IRN top 100 rental companies in the world

IRN produces a league table of the top 100 rental companies in the world every year. The league table is based on the companies revenues from the previous year.

The list is limited to companies that are broadly related to the construction industry as well as some sectors of general industry and events. 

This year’s IRN100 survey is reflective of an industry that is continuing a positive recovery from the pandemic. Total revenues for last year were up 15% to €56.9 billion, a large improvement from the 6.4% drop in 2020 caused by Covid.

The rental market in China has shown particular growth which is evident in the IRN100. The country accounts for three of the top five companies that have seen the most growth on the list.

Despite this, Europe and North America represent more than 80% of the total IRN100 revenues. In fact, Europe has 38 companies in the top 100, the most it has seen since 2018.

As always, the list has seen signficant movement since last year. New entrants have made an impression on the IRN100 as two enter the top 50 in their first year.

Nine of the top ten from last year have remained in place, with the exception of Nishio Rent All, who have dropped down to eleventh.

[The full IRN100 ranking is available in the June edition of International Rental News./

IRN top ten rental companies 2022

1. United Rentals

Having taken top spot last year, United Rentals consolidates its place at the top of the IRN100 once again. The Connecticut based company currently accounts for around 8% of the global market.

2. Ashtead Group

Another non mover, Ashtead Group targeted high growth through investment in specialist divisions, ensuring that revenues increased from the previous IRN100. 

3. Aktio Corp

Japanese rental company Aktio, who recently announced that they will use an AI-based asset value calculation tool to evaluate the market value of its fleet and to make predictions on future values, sits in third for the second year running.

4. Loxam

Remaining in fourth, Loxam enjoyed a strong end to 2021 as its revenues increased by an estimated 10% during the three months to 31 December 2021, compared to the same period in 2020.

5. Aggreko

2021 saw the Scotland based company return to private ownership after it was acquired by private equity firms TDR Capital and I Squared Capital in a deal worth £2.3 billion. As a result, the company has been delisted from the London Stock Exchange.

6. Herc Rentals

By remaining in sixth, Herc Rentals ensures that the top six is the same as last year. Of the US-based rental companies on this year’s IRN100, only Ashtead Group (Sunbelt Rentals) and United Rentals saw more revenue in 2021.

7. Willscot Mobile Mini 

The inclusion of Willscot Mobile Mini means that it is the only company to break in to the top ten this year. In terms of growth, it saw 49% last year, only behind Alta Equipment (57%), Horizon Construction Development (86%) and Zhejiang Huatie Emergency Equipment Science and Technology Co Ltd (93%). 

8. Kanamoto

Despite seeing profits hit by Covid in the last IRN100, which saw its construction rental division take a 22.1% fall in operating profits, Kanamoto saw strong recovery last year. The company has further expanded into Asia where it sits behind Aktio Corp for revenues.

9. Modulaire

2021 saw specialist modular workspace provider Modulaire Group acquired by investment firm Brookfield Business Partners, in a deal worth US$5 billion (€4.18 billion). For Europe-based companies, only Aggreko and Loxam ranked higher for revenues.

10. Boels Rental

Boels Rental saw an increase in sales that the company have put down to “strong recovery from the pandemic in key markets.” As a result, revenue increased by 11.3% last year. 

The full IRN100 ranking is available in the June edition of International Rental News.