Xylem invests heavily in French pump rental fleet

Pump manufacturer Xylem is to make significant investments in its French rental fleet in the coming five years to expand its product range and open new facilities.

Thierry Vasseur, manager of Xylem's dewatering business in France, told IRN that the company would invest around €300000 every year on its rental fleet for the next five years. Around 90% of the investment this year will comprise Godwin diesel pumps - models CD150, CD255 and NC100 - with 10 units being added initially.

"We estimate the pump rental market in France at €60 million - and we want to develop our share", said Mr Vasseur, adding that major contractors in France were now increasingly looking to rent pumps rather than own them.

In addition to the fleet development , the company will establish dedicated rental teams at locations in Toulouse and Lyon to add the existing rental operations in Paris and Bordeaux plus the recently opened facility in Rheims, Brittany. Each site will have dedicated rental mechanics and salesmen, with 10 staff being recruited alone for the rental business this year.

The French rental market is dominated by two pump rental companies, DSL and Telstar, with the major general rental firms like Kiloutou and Loxam not focusing on pump rentals.