Global Rental Alliance countries represent €70 billion

The combined rental revenues of Global Rental Alliance (GRA) member associations grew 2.7% year-on-year in 2014 to US$77 billion (€70 billion), as calculated by IHS Economics on behalf of the group.

The 14^th annual GRA meeting was held in February at The Rental Show 2016 in Atlanta, US. GRA member associations present were: Canadian Rental Association; European Rental Association, Belgium; Hire & Rental Industry Association, Australia; Hire Industry Association of New Zealand; and American Rental Association.

The Brazilian Rental Association (ALEC); and Hire Association Europe were unable to attend this year, but were represented throughout the discussion through information provided in advance of the meeting.

Agenda items discussed during the full day meeting focused on advancing the business success of members of the individual associations and promoting the image of the equipment rental industry throughout the world.

Current member priorities and member initiatives within the associations were shared, as were trends and industry developments. Topics addressed included membership engagement programmes within the associations, workplace issues, including employee recruitment and training programme, best practices in safety and legislative/regulatory matters.

The GRA International Rental Business Leadership Program administered by the ARA Foundation was reviewed, with announcement of 2016 program participants. Initiatives underway within the respective associations to involve young professionals within their organisations were a pertinent topic, with programs offered and discussed.

Discussion was held among the associations on the economic forecast for their countries through 2016 and the level of rental penetration as they choose to define for their respective country. All associations are committed to increasing rental penetration on behalf of their membership through their respective programme work.

The group continued to discuss membership qualifications and participation within the Alliance for 2016 with an update planned for their mid-year meeting regarding an increase in membership. The group reviewed and agreed upon the GRA objectives and conducted their administrative matters for 2016.

Conference dates and schedules were reviewed for the respective associations and are available on the GRA website, www.GlobalRentalAlliance.com. A mid-year webinar meeting will be held in August 2016. The next Annual Meeting will be held at The Rental Show 2017 scheduled for February 26 – March 1, in Orlando, US.