14
| HIRE
AND
RENTAL
NEWS
| MAY 2013
INDUSTRY NEWS
The 11th annual meeting of the Global
Rental Alliance (GRA) held in February
at The Rental Show 2013 in Las Vegas
included a review of the GRA’s global
survey initiative which defined a combined
rental revenue figure among the GRA
associations of $66 billion, (year-end 2011).
All GRA member associations were
present, including: European Rental
Association (ERA), Belgium; Hire
Association Europe (HAE), U.K.; Hire &
Rental Industry Association Ltd. (HRIA),
Australia; Hire Industry Association of New
Zealand (HIANZ); Associaçào De Locadoras,
Brazil (ALEC); Canadian Rental Association
(
CRA); and American Rental Association
(
ARA).
Discussion focused on advancing the
success of members of the individual
associations and perpetuating the rental
concept throughout the world.
Technological trends and status of
implementation in the associations, safety
and regulatory matters, and the GRA
International Rental Business Leadership
Program were also discussed. The
meeting included a presentation on ARA’s
new initiative, ‘ARA Equipment Rental
Penetration Index’, which provides a new
method of measuring and forecasting
equipment rental penetration. The concept
GRA countries represent $66 billion in revenue
Pictured (L-R): Phil Tindle, General Manager, and Tim Mikkelsen, President, HIANZ; Jeff Campbell,
President, and Marc Mandin, Vice President, CRA; Terry Douris, Past President and Chairman, HAE;
Mike Flesher, Chairman of the Board, ARA; Graham Arundell, Managing Director, HAE; James Oxenham,
Operations Manager, HRIA; Chris Wehrman, Chief Executive Officer, ARA; Peter Lancken, Chairman,
Kennard’s Hire, representing HRIA; Michel Petitjean, Secretary General, ERA; Mark Scarce, President, HRIA;
Marco Aurélio da Cunha, Presidente, and Fernando Forjaz, Director, ALEC.
As I write this column, it begins raining.
This would not normally register in my
mind, but it is much needed after months
of hot dry weather, and declared droughts
for most of New Zealand.
It is fair to say the weather can be a
major driver of our economy. While we
are all enjoying one of the best summers
in decades and the positive effect this is
having on our businesses we need to be
mindful of the downstream ramifications
this summer has had on our agricultural
sector and those businesses and industry
who rely so heavily on its performance.
After all agriculture is still the back bone
of the New Zealand economy.
By all accounts the NZ economy seems
to be doing OK in the first few months
of 2013. There has been a 10% lift
in residential building consents with
Auckland and Canterbury leading the
way. In talking to fellow hire industry
colleagues and other business owners,
confidence is rising and activity levels have
picked up compared to the end of 2012
which is fantastic.
In February, I travelled to Las Vegas to
attend the ARA Rental Show and Global
Rental Alliance (GRA) meeting. I was
accompanied by our General Manager,
Phil Tindle. The investment to attend the
ARA convention and the GRA meeting
is definitely worth it. The camaraderie,
common goal objectives and networking
is fantastic. This is an alliance we need to
fully participate in and we need to commit
time and energy in order to maintain
progress and communication. New Zealand
has the opportunity to participate in the
International Rental Leadership Program. If
any member would like more information
please contact myself or Phil Tindle.
I look forward to May, when I attend
the HRIA Convention in Sydney. Again,
this event is a great opportunity for HIANZ
to get involved, network and cement the
trans-Tasman relationship we are very
fortunate to have in place with Phil Newby
and his great team. This is also a time
when we catch up with some of our own
HIANZ members. I look forward to seeing
you in Sydney too.
of the new index is to measure the amount
of equipment rented as a percentage of
total construction equipment.
Considerable discussion was held on
current member programs within the
associations, with a focus on marketing the
rental concept. Information and materials
were shared that can be adapted within
the respective associations to supplement
current programs. Conference dates and
programs of the respective associations
were reviewed.
The purpose of the GRA is to increase the
profile of equipment rental worldwide and
build global understanding of the industry.
Visit:
www.ararental.org
HR
HIANZ Report - Networking the backbone of our industry
The year is flying by, and very soon
we will be open for nominations and
applications for the Hire Excellence
Awards. This is a great opportunity to take
a good look at your businesses processes,
compliance and structure – reviewing
your business practices. The judges will
independently review and score your
business. Planning is underway so give
some serious consideration to nominating
your business, or talk to those you feel
should give it a go. The winners and Hire
Company of the Year will be announced at
the 2013 Conference Gala Dinner.
Lastly, we have our very committed
working groups back in action. The group’s
focus is currently Marquee and EWP Best
Practices with an aim to complete these
by late June. Special thanks to those who
so willingly volunteer their time to be
involved. It makes a difference for industry
and we all benefit from this hard work. If
you are interested in getting involved with
any working group please let us know.
Tim Mikkelsen – President
Hire Industry Association of New Zealand