Rental association formed in Belgium

The Belgian Equipment Rental Association (BERA) logo. (Photo: BERA)

Seven equipment rental businesses have joined forces to establish the Belgian Equipment Rental Association (BERA).

BERA’s founding members are Key-Tec, Heli, Wim Verhuur, Marchandise, Loxam, Boels, Huurland and Hermans Heftrucks.

BERA chairman Bill Olivier, who is CEO of Loxam in Belgium and Luxembourg, said almost 20 companies had confirmed their membership, with Eurorent, EQIN, Lietar, TVH, Duma Rent and Locquet all joining the founding members.

Office holders joining Olivier include Pascal Ameloot, co-owner of Dutch rental company Huurland, who becomes secretary, and Dennis Renders, manager of forklift dealer Hermans Heftrucks, who is treasurer.

BERA, which was founded in July, said its aim is to become the “leading voice and catalyst for machine rental companies in Belgium” and will look to achieve “sustainable added value for members and stakeholders through collaboration.”

The association, which will become a member of the European Rental Association (ERA), said it will organise social networking meetings, share sector information with its members and address topics such as sustainability, innovation, regulation and safety, through working groups.

The official unveiling of BERA will take place at MatExpo on September 7, where it also plans to launch its website.