The Global Rental Alliance (GRA) recently held its 16th annual meeting at The Rental Show 2018 in New Orleans, where it conducted the latest review of the global survey initiative of the GRA, which estimates a 6-percent increase in combined rental revenue among the GRA associations between 2016 and 2015.
The GRA welcomed back the Brazilian Rental Association (ANALOC) as a member, joining the Canadian Rental Association (CRA); European Rental Association (ERA), Belgium; Hire Association Europe (HAE), United Kingdom; Hire Industry Association of New Zealand (HIANZ); Hire and Rental Industry Association Ltd. (HRIA), Australia; Japan Construction Rental Association (JCRA), Japan; and American Rental Association (ARA), U.S.
“The Global Rental Alliance allows industry and association representatives from around the world to discuss common issues that impact rental/hire operators and share solutions that are having a positive impact,” said Tony Conant, ARA CEO. “We are always looking to add global members who are interested in sharing their geography’s industry data and advancing the rental industry.”
The meeting agenda included the latest review of the global survey initiative of the GRA, which estimates fiscal year 2016 combined rental revenue among the GRA associations of US$96.96 billion. This figure represents a 6 percent increase over 2015 rental revenues, as calculated by IHS Markit on behalf of the group.
The GRA members also agreed to start projecting the recent year’s rental revenue and other key figures at their summer meeting and will publish preliminary 2017 figures in August.
Discussion was held among the associations on the economic forecast for their countries through 2018 and it appears that the economies of all GRA members are healthy and that operators expect a very good year.
Priorities and member initiatives of the associations were shared for the benefit of the group, as well as trends and industry developments. Among the topics discussed were global technology trends and workforce development issues, including the promotion of women and minorities in rental and efforts to engage young professionals. Technology is the one area that cuts across industry segments, geographies and cultures to improve business performance. It has improved safety, operational efficiency and the customer experience, and technology will continue to reshape the industry. The GRA is looking to add technology to its standing discussion agenda and will add a special segment to next year’s program in Anaheim, CA.
The group discussed its objectives for 2018-2019, as well as conference dates and schedules for their respective associations. These dates are available on the GRA website, GlobalRentalAlliance.com.
A mid-year webinar meeting for GRA will be held and is planned for August 2018. The next annual meeting will be at The Rental Show 2019 in Anaheim.
The purpose of the Global Rental Alliance is to increase the profile of equipment rental/hire worldwide. It is a partnership of rental associations from around the developed world that meets semi-annually and shares information on program initiatives throughout the year.
The unity of this group has brought about an increased awareness of overall priorities internationally, adding to the strategic outlook and resources of each rental member association.
