Global exchange program will advance rentals

From left,Mandy Maeren, executive director, Canadian Rental Association (CRA); Jay Williams, president, CRA; Michel Petitjean, secretary general, European Rental Association; Peter Lancken, board representative, Hire and Rental Industry Association – Australia; Andrew Paquette, senior vice president, CRA; John Crabbe, chairman of the board, ARA; Chris Wehrman, CEO, ARA; Terry Douris, president, Hire Association Europe (HAE); Graham Arundell, managing director, HAE.

The Global Rental Alliance has launched an international exchange program designed to advance careers in rental and increase worldwide awareness of the equipment rental industry.

A report on the Global Rental Alliance International Rental Exchange pilot was provided to members during its annual meeting at The Rental Show in Atlanta, Georgia. The program had initially been proposed at the 2008 annual meeting.
The purpose of The Global Rental Alliance is to increase the profile of the equipment rental industry worldwide and to collectively increase value to the members of the respective organizations.

The Alliance consists of the Canadian Rental Association (CRA), DLR (France), European Rental Association, Hire Association Europe, Hire & Rental Industry Association (Australia), Hire Industry Association of New Zealand and American Rental Association.

The participating organizations are committed to sharing information on initiatives throughout the year, and attending one another’s major events and functions.

Since the Alliance was founded in 2003, the working relationships of these associations continue to strengthen with increased focus on common initiatives that directly impact their members, including: equipment theft prevention and recovery, legislative/regulatory, risk management/safety, industry research, workforce development/rental careers, education and insurance.  Country-specific issues are also topics for universal discussion. 

The Global Rental Alliance associations continue to build close working relationships, which provides a forum for exchange to increase the appreciation of one another’s issues and to learn how the respective associations address these matters.  It has defined its February 2010 agenda to include more in-depth discussion of mutual issues and approaches when members meet in Orlando, Florida, next year. 

 “The Global Rental Alliance continues to develop programs and initiatives that benefit each member organization. This is worthwhile dialogue for the Alliance and ARA is proud to be playing a part in making these working relationships and ventures successful,” says Christine Wehrman, executive vice president and CEO of ARA. “I look forward to seeing what comes next from this dynamic group of individuals.”

www.GlobalRentalAlliance.com