Rental Industry Trends Upward
Words: Dan Kamys ??
Attendance at The Rental Show 2011 displayed a marked increase over 2010, reflecting a renewed optimistic attitude throughout the rental industry. The Rental Show was Feb. 27-March 2 in Las Vegas. The number of rental business personnel in attendance increased nearly 40 percent over The Rental Show 2010, while the number of rental businesses represented increased just under 30 percent. Attendees came from the United States, Canada and 39 other countries.
Attendees were actively buying on the trade show floor, with many exhibitors reporting optimistic sales that began as soon as the floor opened. Optimism was reflected in the Construction/Industrial department as well.
“After a couple years of heads down, walk-right-past-our-booth traffic, it was great to see some long-time friends stop by to talk about machine purchases,” says Dave Garton, marketing manager of John Deere Construction & Forestry, Moline, Ill. “It was even better to meet some new contacts and learn about their business. The best word to sum the show up actually comes from one of our customers who said people seem to have more ‘confidence’ than they have in the past.”
Results from The Rental Show reinforce the latest findings from IHS Global Insight, which reflect an optimistic future for the rental industry. Overall, total U.S. equipment rental revenue is projected to increase more than 7 percent during 2011, with a forecast for even stronger growth predicted through 2015.