17 February deadline for 2012 European Rental Awards

Companies are invited to enter the fifth European Rental Awards, to be held on 15 May next year during the European Rental Association's annual convention in Oslo, Norway.

The deadline for entries is Friday 17 February, 2012, and will be judged in five categories, as follows:

• Large Rental Company of the Year (turnover over €15 million)

• Small/Mid-sized Rental Company of the Year (turnover under €15 million)

• Rental Product of the Year (product launched during 2011)

• Rental Person of the Year

• In addition, the judging panel may present a Lifetime Achievement Award.

The awards are again being jointly organized by International Rental News (IRN) magazine and the European Rental Association and the event's Gold Sponsor is Ritchie Bros Auctioneers.

Before the end of November companies and individuals will be able to download entry forms and obtain award guidelines at www.khl.com/rentalawards.

Companies are invited to submit their own entry forms - there is no requirement to be nominated by another company or individual - and the awards are open to any company operating in Europe, both ERA-members and non-members.

Please note that the awards are designed to recognize outstanding performance, or a product launched, during 2011.

The awards will take place at the Radisson Blu Plaza Hotel in the centre of Oslo. Dinner bookings are being taken by the ERA. (See contact details at: www.erarental.org)

Past winners of the awards are:

2011 Awards (for activities in 2010)

Large Rental Company of the year (turnover > €15 million)
HSS Hire (UK)

Small Rental Company of the year (turnover <€15 million)
Industrial Access (Romania)

Rental Person of the Year
Pierre Boels jr, Boels Verhuur

Lifetime Achievement Award
Gunnar Glifberg, formerly Cramo

Rental Product of the Year
Teletower Access Solutions (Teletower)

Manufacturer of the Year
Volvo CE

Rental IT Award
A-Plant (Auto Tool Hire Unit)

Rental Safety Award
GAP Group

Rental Marketing Award
Ramirent

2010 Awards (for activities in 2009)

Rental Company of the Year (10 depots or more)
Ramirent

Rental Company of the Year (under 10 depots)
Bredenoord
(JVS Crane Rental - Highly Commended)

Rental Product of the Year
TowerLight/DF Ecology - DustFighter

Rental Person of the Year
Chris Davies, Chief Executive, HSS

Lifetime Achievement Award
Franco de Michelis, Assodimi

2009 Awards (for activities in 2008)

Rental Company of the Year (more than 10 depots)
Aggreko

Rental Company of the Year (10 depots or less)
Lipac Liftar

Rental Product of the Year
Haulotte Group - H28TJ+

ERA/IRN Rental Person of the Year
Mendes Migotto (Gruppo Venpa3)

Lifetime Achievement Award
George Burnett (founder and former CEO of Ashtead Group)

2008 (for activities in 2007)

Rental Company of the Year (10 depots or more)
Cramo

Rental Company of the Year (less than 10 depots)
KDM Hire

Rental Product of the Year
Komatsu - PC26MR-3 mini excavator

ERA/IRN Rental Person of the Year
Steve Corcoran

Best Promotional Campaign
MVS Zeppelin

The Rental Safety Award (promotion of safe work practices)
GAP Plant

After Sales Service Award
GenSet plc

The Rental Environment Award
Hewden