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technologies , I look forward to working with this exceptional team of talented and passionate ECHO employees to bring new products and services to the green industry ,” said Redman .
Redman began his career with General Power Equipment , a division of True Value Hardware . He then joined Simplicity Manufacturing for nine years before his tenure at Briggs & Stratton , where he served as President of the Home Power Products business for four years and President of the Turf & Consumer Products business from 2010 to 2022 . He succeeds Tim Dorsey , who is retiring after 27 years from ECHO serving in various roles , most recently as president for the last nine years . Dorsey will continue to serve as a Global Operating Officer of Yamabiko and a board member for ECHO and Yamabiko Europe .
“ While I ’ m excited to move to the next chapter , I also have a heavy heart as my time at ECHO has been the most rewarding of my career and I cannot express my gratitude enough . However , it ’ s safe to say that ECHO is in great hands with Harold , who is a driven , humble leader that demonstrates strong leadership through a hands-on management style and engagement with employees and customers ,” said Dorsey .
ROBOUP HOPES TO CROWDFUND NEW MOWER China-based RoboUp has announced the launch of a Kickstarter crowdfunding campaign for the company ’ s new Robotic Mower .
A perimeter-wire-free model , RoboUp ’ s Robotic Mower features : Virtual boundary – The DEPS ( dynamic exact positioning system ) system enables the mower to handle complex terrain without perimeter wires . It will work within the virtual boundary built automatically or manually .
Real-time boundary detection – AI “ Smart Eye ” technology detects boundaries in real time even with poor or no GPS signal reception .
Automatic planning – RoboUp route planning is based on artificial intelligence algorithms , defining energy and time efficient mowing paths in neat parallel lines without supervision .
Obstacles recognition – Equipped with an AI camera , the mower recognizes and avoids obstacles . If living objects ( babies , pets ) are recognized , cutting stops immediately and the mower moves to another area , the company reports .
Other features include electric height adjustment ; floating deck ; quiet operation (< 58dBA ); anti-theft system ( auto-lock , alarm and pin code ); waterproof housing .
RoboUp reports that delivery on the mower will begin in April 2023 .
SOFTENING GROWTH FOR EQUIPMENT RENTAL : ARA FORECAST The American Rental Association ( ARA ) indicates that the United States equipment rental industry ’ s growth will soften in 2023 , but still grow . Year-over-year growth in 2022 was around 13.5 percent , with U . S . equipment rental revenue surpassing its pre-pandemic highs , ending the year as a $ 56.1 billion industry .
Year-over-year growth is expected to be around 5.3 percent in 2023 and 1.9 percent in 2024 , reports the association .
Tom Doyle , ARA vice president of program development , says , “ In speaking with rental companies across the United States and Canada , despite some unprecedented headwinds , their businesses are strong . It ’ s generally a great time to be in rental .”
ARA ’ s third annual construction equipment survey , released in January , showed fleet growth in all 30 product groups . Rental companies in North America that responded are estimating a 58-percent increase in new equipment purchases . Of those respondents , 79 percent said their orders included mobile elevating work platforms ( MEWPs ) and 59 percent said their orders included earthmoving equipment .
Growth will also slow in the U . S . for general tool rental revenue in 2023 , projects the ARA . This will be driven by weakness in the construction markets , especially residential . Year-over-year growth in 2022 was 6.5 percent . In 2023 , 2.8 percent growth is estimated and in 2024 growth is estimated at 2.9 percent .
Federal policy and investments will continue to affect the rental industry , from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Acts to the tax policy of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act to $ 185 billion available for new projects .
“ The outlook for equipment rental continues to be positive . With significant funding for infrastructure coming in 2023 , the demand for equipment will continue to grow ,” says John McClelland , ARA vice president for government affairs and chief economist . “ In addition , more funding is coming from the Inflation Reduction Act as we begin to build out the electricity infrastructure for both vehicles and equipment .”
In 2022 , Canadian equipment rental revenue totaled $ 4.5 billion . Overall in 2023 , stagnant growth is anticipated with a rebound expected in 2024 . Projected 2023 rental revenue for Ca-
10 OPE Business April 2023 www . OPEBusiness . com