NEW ORLEANS (Feb. 19, 2024) — In its updated forecast released at The ARA Show, the American Rental Association (ARA) indicates that the U.S. equipment rental industry’s growth has a fairly positive outlook. Last quarter, the year-over-year growth was expected to be 7.6% in 2023 and 3.1% in 2024. The most current projections indicate a 7.9% increase in 2024 totaling $77.3 billion in construction and general tool rental revenue.

ATLANTA (March 11, 2024) — Takeuchi-US has named Scott Utzman as its new attachment specialist. In this role, Utzman will be responsible for attachment sales and support for the company’s dealer and national rental accounts throughout North America. He will work with dealer management, sales personnel and their customers to demonstrate, promote and support the Takeuchi attachment product line.

March 11, 2024 — A federal judge in Texas has blocked a new rule by the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) that would have made it easier for millions of workers to form unions at big companies.

INDIANAPOLIS (March 7, 2024) — During Work Truck Week 2024, Jason Ritchey, president and owner of Curry Supply Co. (Altoona, Pennsylvania), was installed as 60th board chair of NTEA — The Work Truck Association.

CLEVELAND (March 4, 2024) – Diversified Fall Protection (DFP), a large turnkey fall protection integrator in the U.S. for regulatory-driven systems and services, announced the appointment of Travis Nelson, PE, CSP, as the company’s new CEO. Nelson is a leader and influencer in the fall protection industry and brings over 20 years of industry experience to the position.

SALINA, Kan. (March 6, 2024) — Bergkamp Inc., based in Salina, Kansas, announced its acquisition of the Flow Boy line of live-bottom material transport trucks. With the ability to unload hot asphalt, gravel, sand or other materials in one minute or less, all from inside the truck cab, the Flow Boy Live-Bottom offers productivity and efficiency for paving contractors.

BEDFORD, Mass. (Feb. 20, 2024) — Total construction starts grew 1% in January to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $1.16 trillion, according to Dodge Construction Network. Nonbuilding starts rose 9% during the month, while nonresidential building starts fell 2% and residential starts were flat.

Morgantown, Pa. (March 5, 2024) — Morgan Truck Body LLC announced that it has acquired Transit Truck Bodies Inc. (Les Fourgons Transit Inc.), a well-established manufacturer of truck bodies in Laval, Quebec, Canada. The acquisition of Transit increases the total number of Morgan Truck Body locations to 14 manufacturing facilities in North America.

RICHFIELD, Wis. (March 1, 2024) – Hy-Brid Lifts by Custom Equipment, LLC appointed Eric Liner as its new president and CEO, effective Feb. 5, 2024. He succeeds Jay Sugar, who successfully led the company for the past three years and is retiring March 1, 2024.

Clarksville, Tenn. (Feb. 20, 2024) — Clayco, a full-service, turnkey real estate development, architecture, engineering and construction firm, announced its partnership with Hankook Tire to build the company’s expansion at the Tennessee Plant in Clarksville. The expansion will feature 2.2 million square feet of state-of-the-art facilities.

WASHINGTON (Feb. 20, 2024) — Residential builders can apply now for the 2024 Propane Construction Research Program. Supported by the Propane Education & Research Council (PERC), the program amplifies efforts to install propane appliances in new homes and remodels to reduce carbon emissions in the U.S.