’s an attitude that means no headaches for customers. But it also encourages growth.
“We opened the Duncan store because of an increased demand for ou r product on the Gu l f Islands and Greater Victoria region. The shop is a 2,000-sq. ft. facility and offers the same products and service as our main store in Parksville.” Keeping track of the trends and needs of its clients helps Island Equipment know when to buy what equipment. “The system tracks what people like,” explained Paul. “When we first took over we had three scissor lifts, now we have 60, because that’s what our clients needed. It was the same with the excavators. We started with four
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Gerry Pool and Larry Paul bring the perfect blend of skills and personality to ownership of Island Equipment Rentals CREDIT:ISLAND EQUIPMENT RENTALS
and now have 18. Keeping track is important because it lets us anticipate client needs.” For Kathy, the ability to track equipment, trends and customer needs has been one of the best changes in the industry. “We can now anticipate what customers will need and be ready for them. That is important for our clients on a short timeline.”
With a good working relationship between the partners and a staff that understands the needs of the rental industry, Island Equipment’s new brand and logo is well positioned to be seen across the Island. I sl a nd E qu ipment R enta l s is now at 5130 Polkey Road in Duncan and at #1-1009 Allsbrook Road in Parksville. www.islandequipmentrentals.com
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