U.S. Rental Revenue Outpaces Economy

The equipment rental industry in the United States continues to outpace gross domestic product (GDP) in the country by four times in 2013, according to American Rental Association’s (ARA) latest forecast from the ARA Rental Market Monitor. Revenues will reach $33.5 billion in revenue, representing a 7 percent increase over 2012 with revenue growth reaching 7.8 percent in the fourth quarter according to the latest quarterly forecast updated July 29, 2013. Economic data and analysis for ARA’s Rental Market Monitor is compiled by IHS Global Insight, an economic forecasting firm based in Lexington, Mass.

In the United States, the construction market and consumer spending continue to be the most important drivers of growth of the equipment rental market in 2013. “Though real nonresidential construction is forecast to decline 0.8 percent, real residential construction is expected to grow 8.2 percent, yielding an overall real construction growth rate of 2.6 percent in 2013. Real consumer spending is projected to increase 1.9 percent in 2013, with spending on recreational services forecast to grow 1.3 percent. These improvements will translate into increased revenue in all segments of the equipment rental market,” according to the U.S. economic analysis from the ARA Rental Market Monitor.

The construction and industrial equipment segment is forecast to grow 8.1 percent in 2013, while general tool segment revenue is expected to increase 5.4 percent over 2012. Party and event rental revenue is forecast to increase 2.4 percent. The second quarter of 2013 is projected to be the slowest for the overall rental equipment market compared with 2012, but quarter-on-quarter growth is forecast to pick up in the final two quarters of the year.

The forecast for 2014 is more positive, calling for 9.2 percent growth in U.S. equipment rental revenue followed by 12.9 percent growth in 2015. By the end of 2017, equipment rental revenue in the United States is expected to exceed $46.5 billion.

In Canada, the equipment rental industry is forecast to generate nearly $4.6 billion in revenue in 2013, a 2.8 percent increase, and to continue growing throughout the forecast to reach nearly $5.4 billion in rental revenue in 2017.

“As we look toward the third quarter of the year, we continue to see significant growth opportunity in succeeding future years for equipment rental. The dynamics of the economy drive this industry, along with individual management initiative. Rental operators adeptly balance these factors to build their rental revenue volume. Rental penetration continues its growth pattern, as the customer base relies on rental as a preferred business option,” says Christine Wehrman, ARA’s executive VP and CEO.

“The U.S. economy slowed more than expected in the first half of the year, but equipment rental demand has remained strong. We have lowered our growth expectations for 2013 modestly to reflect this, but rental growth will still handily outperform the overall economy. The path ahead still looks promising with employment growth continuing and housing data coming in strong, which implies an improving commercial construction market to follow. Industrial markets, especially those tied to energy exploration and production, also should see growth,” says Scott Hazelton, a senior partner with IHS Global insight, which compiles data and analyses for the ARA Rental Market Monitor.