The first ever Rental eSummit was recently held in Amsterdam. The one-day event, hosted by Vanguard, Briggs & Stratton’s commercial power solution brand, provided an exciting first opportunity for stakeholders of the rental business market to participate in pivotal discussions around the pressing issue of electrification in the rental industry.
Key takeaways from the event focused on the importance of standardisation, especially in electrification, and the proven need for collaboration among rental companies, associations, and OEMs, as well as other suppliers and service providers, to achieve the most positive and impactful outcome to the transition.
As a power agnostic solutions provider at the forefront of electrification, Briggs & Stratton was aware of a growing need among rental industry decision-makers to work together on a way forward through the challenges of energy transition. This inspiration led to the creation of the Rental eSummit as a platform for sharing ideas and fostering solutions, and the industry responded with appreciation.
Presentations from leading industry experts were well-received, covering topics such as the challenges associated with energy transition, the importance of standardisation from both a US and European perspective, and impact of repair, second life and EOL (end of life) for electrification. The event also featured insightful product demonstrations, showcasing battery driven applications, as well as Vanguard’s latest innovations in lithium-ion technology, setting new standards for reliability and performance in challenging environments.
Paul Bramhall, Director Electrification/Rental EMEA at Briggs & Stratton, Vanguard, said; “We were thrilled to see the Rental eSummit come to life after many months of planning and organising. Electrification is such a pivotal talking point for the rental industry and standardisation clearly emerged as the leading factor for a successful transition, especially given its impact on total cost of ownership and the industry’s ability to meet new zero emissions and noise regulations. Allowing key stakeholders to explore a collective approach to these critical factors is exactly what the day was all about and I look forward to seeing this become a repeating event moving forwards.”
Jon Overman, CEO of HSS The Hire Service Company, said; “As a UK hire business, we are pushing forward with our ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) goals, but the lack of standardisation between manufacturers poses a real challenge. Every year, new platforms and technologies emerge, creating a fragmented fleet that’s difficult to manage. Standardisation will be crucial if we are to successfully transition to electrified equipment. If we can work together to reduce costs and align on standards, the transition to cleaner, greener equipment could happen much faster.”
David Frank, President of Electrification and Vice President of Briggs & Stratton, added; “We are proud to partner with our customers, providing innovative solutions that power the future of rental equipment. The Rental eSummit 2024 highlights our commitment to collaborating on the challenges of the energy transition. At Vanguard, we focus on simplifying product development for OEMs and making it easy to work with us. Our flexible Vanguard Battery System, including the swappable battery compatible across various equipment types, supports standardisation in the rental market, reducing complexity, cutting costs, and driving efficiency for a sustainable future.”
