DLR survey finds ‘solid demand’ for rental

The quarterly DLR barometer survey found its rental members reporting solid demand at the start of 2025 and a stable market position, with revenues growing by 1.2% compared to the same period in 2024.

The rental sector also grew by 7.8% in the first quarter of the year compared to the final quarter of 2024.

In contrast the survey found declines in both construction equipment sales – down 0.3% year-on-year – and in material handling (mainly industrial forklifts), where sales fell by 10.6%, impacted by a 25% fall in new equipment sales.

DLR said the material handling sector was seeing a slowdown that was deepening into a crisis; “turnover fell by 10.6% year-over-year and 10.8% compared to Q4 2024, under pressure from a double blow—sharp drops in both new and used sales—mainly due to Asian competition.”

The organisation, which has more than 1000 members in France representing around 70% of the market, said the outlook for the rest of the year depended on continued interest rate reductions and easing of bank lending criteria, and on confirmation of a rebound in construction activity.

“Even a modest recovery in new construction, combined with renovation programs and decarbonisation projects, could serve as a critical growth driver”, said DLR.

The organisation added; “several obstacles persist—fragility in the construction sector, global competition, and a crowded holiday calendar.

“These conditions require companies to boost their agility: optimising inventory management, diversifying supply sources, and accelerating digital transformation to protect margins and market share in a persistently volatile environment.”