Rental demand drops in Turkey

While there has been an increase in demand for some equipment types, generally the demand for rental equipment across Turkey has fallen, and rental firms are expecting customers to cut contracts short.

However, construction sites in the country remain open and fully functional, and rental companies are keeping their depots open to serve them.

According to IMDER (Turkey Construction Equipment Distributors and Manufacturers Association) and ISDER (Material Handling, Storage and Industrial Equipment Association of Turkey) – which represent rental companies and distributors in Turkey – one example of the type of equipment seeing greater demand is forklift trucks. They are needed by the retail, food and packaging industries.

A spokesperson from IMDER/ISDER said, “Unfortunately, many IMDER and ISDER members think that their customers will request to finish their contracts early in the near future.”

The spokesperson said delivery times for new equipment have lengthened, especially for companies that import their machines from the EU.

Rental companies in Turkey are taking special health and safety measures to protect their staff and customers. Machines returning from project sites are disinfected and quarantined, to ensure they are clean when they enter the depots. In addition, extra time is spent on maintenance work.

“The technical teams and field teams of our member companies work in shifts. Most of their employees are working from home. All workplaces are disinfected regularly,” said the spokesperson.

IMDER and ISDER are monitoring government advice closely and making all the necessary applications for assistance from government institutions to ensure its members benefit from all the relevant measures.

“We are learning what our members need to sustain their businesses, and we share their requests with the public authorities.”