RENTAL RUMBLES – June 2009

Golf and Tall Ships
The Canadian Rental Association (CRA) Ontario has already finalized the details for its upcoming golf tournament on September 15 and with good reason. This event will mark the tournament’s 40th anniversary.

Paul Everitt, one of the volunteer organizers of the tournament, says they will have a tough time matching the success of last year’s event but they might have a few surprises for golfers this fall.

The tournament will be hosted once again at Trehaven golf and Country Club between Orillia and Barrie. Registration is $135 which includes 18 holes, breakfast, lunch and a steak dinner. Prizes are available for ‘closest to the pin’ and for ‘longest drives.’ Hole in one holes are worth $10,000 each. Participants will also have a chance to win a trip for two to Orlando, Fla.

The golf tournament will coincide with the CRA’s national meeting which will take place two days prior. The CRA will spend a night on the waters of Lake Ontario during a social event planned for September 13. But this is not your ordinary boat ride. Members will board the Tall Ship Kajama, the same ship that has become a Toronto harbour landmark and was featured on the CBS program, The Amazing Race.

Launched as the Wilfried in Rendsburg, Germany in 1930, the Kajama traded under sail for nearly 70 years. She was a familiar ship in ports from Northwest Spain, through Western Europe, and as far north as Norway and Russia. In 1999, Kajama was delivered transatlantic by Great Lakes Schooner Company and restored to her original profile.

The cost for this event is $60 per person and includes related cruise expenses and dinner.

James Morden, CRA Ontario president, recommends association members make reservations early.

“The Great Lakes Schooner Company and CRA Ontario are proud to offer this 164-foot three-masted gaff-rigged schooner, for this one-of-a-kind private sunset evening dinner cruise,” he says, adding that there will be a prepared meal in Kajama’s spacious single dining room; a 1006 square foot, open and airy venue that enjoys natural lighting and ventilation through massive skylights. “This is unique for us and it will certainly be one of the special occasions of the year,” says Morden.

IPAF managing director Tim Whiteman, left, congratulates United Rentals CEO Michael Kneeland on becoming an IPAF member, presenting him with a copy of the IPAF U.S. Powered Access Rental Report.

Seize market opportunities in difficult times
Access rental companies should face the current economic crisis with “open minds and open eyes” and dare to take strategic decisions, be it changing their sales structure or leveraging on size, said United Rentals CEO Michael Kneeland at the International Powered access Federation (IPAF) Summit in April.

The CEO of the world’s largest construction equipment rental company was addressing more than 200 delegates who had come to learn more about “Dynamic powered access solutions in difficult times.”

“Price is something we shouldn’t play with,” said Kneeland, highlighting recent research by United Rentals that showed customers putting price as their fifth priority. “Your best customer will pay a higher price, because you are giving them something they value. Go out and create value. Be good stewards of the industry.”

Jean Lizotte
Jim Leech
Carson Fyffe
Darren Frew

Industry appointments
BOMAG Canada has appointed Jean Lizotte as territory manager for both light and heavy equipment, responsible for all rental and distributor activities for Quebec, New Brunswick, P.E.I., and Nova Scotia.

Jim Leech, who has been with the company for the past couple of years, is now responsible for all rental and distributor activities for Northern Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and the Northwest Territories.

Carson Fyffe, who was previously Ontario manager for light rental equipment, has been promoted to territory manager responsible for rental and distributor activities for Ontario and Newfoundland. He will also take over all sales activities with the company’s eastern distributors Nortrax and McDowell Equipment.

Darren Frew has also been appointed as territory manager for light and heavy equipment responsible for all rental and distributor activities for southern Alberta, British Columbia and the Yukon.

Benoit Leroux

Uniquip Canada has appointed Benoit Leroux to the new position of national field sales manager. Reporting to the general manager, he will supervise all sales activities, territory managers and sales agents in his new capacity.

Benoit started with Uniquip in 1992 as a member of the inside sales team. Since then, he has assisted and overseen much of Uniquip’s business operations, leading to his promotion in 1999 to become regional sales manager for Eastern Canada.

Using his depth of technical knowledge and business intelligence, Benoit has developed many strong relationships with clients, at both independent and national account levels. His leadership has led to the growth of the company in Eastern Canada and many of Uniquip’s strategic product lines.