A Sharjah-based rental company has bought a quantity of portable air compressors as part of its fleet expansion and modernisation program.
The company, Emirates Technical Services (ETS), one of the UAE’s oldest rental companies has continued to increase its fleet of portable air compressors from Atlas Copco with deliveries including eight XA 186 and two XA 180 models.
ETS’s recently appointed Sales Manager, Sunil Shahdadpuri confirmed that on arrival at the company’s Sharjah facilities the new compressors were all put to immediate rentals.
With the proliferation of construction projects throughout Dubai, ETS recognized the continued trend of the past few years towards rental rather than purchase.
Contractors throughout the Emirates are electing to hire as an alternative to buying which can present an unrealistic option for many; representing a major investment and outlay.
RENTAL
Renting plant on a job-by-job basis offers the major advantage for the contractor of not having to finance idle plant which is always depreciating – plus it provides access to the latest equipment ‘as and when’ needed.
According to a spokesman at INMA, the local distributor for Atlas Copco compressors and generating sets, the trend towards rental is constantly growing, particularly for the smaller items of plant such as gensets and compressors.
“Both types of equipment, particularly the compressors, can remain idle on a site for fairly long periods which of course is not cost effective for a contractor owning the equipment.
Generally, rental becomes the preferred option for shorter term projects,” he added.
FLEET
Today, ETS has a fleet of 44 Atlas Copco compressors, including the latest delivery of 12 units, the original competitive fleet comprises just 10 compressors which are providing standby duties and gradually being phased out.
“The fleet features predominately 180-395 cfm compressors proving highly cost effective and in constant demand,” said Shahdadpuri. “With constant change of sites, contractors have recognized the ease of operation for its frequent low operator’s skill levels as a key factor in specifying this small range,” he added.
Fuel consumption and low overheads were also given as other key factors for the rental operations success.
Sunil Shahdadpuri also confirmed that ETS would maintain its strategy for ordering the smaller range of compressors for the foreseeable future.
“If a contactor wants a larger range machine we would ‘crosshire’ referring to a secondary company and, if it was for a long term contract, probably rebadge the compressor.”
BACKUP
Unlike a number of leading rental companies, ETS actively orders plant in bulk to meet immediate demand, rather than to order all of them individually.
“This is a basic principle of rental, to satisfy customers’ immediate needs and a principal I thoroughly endorse,” he said.
“Backup is absolutely essential with many contractors plant managers no longer interested in carrying out routine maintenance or employing related labor for maintenance procedures.”
ETS operates a dedicated workshop with its own service team ensuring all equipment is serviced and maintained before every rental and throughout the on-site rental period.
“Rental periods can vary from just day ‘lets’ to up to one year, with many between three to four months at a time.”
According to Shahdadpuri, ETS undertake the complete service for compressors, including engine overhauls. This is set to improve further with the projected move in March 2009 to a purpose-designed facility covering an area of 40,000 m2 at Hamiyah Freezone, Phase II in Sharjah.
Today, ETS is part of the diverse Bakhatir Group covering construction, real estate, shopping malls, infomation technology and various media interests.
Offering a wide range of construction machinery, it is the company’s aim to promote a single stop shop solution with Atlas Copco compressors as a very active partner.