Written by Murray Pollok – 28 Oct 2016 of KLH – International Rental News
Riwal has signed up with the SmartEquip online parts ordering system, the second large European rental company to do so after Boels Rental.
Norty Turner, Riwal’s CEO, told IRNthat it was realistic for the entire operation, including its activities in the Middle East and India, to be covered by the system within 18 months, with implementation starting in Spain very soon.
“We feel that the return on investment – conservatively – will likely be five or six times our investment. We are very confident”, said Mr Turner.
The SmartEquip system provides a single online platform for fleet owners to identify and order parts for machines from subscribing manufacturers, of which there are now 120 in Europe.
It is already well established in the US – with users including United Rentals, Sunbelt Rentals, Herc Rentals and BlueLine Rentals – and in recent years has been moving into Europe, led by Alex Schuessler, SmartEquip’s founder and president of its international division.
Riwal has had the benefit of the cooperation with Boels as it considered the investment. “We have a very good relationship with Boels – we’ve been collaborating from a commercial standpoint but also sharing some things from an IT perspective”, said Mr Turner.
“They feel very good about the system, and it’s helpful when a company you respect has been able to implement the system successfully.”
Virtually the entire Riwal fleet – dominated by JLG and Genie but also with Manitou, Magni, Holland Lift, Teupen and Skyjack machines – will be covered by the system.
Mr Turner said SmartEquip’s technology would allow the company to “increase value added time and reduce non value added time. Moving machines to the rental readly line as quickly and efficiently as possible after thorough checks have been done is one of our main goals.
