01.10.2003

Volvo Rents to open third Ireland location

Volvo Rents to open a third location in Ireland

Volvo Construction Equipment Rents has announced the signing of an agreement with Cawley & Scanlon Construction to open a Volvo CE Rents franchise in Ballymote, County Sligo, Ireland. This takes the network in Ireland to three locations in as many months, the first of which opened in August this year. The already established franchises are operated by Tullamore Tool and Plant Hire and Michael Hickey Plant and Tool Hire respectively.

The new location is expected to be open for business within a month.

The product ranges carried by Volvo's rental centres will be targeted at the construction, commercial, industrial and homeowner markets and will naturally include products from Volvo’s compact range which includes, mini excavators, compact wheel loaders and loader-backhoes, as well as a wide range of tools and equipment.

The franchisees will also have access to a wide range of non-Volvo products under a preferred supplier programme, whereby Volvo selects, evaluates and negotiates beneficial prices for their franchisees.

Apart from small tools and equipment, the non-Volvo product line-up includes a wide range of aerial work platforms. Many of the North American stores have selected units as a significant part of their start up fleet, but there is no indication as to if, or when, the budding Irish network might start to add such equipment to its fleets.

Franchisees will also benefit from a Volvo telehandler line up when it is launched, probably sometime in the new year.
Volvo purchased the rights to the UpRight telehandler range in 2002 and is believed to be “Volvoising” it and preparing for production.

While progress with Volvo CE Rents has been difficult in Europe, momentum in the US is gathering pace with new openings now occurring on a regular basis. A total of 34 rental centres are already in operation with at least 41 new agreements signed and at the development stage.

Volvo has also announced that a “development agreement” has been signed and completed for up to 18 locations in Spain. This will certainly give their European programme a significant boost.

The Volvo Franchise model is one of the most comprehensive in the industry and covers branding and the use of the Volvo name, financial support, a fleet purchasing programme for non Volvo products, a custom designed software programme, a full set of operating procedures, training in all aspects of the business and safety training and regional and local marketing.