Feature: European Rental Awards 2015

Sustainable Product of the Year

Firefly
United Kingdom

Product Cygnus hybrid power generator

Why should it win? “Providing savings of over a million litres of diesel fuel in the past year, which equates to nearly 2,700 tonnes of CO2, the HPG range has played an important part in reducing carbon emissions on construction sites. Hybrid generation means significant reductions in fuel consumption, emissions and noise levels in applications where a diesel generator is the alternative. One model, Cygnus three, has set the standard in hybrid power for temporary applications. Plant hire companies using it regularly save up to 2,000 litres of diesel a month.“*
(*All quotes are edited from the relevant company’s ERA Awards entry form.)

Holland Lift
Netherlands

Product Parallel hybrid scissor lift

Why should it win? “Holland Lift designed the first parallel hybrid. Unlike series hybrids, both power sources bring their power direct to the hydraulic power unit without wasting energy. Customers need the maximum energy for only 10% of the whole working time, and far less power the rest of the time. A parallel hybrid can save energy and wear on the battery and also reduce the production of diesel fumes. We combine both power sources to reduce energy and fuel while maintaining the maximum power needed when both systems work together.”

MHM Plant
United Kingdom

Product PowerBank hybrid combi 20/25

Why should it win? “The MHM management team has over 40 years experience in the rental industry. Our equipment, innovation and build quality comes from constant improvements and listening to what the customer wants. We have produced a range of hybrid generators from 5 to 150 kVA. The PowerBank is a 20 kVA battery bank combined with a 25 kVA generator (single phase). It combines the latest diesel generator technology with an integrated battery bank, which provides the most fuel efficient solution in mobile generating plant.”

Morris Site Machinery
United Kingdom

Product SMC- Solar-2 tower light

Why should it win? “The SMC Solar-2, Britain’s first solar tower light, delivers reliable, environmentally friendly, cost-effective equipment and is already gaining traction across many European markets. It is solar and battery operated and has no engine, so it provides 100% fuel saving, emits zero CO₂ and zero noise and requires minimal service. Its LED lamps offer 50,000 hours of life. The machine itself has a ten year life and is completely recyclable. Its environmental impact was also a factor throughout the production process, which is completely clean.”

Wacker Neuson
Germany

Product Battery powered rammers

Why should it win? “With its AS 30 and AS 50 battery powered rammers, Wacker Neuson is the first manufacturer to offer an intelligent alternative to conventional gas or diesel models. A battery and an electric engine drive the rammers, so no exhaust emissions occur during use – this protects the operator’s health and the environment. The rammers can fully display their strengths in trench applications or in indoor use. Easy handling and low operating and energy costs are extra advantages.”

Large Company of the Year (revenue €15 million or more)

A-Plant
United Kingdom

Why should it win? “The year of 2014 has, without question, been one of A-Plant’s most successful years in the company’s 60-plus year history in terms of growth, unprecedented financial results, fleet investment, customer satisfaction and commitment to training for both A-Plant colleagues and our customer base. A-Plant’s newly acquired businesses have seamlessly integrated into the network and have allowed us to grow and develop additional markets. Our commitment to attracting quality people is such that we have well over 100 apprentices at various stages of the National Vocational Qualification process.“

GAP Group
United Kingdom

Why should it win? “In 2014, our most successful year to date, we launched four new divisions, a rebrand and rolled out Vision, Mission and Values training. We also launched the GAP Code – the values defining our approach to business. We employed our first learning and development manager and joined the 5% Club, pledging that at least 5% of staff are apprentices or graduates – we already exceed this at 8%. In health and safety, we gained BS OHSAS 18001 and Safecontractor accreditation. 2013-14 turnover was £118 million (€164 million) and we expect revenues to increase by 22% this year.“

HSS Hire Group
United Kingdom

Why should it win? “Last year was a great one for HSS. Under CEO Chris Davies (pictured) the company drove its strategy forward, brought innovation and outstanding service to customers, and made strategic acquisitions.
"It also listed on the London Stock Exchange. A successful flotation in early 2015 raised £103 million (€143 million) for the business, and raised the profile of the rental industry as a whole. HSS’s adjusted EBITDA for the nine months to 27 September 2014 were £51.8 million (€72 million), up 26% on the same period the previous year. This increase was primarily due to revenues growing 27.5%.”

Small or Mid-sized Company of the Year (turnover less than 15 million)

Atut Rental
Poland

Why should it win? “Atut Rental is a private limited company that has been renting for 25 years, solely in Poland. It has 205 employees, 15 branches and more than 8000 pieces of non operated plant. The first eight months of 2014 were economically challenging for the Polish rental industry before an improvement later in the year. However, against this background Atut Rental achieved turnover up 28% on 2013, net profit up 42%, and investment in fixed assets in 2014 was 52% of the previous year’s turnover. The company also opened two new branches and implemented 100% service documentation for all equipment.”

Germans Homs
Spain

Why should it win? “Germans Homs is a rental business started in one of the worst years (2010) in one of the worst countries (Spain), and obviously in a very tough sector (construction). But we succeeded. We are proud to say that we are the perfect combination between a classic rental company and a dotcom company. From the first day we wanted to build a different company. It’s easy to start a company in a good market, but do it in our market is the real challenge.”


Industrial Access
Romania

Why should it win? “We are always forward thinking, never settling down, looking for constant and continuous challenge, learning from past mistakes and customers’ valuable feedback with an optimisation driven attitude. Launched in 2005, Industrial Access provides end-to-end construction equipment rental answers and results in south-eastern European countries. The goal is customer satisfaction, productivity and safety, achieved with a never ending energy source - passionate people working 24/7 enjoying team spirit and discovering new frontiers in a developing market, always using the latest technology available.”


Officine Giuliano
Italy

Why should it win? “Officine Guiliano has been the only Italian rental company to have come through the economic crisis without financial problems while continuing to invest and improve.
"The right financial management and strategies for cost containment and the extension of fleet life, with an accurate maintenance schedule, have allowed us to be based on a solid financial structure. In 2014 our first target was optimising maintenance of machinery, reducing costs and lengthening fleet life. The we invested to develop the branch in Lyon, as we believe the French market is very interesting with many development possibilities.”

Individual awards for the Rental Person of the Year and the ERA/IRN Lifetime Achievement Award will be announced at the event.

This is a feature from the April May 2015 issue of IRN. For the full feature, including extra images, please subscribe to the magazine by visiting www.khl.com/subscriptions