Equipment rental revenue still growing: ARA

After two years of rapid post-pandemic revenue growth in 2021 and 2022, the equipment rental industry is expected to see single digit increases over the next four years according to the latest American Rental Association (ARA) forecast.

Equipment rental revenue — which includes construction and industrial as well as the general tool segments — is expected to increase by 3.4% in 2023 to nearly $57.7 billion after growth of 11% in 2022 to reach almost $55.8 billion, ARA said.

In subsequent years, equipment rental revenue is expected to grow 2.9% in 2024, 3.3% in 2025 and another 3.4% in 2026 to reach nearly $63.4 billion.

The American Rental Association (ARA) is predicting equipment rental revenues will continue to rise in the U.S. and Canada. (Photo: Sunbelt Rentals)

“In the current forecast we see a definite softening in rental revenue growth, but we do not see negative growth,” says John McClelland, Ph.D., ARA vice president for government affairs and chief economist.

The construction and industrial segment, according to S&P Global Market Intelligence, the forecasting firm that compiles data for the ARA forecast and the ARA Rentalytics subscription service, showed double-digit revenue increases in 2021 and 2022 at 10.2% and 12.7% respectively. The segment is forecast to show a 4% increase in 2023, 2% in 2024 and 3% in 2025 and 2026.

On the general tool side, revenue growth was a more moderate 6.2% in 2022 and is forecast to be 1% in 2023, 5% in 2024 and 2025 and 4% in 2026.

“There is variability in the forecast, depending on the end markets rental companies serve,” said Tom Doyle, ARA vice president, association program development. “However, nonresidential construction spending will be strong, and money continues to be spent from government stimulus programs, which both are positives for the rental industry.

“In addition, the supply chain is improving, which can help alleviate the backlog of equipment orders, allowing equipment rental companies to expand inventory to meet demand, which adds to the positive outlook for the industry in 2023 and beyond.”

In Canada, equipment rental revenue also showed a post-pandemic boost of 15.8% in 2021 and 11.1% in 2022 to reach $4.6 billion. The same as in the U.S., revenue growth is expected to settle into a single-digit pattern over the next four years.

The ARA forecast calls for equipment rental revenue in Canada to increase by 1.6% in 2023, 4% in 2024, 5.3% in 2025 and 3.5% in 2026 to reach nearly $5.3 billion.