Yanmar extends sharing platform in Turkey

Yanmar is to extend its construction equipment sharing platform throughout Turkey after a successful trial in the Izmir region last year.

The online platform, MakinaGetir, allows equipment owners and rental companies to rent or ‘share’ their equipment with other users for a fee through an online portal. Since its launch in Izmir last June more than 2,600 items of construction equipment have been registered. These include earthmoving machines, generators and aerial platforms.

In addition to equipment owned by contractors, Yanmar said rental companies had addded their fleets to the register, including some national rental players.

Yanmar said the initial success of the programme means that it will now extend the initiative throughout Turkey. It added that it could extend the programme “to applicable businesses and markets where market characteristics are amenable.” The manufacturer told IRN it was conducting feasability studies on possible markets but had not made any decisions.

Mustafa Kemal Erdoğan, Executive Manager of Yanmar’s Turkish business, said, ”With so many construction projects either planned or already under way, there is a need to realise as much efficiency as possible from Turkey’s construction sector. 

“With the introduction of this service under the management of Yanmar Turkey Makina Getir A.Ş, Yanmar will help both owners and users get the most out of existing equipment, creating new business opportunities and value for both equipment owners and users alike.”

The manufacturer said Turkey will see a number of large-scale infrastructure, energy and transportation projects in the coming years and that alongside increased sales of equipment, customer needs will also change.

“While equipment owners are struggling with the challenges of machinery management to optimise the use of equipment, renters are looking to realise cost savings, and the efficient utilisation of under-employed or idle machinery is a pressing issue in Turkey’s construction industry”, said the company.

The online platform has a simple model. Equipment owners can register their equipment, set a rental price and then collect the fee through the platform. For companies wishing to find equipment, they search on the website and arrange the booking, payment and delivery online. Expert advice on equipment can also be provided.

The MakinaGetir platform can be found at www.makinagetir.com/

Yanmar entered the Turkish market in mid-2016 with dealer TSM Global and said it is still establishing its presence in the excavator market. For that reason, the proportion of Yanmar equipment on the register of equipment is still small.

The development is likely to be viewed with interest by rental companies, in Turkey and elsewhere. It may encourage the rental or sharing concept, which could benefit rental companies in the long term, or it may compete with existing rental providers, which would be less welcome.