Remote-controlled rentals
Demolition machines can find new rental customers.
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Brokk machines’ power, precision and safety abilities make them popular in the construction and demolition industry. After rental centers take the time to train their customers on the machines or assure experienced operators will take the controls, contractors can use the units in dangerous areas, such as high or unstable places. |
A large part of a rental business’ profit is made by solving problems for new and existing customers. This could be helping a contractor with a one-time need for a particular piece of equipment or offering recommendations on the type of tool that will solve a job site challenge.
This is why it’s important that every rental fleet has versatile equipment that customers can use for a variety of applications and industries. Rental businesses with the budget, customer base and willingness to train can find remote-controlled machines to be one such type of tool. Brokk machines’ growing popularity comes from their versatility and safety-enhancing abilities.
Workers operate the machines from a safe distance — typically 10 to 20 feet away — using a belt-mounted remote control box. The units are generally electric-powered, although three models are available with diesel engines, and are compatible with more than 70 attachments allowing rental centers to offer equipment for a wide range of specialty applications even in the most labor-intensive and dangerous industries.
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After rental centers take the time to train their customers on the machines or ensure experienced operators will take the controls, contractors can use the units in dangerous areas such as high or unstable places. |
Powerful versatility
Brokk machines’ power, precision and safety abilities make them popular in the construction and demolition industry. After rental centers take the time to train their customers on the machines or assure experienced operators will take the controls, contractors can use the units in dangerous areas, such as high or unstable places.
Rental customers can also operate the remote-controlled machines in situations where equipment must fit through doorways or climb stairs or in environments where fuel fumes are prohibited or unsafe.
Brokk machines also minimize worker injury and fatigue from pneumatic tools’ heavy vibrations.
Beyond construction and demolition, the units maximize return on investment for rental businesses by giving them the ability to reach out to an even broader customer base in specialty areas. Rental fleets near steel industry-heavy areas, such as the midwest, can offer steel mills increased productivity in dangerous refractory removal applications. Workers complete tasks in a fraction of the time and with fewer people while using remote-controlled equipment as opposed to handheld tools. In addition, the machines improve safety by removing laborers from high heat and toxic fumes found in foundries.
The remote-controlled machines’ compact power and generally fume-free operation make them ideal for confined-space work such as tunneling. Contractors can cut more than a week of work off of making a cross passage and helps workers avoid falling debris by
maintaining a safe distance.
Turnover solution
Remote-controlled machines offer the advantage of increased worker satisfaction because of improved safety and reduced stress.
Rental centers can offer solutions that can help overcome problems with high worker turnover rates caused by handheld tool-related strain or dangerous tasks.
Because remote-controlled demolition machines eliminate the wear and fatigue that results from air tools and other strenuous tasks, employees are more likely to stay with a company longer. This includes older workers who are more susceptible to injury from vibrating tools, often resulting in expensive worker compensation costs.
In addition, the machines help businesses appeal to and hire younger, tech-savvy workers who prefer to avoid backbreaking work and complete tasks more safely and efficiently.
Do your research
To be successful and get a strong ROI, rental company owners need to be willing to commit to training new customers or have a large base of existing trained operators among their current and potential customer base. They must be aware of the generally high cost of remote-controlled demolition machines and gauge whether their territory contains enough jobs for Brokk machines to be in high demand.
Rental businesses with the machines in their fleets can include operator training with the rental to assure the contractor has a trained operator available or help them find one.
Inexperienced operators can incur high maintenance costs quickly if they use the machine incorrectly. This can alienate potential return-customers when they are billed for repairs incurred during their rental period.
Established rental companies with a large budget and customer base who complete enough specialty applications are the most successful in achieving a return on investment with Brokk machines.
Gauge customer interest and watch for recurring jobs, such as the applications listed above, that could be solved with a remote-controlled machine. Knowing there’s a place for the equipment before buying helps assure ROI within a few years.
New tech for more profits
Rental customers can achieve improved versatility, safety and productivity by using remote-controlled demolition machines. The units present an opportunity for rental businesses to reach new industries and applications and solve more of their customers’ problems. The more problems solved, the higher the likelihood for return business.
Peter Bigwood is vice president of sales at Brokk Inc.
This story originally appeared in the July-August issue of Pro Contractor Rentals magazine. Copyright 2017 Direct Business Media.
PRO CONTRACTOR RENTALS MAGAZINE
Pro Contractor Rentals provides information of value to rental centers who focus time, resources and attention on meeting the demands of construction contractors and other equipment rental customers.
