Rental award winners honoured in Vienna

An audience of 320 rental industry professionals saw Nordic companies Naboen and Byggmaskiner-Gruppen win the two Rental Company of the Year categories at the 2018 European Rental Awards. The ceremony was held on 23 May in Vienna, Austria, during the European Rental Association’s annual convention.

The awards to individuals went to Colin Wood, the former CEO of the Construction Plant-hire Association (CPA), who was presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award, and Xavier du Boÿs of Kiloutou, who received the Person of the Year accolade.

Other winners were A-Plant and Cramo – jointly in the Sustainability category - while JCB’s Hydradig was Product of the Year. Atlas Copco won the ERA Technical Committee award for suppliers to the rental industry. The awards were organised by the ERA and International Rental News magazine.

The winners, and comments from the judges, were:

Large Rental Company of the Year: NABOEN AS (Norway)

The judges said: “The company’s growth is obviously remarkable, but despite that Naboen has managed to retain its very distinctive culture, which combines a celebration of work with a commitment to provide great service to its customers.”

Small/medium Sized Rental Company of the Year: BYGGMASKINER-GRUPPEN (Sweden)

The judges said; “Byggmaskiner has an impressive record for consistent growth, as well as serious commitment to the safety of its employees and customers.”

Rental Product of the Year: JCB’s 110W HYDRADIG

The judges said: “JCB works closely with rental companies when developing new products, and the Hydradig shows that partnership approach in action.”

Lifetime Achievement Award: COLIN WOOD (former CEO, CPA)

Pierre Boels, ERA President, said: “Colin’s engagement with rental went beyond the UK. He was a vice president on ERA’s board during its important early years and his work as ERA’s treasurer helped set standards that are still being followed today. Throughout his career he has been a friendly presence on the scene. As he moves into retirement, the industry will miss his personality as much as it will his experience.”

Rental person of the year: XAVIER DU BOŸS (Chairman, Kiloutou)

The judges said; “Xavier du Boÿs had a notable 12 months. He continued to lead his business in its strategy of acquisitions and international expansion – including an important move into Italy. He completed the sale of the company to new owners, and moved from his long-time role of CEO to become Chairman of the company. He is one of the rental industry’s most respected leaders.”

ERA Technical Committee Award: ATLAS COPCO

Awarded to a manufacturer that has made particular efforts to meet the needs of the rental industry in its products and services, as judged by the ERA’s Technical Committee.

ERA Sustainability Committee Award: A-PLANT & CRAMO (joint-winners)

Judged by the ERA Sustainability Committee, who said; ”Both companies are at the forefront of developing a genuinely sustainable approach to rental and both deserve wider recognition.”

The judges for the awards were:

• Pierre Boels (CEO, Boels Rental & President, ERA)
• Michel Denis (CEO, Manitou)
• Gérard Déprez (CEO, Loxam)
• Pierre-Nicola Fovini (President, CGT Edilizia)
• Murray Pollok (Managing Editor, International Rental News).
• Non-voting chair: Michel Petitjean, Secretary General, ERA

The June issue if IRN will include a report on the awards dinner and on the ERA Convention.