Access renters lead new Euro association

Members include RK-Cramo, Loxam, Boels, MVS Zeppelin, Hewden, Kiloutou, GAM, Lavendon, Riwal and Ramirent, and the International Powered Access Federation (IPAF) is among three trade associations to have joined. KHL Group - publisher of Access International - is a founding associate member.

The ERA, which is the initiative of Gerard Deprez, chief executive of Loxam in France, will have three main goals: to promote equipment rental in Europe, to lobby on behalf of the rental industry, and to collect statistics on the market.

Mr Deprez said at the Brussels meeting; “We need a platform where we can meet, discuss our problems and exchange our expertise... Only a European association structure will be able to accelerate the convergence of the markets, and thus energise the rental markets.”

The association is open to all sizes of rental companies in Europe, with annual subscription fees ranging from €2500 to €7500 depending on company size. The association's first meeting will take place in Brussels on 6/7 June. For more details, see the March issue of International Rental News (IRN).