Members will be honored for their volunteerism, dedication at The Rental Show
Numerous ARA members will be recognized during The Rental Show for their contributions to the association and the rental industry. Here is a list of the award recipients.
President’s Image Award
This is a store award that celebrates a commitment to improving the rental industry through a remodeling, rebuilding or renovation project. Awards are given during the regional lunches.
Region One — Larry Green, Rentals Unlimited, Stoughton, Mass.
Region Three — George Ghanem, Creative Events and Rentals, Fort Myers, Fla.
Region Four — Ralph Kastner Jr., Tuff Equipment Rentals, Slidell, La.
Region Four — Don O’Neal, Rental One, Granbury, Texas
Region Four — Steve Berner, Rabern Rentals, Amarillo, Texas
Region Five — Bart Nye, Prime Time Party Rental, Dayton, Ohio
Region Six — William Saunders, Bledsoe Rentals, Olathe, Kan.
Region Eight — Sherry Bellet, Bullet Rental and Sales, Klamath Falls, Ore.
Region Nine — Mike Brown, Rebel Rents, El Cajon, Calif.
Region Nine — Mike Hobbick, ComRent West, Pomona, Calif.
Region 10 — Doron Broadfoot, The Rent-It Store, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Cana
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
Tuesday, January 1, 2008
ARA Article - December 2007 CARB Supplement - Ready for compliance
December CARB Supplement 2007 - Ready for compliance
Ready for compliance
BY Connie Lannan
Connie Lannan is marketing manager for the operations division of the American Rental Association, Moline, Ill. She can be reached at (800) 334-2177, ext. 228, or e-mail connie.lannan@ararental.org.
After attending the California Air Resources Board (CARB) workshop in San Diego, Doug Fleury, risk/marketing manager for Rebel Rents in Temecula, Calif., came back to work with the materials he gathered at the workshop and developed his own book consisting of all of the documents, forms and procedures needed for Rebel Rents employees and customers to adhere to the policies.
Fleury shared his book with John McClelland, ARA’s vice president of government affairs, to make sure he had all areas covered. Then he and another colleague met with employees at the company’s nine branch locations to explain how CARB’s Portable Equipment Registration Program (PERP) will impact their stores.
From developing customer reminder stickers and adding message alerts to the rental agreement to having the necessary documents included with each rental unit, creating a spreadsheet that outlines the requirements for each piece of equipment and writing policies and procedures that relate specifically to this issue, Fleury was able to pass the information he learned on to his employees. "[The workshop] certainly helped me define my company policies and procedures," he says.
Ready for compliance
BY Connie Lannan
Connie Lannan is marketing manager for the operations division of the American Rental Association, Moline, Ill. She can be reached at (800) 334-2177, ext. 228, or e-mail connie.lannan@ararental.org.
After attending the California Air Resources Board (CARB) workshop in San Diego, Doug Fleury, risk/marketing manager for Rebel Rents in Temecula, Calif., came back to work with the materials he gathered at the workshop and developed his own book consisting of all of the documents, forms and procedures needed for Rebel Rents employees and customers to adhere to the policies.
Fleury shared his book with John McClelland, ARA’s vice president of government affairs, to make sure he had all areas covered. Then he and another colleague met with employees at the company’s nine branch locations to explain how CARB’s Portable Equipment Registration Program (PERP) will impact their stores.
From developing customer reminder stickers and adding message alerts to the rental agreement to having the necessary documents included with each rental unit, creating a spreadsheet that outlines the requirements for each piece of equipment and writing policies and procedures that relate specifically to this issue, Fleury was able to pass the information he learned on to his employees. "[The workshop] certainly helped me define my company policies and procedures," he says.
Saturday, December 22, 2007
The Rental Show 2008 - Construction U
The Rental Show - Construction U
9 AM - 10:30 AM
Human Resources Management: How to Interview, Hire and Train the Ideal Employee
Rental industry panel: Carl Arriola, Tates Rents, Boise, Idaho; Doug Fleury, Rebel Rents, Temecula, Calif.; and Patsy Fulcher, Country-Aire Rental, Havelock, N.C.
Have you ever wondered what the employee “life cycle” is like for other companies? Now is your chance to gain perspectives from large and small companies as you hear how they attain, train and retain their employees. Learn how your peers:
Screen, interview and select an employee to hire, and then make an offer
Teach their business policies, procedures and culture
Administer performance reviews
Provide development and opportunities for advancement
Carl Arriola is CEO of Tates Rents, an ARA general member.
Doug Fleury is Senior Manager of Rebel Rents, an ARA general member
9 AM - 10:30 AM
Human Resources Management: How to Interview, Hire and Train the Ideal Employee
Rental industry panel: Carl Arriola, Tates Rents, Boise, Idaho; Doug Fleury, Rebel Rents, Temecula, Calif.; and Patsy Fulcher, Country-Aire Rental, Havelock, N.C.
Have you ever wondered what the employee “life cycle” is like for other companies? Now is your chance to gain perspectives from large and small companies as you hear how they attain, train and retain their employees. Learn how your peers:
Screen, interview and select an employee to hire, and then make an offer
Teach their business policies, procedures and culture
Administer performance reviews
Provide development and opportunities for advancement
Carl Arriola is CEO of Tates Rents, an ARA general member.
Doug Fleury is Senior Manager of Rebel Rents, an ARA general member
Monday, December 17, 2007
ARA 2008 National Legislative Caucus
AmericanRental Association
1900 – 19th Street
Moline, Illinois 61265
December 17, 2007
RE: Invitation to ARA 2008 National Legislative Caucus – Mon. April 28 – Wed. April 30, Washington DC
Doug Fleury
Rebel Rental
42188 Winchester Road
Temecula, CA 92590
Congratulations, you have been selected to represent your state at ARA’s 2008 Annual National Legislative Caucus. Every year thousands of everyday Americans travel to Washington, D.C. to visit their Congressional representatives. Many organizations sponsor sessions that are focused on bringing their members to Washington, D.C. to meet their Senators and Representatives. ARA’s Legislative Caucus is one of these sessions. The Caucus gives you the opportunity to participate in an event that is exclusively for the rental industry. ARA members who participate in Caucus not only learn from their personal experience in Washington, D.C., but they return home with that knowledge and the ability to address state and local issues that affect their businesses and industry. We hope you will accept this invitation.
The 2008 Caucus will be held at the Washington Court Hotel, in Washington, D.C. The program will begin on Monday, April 28, with an afternoon session at 3:30 p.m. and formally conclude on Wednesday, April 30, with a luncheon program. Additional Hill Visits may be scheduled following the lunch as your travel schedule permits. Receptions will be held on Monday and Tuesday evenings. If you’ve attended Caucus in the past, you’ll note that the hotel has changed this year.
The ARA Government Affairs Committee has the responsibility for developing the Caucus program and agenda. Committee members also act as your hosts at the Caucus. A list of the committee members is attached to this invitation for your convenience. We urge you to contact any committee member or ARA’s Vice President for Government Affairs, John McClelland, if you have any questions about your invitation and the experience you can expect at the Caucus.
As a Caucus participant, you will learn how to build an effective relationship with your Senators and Representatives through meetings with them on Capitol Hill and back in your home district. You will also help ARA continue the process of building a solid Government Affairs program by communicating the ARA Legislative Agenda directly to your Congressional representatives. Given the outcome of last fall’s elections, Caucus 2008 should prove to be an interesting and challenging experience.
We hope you will plan to attend the Monday evening reception, which is an important ARAPAC fundraising event, and the Tuesday evening reception which will be held on Capitol Hill.
John and members of the Government Affairs Committee will host a Caucus orientation meeting during The Rental Show in Las Vegas on Thursday, February 14, from 8:00 to 9:00 a.m. at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center. During this breakfast meeting we will provide you with valuable information that will help you schedule appointments with your state’s congressional delegation and tips on making visits to Capitol Hill. This information will assist you in preparing for your responsibilities at the Caucus. Travel and logistical information will be provided. You will also receive copies of the draft ARA Legislative Issue Briefs that you will use to provide legislators with information about ARA’s position on important rental industry issues. Your acceptance of this invitation carries the responsibility of attending this breakfast meeting if you are in Las Vegas so that you can prepare yourself for Caucus and effectively represent the rental industry. Even if you are a Caucus veteran, the orientation breakfast will give you a good start on getting ready for Caucus.
You have been chosen to attend Caucus because we believe you can make valuable contributions to the ARA Government Affairs program. The Legislative Caucus is a great opportunity for you to become more involved in the Association and the political process.
Sincerely,
John H. Crabbe, Jr.
President-Elect
1900 – 19th Street
Moline, Illinois 61265
December 17, 2007
RE: Invitation to ARA 2008 National Legislative Caucus – Mon. April 28 – Wed. April 30, Washington DC
Doug Fleury
Rebel Rental
42188 Winchester Road
Temecula, CA 92590
Congratulations, you have been selected to represent your state at ARA’s 2008 Annual National Legislative Caucus. Every year thousands of everyday Americans travel to Washington, D.C. to visit their Congressional representatives. Many organizations sponsor sessions that are focused on bringing their members to Washington, D.C. to meet their Senators and Representatives. ARA’s Legislative Caucus is one of these sessions. The Caucus gives you the opportunity to participate in an event that is exclusively for the rental industry. ARA members who participate in Caucus not only learn from their personal experience in Washington, D.C., but they return home with that knowledge and the ability to address state and local issues that affect their businesses and industry. We hope you will accept this invitation.
The 2008 Caucus will be held at the Washington Court Hotel, in Washington, D.C. The program will begin on Monday, April 28, with an afternoon session at 3:30 p.m. and formally conclude on Wednesday, April 30, with a luncheon program. Additional Hill Visits may be scheduled following the lunch as your travel schedule permits. Receptions will be held on Monday and Tuesday evenings. If you’ve attended Caucus in the past, you’ll note that the hotel has changed this year.
The ARA Government Affairs Committee has the responsibility for developing the Caucus program and agenda. Committee members also act as your hosts at the Caucus. A list of the committee members is attached to this invitation for your convenience. We urge you to contact any committee member or ARA’s Vice President for Government Affairs, John McClelland, if you have any questions about your invitation and the experience you can expect at the Caucus.
As a Caucus participant, you will learn how to build an effective relationship with your Senators and Representatives through meetings with them on Capitol Hill and back in your home district. You will also help ARA continue the process of building a solid Government Affairs program by communicating the ARA Legislative Agenda directly to your Congressional representatives. Given the outcome of last fall’s elections, Caucus 2008 should prove to be an interesting and challenging experience.
We hope you will plan to attend the Monday evening reception, which is an important ARAPAC fundraising event, and the Tuesday evening reception which will be held on Capitol Hill.
John and members of the Government Affairs Committee will host a Caucus orientation meeting during The Rental Show in Las Vegas on Thursday, February 14, from 8:00 to 9:00 a.m. at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center. During this breakfast meeting we will provide you with valuable information that will help you schedule appointments with your state’s congressional delegation and tips on making visits to Capitol Hill. This information will assist you in preparing for your responsibilities at the Caucus. Travel and logistical information will be provided. You will also receive copies of the draft ARA Legislative Issue Briefs that you will use to provide legislators with information about ARA’s position on important rental industry issues. Your acceptance of this invitation carries the responsibility of attending this breakfast meeting if you are in Las Vegas so that you can prepare yourself for Caucus and effectively represent the rental industry. Even if you are a Caucus veteran, the orientation breakfast will give you a good start on getting ready for Caucus.
You have been chosen to attend Caucus because we believe you can make valuable contributions to the ARA Government Affairs program. The Legislative Caucus is a great opportunity for you to become more involved in the Association and the political process.
Sincerely,
John H. Crabbe, Jr.
President-Elect
Saturday, December 1, 2007
ARA Award 12-07
Members will be honored for their volunteerism, dedication at The Rental Show
Numerous ARA members will be recognized during The Rental Show for their contributions to the association and the rental industry. Here is a list of the award recipients.
Meritorious Service Award
This award honors an ARA member who has made a significant contribution and demonstrated leadership pivotal to the success of a project or program. It will be presented to J. Barry Ghiglione of Handyman Rental Centre, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada, during Dessert With ARA on Monday, Feb. 11. He is being honored for his work to provide rental insurance as a member benefit for the Canadian Rental Association.
Special Service Award
Also presented during Dessert With ARA, this award recognizes someone who is not in the general rental business, but who has made an outstanding contribution for the good of the rental industry overall. Joe Jabbour of Doosan Infracore Portable Power, formerly Ingersoll Rand, Mocksville, N.C., is being honored for his years of service.
Outstanding Leadership Award
Recipients of this award, presented during Dessert With ARA, provide examples of superlative leadership at the grassroots level of the American Rental Association. Dean Eklund of Lew Rents, Olympia, Wash., is being honored for his work in ARA’s Region Eight.
Regional Person of the Year
This award recognizes an individual who has made significant contributions at the regional, state or local level. Awards are presented during the regional lunches on Monday, Feb. 11.
Region One — Sherri Woronick, Taylor Rental Center, Plainville, Conn.
Region Two — Allen Morehead, Ace Rents, Lancaster, Pa.
Region Three — Jeff Wearing, Ready Rent All, Decatur, Ga.
Region Four — Byron Alleman, Lafayette Rental Service, Lafayette, La.
Region Five — John Gauer, Gauer Rental, Akron, Ohio, and Robert Jacklin, Jack’s Rental, Berwyn, Ill.
Region Six — Doug Haas, Crown Rental, Burnsville, Minn.
Region Seven — Linda Jones, Area Rent-Alls, Westminster, Colo.
Region Eight — Brent Younker, Total Rental, Gresham, Ore.
Region Nine — Paul Schlerf, EquipRent, Azusa, Calif.
Region 10 — Penny O’Sullivan, ABCO Equipment and Supplies, Weston, Ontario, Canada
President’s Image Award
This is a store award that celebrates a commitment to improving the rental industry through a remodeling, rebuilding or renovation project. Awards are given during the regional lunches.
Region One — Larry Green, Rentals Unlimited, Stoughton, Mass.
Region Three — George Ghanem, Creative Events and Rentals, Fort Myers, Fla.
Region Four — Ralph Kastner Jr., Tuff Equipment Rentals, Slidell, La.
Region Four — Don O’Neal, Rental One, Granbury, Texas
Region Four — Steve Berner, Rabern Rentals, Amarillo, Texas
Region Five — Bart Nye, Prime Time Party Rental, Dayton, Ohio
Region Six — William Saunders, Bledsoe Rentals, Olathe, Kan.
Region Eight — Sherry Bellet, Bullet Rental and Sales, Klamath Falls, Ore.
Region Nine — Doug Fleury, Rebel Rents, El Cajon, Calif.
Region Nine — Mike Hobbick, ComRent West, Pomona, Calif.
Region 10 — Doron Broadfoot, The Rent-It Store, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
Numerous ARA members will be recognized during The Rental Show for their contributions to the association and the rental industry. Here is a list of the award recipients.
Meritorious Service Award
This award honors an ARA member who has made a significant contribution and demonstrated leadership pivotal to the success of a project or program. It will be presented to J. Barry Ghiglione of Handyman Rental Centre, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada, during Dessert With ARA on Monday, Feb. 11. He is being honored for his work to provide rental insurance as a member benefit for the Canadian Rental Association.
Special Service Award
Also presented during Dessert With ARA, this award recognizes someone who is not in the general rental business, but who has made an outstanding contribution for the good of the rental industry overall. Joe Jabbour of Doosan Infracore Portable Power, formerly Ingersoll Rand, Mocksville, N.C., is being honored for his years of service.
Outstanding Leadership Award
Recipients of this award, presented during Dessert With ARA, provide examples of superlative leadership at the grassroots level of the American Rental Association. Dean Eklund of Lew Rents, Olympia, Wash., is being honored for his work in ARA’s Region Eight.
Regional Person of the Year
This award recognizes an individual who has made significant contributions at the regional, state or local level. Awards are presented during the regional lunches on Monday, Feb. 11.
Region One — Sherri Woronick, Taylor Rental Center, Plainville, Conn.
Region Two — Allen Morehead, Ace Rents, Lancaster, Pa.
Region Three — Jeff Wearing, Ready Rent All, Decatur, Ga.
Region Four — Byron Alleman, Lafayette Rental Service, Lafayette, La.
Region Five — John Gauer, Gauer Rental, Akron, Ohio, and Robert Jacklin, Jack’s Rental, Berwyn, Ill.
Region Six — Doug Haas, Crown Rental, Burnsville, Minn.
Region Seven — Linda Jones, Area Rent-Alls, Westminster, Colo.
Region Eight — Brent Younker, Total Rental, Gresham, Ore.
Region Nine — Paul Schlerf, EquipRent, Azusa, Calif.
Region 10 — Penny O’Sullivan, ABCO Equipment and Supplies, Weston, Ontario, Canada
President’s Image Award
This is a store award that celebrates a commitment to improving the rental industry through a remodeling, rebuilding or renovation project. Awards are given during the regional lunches.
Region One — Larry Green, Rentals Unlimited, Stoughton, Mass.
Region Three — George Ghanem, Creative Events and Rentals, Fort Myers, Fla.
Region Four — Ralph Kastner Jr., Tuff Equipment Rentals, Slidell, La.
Region Four — Don O’Neal, Rental One, Granbury, Texas
Region Four — Steve Berner, Rabern Rentals, Amarillo, Texas
Region Five — Bart Nye, Prime Time Party Rental, Dayton, Ohio
Region Six — William Saunders, Bledsoe Rentals, Olathe, Kan.
Region Eight — Sherry Bellet, Bullet Rental and Sales, Klamath Falls, Ore.
Region Nine — Doug Fleury, Rebel Rents, El Cajon, Calif.
Region Nine — Mike Hobbick, ComRent West, Pomona, Calif.
Region 10 — Doron Broadfoot, The Rent-It Store, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
Sunday, November 25, 2007
ARA Article Understanding CARB 11-07
Understanding CARB
ARA and ARA of California partnership allows members to gain insight
BY Connie Lannan
Connie Lannan is marketing manager for the operations division of the American Rental Association, Moline, Ill. She can be reached at (800) 334-2177, ext. 228, or e-mail connie.lannan@ararental.org.
When the American Rental Association (ARA) became aware of the potential impact the new California pollution-control regulatory measures would have on rental operators in the state, the national association strengthened its partnership the ARA of California to accomplish two goals:
Work proactively with the California Air Resources Board (CARB). The agency is responsible for developing the off-road diesel emissions-control rules, so the ARA and the ARA of California wanted the agency to have a good understanding of the rental industry.
Educate ARA members. The ARA and ARA of California wanted members to know what these regulations entail and how they will impact their businesses.
"We knew right away that we needed to be involved," says John McClelland, ARA’s vice president for government affairs. The major air-quality regulations affecting rental businesses are the Portable Equipment Registration Program (PERP), which applies to portable equipment with engines greater than 50 hp and has been in effect for several years, but was being amended, and off-road diesel regulations, which apply to all self-propelled equipment with a diesel engine greater than 25 hp.
"We wanted to make sure that the CARB staff understood the rental industry and how we do our work," McClelland adds. "This is especially important because other states that must meet clean-air standards can use regulations developed by California in their air pollution control program." So, ARA’s task in California was not only to represent members in that state, but also to represent the entire rental industry in the rulemaking procedures, he notes.
"We could do the most for our members through a cooperative effort," says Steve Anthony, president of American Event Rentals in Stockton, Calif., who serves as ARA of California president. "To benefit our members, we decided to cooperate, educate and facilitate the education for our members and show the state agencies that we are interested in being a player here."
One of the first joint steps was to have CARB staff members tour a rental operation to give them a firsthand understanding of what members are doing. This was an enlightening experience for them, McClelland says.
The second step was to provide CARB with the most up-to-date data on how rental businesses in California operate. "We needed to know how they [rental operators in California] managed their fleet, how new the fleet was and how long they kept it that way. In essence, we needed demographics of the fleet and replacement rates," McClelland says.
ARA of California members were surveyed. McClelland and Michael Graboski, professor emeritus at the Golden, Colo.-based Colorado School of Mines and a consulting engineer to ARA, compiled that data and presented it to CARB.
"We found that the average rental fleet in California is about 38 months old," McClelland says. "CARB staff was amazed by that number because the typical contractor’s fleet is much older. We wanted to make sure that the staff writing these rules knew that the rental industry was already doing what they wanted everyone else to start doing — investing in new equipment and maintaining a clean operating fleet."
Throughout this process, the ARA and ARA of California proposed that the off-road diesel regulation be more flexible, allowing fleet owners to average their emissions to meet the targets set by CARB. The two associations also proposed changes to the 90-day registration restrictions, which are part of the PERP regulation that forbids rental operators to put portable equipment into service without an issued registration.
ARA and ARA of California also knew it was imperative to educate members about these regulations and the steps they need to take to be in compliance. A series of four workshops was scheduled, with the first being conducted in both Northern and Southern California during March.
"John and Mike really did a great job of keeping the membership apprised of what was coming," says Don Cruikshank, vice president of A-V Equipment Rentals in Newhall, Calif., and a member of the ARA of California board. "Member involvement was terrific. The workshops opened a lot of eyes."
Anthony agrees. "A lot of business owners were aware of the fact that there is an issue, but they found these workshops eye-opening. It is better to know with eyes wide open because, in this incidence, ignorance is not an excuse. There will be no passes to those who say, ‘We didn’t know.’ "
Doug Fleury, risk/marketing manager for Rebel Rents in Temecula, Calif., attended the workshop in San Diego. "Everyone in the room paid attention," he says. Because many of these regulations are written in legal language, "you need someone who can break it down in layman’s terms and tell how these will impact rental operators. These workshops did that," he says.
For Cruikshank, the workshops crystallized what he had been hearing in terms of the regulations. "We had heard a lot of rumblings [regarding these regulations], but it is now becoming reality. For the past 30 years, we’ve been operating without much change. Now, this is a whole new ballgame," he says.
More than 160 ARA members attended the workshops. Each received a 300-page binder, jam-packed with information on the regulations and compliance specifications. That was valuable access to extremely important information, McClelland says.
Anthony couldn’t agree more. "A lot who attended were impressed that we were taking a leadership role. This is a long process, but we are doing something about it. Members walked away with a 1-in. binder that was full of information," he says.
All interviewed agree that ARA’s involvement in the process with CARB has made a difference. The new provisions include ARA’s proposal that would allow fleets to average their emissions in regard to the off-road diesel equipment regulation. That means rental fleets might not need to retrofit or retire equipment in order to be in compliance.
ARA also is committed to resolve the 90-day registration rule that is part of the PERP regulation by developing a temporary registration for portable equipment.
In addition, ARA was able to convince CARB members that rental equipment can be voluntarily registered in the state as opposed to registering it with each Air Quality Management District as it moves within the state.
Those are significant changes that wouldn’t have occurred without this partnership. From having access and being able to provide insight on these complex issues to serving as a resource, this partnership helped ARA members be more informed and better prepared for the changes ahead, Anthony says.
Now, ARA is asking members for input on the new proposed changes for on-road diesel trucks.
Members "know that the ARA and ARA of California will educate, go to bat, attend hearings and be the eyes and ears of the rental industry," he says. "We are the only associations in rental that are doing this. This is where your dues are going. We are going to battle and working on this for the benefit of our members," Anthony says.
ARA and ARA of California partnership allows members to gain insight
BY Connie Lannan
Connie Lannan is marketing manager for the operations division of the American Rental Association, Moline, Ill. She can be reached at (800) 334-2177, ext. 228, or e-mail connie.lannan@ararental.org.
When the American Rental Association (ARA) became aware of the potential impact the new California pollution-control regulatory measures would have on rental operators in the state, the national association strengthened its partnership the ARA of California to accomplish two goals:
Work proactively with the California Air Resources Board (CARB). The agency is responsible for developing the off-road diesel emissions-control rules, so the ARA and the ARA of California wanted the agency to have a good understanding of the rental industry.
Educate ARA members. The ARA and ARA of California wanted members to know what these regulations entail and how they will impact their businesses.
"We knew right away that we needed to be involved," says John McClelland, ARA’s vice president for government affairs. The major air-quality regulations affecting rental businesses are the Portable Equipment Registration Program (PERP), which applies to portable equipment with engines greater than 50 hp and has been in effect for several years, but was being amended, and off-road diesel regulations, which apply to all self-propelled equipment with a diesel engine greater than 25 hp.
"We wanted to make sure that the CARB staff understood the rental industry and how we do our work," McClelland adds. "This is especially important because other states that must meet clean-air standards can use regulations developed by California in their air pollution control program." So, ARA’s task in California was not only to represent members in that state, but also to represent the entire rental industry in the rulemaking procedures, he notes.
"We could do the most for our members through a cooperative effort," says Steve Anthony, president of American Event Rentals in Stockton, Calif., who serves as ARA of California president. "To benefit our members, we decided to cooperate, educate and facilitate the education for our members and show the state agencies that we are interested in being a player here."
One of the first joint steps was to have CARB staff members tour a rental operation to give them a firsthand understanding of what members are doing. This was an enlightening experience for them, McClelland says.
The second step was to provide CARB with the most up-to-date data on how rental businesses in California operate. "We needed to know how they [rental operators in California] managed their fleet, how new the fleet was and how long they kept it that way. In essence, we needed demographics of the fleet and replacement rates," McClelland says.
ARA of California members were surveyed. McClelland and Michael Graboski, professor emeritus at the Golden, Colo.-based Colorado School of Mines and a consulting engineer to ARA, compiled that data and presented it to CARB.
"We found that the average rental fleet in California is about 38 months old," McClelland says. "CARB staff was amazed by that number because the typical contractor’s fleet is much older. We wanted to make sure that the staff writing these rules knew that the rental industry was already doing what they wanted everyone else to start doing — investing in new equipment and maintaining a clean operating fleet."
Throughout this process, the ARA and ARA of California proposed that the off-road diesel regulation be more flexible, allowing fleet owners to average their emissions to meet the targets set by CARB. The two associations also proposed changes to the 90-day registration restrictions, which are part of the PERP regulation that forbids rental operators to put portable equipment into service without an issued registration.
ARA and ARA of California also knew it was imperative to educate members about these regulations and the steps they need to take to be in compliance. A series of four workshops was scheduled, with the first being conducted in both Northern and Southern California during March.
"John and Mike really did a great job of keeping the membership apprised of what was coming," says Don Cruikshank, vice president of A-V Equipment Rentals in Newhall, Calif., and a member of the ARA of California board. "Member involvement was terrific. The workshops opened a lot of eyes."
Anthony agrees. "A lot of business owners were aware of the fact that there is an issue, but they found these workshops eye-opening. It is better to know with eyes wide open because, in this incidence, ignorance is not an excuse. There will be no passes to those who say, ‘We didn’t know.’ "
Doug Fleury, risk/marketing manager for Rebel Rents in Temecula, Calif., attended the workshop in San Diego. "Everyone in the room paid attention," he says. Because many of these regulations are written in legal language, "you need someone who can break it down in layman’s terms and tell how these will impact rental operators. These workshops did that," he says.
For Cruikshank, the workshops crystallized what he had been hearing in terms of the regulations. "We had heard a lot of rumblings [regarding these regulations], but it is now becoming reality. For the past 30 years, we’ve been operating without much change. Now, this is a whole new ballgame," he says.
More than 160 ARA members attended the workshops. Each received a 300-page binder, jam-packed with information on the regulations and compliance specifications. That was valuable access to extremely important information, McClelland says.
Anthony couldn’t agree more. "A lot who attended were impressed that we were taking a leadership role. This is a long process, but we are doing something about it. Members walked away with a 1-in. binder that was full of information," he says.
All interviewed agree that ARA’s involvement in the process with CARB has made a difference. The new provisions include ARA’s proposal that would allow fleets to average their emissions in regard to the off-road diesel equipment regulation. That means rental fleets might not need to retrofit or retire equipment in order to be in compliance.
ARA also is committed to resolve the 90-day registration rule that is part of the PERP regulation by developing a temporary registration for portable equipment.
In addition, ARA was able to convince CARB members that rental equipment can be voluntarily registered in the state as opposed to registering it with each Air Quality Management District as it moves within the state.
Those are significant changes that wouldn’t have occurred without this partnership. From having access and being able to provide insight on these complex issues to serving as a resource, this partnership helped ARA members be more informed and better prepared for the changes ahead, Anthony says.
Now, ARA is asking members for input on the new proposed changes for on-road diesel trucks.
Members "know that the ARA and ARA of California will educate, go to bat, attend hearings and be the eyes and ears of the rental industry," he says. "We are the only associations in rental that are doing this. This is where your dues are going. We are going to battle and working on this for the benefit of our members," Anthony says.
Saturday, September 1, 2007
Construction Equipment Distribution - 2007 Regional Outlook
Construction Equipment Distribution
2007 Regional Outlook
Written By Scott Judy, Eileen Scwartz, Sam Barnes, Craig Barner, Tom Stabile, Lucy Bodilly, Brad Fullmer, Bruce Buckley, Scott
Be soft housing market is impacting some equipment distributors more than others.
Things in Southern California are a little better for Temecula-based Rebel Rents. Housing has slowed, observes Doug Fleury, fleet manager for Rebel, “but we’re getting a lot of business from people who are remodeling,” he said.
Plus, rentals in commercial work continue to grow in Southern California, catching up to the wave of residential building that has occurred in the region, says Fleury.
Rebel Rents is also monitoring the status of proposed rules by California state air quality officials that, if adopted, would force construction companies to replace large portions of their construction fleets with machines that have more modern, cleaner-burning engines.
“It will force people to rent more to be compliant,” Fleury said.
–Joe Florkowski is assistant editor of California Construction magazine.
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2007 Regional Outlook
Written By Scott Judy, Eileen Scwartz, Sam Barnes, Craig Barner, Tom Stabile, Lucy Bodilly, Brad Fullmer, Bruce Buckley, Scott
Be soft housing market is impacting some equipment distributors more than others.
Things in Southern California are a little better for Temecula-based Rebel Rents. Housing has slowed, observes Doug Fleury, fleet manager for Rebel, “but we’re getting a lot of business from people who are remodeling,” he said.
Plus, rentals in commercial work continue to grow in Southern California, catching up to the wave of residential building that has occurred in the region, says Fleury.
Rebel Rents is also monitoring the status of proposed rules by California state air quality officials that, if adopted, would force construction companies to replace large portions of their construction fleets with machines that have more modern, cleaner-burning engines.
“It will force people to rent more to be compliant,” Fleury said.
–Joe Florkowski is assistant editor of California Construction magazine.
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