CRS - March 2026 by annexbusinessmedia

MARCH 2026

New possibilities Collective Event Rentals celebrating 10 years of success

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MARCH 2026 Vol. 50, No. 2

EDITOR I Mike Lacey mlacey@annexbusinessmedia.com (416) 510-5115 ASSOCIATE EDITOR I Colin Leggett cleggett@annexbusinessmedia.com (416) 510-5207 BRAND SALES MANAGER I Nav Matharu nmatharu@annexbusinessmedia.com (226) 931-5095 ACCOUNT COORDINATOR I Barb Comer bcomer@annexbusinessmedia.com (519) 429-5171 AUDIENCE DEVELOPMENT MANAGER Shawn Arul sarul@annexbusinessmedia.com (416) 510-5181

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EDITORIAL

AI is transforming how we live and work.

OFFERING NEW POSSIBILITIES

CONCRETE SOLUTIONS

Collective Event Rentals is celebrating 10 years of success.

We take a look at the latest concrete saws, plate compactors and scarifiers on the market.

HEAVY DUTY

RENT TO GROW

We profile the latest crop of heavy-duty pickup trucks on the market.

The growing interest in farm equipment rentals.

Serving the Canadian rental industry for 45 years.

www.canadianrentalservice.com

EVENTOLOGY

AT YOUR SERVICE

A successful event is the result of great planning, trained staff, and the necessary safety measures.

How do you make a disappointed customer happy?

SNOOK’S LOOK Is AI the answer to the slow down in residential construction?

March 2026 | CANADIANRENTALSERVICE 3

EDITORIAL

The next frontier AI’s quick transformation

I by Mike Lacey

was a skeptic of artificial intelligence. I understood, partially, its potential usefulness. But, as a writer, I was weary of a technology that could so easily replace my craft. However, I’ve learned a few things. First, it can’t replace the creative process. Perhaps one day it will but that is a long time from now. Second, the main advantages are not in creating content, but as a tool in helping us grapple with the significant amount of information we now have at the tips of our fingers. AI’s real advantages are in deep research and analysis. It can conduct a search in the literal blink of an eye. The more I’ve used it in both my professional and personal life, the more convinced I am that this technology will have as profound of an impact on society as the iPhone. Just think, the iPhone was first released in 2007. Can you imagine the world today without a smartphone? As a tool, AI is just as useful. It can spit out all sorts of useful information within seconds. Need a recipe? Here are five options. Wondering what’s wrong with your toilet? Here are the likely reasons, the necessary steps to evaluate the problem and a detailed description of the repairs required. Do you wonder what a hefty report on the economy means for your business? Within seconds AI can provide a brief synposis with links to the relevant portions of the report. I know one OEM is working on a massive project where its comprehensive user guide will be online. If you have a problem with a piece of equipment, there is a chatbot you talk with that will walk through diagnosing

It’s difficult to grasp how transformational AI is going to be on our society.

the problem and possibly fixing it. The chatbot would speak in your language of choice. I know about a decade ago, when analytics began to play a major role in every industry, the possibilities were endless. We now had the ability to look at the most minute information for any possible job and sector. It was remarkable. But there was a problem: it was too much. No one could properly analzye all of the information we had available to us. This is true in our personal lives as much as professionally. We have the world’s collective knowledge available right in our hands. But we don’t have the capacity to access it all. For me, that’s where AI is a real blessing. We suddenly can analzye massive amounts of data in a relatively short amount of time. It makes all of that data not just useful, but far more actionable than ever before. You can improve delivery schedules, maintenance plans, employee hours, et cetera. Need to update (or create) policies and procedures? AI can put together a document that you can then remove and adapt to your circumstances. Of course, like all new technologies, this will come with many negatives. There is already concern about the massive amounts of energy required to power data centres. But AI is also going to reverberate across the economy. People will lose jobs. How many and if they are replaced by new positions is up in the air. Many worry that it won’t create as many jobs as it eliminates. These are big problems that government and industry must address. There is no going back though. The genie is out of the bottle. Now it’s about how to use this technology to benefit us. That’s why over the next year we will be digging deeper into the world of AI and what it means for society, for business and for the rental industry. CRS Mike Lacey is editor of Canadian Rental Service. He can be reached via email at mlacey@ annexbusinessmagazine.com

@CRSmagazine 4 CANADIANRENTALSERVICE | March 2026

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INDUSTRY NEWS CANADIAN CONCRETE EXPO 2026 SETS NEW ATTENDANCE AND EXHIBITOR RECORDS

The eighth Annual Canadian Concrete Expo (CCE) 2026 set new records for attendance, exhibitors, interactive product experiences and education. The trade show held February 11 to 12 at the International Centre in Mississauga welcomed 7,983 industry professionals to mark a 20 per cent increase over the previous year. CCE 2026 also reached a new milestone with a record

396 exhibitors and expanded show floor. One of the standout successes of CCE 2026 was the expanded Equipment & Product Demo area, which was consistently busy throughout both days of the show. The enhanced demo experience gave attendees an immersive, hands-on opportunity to test tools and equipment on-site, compare solutions side-by-side and engage directly with manufacturers on real jobsite applications. CCE 2026 placed a major spotlight on professional development with 35 conference sessions delivered over the two-day event and session attendance increasing by 39 per cent. More than 90 sponsors, partners and industry associations supported CCE 2026. Attendees traveled from across Canada and many countries around the world, with significant participation from Quebec and Eastern Canada. Planning is already underway for next year. CCE 2027 will take place on Feb. 10-11, 2027 at The International Centre in Mississauga.

COMING EVENTS 2026 March 26 - 27 Atlantic Heavy Equipment Show Moncton, New Brunswick ahes.ca April 9 Women in Construction Mississauga, Ont. events.annexbusinessmedia.com/event/women-in-construction-breakfast/ April 23 - 24 National Heavy Equipment Show Mississauga, Ont. nhes.ca Oct. 21 - 22 BUILDEX Alberta Calgary, Alta. informaconnect.com/buildex-alberta/ Visit canadianrentalservice.com for updated Coming Events listings

SKYJACK RECEIVES SUPPLIER OF THE YEAR AWARD FROM UNITED RENTALS United Rentals has chosen Skyjack as the recipient of its 2025 Supplier of the Year award. Skyjack was presented with the award at the annual United Rentals supplier show in St. Louis, Mo. The company says it has a positive and longstanding relationship with United Rentals and has worked hand-in-hand with them to reliably help customers increase performance and productivity on diverse worksites. “We are pleased to recognize Skyjack as our Supplier of the Year,” said T.J. Mahoney, vice president supply chain for United Rentals, Inc. “As a valued equipment partner, they have consistently demonstrated a high standard of quality, reliability, and operational excellence. Their commitment to meeting our business requirements, supporting our rental fleet, and maintaining a strong collaborative partnership has contributed meaningfully to our continued success.” “We appreciate this recognition of our entire team’s passion for delivering simply reliable equipment and exceptional customer support,” said George Fitchett, senior vice president of national accounts for Skyjack. United Rentals previously recognized Skyjack as the Supplier of the Year in 2012 and 2018. 6 CANADIANRENTALSERVICE | March 2026

UNITED RENTALS HAS ROLLED OUT A NEW AI AGENT FOR ITS EMPLOYEES

United Rentals announced it has rolled out a new AI agent built on Snowflake Intelligence to operational teams working across more than 1,600 branches. The Business Intelligence Agent allows branch managers, sales leaders and regional teams to ask questions of their company data in plain language and get actionable information quickly. United Rentals says the deployment gives employees a more flexible, conversational way to interact with company data across financial and operational functions. United Rentals is leveraging Snowflake to unify financial operations, fleet and telematics data, pricing, contracts, accounts receivable, and internal documentation into a single governed platform. This approach allows analysts to continue querying data and building visualizations while also enabling business users to ask questions in real time, which United Rentals says reduces manual effort and accelerates decision-making across the organization. United Rentals’ Business Intelligence Agent allows

VOLVO CE AND UNICONTROL BRING 3D MACHINE CONTROL PARTNERSHIP TO NORTH AMERICA

Volvo Construction Equipment (Volvo CE) and Unicontrol have announced that the software company’s 3D machine control technology is now available on Volvo CE excavators in North America. Volvo Active Control will fully integrate the Unicontrol3D system to provide one interface with one set of hardware. Volvo CE says the platform will help excavator operators work with more speed, precision and efficiency while digging trenches, grading slopes or creating site profiles. All of the necessary hardware and software are installed when customers order the Volvo Co-Pilot with Dig Assist (the Volvo CE machine control system for excavators) from the factory. The only additional step is activating the Unicontrol3D application.

employees to interact directly with their data and understand not just what is happening but why. The natural-language experience uses United Rentals’ governed enterprise data and shared business definitions, including how metrics are calculated and how performance is measured. This also ensures the answers are consistent, explainable and aligned with how the company runs its operations. Every response respects existing data access controls, so users only see the information they are authorized to view. United Rentals is also using Snowflake Cortex Code. The data-native AI coding agent automates and accelerates end-to-end enterprise development to build, test, and maintain additional internal AI agents. Cortex Code helps United Rentals translate business logic and data context into production-ready AI apps, reducing the time from prototype to deployment. Cortex Code builds evaluation sets and runs automated tests as part of its development process, enabling reliability and performance as AI experiences scale. This allows teams to iteratively improve both models and supporting logic, validate changes before new capabilities are released and ensure consistent behaviour as usage scales. United Rentals’ Business Intelligence Agent is the first of several AI apps developed on Snowflake using Snowflake Intelligence and Cortex Code. Additional agents are already in progress for equipment health, telematics, and other internal operational use cases.

WORK BEGINS ON ELEVATED GUIDEWAY AND FOUR NEW STATIONS FOR ONTARIO LINE The Ontario government has officially broken ground on the elevated guideway and four new stations for the Ontario Line subway in Toronto. Crews have begun work along the three-kilometre elevated guideway, a raised stretch of track that will connect Don Valley, Flemingdon Park and Thorncliffe Park stations, where ground has also now been broken. The province is also breaking ground at Cosburn Station, which it says will connect riders across the city to Toronto’s Pape Village neighbourhood for the first time. Once complete, the 15.6-kilometre Ontario Line will have 15 stations, running from Exhibition Place through the downtown core and connecting to Line 5 Eglinton at Don Mills Road. March 2026 | CANADIANRENTALSERVICE 7

INDUSTRY NEWS ONTARIO CONTINUES WORK ON RING OF FIRE INFRASTRUCTURE AND NORTHLANDER RAIL PROJECTS

The Ontario government is continuing to invest in projects related to the Ring of Fire, beginning with the Barrie to Sudbury transmission line. The province has declared the transmission line as a priority project and designated Hydro One to develop and construct it. The province is accelerating construction of the new single-circuit 500-kilovolt transmission line which will run approximately 290 kilometres from the Essa Transformer Station near Barrie to the Hanmer Transformer Station in Sudbury. The Barrie to Sudbury line will create capacity to deliver up to 1,500MW to the north and 1,000MW to the south. The province says the line will create more than 9,000 jobs. The province says Northern Ontario is facing a significant transmission bottleneck because its electricity grid was originally designed to serve small, widely dispersed communities and resource-based industries, not the growing demand from mining expansion, electrification and new industrial projects. The Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) has recommended a two-phase approach to addressing the bottleneck: • Phase 1 is a single-circuit 500-kilovolt transmission line running 290 kilometres from Barrie to Sudbury, that is expected to be in-service in 2032. • Phase 2 is a second single-circuit 500-kilovolt line that will undergo early development work at this time to ensure the project can materialize quickly when more transmission capacity between northern and southern Ontario is needed. On Dec. 4, 2025, Stephen Lecce, Minister of Energy and Mines, signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Energy Corridor First Nations (ECFN) consortium to establish shared objectives, principles of cooperation and a framework for joint engagement on this project. The consortium is expected to grow as additional First Nations join over time. This transmission project will provide significant partnership and participation opportunities for Indigenous communities, helping to advance economic reconciliation, the province says. First Nations will also have access to Hydro One’s First Nations Equity Partnership Model, which will include First Nation leadership in decision-making and 50 per cent ownership of the line. The Ontario government is also accelerating construction of the 230-kilometre Greenstone Transmission Line. Hydro One will develop and construct the line which will run from Nipigon Bay to near Aroland First Nation and the gateway to the Ring of Fire. The transmission line has been designated a priority project. The province says the Greenstone project will create

8 CANADIANRENTALSERVICE | March 2026

more than 7,000 jobs and is part of the government’s broader plan to drive economic growth in Northern Ontario. The government and Hydro One have also committed to leveraging the Canadian and Ontario supply chain, with 93 per cent of the project’s costs to date staying in the country. Electricity demand in northern Ontario is projected to increase by 81 per cent by 2050, according to the province. Greenstone will provide the capacity needed to unlock 350700 megawatts of additional hydroelectricity and other power generation. It has a projected completion date of 2032. In another development related to the Ring of Fire, Webequie First Nation has submitted an Environmental Assessment (EA) for an all-season road corridor from Webequie First Nation to the mineral deposit area near McFaulds Lake. The proposed Webequie Supply Road would stretch 107 kilometres and would facilitate the movement of materials, supplies and people from the Webequie Airport to the proposed mine development and mineral exploration activities in the McFaulds Lake area of northwestern Ontario. Greg Rickford, Minister of Indigenous Affairs and First Nations Economic Reconciliation and Minister Responsible for Ring of Fire Economic and Community Partnerships, said the Ring of Fire has the potential to add $22 billion and 70,000 jobs to Ontario’s economy. It could also provide better access to social and health services, create economic and training opportunities, improve food security and reduce the cost of living for First Nations and Northern Ontario communities. The Ontario government also continues to invest in infrastructure projects outside of the Ring of Fire. The province is investing more than $100 million in rail infrastructure to support the return of Northlander passenger rail service to northeastern Ontario. The province says work underway along the corridor, including joint elimination, curve adjustments and improvements at rail crossings will deliver a smoother ride, enhance comfort and safety, and reduce travel times for passengers. The Northlander will span 740 kilometres between Toronto and Timmins with a rail connection to Cochrane for a total of 16 stops. Additional work along the corridor includes adding warning systems, updating signage at rail crossings and adding gates to existing crossings which the province says will continue to enhance safety across the network. The Ontario government has also awarded a contract for renovations at North Bay Station, which will serve the Northlander, as well as Ontario Northland’s motor coach and Bus Parcel Express services. Construction is underway to modernize the station with new digital screens, seating and service counters, as well as washroom and lighting enhancements to improve accessibility and comfort.

EVENTOLOGY

People and protocols Ensuring safe, smooth events.

by Michelle Nicol, CERP

successful event is more than a beautiful setup, it’s the result of careful and detailed planning, trained staff, and the necessary safety measures. These elements often make the difference between a flawless event, and one filled with last minute challenges, causing unexpected stress for the crew and client.

THE ROLE OF SKILLED STAFF Rental companies are no longer just suppliers. Clients expect more than the right equipment, they want professionals who know how to set up, operate and troubleshoot on site. Staff play a vital role in bringing events to life and experienced crews can identify potential issues before they become problems. Tip: Cross train your employees so they can handle multiple roles, such as setup, teardown and equipment operation. This ensures flexibility during complex events and reduces the risk of delays if a team member is unavailable.

SAFETY AS A TOP PRIORITY Safety is essential in every rental operation. Proper setup and handling of heavy equipment, tents, staging and electrical systems prevent accidents and protect both staff and guests. Companies that invest in training programs, certifications and strict protocols to reduce risk will find that their accident reports and claims decrease year over year. Tip: Conduct a short safety briefing at each large event site. Even if staff are experienced, reviewing specific risks, environmental factors and outlining each crew members responsibilities ensures everyone is aligned and prepared.

TRENDS IN STAFFING AND SAFETY 2026 is seeing significant changes in event operations. Many rental companies are adopting technology to improve safety and efficiency by implementing digital tools for equipment tracking, site

maps and safety checklists to help managers monitor operations in real time. Clear communication with clients and on-site staff is critical. Ensuring everyone understands timelines, setup plans and safety protocols reduces errors and builds trust. Tip: Use collaborative tools like mobile apps or cloud based platforms to keep staff updated. For large events, assigning team leads for different zones ensures quick problem solving and improved co-ordination.

PLANNING FOR COMPLEX EVENTS Some events involve multiple moving parts, from stages and lighting to tents, flooring and AV equipment. Planning ahead is essential and a detailed site survey can identify obstacles, electrical needs, drainage issues, or accessibility requirements before setup begins. Creating a written plan that includes responsibilities, timelines, and contingency measures helps staff stay organized and proactive on large installations. Tip: Encourage crews to walk through the entire site before unloading equipment. Observing the space in person can reveal issues that plans or blueprints might miss.

CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES Finding skilled staff and maintaining safety standards is challenging. Staffing shortages, training costs and increasingly complex events are real concerns. However, these challenges are also opportunities for rental companies to invest in staff training, maintain safety certifications and create a culture of accountability to position themselves as leaders in the industry. Clients notice the difference when teams are confident, professional, and prepared. In the end, rental companies do more than deliver equipment. They bring expertise, reliability, and peace of mind. Michelle Nicol, CERP, is an award-winning account executive for Element Event Solutions in Toronto. March 2026 | CANADIANRENTALSERVICE 9

COVER STORY

OFFERING NEW POSSIBILITIES

Collective Event Rentals celebrates 10 years of success

by TREENA HEIN

aving been born into a rental business family, it’s no surprise that when Kelly Brincheski (Dwyer) started looking around as a young adult in Winnipeg, Manitoba, she noticed a market gap.

This was a gap she could fill and, by doing so, she massively changed, for the better, how events were held in her region from that point forward. “I grew up in a second-generation equipment rental business, C&T Rentals, so rentals were always part of my world,” Brincheski explains. “Equipment rentals are one thing, but I saw a clear gap in the regional event rental market.” At the time, the local event rental landscape was fairly static. Companies offered what they had and clients were expected to design their events around existing inventory, rather than the other way around. Brincheski seized the opportunity to go the other way and founded Collective Event Rentals (first known as C&T Event Rentals) in 2016. Brincheski continues to lead all operations and strategic direction for Collective and Novella at Collective (more on that later). While the companies still operate under the broader C&T umbrella, she maintains full oversight of their growth and execution. At the same time, she works closely with her father, Ed Dwyer, who still runs C&T Rentals. “We have a strong family foundation with a modern, forward-thinking approach,” Brincheski says.

A NEW LANDSCAPE But even with her experience growing up in the rental sector, Brincheski’s new venture was a whole new ballgame. “One of my biggest early challenges was the learning curve,” she shares. “I understood rentals 10 CANADIANRENTALSERVICE | March 2026

from the equipment side but I had no background in events. I genuinely didn’t even know how many people sat at an eight-foot table.” In the beginning, like any dedicated entrepreneur, she said yes to every event that came her way and managed every detail by herself, day in and day out, learning by doing. Brincheski also recognizes her good fortune to have had a strong network through the American Rental Association (ARA). She leaned on this experienced network for guidance to be sure, but at this point in time, she’s confident in saying that ultimately, success in event rentals is all about hands-on execution. “I immersed myself in every part of the business as we expanded, from purchasing and inventory management to cleaning, maintenance, warehouse flow, logistics, safety and customer experience,” she remembers. “You don’t just buy a chair and rent it out. You need to understand how it must be stored, transported, maintained and actually used in a real event environment. By building that deep, practical knowledge before delegating part of my operation to others, I created a strong foundation for success.” Her strategy of understanding every part of the business has, of course, paid off. Since those early days a decade ago, Collective Event Rentals has grown from a one-person operation into a large team with dedicated roles across sales, operations, warehouse and logistics. “Having team members with specific areas of responsibility has been critical to scaling properly,” says Brincheski. “Today, we operate out of

PHOTO: COLLECTIVE EVENT RENTALS

Kelly Brincheski, owner of Collective Event Rentals.

a 28,000-square-foot warehouse, with plans to add another 15,000 square feet as we continue to grow. Our market has expanded significantly as well. What began as a focused event rental company now supports everything from intimate gatherings to large-scale, professionally-produced events.” As her team and number-of-eventsper-year grew, Brincheski also obviously expanded her inventory. She delved into multiple product categories with a strong focus on curated, design-forward collections rather than one-off items. “We’ve also diversified beyond rentals,” she says. “In 2023, we opened Novella at Collective, a wedding and event venue located on the second floor of our office space that accommodates up to 150 guests.” The facility itself marked a major milestone in Brincheski’s business journey. Planning began in 2018 with a vision to create a forever home for the company. She traveled across North America to tour rental operations and spent time in Cleveland with her builders at Event

Source, the store of past ARA president John Bibbo, to learn how large-scale event rental businesses were designed and run from layout and workflow to the electrical and water capacity required to support growth at scale. Brincheski oversaw every detail of the build, from overall layout and design to the placement of every light and outlet. Partway through construction, she made the strategic decision to transform the second floor into a dedicated wedding and event venue, a shift that required a completely new business plan and a full redesign, including the addition of an elevator and a second-floor patio. The project brought three separate warehouses together into one centralized location, Brincheski explains, but it also unfolded during a period of unprecedented uncertainty as it overlapped with the COVID-19 pandemic. The company moved into the new space in July 2021 as restrictions began to lift. Today, the building stands as one of Brincheski’s proudest accomplishments, designed to support both the business she built and the growth still ahead.

MEETING CHALLENGES SMARTLY Like many other Canadian rental businesses, two of the biggest challenges for Collective Event Rentals have been the COVID-19 pandemic and managing rapid growth. The pandemic was obviously extremely hard for event rental firms and the events industry came to a complete standstill. “We went from being fully booked on our way to our best year yet to having our calendar wiped out almost overnight,” says Brincheski. But being a smart entrepreneur, Brincheski pivoted her focus from growth to ensuring her business would make it through. She spent her time protecting client relationships, communicating transparently and supporting her team. She used the downtime to strategically evaluate Collective’s operations and refine its long-term vision. When the industry came back, it came back fast and Collective was ready. The pandemic aside, managing growth March 2026 | CANADIANRENTALSERVICE 11

COVER STORY

has presented many new challenges. “Growth is exciting, but without the right structure, it can become chaotic,” Brincheski says. “That realization led me to implement EOS (Entrepreneurial Operating System). It gave us clarity around roles, accountability, numbers and goals, allowing us to shift from reactive decisions to intentional, organized growth. “Putting that structure in place was a complete turning point. It allowed us to scale while maintaining quality, protecting our culture and keeping the team aligned.”

THEN AND NOW Brincheski notes that not only has the event industry changed since she started in it, it looks completely different. Back then, as mentioned, her regional competition offered fixed inventory and clients 12 CANADIANRENTALSERVICE | March 2026

designed their events around what was available. That created an opportunity for her to introduce products and styles that customers were actively asking for but couldn’t find anywhere in the area. As leaders such as Brincheski recognized and met customer desires, over time, expectations shifted in event rentals across the sector, she notes. “Today, the market is more creative, design-driven and diverse,” she says. “Customers are more informed and intentional about how rentals contribute to their overall event experience. That evolution has pushed the entire industry forward.” And of course, no industry stands still. Brincheski observes that now, in the aftermath of that big shift to more options being available for more creative and personalized events, the event rental

landscape is now being reshaped further. Simply put, clients are no longer just booking products, they’re curating experiences. “From lounge vignettes and colour co-ordinated tabletop collections to statement décor pieces, there’s a strong shift toward rentals that feel intentional, elevated and visually compelling,” Brincheski reports. “Traditional items like chairs and tables are now simply the foundation. What clients truly value is how rentals enhance the overall atmosphere and bring their event vision to life.” And Collective Event Rentals is keeping pace, with the help of a strong team. “We are nothing without our customers, and we are nothing without our team,” says Brincheski. “Strong relationships, trust and clear communication matter more than anything else.

PHOTO: COLLECTIVE EVENT RENTALS

Today’s event industry is creative, design-driven and diverse.

Products change, trends come and go, but investing in people, both the ones you serve and the ones you work with, is what builds a sustainable business.”

THE VALUE OF ARA Brincheski has also taken on the role of Region 10 Director with the ARA, after six years serving on the ARA Foundation Board. It’s a natural next step for her, not only because the rental industry has been part of her life for as long as she can remember, but because she’s always wanted to give back to the community that has supported her both personally and professionally. “If it weren’t for my involvement with the ARA my business wouldn’t be where it is today,” she says. “The connections, education and support I’ve received through the organization have played an instrumental role in our growth. Being able to represent and support Canadian rental businesses at a national level is something I’m truly proud of.”

Brincheski says investment in employees and clients is key.

CURRENT AND FUTURE PLANS In the short term, Collective Event Rentals is expanding its operations by bringing linens management in-house this year, after previously renting them. This gives greater control over quality, availability and the overall customer experience.

“Long-term, our goal is to continue growing through acquisitions our upcoming building expansion while also expanding into other complementary product categories and new areas in a smart, intentional way,” says Brincheski. “That means strengthening our systems, scaling our infrastructure and evolving alongside our customers and the industry.” Reflecting on her journey so far, Brincheski says that from the beginning, she was willing to do things differently. “I wasn’t afraid of change, risk or challenging the status quo,” she shares. “My mindset has always been: How can this be better? How can it be simpler? That constant pursuit of improvement, in systems, service, and design, is what has fueled our growth. “I’ve never been comfortable standing still,” she adds. “We’ll continue to evolve with our customers, adapt to trends and continuously refine how we operate to deliver a better experience.” CRS

2026-02-25 9:09 AM

CONCRETE

Concrete solutions We focus on the newest concrete saws, plate compactors and scarifiers now available on the market.

tough job requires even tougher equipment, and there’s nothing tougher than working with concrete. Whether working at home or on a jobsite, the right concrete tool can make all the difference, including making a job easier and safer to complete. Canadian Rental Service is taking a look at concrete saws, plate compactors and scarifiers optimized for usability and effectiveness. With both gas and electric options for many pieces of equipment, it’s easier than ever to find the right concrete tool for indoor or outdoor use.

Milwaukee’s MX FUEL Cut-Off Saw delivers 14-inch gas performance with no gas headaches. Its POWERSTATE Brushless Motor gives it the power to cut tough materials like concrete. No gas engine means fewer wearable parts, less noise, zero emissions and a vibration of 1.0 m/s². It can cut 28 linear feet fully plunged in concrete with two MX FUEL REDLITHIUM FORGE XC8.0 Batteries. RAPIDSTOP Blade Brake and Kickback Control provides enhanced safety by stopping the blade in three seconds during regular use and in cases of 14 CANADIANRENTALSERVICE | March 2026

LEAD PHOTOS: CANADIAN CONCRETE EXPO

MILWAUKEE MX FUEL 14” CUT-OFF SAW WITH RAPIDSTOP

kickback. The saw’s load light indicator optimizes runtime and blade life. Its electric onboard water connection releases water only when the trigger is released to reduce mess. No gas maintenance coupled with ONE-KEY tracking for increased security and a push button start make this saw an ideal choice for rental companies.

HILTI DSH900-22 BATTERY CUT-OFF SAW The DSH900-22 is a powerful rear-handle battery cut-off saw for cutting up to six inches with 14-inch blades in concrete. It is engineered to match the cutting speed and feel of a 90cc gas cut-off saw without the fumes, noise or high vibration rate. The saw includes a push button start and a green LED power button to indicate whenever the tool is on. The new 3D Active Torque Control (ATC) stops unexpected saw kickback in under one second. A fast-acting blade brake stops the blade in four seconds or less after releasing the trigger. The saw is zero emission compliant and perfect for work in confined spaces. The DSH900-22 is ideal for cutting through all types of concrete and brick, masonry and asphalt.

STIHL TSA 500 The STIHL TSA 500 is a powerful battery-powered cut-off machine. Running on two AP 500 S batteries, it delivers strong, versatile cutting performance on materials like concrete, brick and natural

stone. Its emission-free operation makes it ideal for indoor or outdoor use. The high‑efficiency EC motor runs quietly with low vibration and minimal wear, while an electronic control system maintains consistent power throughout the battery cycle. The TSA 500 is easy to operate with an ergonomic control handle, digital interface, ADVANCE PLUS module with integrated STIHL Smart Connector, and a clear LED display. The saw supports 14 inch cutting wheels for up to five inches of cutting depth. A runout brake with energy recuperation stops the wheel within seconds and feeds energy back into the battery. The standard water connection effectively reduces dust and the adjustable magnesium guard with integrated water guide improves visibility and protection.

HUSQVARNA K1 PACE POWER CUTTER The K1 Pace power cutter delivers the same power and performance as equivalent gas-powered cutters and includes an X-Halt brake function for operational safety. James Gammage, District Sales Manager for Husqvarna, says the reduced flange allows for deeper cuts with a 14 inch blade, up to 5.7 inches. He says the 94-volt battery provides 45 minutes of constant runtime, with a charging time of 40 minutes. The K1 Pace includes built-in connectivity for easily monitoring machine location, runtime and service intervals. It can also receive wireless updates through FOTA (firmware over the air). Gammage says that the ease of use makes the saw ideal for rental companies. “Basically, you’re turning the saw on, you’re squeezing the trigger, and it works,” he said. Easy to read indicator lights show how much battery power is left and when the saw is ready to use.

DIAMOND PRODUCTS CC1200XL SMALL WALK BEHIND SAW The CC1200XL features a heavy-duty design, but it is still light enough for two people to lift and carry. It includes an easyto-read built-in depth indicator, slip-on blade guard and heavy duty adjustable handlebars that do not rattle. An optional water tank can be added for dust suppression. The CC1200XL allows for left or right hand sawing. The 1-¼ inch blade shaft delivers 2,600 rpm. It has a 14- and 18inch blade capacity allowing for cutting depths of four-and-five-eighths inches and six-and-five-eighthsinches, respectively. Three different engine options are available: the Honda GX270 (8.5hp, 14.1 Torque), the Honda GX390 (11.7hp, 19.5 torque) and the Briggs 2100 (420cc, 21 torque). The Briggs 2100 Series models include a Diamond Products 3-year extended warranty. The CC1200XL is easy to use and ideal for the rental market due to its simplified controls.

DEWALT POWERSHIFT FORWARD PLATE COMPACTOR DeWalt’s Powershift forward plate compactor features an ergonomically designed handle to help reduce vibration during long compaction cycles. The on/ off and high/low speed selector are conveniently placed on the handle set. The high/low speed control allows for precise March 2026 | CANADIANRENTALSERVICE 15

CONCRETE response for easier maneuverability. The COOL-CYCLE Active Cooling System provides high-speed cooling for less downtime and works with MX FUEL batteries that have COOL-CYCLE capability. The foldable handlebar allows for more efficient storage and easier jobsite transport. REDLINK PLUS Intelligence ensures optimal performance and provides overload protection for the machine and battery during tough applications. The MX FUEL 20-inch Plate Compactor comes with a two-year equipment and battery warranty. compaction in various types of soil. The maintenance-free brushless motor provides up to 100hz of vibration and 3,370 ft lbs of force. An overheat indicator that notifies the user if the temperature of the tool gets too high. The gravity-fed water tank and wheeled mobility kit are included with the machine. Batteries can be swapped easily, allowing for less downtime. No fumes means this plate compactor is an ideal choice for both indoor and outdoor work.

BARTELL GLOBAL BCF1570

WACKER NEUSON BPU5260AH AND BPU6275AH REVERSIBLE PLATES

MILWAUKEE MX FUEL 20-INCH PLATE COMPACTOR Milwaukee’s battery-powered MX FUEL 20-inch Plate Compactor can perform either forward or reverse compaction. It provides 35 minutes of continuous runtime or 5,000 square feet per charge and delivers a compaction force of 3,700 lbf. It also offers greater control with multi-direction capability and fast/ slow speed control with instant throttle 16 CANADIANRENTALSERVICE | March 2026

base plate design promotes easy cleaning. The BPU models have an increased horsepower of over 30 per cent. They also feature an increased traveling speed of at least 10 per cent and an increased gradeability of almost 30 per cent while maintaining the same compaction results.

Wacker Neuson’s BPU5260Ah and BPU6275Ah models come with Honda GX390 Air-cooled 4-stroke OHV gas engines. They offer high forward and reverse speeds, coupled with compaction force of 11,690 lbf on the BPU5260Ah and 13,938 lbf on the BPU6275Ah. They are specially developed for the requirements of trench and surface compaction. The BPU models feature a modern and ergonomic user interface, including a centre pole that adjusts in height to accommodate operators of different sizes. The low hand-arm vibration values (less than 2.5 m/s²) ensure a more comfortable work experience and help to increase machine utilization. Operators can change direction by turning the handle. This allows them to work with both hands at all times without having to manage additional buttons or cranks. The direction of travel is controlled hydraulically and is maintenance-free. The open

The BCF1570 from Bartell Global is a forward compactor built for a wide range of applications. A throttle control mounted on the anti-vibration handle allows for safe and convenient operator control. The handle folds for convenient storage, and retractable wheels allow for better mobility. The 500 by 525 millimetre straightedged plate design allows the machine to fit into otherwise unreachable margins. The BCF1570 packs a compaction force of 1570 kilogram-force and a maximum travel speed of 25 metres per minute. The sealed housing prevents any debris from interfering with the machine’s belt. A built-in removable water tank allows the compactor to be used on asphalt and provides better dust control on dirt and soil. The BCF1570 is available with either a Honda GX160 4.8hp gas engine or the Vanguard 1.5kW 6.7hp battery system.

BARTELL GLOBAL BR1570 The BR1570 is Bartell Global’s smallest reversible plate compactor with a plate size of 35 by 48 centimetres. It is specialized for compacting sand, trench and patching. The fully hydraulic revers-

BARTELL GLOBAL BEF200N EDCO CPM8 SCARIFIER ing mechanism provides more flexible maneuverability for forward, backward and spot-on compaction. With its Honda GX160 engine providing 4.8hp, the BR1570 can deliver a compaction force of 1570 kilogram-force and a maximum travel speed of 20 metres per minute in both forward and reverse. The BR1570 features a cast aluminum throttle lever for durable control, full roll cage and cast aluminum belt cover for clutch and engine protection, and ductile iron bases for increased strength. An integrated lifting bale for safe loading and unloading coupled with retractable wheels and a weight of 193 lbs make the BR1570 a highly maneuverable option for the jobsite.

RUBBER TRACKS MiniExcavator

Compact Tractor Loader

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The EDCO CPM8 Scarifier, available in gas, electric or propane options, is geared specifically toward the rental market. “If it doesn’t pass the rental tough test in our eyes, it’ll go back into R&D until we get it rental tough,” said Dave Carter, regional sales manager for EDCO. “You can find this CPM8 scarifier in every major rental store across Canada.” All CPM8 models deliver 2,150 RPMs and an eight-inch working width to scarify approximately 350 to 500 square feet per hour at a depth per pass of ⅛ inches. The CPM8 can remove traffic lines at 800 to 1,000 lineal feet per hour. The power source is located over the drum to eliminate vibration and maximize surface contact. The CPM8 features a compact design and a front-mounted lifting handle to make loading and unloading easy.

STUMP GRINDERS 337-13H

The BEF200N comes in both gas and electric (single-phase) models and features a 20-centimetre working path and a five-centimetre working path. The cutter head on the electric and gas models delivers 1,738 rpm and 1,833 rpm, respectively. Both models feature a 50 millimetre dust extraction port, making the machine dust-free when operated with a suitable vacuum. The large diameter wheels provide mobility and stability. The BEF200N features rigid welded construction, a firm engine mounting plate and protection from debris on the front wheels. Don McLean, a Bartell Global representative, says the BEF200N is one of the company’s easiest machines to use, making it an ideal choice for rentals. “This one is very basic, easy to use,” he said. “Easy, simple, no bells and whistles, not complicated.” CRS

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CRS_TerraCut_Feb26_ASK.indd 1

2026-02-03 3:17 PM

FEATURE

NEWEST CROP OF HEAVY DUTY PICKUP TRUCKS Which one is best for you and your operation?

ver the years I have driven a plethora of cars, trucks, vans and SUVs, from the smallest economy car to the largest luxury vehicle.

by MARIO CYWINSKI

That is the life an auto journalist that is also a judge for the Automobile Journalists Association of Canada (AJAC)’s Canadian Car of the Year program. However, with all the great vehicles available to drive, none are as fun to test as heavy-duty pickup trucks. Why? Simply, they can go anywhere and take a lot of stuff along for the ride. While a judge for the Canadian Truck King Challenge, all sizes of trucks were tested from what is commonly known as midsize trucks, to top end HD trucks, with light-duty trucks in between. HD trucks are not something you get for finesse. They are the work horses of the auto industry with the capability of small tanks. Case in point: recently, the greater Toronto area was hammered with a record snowfall. At the time I was able to drive a Ford F-350 Super Duty (Ford speak for HD), without a single issue of being stuck, losing control, or worrying about getting home safely and on time. A week later, while the secondary roads still had plenty of snow on them, a Ram 2500 Power Wagon was the sled of choice. Again, with the off-road capability, increased ride height, and 4x4 power, the truck never wavered. Of note, neither truck was fitted with

18 CANADIANRENTALSERVICE | March 2026

winter tires, but had their stock tires. To be fair, these are very blocky and deep grooved tires, and not what you would see on a sedan or SUV. It is also important to note that to be able to achieve the smooth snow driving that vehicle was put in four-high 4x4 mode. For those who rely on HD trucks, this would be just another workday. Driving through rough terrain, in snow, mud, water, rocks, and everything in between is what a job site produces for everyday. As many will attest to, being able to navigate the terrain is only one of the many things that an HD truck is asked to do. Payload, towing capacity, torque, horsepower, storage space, passenger space and the ability to plug in tools and use the truck as a generator are also high on the list. Let’s have a look at the HD trucks on the market and what each brings to the table. Currently, Ford offers its Super Duty range (including the 3500HD we drove), Ram offers the HD range (including the Power Wagon we drove), and General Motors who offers the twin Chevrolet Silverado HD and GMC Sierra HD. As the GM vehicles are very similar, we will focus on them together.

TOP PHOTO: MARIO CYWINSKI; BOTTOM PHOTO: FORD

FORD SUPER DUTY The Ford Super Duty is available in many trims including XL, XLT, Lariat, King Ranch, Platinum and Platinum Plus. They are offered in 2500, 3500, 4500, 5500 and 6000 models (F350 to F600 are also available as Chassis Cabs). Three cab sizes are available (Regular Cab, Supercab and Crew Cab). Each is available in 4x2 or 4x4, and box sizes of a six and three-quarters feet or eight feet. The Super Duty is one of the most customizable models that Ford sells, with many options that can be customized. That allows work truck fleets to get the truck that is exactly what they need for their company, no matter their size. Super Duty is available with three available engines with four configurations. Two gas engines offered are a 7.3 litre V8 with 430 horsepower and 485 pounds/feet of torque (this was the vehicle that was tested, and it provides more than enough power for most jobs); and a 6.8L V8 with 405hp and 445 lbs/ft. The diesel option is a 6.7L Power Stroke V8 which offers 475hp and 1,050 lbs/ft of torque. But wait, it is also available in a high output power version that ups the horsepower to 500hp and the torque to an insane 1,200 lbs/ft. All engines are mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission for smooth gear shifts. How much do those massive numbers tow or allow for payload? The payload leader is the 6.8L V8 with a max payload of 8,000lbs, followed by the 7.3L V8 at 7,635lbs, then the regular 6.7L diesel at 6,952lbs, and the HOP version of the 6.7L diesel coming in at 6,935lbs. As you may expect, the towing story goes in reverse order of the payload. With the HOP diesel offering 40,000lbs of towing capability, followed by the regular diesel at 38,600lbs, 7.3L V8 at 22,500lbs, and the 6.8L V8 at 18,900lbs. Breaking it down by type of towing, the max for gooseneck is 40,000lbs, fifth wheel is 35,000lbs, and conventional is 30,000lbs. Looking at those numbers, you can’t really go wrong with any of them, depending on how much you need to tow or haul. It is also important to note

The Ford F-350 Lariat.

The interior of the Ford Super Duty King Ranch.

that a variety of trailer/tow packages are also available; the towing guide is nine pages long. A few available features that work truck fleets should consider are the Pro-Trailer Hitch Assist, which helps to allow one person to hitch a truck and trailer, and Pro-Trailer Backup Assist helps in backing up. Taking the guessing game out of payload and towing weight

are Onboard Scales with Smart Hitch feature, which estimates payload weight and can measures the tongue weight of a connected trailer. Further, Ford Pro Vehicle Integration System allows upfitters to program power control to hardware into the 8-inch or available 12-inch SYNC 4 touchscreen. Finally, Pro Power Onboard offers 2kW of on-demand exportable power. March 2026 | CANADIANRENTALSERVICE 19

FEATURE

RAM 2500/3500 HD While the Power Wagon we drove was the most offroad ready vehicle in Ram’s HD stable, many other variants are available. The Ram HD is available in 4x2 or 4x4, with Regular Cab with an eight-foot bed, Crew Cab which can be had with a sixfoot, four-inch bed or an eight-foot bed, and a Mega Cab with a six-foot, four-inch bed but with 4x4 only. New trims added for 2026 are Black Express and Warlock, while other trim levels are Tradesman, Big Horn, Laramie, Rebel, Power Wagon, Limited, and Limited Longhorn. Each brings a different level of options and can be customized to whatever you need your work truck to have. “Everyone likes a good-looking truck, but the challenge is making it affordable while adding value to the entire lineup,” said Tim Kuniskis, CEO, Ram. “The Ram 2500 Black Express and Warlock offer an attractive price with custom appearance, while building on our sport truck leadership position.” Power for the Ram HD comes from a 6.4L HEMI V-8 gasoline engine offer20 CANADIANRENTALSERVICE | March 2026

ing 405hp or 429 pounds/feet of torque mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission. Or for those who need more power a Cummins high output 6.7L inline-six turbocharged diesel engine is available with 430hp and a mouthwatering 1,075 pounds/feet of torque mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission. All that power is great, but what work truck drivers want to know is how much can it carry and tow? The 2500 with the HEMI V-8 has max towing of up to 17,740lbs and a max payload of up to 3,930lbs. That towing figure jumps to up to 20,000lbs for the Ram 2500 Cummins turbo diesel, while the max payload is slightly less at up to 3,600lbs. For those that think that is still not enough, the Ram 3500 with a HEMI V-8 can tow up to 18,150lbs, with a payload of up to 7,590lbs (making it the payload leader). The towing king of the RAM HD lineup is the 3500 with a Cummins turbo diesel, with can tow up to 36,610lbs along with a payload of up to 6,050 lbs. Towing such large amounts need to be done safety. Ram HDs come with

technology that makes life a little easier. These include available trailer reverse steering control; power and heated convex trailer tow mirrors with power-folding, power-telescoping and memory functionality; digital rearview mirror with tow mode; blind-spot monitoring with trailer tow detection; and trailer-tow pages for more trailer monitoring. Other features included on the Ram HD is an available 14.5-inch Uconnect 5 touchscreen, 10.25-inch passenger screen, 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and digital rearview mirror. This is not a truck for those who don’t like to be surrounded by technology. Ride quality is improved by a five-link coil rear suspension on 2500, along with a rear automatic-leveling rear air suspension. Finally, Ram is the only truck company that offers it’s RamBox cargo management system, which allows for tools to be placed out of sight and locked. Also important for work truck drivers is a good warranty in case something does go sideways. Ram offers a 10-year/160,000 kilometres limited powertrain warranty on all HD trucks.

PHOTO: MARIO CYWINSKI

The Ram Power Wagon.

GMC Sierra is built for professionals.

PHOTO: GMC

GMC SIERRA HD GM offers a Chevrolet Silverado HD and a GMC Sierra HD. Both are very similar but, as the GMC brand is geared towards professionals with its slogan “Professional Grade,” we will focus on the Sierra HD. It can be fitted with a Regular Cab, Double Cab, or Crew Cab; 4x2 (2WD) or 4x4 (4WD); standard box (6’ 9”) or a long box (eight feet); and single or dual rear wheels. Trim levels from the work truck oriented Pro trim, to SLE and SLT, the offroad focused AT4 and AT4X, and the all-out luxury trims Denali and Denali Ultimate. Like its competitors, the GMC HD stable offers a gas engine and a diesel engine option. The gas engine is a 6.6L V8 with 401hp and 464 lbs/ft of torque. Meanwhile, the diesel engine option is a 6.6L V8 turbodiesel with 470hp and 975 lbs/ft of torque. Both are mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission. Once again payload and towing are of utmost importance, in the Sierra HD case, it has payload numbers of between 3,383lbs and 7,290lbs depending on how it is equipped, with 3500 models having higher numbers than 2500. Moving on to towing, maximum conventional towing

goes between 14,500lbs and 20,000lbs, depending on model. While fifth wheel/ gooseneck towing ranges from 17,900lbs and 36,000lbs, again depending on how it is equipped. GMC HD trucks also come with trailer technology to make life easier for those that are towing. One of those technologies is the use of 14 available cameras including a trailer view. While the adaptive cruise control has a trailering mode that incorporates the trailer into braking distances. What else does the Sierra HD offer? Screens, and lots of them, as with many new vehicles on the market, the Sierra HD has a 13.4-inch infotainment screen, 15-inch heads-up display, and a 12.3-inch driver information screen. Moving to the back of the vehicle, GMC offers an optional innovative tailgate (Multipro), which can be turned into a set of stairs to get into the bed easier, as well as six functions to help with various tasks while on a work site. Comfort is also top of mind as 16-way power from sats with a massage mode are available. Standard safety features include forward collision alert, following distance indicator, front pedestrian braking, auto high beams, lane

departure warning, buckle to drive and automatic emergency braking.

WHICH IS BEST? At the end of the day, more than in any other vehicle class on the market, heavy duty trucks come down to personal preference. The cliché of being a Ford person, or a Ram person, or a Chevy/GMC person holds true for most. Each truck offers amazing capability, tons of customization to make the truck fit your purpose, gas and diesel engine options, insane torque, towing and payload numbers, a plethora of safety and technology features, and so much more. The OEMs know that these trucks are work horse for companies big and small, and as a result, the order guides for them are very robust, allowing each company to tailor their fleet to their individual needs. CRS Mario Cywinski is the editor of Modern Work Truck Solutions and has worked in the automotive industry for more than 20 years, both as an automotive journalist and working for a local dealership. He is a member of the Automobile Journalist Association of Canada (AJAC). He can be reached at mariocywinskI@hotmail.com. March 2026 | CANADIANRENTALSERVICE 21

FEATURE

RENT TO GROW As costs rise and margins tighten, the need for farm equipment rentals continues to increase

ld MacDonald may have had a lot of animals on his famous farm, but it’s very likely that he also had a lot of specialized equipment. Tractors, tillers, seeders, sprayers and even the occasional wheel loader are necessary for running and maintaining a successful farm. by COLIN LEGGETT

However, like many other industries in the 21st century, farming and agriculture is rapidly changing. The economic landscape shaping so much of our daily lives is affecting how farmers look at equipment. It can leave them asking what is worth buying and what is better off renting.

DECLINING SALES AND WHAT’S BEING RENTED Brian Osterndorff, CEO of Robert’s Equipment in Walkerton, Ont. sees a negative shift in agricultural equipment sales. “The markets are down, so equipment sales are reacting to that market condition right now,” he said. “It’s challenging for us because equipment’s just getting more expensive every year, right? And the costs of production are going up all the time, but the farmers aren’t getting the return that they need to sustain the price of this equipment.”

Michelle Batista, Director of Sales Operations for Robert’s Equipment, agrees. “There’s a softness in new equipment sales, so there’s an opportunity for rentals,” she said. Osterndorff said this has led him to invest more into the rental side of his own business, which also does equipment sales. “It’s actually a very big discussion at our dealership right now of us doing more in the rental business. We do a little bit of the construction stuff now, but we are investigating more into the agricultural side of it.” Osterndorff said dealerships would do well to consider what types of farming equipment are going to serve them as well as their customers. Jerry Valcamp, After Market Manager with Flaman in Saskatoon, Sask., agrees, saying a large part of Flaman’s rental business is focused on field tillage equipment such as tandem braking discs, high-speed discs, rippers and deep tillage rippers, with an average rental time of two days.

PHOTO: VALIO84SL/GETTY IMAGES

RIGHT: Tandem braking discs, high-speed discs, rippers and deep tillage rippers have become popular rental items for farmers.

22 CANADIANRENTALSERVICE | March 2026

The rising cost of farmland is one of the main factors contributing to the desire for more rental farm equipment.

“Then there is a lot of the grain cleanup equipment,” Valcamp says. “Grain vacs are popular simply because most farms don’t necessarily need to keep one on the farm. It’s not super worth the capital investment to have one because they’re used in cleanup circumstances. “So that would be a reason why the grain vac is important to have as a rental piece because it’s something that people really only need to rent.”

PHOTO: SASAPANCHENKO/GETTY IMAGES

TRACTORS AND “BIG IRON” Osterndorff says his company is exploring tractor rentals as an option for farmers. “The dollar difference is so much. On the tractor side of it, I think we can make some inroads there where the outlying cost for the dealership isn’t as big as what a combine or specialized seed equipment’s going to be. We have more opportunities to rent those pieces throughout the year,” he said.

“I still believe the tractors will be the big thing that farmers will look at renting more than anything. The specialized equipment’s a different animal.” Valcamp says that equipment he colloquially refers to as “big iron” is a more challenging prospect for rental houses looking to expand into agriculture. Machines like combines can be tricky to rent due to the higher level of experience needed to operate one. “I can’t spend half of my day or one of my employees’ days teaching a customer how to calibrate a machine or calibrating it for them so they can go home and run it,” Valcamp says. “A lot of the equipment that we rent has to be super simple, like a disc: you unfold it, you drop it in the ground and you put it in gear. “In the rental market, it’s got to be tough. It’s got to stand up and it’s got to be simple.”

OWNERSHIP COSTS CAN ADD UP Upfront costs and maintenance expenses are some of the factors driving farmers towards renting equipment, says Valcamp. “I would say the rising cost of equipment, producers being a little extra leveraged these days, and then the convenience and maintenance factor would be kind of the top three things that would entice someone to rent,” he said. Even the simple equipment Valcamp sees being rented most often can carry a hefty price tag for farmers who want to buy. “We’re seeing less and less of the heavy discs get purchased and more customers looking for good quality used options, just because the price point of them has become a little bit astronomical,” he says. “Now that the bigger units are into the $200,000 price range, it doesn’t make a March 2026 | CANADIANRENTALSERVICE 23

FEATURE

lot of sense for a guy to own one.” The cost of the equipment can look even more daunting when stacked up with the cost of land, which both Osterndorff and Valcamp say is on the rise. “The cost of acquiring the land is a big bill on its own. And you start adding all the inputs and interest charges that come with that, it takes a lot,” Osterndorff said. Valcamp says farmers out west are also facing higher prices for purchasing land. “So if they’re kind of overleveraged because they’re trying to grow, and one of the only ways to grow as a farmer is to acquire more land, then they might not have the cash to spend on the piece even if they’re okay with the price,” he says. Even if farmers do buy the equipment they need, there are potentially prohibitive costs associated with owning. Parts and maintenance can be expensive, and can end up costing more throughout the life of a machine. “It’s the cost of the equipment, number one, and it’s the cost of maintaining the equipment,” Osterndorff said. “It’s the unknowns that these farmers can get 24 CANADIANRENTALSERVICE | March 2026

shocked by very quickly. Parts pricing is higher than it’s ever used to be.” Osterndorff adds that renting can save a farmer money in the long run by eliminating some of the higher upfront and ongoing costs that come with ownership. This is especially true when it comes to technology like GPS or automation that can be used to enhance machinery and make it more efficient. “You’re going to pay it in some way, shape or form, but you’re not going to have to pay $20,000 for a technology solution on your equipment,” he says. “You can just pay $500 for a month’s worth of use.”

RENTING IN THE LONG RUN Ultimately, the decision to rent may come down to uncertainty, and considering the economic instability of the last few years, coupled with an equally uncertain future, renting may help farmers avoid unpleasant surprises. “These guys want to know where their costs are on a monthly basis, like ‘what’s it going to cost me to produce this much

crop?’” Osterndorff said. “It’s the unknown that scares them, like any time there’s a major repair that comes up that’s not really calculated into the decision making.” Valcamp says he thinks renting may just be the way of the future, with farmers eventually renting almost everything on their farm. “Every day it gets a little harder just to be a producer, but it also gets a little harder to be a first time producer when you talk about these younger guys trying to start a farm,” Valcamp said. “I think that having options to rent is probably the only way they can make it without some sort of huge capital investment that someone’s made for them.” While renting equipment may become a more viable option for farmers in the future, and may be their only choice if faced with an economic burden, Valcamp says it comes at a cost of its own. “Farmers are very proud people and it’s pretty easy to be proud of your farm and your equipment,” he said. “So having that ownership is a large amount of pride more often than not.” CRS

PHOTO: SIMONSKAFAR/GETTY IMAGES

Renting may be the way of the future, especially for younger farmers who are just starting out.

AT YOUR SERVICE

The disappointed customer by Russ Dantu

t happens. We mess up. Mistakes are made. We are human. Do you try to blame someone else? Do you go on like nothing happened, hope the customer will go away and return next time happy and ready to spend more money with you? Or do you do your best to make your customer whole? I cannot count how many times I have been into a business or called a business with an issue and been disappointed in how they handled the situation. Many times, it looked to me like a simple fix but I just get the run around, being passed from one person to another, or ghosted if I emailed in looking for help with an issue. You’ve likely seen it as well. Your favourite restaurant, or grocery store, or car mechanic, or hairdresser, or any other place of business that has done something to upset you. Sometimes it’s small but sometimes it’s costly. It’s frustrating when we are giving a business an opportunity

to shine with their customer service practices to make things right and they turn a poor situation into a terrible situation (and likely lose you as a customer). The best way to make things right can be done several different ways but all should have the same outcome: a happy customer. I’ve spoken on this subject several times before and suggested using the E.N.D.E.A.R. acronym: Empathy. Needs. Diffusion. Education. Apology. Resolve. It works 99 per cent of the time. But there is also another angle for you to consider. Here are six things you can do when things go wrong: 1. Respond quickly: If you can make it right immediately, do so. If it requires someone in a higher position than you to make a decision, keep on to them so they know how urgent it is. 2. Don’t be defensive: When a customer is upset, they may vent, raise their voice, speak fast and aggressively. This is normal, especially if a mistake has happened before. Do not counter what they are saying or argue with them. Just listen to them and show some empathy.

3. Always say you are sorry: Sometimes, it may not even be our fault. We still need to apologize for how they are feeling and then we need to get to the bottom of the issue and see what can be done. Sometimes it’s the customer’s fault and they don’t even realize it. But we still need to help them through the situation. 4. Do not pass the buck or make excuses: Take ownership of the issue. They are speaking to you and want you to make it right. If you further aggravate them, it will only get worse. 5. Document issues: This is a great training tool for your staff. Discuss past situations so they know how to handle it if it happens again and, hopefully, by being proactive, you won’t have the same issue happen again. Take care of yourselves…and your customers! CRS Russ Dantu is a 30-year veteran of the rental industry and has been delivering workshops, keynotes and seminars on customer service for 25 years. Visit russdantu.com.

LITERATURE REVIEW Readers may request the literature item featured in this review. Simply contact the company directly using the phone number indicated to request their latest brochure(s).

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SNOOK’S LOOK

A data-driven opportunity

Is AI the answer to the residential slowdown?

by Andrew Snook

ith the mass adoption of AI across almost every sector, we live in a time where many people’s careers are in flux. Fortunately for many of those within the construction sector, the high demand for skilled trades and experienced workers somewhat insulates people from the immediate impact AI is having in more white-collar heavy professions. That said, the construction sector still needs to dance to the tune of supply and demand, and some people active in the residential construction sector in major urban areas may need to pivot their operations in the near future to adapt to changing markets. The Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) recently released its 2026 Housing Market Outlook, and it doesn’t look promising for those highly active in residential construction in the country’s most populated urban areas. Due to the combination of trade uncertainty, low population growth, soft labour markets and low income growth, Canada’s economy is expected to experience slow growth in 2026, and new home construction is set to take a hit between now and 2028. High constructions costs, weaker demand, and a rising inventory of unsold units are to blame for the decline, fueled largely by the condominium markets. Ontario and B.C. are expected to experience the biggest declines. According to the CMHC, Ontario’s overall housing starts are projected to fall to “near two-decade lows” in 2026, while B.C. is expected to experience big declines in housing starts that will reach historically weak levels by the end of the forecast period. Other areas of the country appear to be better off between 2026 to 2028, with the Prairies expected to have above-average historical averages and Quebec experiencing a small decline.

26 CANADIANRENTALSERVICE | March 2026

CMHC’s projections are showing housing starts declining from 247,000 in 2025 to potentially as low as 212,000 in 2028. The only small silver lining is that the resale market is expected to jump from 470,000 units in 2025 to upwards of 509,000 units by 2028. This could spell a few additional opportunities on the renovation side of residential business for equipment rental companies. While this isn’t great news for the residential sector overall, there is another area of the construction sector that is picking up a great deal of interest in demand in recent years: AI data centres. As companies continue to adopt AI on a grand scale, more massive data centres are needed to meet demand. The federal government is well aware of the need for data centres, and just recently completed a proposal submission period for building new AI infrastructure. The proposal was for the development of sovereign, large scale AI data centres with total planned capacities greater than 100 megawatts (MW), so these are not small projects. The federal government is also continuing to consult with industry about other promising AI projects (as outlined in Budget 2025). As construction of new data centres picks up, so does the demand for the infrastructure to power these energy hogs. Between data centre construction and major energy infrastructure projects, hopefully these types of projects can help weather the storm for equipment rental companies as the country finds its way back to a healthier residential construction sector. CRS Andrew Snook is editor of Canadian Forest Industries, Pulp & Paper Canada and Canadian Biomass.

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