bbforks - no, on the contrary, they thrived on it. In fact the FLTA became the independent's voice.

Whereas before, they simply picked up work that the manufacturers felt was too small, instead, they picked up a franchise of a lesser known make, or became a sub-dealer of a larger Company and rented against the big boys. Rental gave them an opportunity of competing against the manufacturers on more of an even base. manufacturers sold (rented) on the strength of the name, independents on the strength of the local contact.

Independents were largely formed out of ex-engineers moving from the manufacturers offering a local service. Rental gave them fresh opportunities.