Byrne Insider Interview - Ranjit Kumar

BYRNE INTERVIEW RANJIT KUMAR BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER HOIST & MAST CLIMBER DIVISION

1. CAN YOU TELL US A BIT ABOUT

I am a qualified Mechanical Engineer MBA and have been working in

YOURSELF AND YOUR ROLE IN

the rental industry for the past 11 years, with experience in the rental

THE BUSINESS?

of a vast range of equipment such as temporary air, power, water and access plant. My new role at Byrne Equipment Rental is Business Development Manager of the Hoists & Mast Climber division. I will be working across the suite of Byrne depots and branches in the GCC, inclusive of UAE, KSA, Oman, Bahrain and Kuwait to enable them technically and operationally in the rental of Hoists and Mast Climber’s to existing and prospective clients. I am excited about this new challenge and feel confident that with the skilled teams we have in place, we will have a busy and successful year ahead and beyond

2. HOW IS THE CURRENT RENTAL

The current rental market for the Hoists and Mast Climbers in the UAE

MARKET FOR HOIST AND MAST

is very encouraging. Historically, we have always been able to

CLIMBERS IN THE UAE?

generate substantial business predominantly from the Construction sector however we are now seeing significant traction for rentals from other industries such as the Facility Management and Industrial companies. Their requirements are ad hoc so they are reliant on fast, reliable solutions which we can offer with the rental business model.

We have also seen a significant growth in the demand from the Oil & Gas sector, an industry which presents unique challenges that require unique solutions, most notable within the shutdown and maintenance period of projects. Byrne are well positioned to meet their requirements and this is a growing sector for us within the Hoist & Access space. Henceforth, the potential for growth of Hoist and Mast Climbers for us in the region is very promising and shows no signs of slowing down any time soon.

3. WHICH INDUSTRIES DO YOU SEE THE MOST POTENTIAL FOR GROWTH IN THE NEXT FIVE YEARS? As mentioned, I foresee the most growth in the Construction, Industrial, Facility Management and O&G industries. When it comes to Hoist and mast climbers, they are a productive and safe alternative to the traditional slow speed hoists and cradles and this is being recognized and appreciated across all industries. I predict this will result in increased demand for access equipment across various industries in the GCC.

4. WHAT ARE YOUR

The equipment rental market in the GCC was valued at USD 4.07 billion in 2021,

PREDICTIONS FOR THE

and it is expected to grow, reaching USD 5.81 billion by 2027. The booming

RENTAL MARKET OVER THE NEXT FIVE YEARS?

construction industry in the region is definitely helping to drive this growth, with the rise in many construction projects relating to roads, hotels, stadiums, and other infrastructure. I expect the demand for access equipment such as hoists and mast climbers will be in line with the market potential and grow substantially over the next five years. What bodes well for us is that the renting or leasing of

construction equipment is on the rise, as companies look to lower their equipment purchase and maintenance expenses and they are seeing the value of renting vs purchasing. The increase in fuel expenses is driving construction costs up, resulting in rental being a preferred option for contractors. A benefit of renting vs buying, especially when it comes to access equipment, is that rental companies not only provide machinery, we can provide professional machine operators and drivers, as well 24/7 support ensuring safe, hassle-free operations.

5. WHAT ARE THE CHALLENGES OF OPERATIONS IN THE UAE IN GENERAL AND THE RENTAL MARKET. ALSO WHAT STEPS DO YOU INTEND TO TAKE TO OVERCOME THEM?

The challenges of operating in a rental space in this region does vary in some respects but the most important aspect is the safety and reliability. Byrne sets the benchmark for safety and efficiency with our Hoist and Mast Climbers in the region; quality, health and safety is paramount at Byrne. The challenges lie in an area where safety is unknowingly compromised in the pursuit of saving money through supposed cheaper options being used if appropriate HSE oversight and governance is absent. Therefore, it is imperative for us to ensure our existing and prospective clients are clear on the benefits of using quality equipment and new technology that will enable them to achieve optimum results. Our equipment is new and maintained to the highest of standards and is matched by our safety standards and commitment to quality and safety.