Rental economic outlook fairly positive

In its updated economic forecast, the American Rental Association (ARA) indicates that the United States equipment rental industry’s year-over-year growth in 2024 should be 7.9 percent.

It previously predicted a 7.6 percent increase in 2023 and 3.1 percent in 2024; current projections indicate a 7.9 percent increase in 2024, totaling $77.3 billion in construction and general tool rental revenue.

“The ARA Rentalytics quarterly forecast reinforces the strength of the rental industry,” says Tom Doyle, ARA vice president, program development. “Rental should benefit with tailwinds from interest rates, inflation, improving supply, a preference to rent and government and private spending. Rental revenue is again forecasted to increase.”

Looking more granularly at construction and industrial equipment (CIE) growth in the United States, $60.9 billion is the projected revenue in 2024, which is 7.5 percent growth. In the coming years, 2025, 2026, and 2027, 3 percent growth is projected. The difference is smaller but still appreciable and more in line with a steadily growing economy.

“We see a slowing of growth this year compared to last year but bear in mind, we have a slowing of inflation this year as well,” says Scott Hazelton, managing director at S&P Global. “The growth rates tail off in the future years, with growth of 4.3 percent in 2025 and 3.9 percent in 2026.”

The current forecast for total Canadian equipment rental revenue shows a 3.1 percent growth to $974 million in 2024; 2024 growth is stronger in Canada than 2023 growth due to inflation and resilient demand. In addition, Canada’s housing market and non- residential structure construction are improving.

While CIE investment will decline from previous years, a 7.2 percent increase is forecasted. The stark contrast from previous years is attributed to the lack of post-COVID investments in 2024.

As businesses choose rental over ownership, the CIE rental penetration rate follows. The 2023 estimate of 56.4 percent is near the pre-pandemic peak.

General tool investment outlook in the United States is not quite as positive. There is muted investment growth at 6.8 percent. Manufacturing is driving the growth and housing is still the weak spot.

"ARA’s quarterly member survey showed conflicting results among members, with just over half of respondents saying they saw a revenue increase in 4Q 2023, a slight improvement over 3Q 2023, which saw an even split between those an increase and decrease," says Mike Savely, ARA director, program development.