23.04.2012

IPAF publishes 2012 Rental Reports

The International Powered Access Federation has released its 2012 Rental Market Reports.

The report confirms that the outlook for the USA is positive, having experienced relatively strong revenue growth in 2011 to a level estimated survey of $6.2 billion, mainly driven by increased demand and higher rental rates. Continuous growth is expected over the next two years.
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USA access rental market trends

A similar survey of the European powered access rental market, covering 10 countries - Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden and the UK - estimates the market at around €2.3 billion in 2011, up seven percent on 2010 after two negative growth years.

The report believes that Germany is now the largest market in value, followed by France and the UK. It forecasts growth of four and two percent respectively for 2012 and 2013, and says that the market is being held back by lack of confidence due to the uncertain economic outlook.
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European powered access rental market trends

Looking at other regions, Brazil is expected to continue to grow, with respondents predicting a 40 percent annual fleet growth over the next five years. If correct, the current estimated fleet of 14,500 to 15,000 units would increase to 25,000 by the end of 2013.

The reports are published in an easy-to-read format, highlighting key facts and figures, such as fleet size, utilisation rates and machine retention periods. New for this year is the analysis of power sources.

The IPAF US and European Powered Access Rental Market Reports 2012 are available in English and can be purchased at www.ipaf.org/reports

Vertikal Comment

IPAF’s rental market reports have improved significantly over the past two years or so and are now a very useable and valuable document. While still only one view and subject to change and error, they are almost certainly the best market indicator available and almost as good as these things can be.

As to this year’s estimates of market size and ranking, we would probably take issue with some of the headline assumptions, but have not yet had a chance to review them yet. It should be said that the reports are based on a great deal of survey work and therefore far more scientific – or should that be informed? – than our old fashioned ‘gut-feel’ based on anecdotal evidence and experience.

The fact is that thorough reports such as this, which are professionally complied with both data and experienced input and cross checking, are the best available and tend to improve each year as their publication generates corrections, updates, comments and additional input.

We look forward to reviewing this year’s product in order to see how it has changed, improved and built-on last year’s effort which we were happy to recommend. A rewiew will then be published in our magazines.