Renting or buying machines: pros and cons

TVH Equipment has a fleet of 6200 machines, but also sells hundreds of new and used aerial work platforms, forklifts and so on every year itself. As a customer, how do you know what is the best solution for you? We asked Rental Representative Christophe Cardoen and Sales Director Jean-Pierre De Nil.

Why it could be interesting to rent your machine

Christophe Cardoen has been a Rental Representative at TVH Equipment for a quarter of a century. He is therefore ideally placed to assess why customers continue to prefer renting, even after many years. He sees five good arguments for this.

1. You should not invest

Machinery is quite capital intensive. Certainly smaller companies and start-ups often simply cannot or dare not make that investment decision. But even for larger companies, renting is sometimes the best choice. You don't buy a machine if you know in advance that you will only use it sporadically or during a limited period of time.

2. You have the right machine for every job

As a rental company, TVH Equipment makes the difference above all with a reliable service and exceptional flexibility. We have a by Belgian standards unique fleet of 6200 machines, in the most diverse categories. More than 90 transporters deliver them quickly and efficiently, wherever you need them.  

3. You always have fairly recent equipment

When you rent, you know that you can have a modern and approved machine, which is in tiptop order and perfectly safe to work with. In fact, TVH Equipment is constantly renewing and expanding its rental fleet. 

4. You get what you see

There are no extra costs or other unpleasant surprises in the rental price. You do not have to maintain, repair or have the equipment inspected yourself. In case of a breakdown, we can count on some 60 technicians to come and repair the machine on site. TVH Equipment also offers the possibility of insuring a machine during the rental period.

5. You shouldn't care about logistics and fleet management

Having your own fleet of machines requires investment in storage space and logistics resources. If you work at different locations, you have to take care of transportation yourself or use an external company. In addition, your own machine fleet can entail additional management costs: you need personnel to follow up on the planning and maintenance of the equipment, among other things.

Why it could be interesting to buy

Jean-Pierre De Nil also started as a Rental Representative at TVH Equipment at the time. Today, as Sales Director, he has a good overview of the various reasons why it can be interesting as a customer to buy some machines.

1. You can save money in the long run

Just as the Belgian has a brick in his stomach, he is not usually inclined to keep renting the same machines for long periods of time. If you plan to use a machine frequently, it is worthwhile to check if it is cheaper to buy it. And even then you can take out a contract with TVH Equipment for periodic maintenance and repairs on demand.

2. You strengthen your reliability and productivity

You know for sure that at any moment you have your desired machine within reach. Moreover, you ensure that your operators are guaranteed to always work with the same machine. And the more familiar they are with their equipment, the more productive they will be and the more efficient they will work. This also explains why customers often remain loyal to their regular brand for a long time.

3. You can already get a bargain

TVH Equipment also sells second-hand machines: devices that we have taken out of the rental fleet but that still function perfectly well. In certain cases it can be an interesting back-up solution to have your own - used or unused - aerial work platform. Among other things, if you want to avoid production downtime when, for example, a conveyor belt crashes. In such a crisis situation, renting is not a viable alternative. Moreover, if required, we take back the old machines for new purchases. These machines can in turn end up in the second-hand circuit. They are then usually intended for export.

4. You strengthen your image

Some customers want machines in their company colors, with their name and logo. That way they show the world that they are wealthy and healthy. Ideally, you order the machine in your corporate colors right from the time of purchase at the factory. But if it has to go quickly and TVH Equipment has the machine in stock, we can do that for you as well.

5. You keep full control

Especially larger companies sometimes prefer not to depend on external parties and therefore consciously build their own fleet, with a supporting logistical and technical structure. This often makes it easier to coordinate internally with their own production or site planning.

Or do you go for an in-between solution?

With aerial work platforms and forklifts, you can also opt for long-term rental. Then you sign a contract for basically 5 years, at a fixed all-in price. The big advantage of this formula is that you don't have to put a considerable amount of money on the table, but you will always have the machine you need at your disposal. This is especially practical if you would like a machine with extra options, such as a special bale clamp, specific attachments or an extra large platform.  So with this form of long-term rental, special specifications tailored to the customer are possible.  

In short: everything is possible

Whatever you as a customer prefer (renting machines, buying machines or a mix of both), TVH Equipment's experts will advise and assist you. Any questions? Feel free to contact us. Together we will find the ideal solution!