Rental demand stays high despite Covid

With the pandemic and postponement of the Tokyo Olympics, Kito asked a leading Japanese rental company, how the rental-industry has changed?

R&R Co, based in Urayasu City, Chiba, Japan, has been offering rental equipment for construction and industrial use since 1989. In Japan there are reportedly 2500-3000 rental businesses, but few have the variety and volume of machinery the need to meet every order, so they rent from R&R – equipment including Kito chain hoists and other specialised equipment. The name R&R comes from this kind of operation, ‘rentals for rental firms.’

For the safety and peace of mind of customers, R&R has hoist-testing equipment capable of lifting up to 50t. Returned electric chain hoists are disassembled one by one for maintenance by skilled, certified service personnel. This is how the company continues to deliver safety and peace of mind to its customers.

Hideo Harada, R&R’s senior managing director said, “Up till the pandemic reduced economic activity we had been exceptionally busy. Demand peaked related to the Tokyo Olympics and construction for the energy industry, in particular, and transportation infrastructure was building up. Machinery was at work on all kinds of sites.

“I think the rental industry has only been slightly impacted by Covid-19. Construction work has already resumed in metro Tokyo and the Tokai region, particularly for new power stations. Many Kito products are in operation.”