New Jersey Rental Business Still Waiting for the Boom to Hit

Owner and President Gary Galloway noted rental stores are a little slower to rebound versus other businesses, but he’s optimistic this year will be the year.

New Jersey

Rental Country Inc., headquartered in Vineland, NJ, had a good year in 2017, comparable to the year before, but it has yet to feel the full impact of the economic recovery. Owner and President Gary Galloway noted rental stores are a little slower to rebound versus other businesses, but he’s optimistic this year will be the year.

“January and February are traditionally slow months around here,” said Galloway. “Already though, it appears our contractor customers are looking forward to a busy spring in construction, and that should keep our inventory of larger earthmoving equipment busy, along with popular items like trenchers, stump grinders, rototillers and so forth.”

Rental Country opened in Vineland in 1981. Galloway has since added three other stores throughout the southern part of the state. All the stores carry a large inventory of rental tools and equipment for DIYers, small and large contractors, municipalities and industrial customers. One of the largest Stilhl dealers in the area, the store also sells and services Honda, Wright, Scag, and Billy Goat lawn and garden equipment.

“Many of the products in our lawn and garden lines also end up in the rental inventory,” added Galloway. “For example, it’s not uncommon to rent a large riding mower to contractors who have landed a large property that needs infrequent mowing. They would rather pay a couple hundred dollars for a rental unit versus investing in a mower that costs several times that.”

The four locations employ approximately 35 people among them, including two technicians for each store. “I know that labor has been and continues to be a challenge for many rental stores, but we’ve been fortunate to have some great employees who’ve been with us for 20 years or more,” Galloway emphasized. “I think the most difficult part about the labor situation in hiring is finding the right person for the job.”

Galloway said he and his wife Betty traveled to New Orleans to attend The Rental Show. “We got there Sunday and were able to catch the opening ceremony on Monday. I walked the show floor the next two days, placed a few orders, and looked for something new and different to buy. Betty spent some time walking the party section too, even though we’re not involved in that part of the business.”

The two said they came back home energized from the show and in anticipation of the economic boom finally taking hold this year. 

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