SMS Rents in Guelph expands

The staff at the Guelph location of SMS Rents. From left: Kevin Roberts, Jeff Minten, Brian Roche, Jason Harding, Dave Peach, Matt Yake, Anthony Rowe.

June 14, 2010 – The SMS Rents equipment and tools rental store in Guelph, Ontario, has relocated to new, larger facilities with space for an expanded fleet and more efficient maintenance.

Formerly located on York Street in Guelph, the new store is now at 45 Lewis Road, near the Hanlon Parkway off Speedvale.

Store Manager, Kevin Roberts reports that the company had been looking for new premises since early last year. “We serve quite a large business area here, anywhere west from Georgetown into the Kitchener, Waterloo, Cambridge “tri-cities” region. With our access to large equipment and our growing number of customers, it was important for us to acquire a facility that can support the scope of our operation.”

The Guelph fleet already includes an extensive range of aerial and construction equipment, along with power tools, hand tools and jobsite supplies. In keeping with the SMS Rents approach, the Guelph store is encouraged to develop its fleet to meet the specific needs of local or regional businesses and contractors. This location also takes advantage of having ready access to a pool of heavy equipment, such as larger excavators and other earthmoving machines, that is shared by other SMS Rents stores in southern Ontario. “This really makes us different from a lot of the other rental houses in the area. Regional customers can turn to us for this type of equipment without having to travel a long way to get it,” says Roberts.

With his expanded facility, Kevin plans to add more high-demand units to the fleet to ensure the highest availability for customers. The added space will also accommodate more specialty equipment, such as the new trailer-mounted Hydra Platform bridge inspection system that was recently delivered to Roberts’ new store.

“This is a pretty unique piece of gear,” Roberts admits. “But with all the infrastructure projects currently underway, there’s quite a demand for this kind of platform to help bridge inspectors and maintenance crews do their work as quickly as possible.”

Since the move to Lewis Road, the SMS Rents technicians in Guelph are also getting more out of their work day. According to Roberts, the 9,000 sq. ft. (850 m²) facility offers “better” space as well as “more” space for servicing equipment.

“There’s a better flow from rental returns, to washing, to preventive maintenance to restocking, with a centralized parts area, too. Our technicians have what they need within arm’s reach, so they don’t spend so much time walking to get the material and tools.”

The staff at the store is growing along with the space, too. Roberts has added to his sales and returns team, and hopes to continue growing through the next year. The President of SMS Rents, Marcel Langlois, agrees with Roberts’ optimism. “More new customers are finding us in Guelph. The increased visibility of the store, plus easier access to main roads and highways, along with our expanded fleet give us more opportunity to reach more customers and deliver our Job Ready style of service.”

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