All Interviews & Profiles Articles

Construction Europe magazine's annual listing of the top European contractors, The European Construction Survey (ECS) 2010, is now available via KHL.com

When Tony Helsham retired in February after 25 years with Volvo, it looked like the industry was losing a well-known and outspoken executive. But within a few months he had taken the job as CEO of one of the industry’s most enigmatic players, Doosan Infracore Construction Equipment. Chris Sleight reports.

JLG's new president, Wilson Jones, says growth is his priority for the manufacturer. He tells Murray Pollok how he's going to get it.

South African heavy equipment rental company MCC Plant Hire is aiming to establish a permanent footprint in sub-Saharan Africa and has already opened a depot in Mozambique.

Jim McCullough, head of CNH’s construction equipment businesses, talks about new technology, markets and the lessons you learn in a downturn.

JCB was big in India when it was a small and unattractive market, but this early investment should pay dividends now equipment sales are taking off again.

As part of an exclusive interview in the November issue of International Construction, Doosan Infracore CEO Tony Helsham discusses the growth of emerging equipment markets and what this trend means for manufacturers.

Liugong is putting a strategy in place that will see it push out into key global markets over the coming years, with a growing product portfolio and a worldwide manufacturing footprint.

Five years ago TowerLight was selling lighting towers in 12 countries. Now, it is marketing a much wider range of equipment in 39 countries. Murray Pollok visited the company’s HQ near Milan, Italy, and spoke to technical director Andrea Fontanella and international sales manager Paul Hay.

Hertz Equipment Rental Co (HERC) is establishing rental businesses in markets including the Middle East and China to add to its North American and European businesses. Murray Pollok met Norty Turner, the American Hertz executive who is now running the HERC Europe and Middle East operations.

The Chinese rental sector is developing steadily, but don’t expect an overnight explosion in demand. Murray Pollok talks to rental companies and manufacturers in Shanghai.

The Australian rental market was relatively lucky last year – the country’s economy was one of the few to grow, and the government helped with a substantial stimulus programme. Murray Pollok talks to renters in the country.

‘New Opportunities’ was the theme for this year’s European Rental Association (ERA) Convention, held on 26-27 May in Prague. Murray Pollok reports from the city’s Corinthian Towers Hotel.

When United Rentals announced Operation United as its strategy nearly two years ago, the emphasis was – and remains – squarely on differentiation through excellent customer service. In this exclusive interview with Lucy Peterson, CEO Michael Kneeland explains why the strategy also includes a focus on national and strategic accounts as the key to long-term growth.

Netherlands power rental company Bredenoord is unusual in that it likes to develop and build its own gensets, including some rather special designs. Murray Pollok visited the company’s Apeldoorn facility.

Godwin Pumps is known worldwide for its Dri-Prime pumps manufactured in the UK, but the company also runs a massive pump rental business in the US. Murray Pollok spoke to John Paz, Godwin’s president.

The UK's largest rental company, Speedy, wants to be a £2 billion business by 2020. Steve Corcoran, the company's chief executive, explains how they aim to do it.

For the first time since consolidation played out earlier in the decade, the US rental industry has had to weather a severe downturn. Two industry veterans describe what it’s like to be back in the dance, managing independent rental operations in a tough economy. Lucy Peterson reports.

Has the Dubai construction market really stopped cold? Does the region still hold out great potential for rental companies? Maria Hadlow and Murray Pollok report.

Spanish rental company GAM is starting to rent in Iraq, Chile and Colombia this month in a continuation of its policy to expand its international business. GAM said its operations outside Spain would generate as much as US$ 60 million this year increasing to US$100-110 million in 2011.