IRE show attracts quality visitors

The first ever International Rental Exhibition (IRE), held in Amsterdam between June 3 and 5, was a great success according to many exhibitors with around 1500 "high quality" visitors attending the first show.

James Anderson, sales and marketing manager, JCB Light Equipment, said the show had been very successful for JCB; "We sold a total of 390 machines at the show - 350 machines to one customer.” He added, “Beside the sales of a lot of products we have also made new contacts with big players in the rental market – it is not the amount of visitors that counts but the quality.”

CEO of US company SmartEquip, Mr Alex Schuessler, echoed that sentiment, saying, “The quality of the traffic has just been absolutely phenomenal. We have met high quality people - the decision makers.”

Running alongside the IRE was the European Rental Association’s annual convention and the first ever European Rental Awards organized by the ERA and International Rental News magazine. Top honours at the awards went to Cramo and KDM Hire.

Gerard Deprez, president of the ERA and managing director of Loxam, said the show had been welcomed by rental companies; “The first edition of this exhibition is truly a success, through the number of exhibitors on one hand: 130 is an amazing figure for a first edition. Then, it is also a success through the range of equipment shown. We are all the more enthusiastic that the staff we are speaking to are dedicated to our industry.”

The strong partnership between the ERA convention and the exhibition helped generate a very international profile of visitors at the show. Frank Vague, export manager of Soroto, said, “We had several good leads from Belgium, Australia, Spain, the Netherlands, Germany, Italy and the UK, and we met the right people - the decision makers.” Sales manager at Alimak Hek, Thijs van Woensel, added, “It is unique to meet the most important rental companies within our industry in one place.”

Sagrijs Aelbregt, regional marketing specialist at rental software company Lawson, said, “We are very pleased with the result of this exhibition. We have made contact with the right companies, visitors, and also with exhibitors at the show. We are convinced it will lead to a good sales result.”

Pieter Jansen, European sales executive at Brendon Powerwashers summed up the positive feelings saying, “We have had a good show and have met the decisions makers of important companies. We also sold 80 machines during the show.”