Rental Rumbles: May 2010

Shaughnessy elected IPAF president
Steve Shaughnessy, president of Canada-based manufacturer Skyjack Inc, was elected president of the International Powered Access Federation (IPAF) at its Annual General Meeting.

Steve Shaughnessy, president of Skyjack (left) takes over as IPAF president from John Ball, managing director of Height for Hire Ireland (right) while Tim Whiteman, IPAF managing director (centre) looks on.

Steve Shaughnessy succeeds John Ball of Height for Hire Ireland and brings with him more than 25 years’ experience in the access business. He will serve a two-year term and advance the objectives of the Federation to promote the safe and effective use of powered access around the world.

Shaughnessy literally grew up in the access industry, working in the family business Shaughnessy Crane Service and later running its access rental division after returning from his studies in Ireland and Nottingham and a period of employment with British Telecom. He was later regional vice president and chief operating officer of Chicago-based NES and in October 2004, he joined UK-based A-Plant as director of its access business. He was managing director of rental company Loxam in the UK, before taking his first step into the manufacturing side of the business by joining Skyjack and crossing the Atlantic yet again.

Shaughnessy told the IPAF AGM following his election that he “will carry on with the project of ensuring that North American access rental and training companies are familiar with the benefits of IPAF’s powered access training programs. It is essential that operators in the largest access market in the world receive the opportunity to be trained to work at height safely and efficiently. IPAF will support the creation and expansion of national members’ councils to give a better voice to those members regarding the provision of services by the Federation and IPAF will also develop a process for enabling operators of access equipment in countries not currently supported by the Federation to benefit from its training programs.”

“Steve’s unique experience from both sides of the Atlantic make him ideal as IPAF president,” said IPAF managing director Tim Whiteman. “His background in access rentals and manufacturing, spanning across the US and the UK, will be very useful as IPAF grows its activities around the globe.”

Kioti announces 2009 Million Dollar Dealers
Kioti Tractor held its annual dealer meeting recently, during which dealers who sold over a million dollars worth of Kioti tractors in 2009 were recognized. Four Canadian business made the list: A&R Payeur of Ascot Corner, Que., Equipements G. Gagnon, Inc. of St. Thomas Joilette, Que., Riverside Chainsaw of Maugerville, NB, and West Kent Auto of Memramcook, NB.

A reception dinner was held the last evening of the dealer meeting. At this reception Tony Brown, Kioti’s National Sales Manager, introduced the 2009 Million Dollar Dealers.   Brown and J.L. Hans Bouwers, Kioti’s Canadian National Sales Manager, handed out the award plaques as the Kioti staff congratulated them on their accomplishments.  “We are extremely pleased,” states Bouwers, “that during these difficult economic times we’ve had a significant number of dealers who worked very hard to achieve this level of business.”

 For more information, please visit www.kioti.com .

Primatech earns national recognition
The Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters (CME), along with the National Research Council of Canada and Industry Canada has recently awarded Primatech a  Certificate of Excellence for their innovations in new technology.  

This award is in recognition of the continuing efforts of the firm, as it keeps blazing new trails for the hardwood flooring industry on its 26th anniversary.

It also highlights the importance of technology in the flooring industry and the heavy emphasis on R&D, Field Testing and Total Quality Management which the company says remains Primatech’s mark of excellence.

Primatech says that innovation is an ongoing process, and it is the key to the firm’s expansion on the international market.

Rentquip appoints bilingual service rep
Rentquip Canada has appointed Paulette Lacroix as bilingual customer service representative. Rentquip can now offer customers service in both official languages.

Paulette Lacroix.

Please welcome Paulette Lacroix to the Rentquip team. She can be reached in the Woodstock office 8 a.m. to 5 p.m EST at 877-664-1515 or paulette@rentquip.com.

“Her role will to be help grow the Quebec market in conjunction with Francois Leblanc and Gilles Legare,” says Jim Freeman of Rentquip. “This addition, combined with our French catalogue and French invoices, brings us one step closer to our goal of delivering the best in service and products to the Canadian rental industry.”

Rentquip Canada a nomme Paulette Lacroix en tant que technicien bilingue. Rentquip peut maintenant offrir a service a la clientele dans les deux langue officielle. Paulette Lacroix bienvenue a l’equipe de Rentquip elle peut etre atteinte dans le bureau de Woodstock 8 a 5 l’est a 877-664-1515 ou a paulette@rentquip.com.

“Son role sera aide elevent le marche du Quebec en meme temp que Francois Leblanc et Gilles Legare,” dit Jim Freeman de Rentquip. “Cette addition a combine avec notre catalogue francais et les facture de francais nous apporte une etape plus pres de notre but de livrer le meilleur en service et des produits a l’industrie de location canadianne.”

New appointment at Uniquip
Yves Pronovost, general manager for Uniquip Canada, is pleased to announce the appointment of Keith Berry as sales representative for the Ontario Region.

Keith Berry is Uniquip’s new sales rep for the Ontario region.

Berry is originally from Lachute, Que., and has a degree from the University of Guelph. He has spent many years in the power equipment trade as well as the rental industry. He has worked with Husqvarna for many years as a territory manager and has known many successes there. He has also spent several years with Steen Hansen Racing and Power Products and Josa Corporation.

Keith Berry can be reached at 613- 290-6664 or via e-mail to kberry@uniquip.ca.

Thompson Pump celebrates 40th anniversary
Thompson Pump & Manufacturing is celebrating its 40th anniversary. According to Thompson Pump, the company is poised for another 40 years of innovation, delivering new pump-related solutions to give customers a competitive edge.

The family of Thompson pumps.

“I am proud to celebrate this landmark achievement as it is a record of accomplishment that represents our resilience in an ever-changing industry,” said Bill Thompson, Thompson Pump president.

 George A. Thompson founded Thompson Wellpoint & Rubber Company in 1970 with three employees including himself, and his sons, Bill and George Jr.

Today, Thompson Pump, led by Bill Thompson, president, serves the pumping, dewatering and bypass needs of more than 3,000 national and international customers including underground utilities, road building, heavy construction and remediation; as well as mining, industrial, and agricultural operations; municipalities, the military and other government agencies.

A full-service manufacturer and provider of pumps, ranging in size from 2”-18”, Thompson Pump provides pump rental, sale, design, installation and operation. Their entire line of pumps includes wet and dry-prime trash pumps, utility trash pumps, sound attenuated models, diaphragm pumps, hydraulic submersible pumps, high-pressure pumps and wellpoint pumps as well as bypass systems, wellpoint systems and a complete line of accessories. 

It is common to see Thompson’s pumps on some of the largest and most challenging projects in the world. For more information, call 1-800-767-7310 or visit www.thompsonpump.com .

Uniquip awarded Supplier of the Year by CRA
Uniquip has been selected by the Canadian Rental Association (CRA) as the 2009 Supplier of the Year.

Andrew Paquette (left) presented the award to Benoit Leroux of Uniquip.

The award was presented on March 24th to Benoit Leroux, Sales Manager for Uniquip Canada, by CRA president Andrew Paquette at a breakfast event hosted by Association de Location du Québec (ALQ), the Quebec chapter of the Canadian Rental Association (CRA).

 The honour is awarded to a supplier who offers excellence in service, work ethic and knowledge and contributes positively to the local association. Candidates are submitted by rental operators, and these candidates are voted on by the rental operators themselves.

For more information on Uniquip, please visit www.uniquip.ca.
   

CFO resigns from RSC
RSC Holdings has announced that its chief financial officer, David Mathieson, has resigned from his position. Mathieson will be leaving the company to pursue other opportunities. The company’s current vice president and controller, Patricia Chiodo, has been chosen to serve as the interim chief financial officer. The transition was made effective immediately, although Mathieson will remain available to assist in the transition. As a result of the resignation, the company has launched a nationwide search for Matheison’s successor.

 RSC Holdings is an equipment rental provider in North America. The Company operates through a network of 457 rental locations across 10 regions in 40 United States and three Canadian provinces and service customers in the industrial or non-construction, and non-residential construction markets. As of December 31, 2009, its rental fleet covered approximately 900 categories of equipment.

Terex launches dedicated used equipment website
Terex has announced the launch of a new website dedicated to the sale of used equipment. This online resource allows customers to access spec information, photos and MSRP on used construction, roadbuilding and aerial work platform equipment for sale through Terex.

 Once a customer selects a piece of equipment to purchase from www.terex.com/used, representatives from Terex Construction Americas and Terex Financial Services enlist the customer’s nearest authorized Terex distributor to complete the sale. “Our goal is to connect our customers with Terex distributors for financing, service, parts and future equipment needs,” says John Poag, operations sales manager, Terex Construction Americas.

For more information about Terex, visit www.terex.com.
To see a complete inventory of used equipment available through Terex, go to www.terex.com/used.

RSC launches corporate social responsibility report
RSC Equipment Rental has announced the launch of its 2009 corporate social responsibility report. The report summarizes RSC’s social and environmental practices as guided by its core values of safety, integrity, passion for people, sustainable innovation, and customer and community centric relationships.

The report further outlines how RSC’s focus on these topics directly supports its financial goals and helps ensure the long-term success of the company. The introduction of the CSR report is a first for RSC and the equipment rental industry.

“Publishing our first CSR report underscores our commitment to conducting business the right way every day. Transparency and accountability in the marketplace enable us to have a positive impact on our communities and the environment,” said Erik Olsson, President and CEO of RSC Equipment Rental.

The report outlines key initiatives as well as progress made and efforts to reinforce RSC’s culture, such as:

• High safety standards promote the well-being of RSC employees, customers, and the general public, which supports consistent achievement of outstanding financial and operational results.
• Collaboration with vendors to provide sustainable solutions, including an equipment refurbishment program, a move to use environmentally sound parts washers and the introduction of solid tires.
• Focus on processes like continuous improvement, OSHA’s VPP, ISO 14001, and 5S.
• The groundbreaking Equipment Emission Tracking (E2TT) solution, which calculates greenhouse gas and criteria pollutant emissions from RSC equipment.
• RSC’s work to strengthen its relationship with employees, vendors, customers, and communities in which it operates through its 457 locations across North America.

In developing the content of the report, the company applied the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) reporting principles of materiality, context, stakeholder inclusiveness, and completeness.

To read the report and for more information on the programs that RSC Equipment Rental has developed as part of its CSR effort, please visit www.RSCrental.com/csr .

New president at Gehl
Gehl Company has announced that Daniel L. Miller will succeed Malcolm “Mac” F. Moore as president of the company as of April 1, 2010.

Dan Miller is the new president of Gehl.

Miller joined Gehl as director of manufacturing operations in October 2001 and was appointed VP of manufacturing operations in December 2005. Prior to joining Gehl, Miller held a variety of senior management positions in manufacturing and distribution at Woods Equipment Company, a manufacturer of agricultural, turf and construction equipment.  Miller also served as the president of the Agricultural Products Group for TIC United Corp. in Dallas, Texas.

 Commenting on the management transition, Moore said, “We are very pleased to have Dan stepping into the lead management role for Gehl Company. Dan has an excellent background in operations management and a thorough understanding of our products, markets, and the many opportunities that lie ahead in the compact equipment sector. Dan and I have worked very closely over the past 8-1/2 years and I know that I will be leaving Gehl in good hands.”