Italian rental falls 3.5% in first 9 months

The Italian rental market has declined on average by around 3.5% this year so far, according to the most recent market survey by rental and distributors association Assodimi.

Assodimi's director general, Franco de Michelis, told IRN that there was wide variation in the performance of different rental sectors, with earthmoving and tower crane rental specialists the worst impacted by the recession, and access, scaffolding and power renters performing much better with stable or even some growth in revenues.

"There are companies still doing well in rental", said Mr de Michelis, who said that some of the rental operations closely associated with dealer organisations were suffering because of their relatively narrow product ranges. Komatsu dealers, Cat dealer CGT and other prominent dealers such as MAIE all rent equipment in Italy.

"For the earthmoving sector, recovery will be very difficult", said Mr de Michelis, "First to recover will be the general tool sector." He said his view was that the recession would also provide a longer term boost to rental, with contractors more likely to rent than buy equipment when demand increases.