Latest IRN100 rental survey shows flat revenues in 2010

The IRN100 survey covering the 2010/11 financial year indicates that global rental revenues were almost flat last year. Total top 100 company revenues were €23.49 billion last year, up just 1.2% on 2009 when corrected for currency variations.

The survey reveals that the rental companies of North America and Europe - who make up almost 80% of the top 100 - saw almost flat growth last year. This follows 3% and 15% falls in 2008 and 2009, respectively.

The top place this year is taken by Aggreko, which managed to continue its growth largely because of its success in the international power projects market. It takes over the number one position from United Rentals, which drops to second position.

The IRN100 - published by International Rental News (IRN) magazine - is based on rental revenues and sales of used equipment , but excludes new equipment sales. Include United's total business and it would comfortably be number one.

In terms of rental revenues generated only in Europe, Loxam again tops the list with sales of €703 million, followed by Ramirent (€503 million) and Cramo (€492 million).

The survey also illustrates the extent to which the largest rental companies have started to increase their investment in their fleets. The top 25 spenders - who are not necessarily the largest 25 companies in the list - spent €2.7 billion gross last year, which is more than double the €1.29 billion invested in 2009. Ten of the top 25 top spenders come from South America or Asia.

The fastest growing company last year was Mills Rental of Brazil (revenues up 32%), followed by Aggreko (+23%) and Australia's Coates Hire (+21%). Another Brazilian company, Solaris, also made the top ten growth league with a 20% increase in its Brazilian and Argentinean rental businesses.

New entrants to the list include two Australian companies - Onsite Rental Group and Force Access - and A Geradora Aluguel, a general equipment renter in Brazil. Another first-timer is pump manufacturer ITT Water & Wastewater, which has a worldwide rental operation.

The full list is about to be published in the June issue of International Rental News (IRN). An expanded list, with more details on individual companies and with additional graphical analysis, will be available for purchase in late July.

IRN would like to thank all those companies and individuals who provided data for the survey.