5 May 2017, 10:33
Zeppelin Rental, A-Plant, Kiloutou, Gomez Oviedo and Genie were among the winners at this year’s European Rental Awards, with Zeppelin landing two awards, for Large Rental Company of the Year and Digital Innovation.
The awards dinner saw Loxam’s CEO Gérard Déprez pick up the Rental Person of the Year award, while industry veteran Ray Caulfield of Trime was presented with the coveted Lifetime Achievement Award.
Kiloutou won the Employer Innovation Award – a new category this year – and Genie’s hybrid articulating boom the Z-60/37FE was named Rental Product of the Year. Spanish rental company Gomez Oviedo was named Small/Medium Rental Company of the Year.
The Safety Award was won by UK rental company A-Plant.
The ERA’s Technical Committee also awarded a Special Recognition Prize for a manufacturer that has made significant efforts to develop products for rental companies. This inaugural award was presented to JCB.
The awards – organised by the European Rental Association and International Rental News magazine - were held on May 3 at the Amsterdam RAI venue during the European Rental Association convention and the International Rental Exhibition (IRE).
The full list of winners, and the judges’ comments, were as follows:
Zeppelin Rental - Large Rental Company of the Year (revenues more than €15 million)
The judges said: “2016 was a stellar year for Zeppelin, with record revenues and profits and new initiatives everywhere you looked, from eCommerce and training to marketing, new products and rental IT systems such as telematics. Zeppelin Rentals fully deserves the Rental Company of the Year accolade.”
Gomez Oviedo - Small Rental Company of the Year (revenues less than €15 million)
The judges said: “Gomez Oviedo responded bravely to the Spanish recession and has proven to be energetic and innovative business: a small company that acts like a big one.”
Gérard Déprez, CEO, Loxam - Rental Person of the Year
The judges said: “The last 12 months has seen his company’s annual revenues exceed 1 billion Euros – a moment that seals its status as Europe’s biggest general rental player. Under his leadership Loxam has made some bold and successful moves, including the recent acquisition of Lavendon Group. Mr Deprez has enjoyed an illustrious career in the rental business – not least as the first president of the ERA – but even in that career 2016/17 will stand out.”
Ray Caulfield, CEO, Trime - Lifetime Achievement Award
The judges said: “Ray Caulfield is a true veteran of the equipment rental industry, with a career spanning 52 years. In that time he has played a significant part in many aspects of rental – product development, rental sales training, the creation of environmentally friendly products. Just as important, our winner has always conducted himself with good humour and humility.”
Genie’s Z-60/37FE boom - Rental Product of the Year
The judges said: “This is a true four-by-four hybrid machine designed for indoor and outdoor use and with low fuel consumption.”
Zeppelin Rental - Digital Innovation Award
The judges said; “Having a digital strategy is a must for any business today, and Zeppelin Rental is clearly ahead of the game, with a well thought through programme addressing both its own needs and those of its customers.”
Kiloutou - Employer Innovation Award
The judges said: “From its share ownership scheme to its staff induction programme, Kiloutou has shown that it has put its workforce at the very centre of its business. A textbook example of putting words into action.”
A-Plant - Rental Safety Award
The judges said: “A-Plant is one of the rental companies in Europe that has a long-term track record of taking safety seriously, and its activities last year reinforced this commitment.”
JCB - Special Recognition Award for a Manufacturer
Awarded by the ERA’s Technical Committee to a manufacturer that has made special efforts to accommodate the needs of rental companies in its product design.
Source: Murray Pollok, KHL.com