Vietnam renters start to buy new equipment

Several Vietnamese rental companies are starting to invest in new compressors instead of the used Japanese units most commonly found in the country. Atlas Copco Airpower reports that two renters in the country have recently acquired new Chicago Pneumatic (CP) compressors, which are produced by Atlas Copco in China.

Hanoi-based rental company Truongloc has bought CPS 275 and CPS 375 units - the latter being the first 12 bar rated CP unit in Asia - and Da Nang-based rental company Ky An has taken delivery of CPS 90 and CPS 185 units, both rated at 7 bar.

Truongloc, which was established in 2003 by Nguyen Van Hien, specialises in renting generators and compressors to the construction, transport and military sectors, with a fleet of more than 80 gensets and 25 compressors. The company has previously bought used Japanese compressors, with the Chicago Pneumatic units being the first new compressors in its fleet.

Mr Hien said; "In evaluating the CP range we found that the spec and fuel consumption were both very good and with the price very competitive, even against the second hand Japanese compressor, it seemed an obvious choice.

"We will closely evaluate the field results on their performance and the customer's reactions to the new models," he said, "If they match our needs we will certainly be looking at more units to replace our second hand models."

Both compressors are expected to be rented immediately to Vietnam's largest contractor for its Vankhe residential new town contract on the outskirts of Hanoi.

The CPS 375 has a free air delivery of 10.4 m3/min at 12 bar for high pressure applications and the CPS 275 offers 8.1 m3/min. Both are powered by Deutz 4 cylinder diesel engines rated at 104 kW and 56.5 kW, respectively.

Chicago Pneumatic country sales manager for Vietnam, Tran Minh Ngoc, said; "The improved consumption achieved with the CP compressors is an important factor for Truongloc Rental, offering clear and cost effective advantages over the second hand Japanese equipment."

Truongloc is the rental division of Truongloc Trading and Construction JSC.

Mr Hien says the rental business in Vietnam is still in its infancy; "but the trend from contractors is definitely towards rental, particularly as they see prices of second hand models from Japan increasing. So we see continued expansion of our fleet over the coming months to meet demand".

Each unit is assigned an operator for the duration of the rental ensuring competent operation and eliminating any misuse that can happen with unskilled operatives. A team of 20 service engineers maintain and service the fleet.