European Rental Awards shortlists announced

Murray Pollok Managing Editor, IRN & Director of Content, KHL

14 April 2021

The shortlists for the 2021 European Rental Awards have been chosen by the judges. The panel assessed more than 74 submissions - one of the largest number in the history of the awards - including 23 for product of the year and 21 for the best digital innovation.

The awards are jointly organised by the European Rental Association (ERA) and International Rental News (IRN).

The winners will be announced at the awards ceremony to be held during the European Rental Association’s annual convention in September or October this year, at a date and location to be confirmed.

The shortlists are:

Small rental company of the year (<€15m revenues)

Elavation Platforms (UK)
PSM Plant (UK)
Noleggio Lorini (Italy)
Vertex (Russia)

Large rental company of the year (>€15 m revenues)

Ardent Hire Solutions (UK)
LoxamHune (Spain)
Sunbelt Rentals (UK)
WeRent (Italy)

Rental product of the year

GenQuip Groundhog – Unisex solar hybrid toilet
JCB – 525-60E Electric Loadall
Niftylift - HR15NE electric boom
Nixon Hire – Solar Pod
Trime – X-Solar Hybrid LED lighting tower

Best digital innovation

Ardent Hire Solutions – Ardent digital platform
Mollo Noleggio - Rental document digitalisation
Spartan Solutions – PROPHES predictive analytics
Sunbelt Rentals - Sunfest virtual festival
Trackunit – Trackunit Kin for non-powered assets
Zeppelin Rental - customer eProcurement interface

ERA Technical Committee Award
(Judged by ERA’s Technical Committee)

Genie
JCB
Manitou
(Note: this award is not based on submitted entries, but on committee choices.)

Sustainability Committee Award: Best Safety Innovation
(Judged by ERA’s Sustainability Committee)

Ardent Hire
Kiloutou
Wacker Neuson

Rental Person of the Year

Will be announced during the awards ceremony.

Lifetime Achievement Award

Will be announced during the awards ceremony.

The judges said the entries reflected many of the key trends in the rental sector, including the response to Covid-19, sustainability and digitalisation; “It was fantastic to see so many entries during a period of challenges for the rental sector.

“It was clear from the entries that the rental industry has responded to the pandemic with enormous flexibility, innovation and – in many cases – a genuine commitment to the health and wellbeing of their employees and customers, including the free donation of machines to help on Covid-related projects. Many of the entries were inspiring.

“The number and high quality of entries in the digital innovation category demonstrated that Europe’s rental companies and technology specialists have accelerated their digital programmes.

“Likewise, the focus on the development of more sustainable equipment was reflected in many of the product of the year entries. All five of the shortlisted products are electric or hybrid machines.

“We thank all the companies who submitted awards and look forward to celebrating the shortlisted companies, and the winners, at the rental awards dinner later this year.”

The judges were: