CRA President’s Message: Catching up with growth

The construction rental revenue forecast for Canada is for $4.3 billion in 2018, up 4.7 per cent, with growth rates of 4.2 per cent in 2019, 5.3 per cent in 2020, 4.7 per cent in 2021 and three per cent in 2022.  For general tool in Canada, the forecast is for $860.1 million in rental revenue in 2018, up 4.5 per cent, with expected increases of 2.9 per cent in 2019, 3.5 per cent in 2020, 2.7 per cent in 2021 and 0.7 per cent in 2022.  Party and event rental revenue in Canada is expected to total $229.8 million in 2018, up 3.3 per cent, with growth of 4.3 per cent in 2019, 3.2 per cent in 2020, 3.5 per cent in 2021 and 1.5 per cent in 2022. All in all, we can say our industry is doing well and looks to keep improving.

Rental operations in Canada are struggling with shortages of skilled labour, ever-increasing regulatory compliance costs, tax changes, uncertainties surrounding the ongoing NAFTA re-negotiations and the unknown consequences of our ongoing tariff war with our neighbour to the south. Members have shown resilience and are set to continue to grow despite all of this uncertainty. With growth comes additional challenges. One of those challenges is a need for better-trained staff to keep up with increasing demand. Canadian Rental Association members have access to a number of programs to help.

ARA Technical Training Grants are awarded quarterly and provide up to $1,000 U.S. for technical training for your staff. Employees must have 1,000 hours of service with your company to qualify. Grants cover a wide variety of technical training that supports a career in the rental industry, including, but not limited to mechanical, carpentry, electrical, welding, commercial driving, tenting, hospitality services, the Certified Event Rental Professional (CERP) program and accounting/administration.

The ARA Professional Driver Education Program is a rental-specific online certificate program for construction and general tool employees. Designed with all aspects of the driving and delivery process in mind, this nine-course program features nearly seven hours of instruction on topics from loading and unloading to regulations and customer service.

The Certified Event Rental Professional (CERP) program is the only rental-specific certification program for those in the party and event rental industry. This in-depth, self-study program is for individuals who seek a competitive edge and professional credentials. Remember that CERP training also qualifies for the Technical Training Grant.

The Learning Center and Rental U offers a mix of stand-alone courses and educational tracks for owners, managers and employees. The mix of free and affordable training options will not only help improve overall efficiency and performance, but also boost employee’s confidence and morale.

Ready-to-go Tags are our number-one risk management tool and learning how to use these tags properly will make it easy to streamline your equipment safety program and keep your service records up to date. CRA members receive a sizable discount and those insured by the CRA Insurance program receive additional savings.

If you have any questions or would like to receive additional information on these or any other program offered to CRA members, please contact member services or speak with any of our volunteer leaders during any of your local chapter golf tournaments or upcoming members meetings.

Mike Maltby is vice-president of Ingersoll Rent-All in Ingersoll, Ont. Mike has been a fixture at CRA Ontario events since beginning his time with the association in 2006, and looks forward to connecting with CRA members nationally in the coming years.