Nikken considers aerial re-renting in North America

Japanese rental giant Nikken is considering starting a re–rental business in North America, possibly focusing on aerial platforms and other rental–friendly items.

Nikken already has a subsidiary company in the US, Americ Corp, which procures products for its rental parent in Japan – including North American aerial platforms – and also assembles portable fans for sale to rental companies worldwide, including Nikken.

Mr Masayoshi Seki, Nikken's director of corporate planning, said the company was considering several options for developing its US subsidiary, with re–rental being one of them. Another option would be for Nikken to acquire a rental company, although Seki said that the high acquisition prices of US rental companies made that an expensive route.

“We are thinking how and when we should start”, said Seki, “It is not a clear plan, but we have started some marketing research for such a possibility. Our priority is still our domestic market.”

Although the vast majority of Nikken's $620 million annual turnover comes from its Japanese rental activities, it also has used equipment sales outlets in Asia, the Middle East and the US.