-- Forkliftaction.com News understands Brambles Industries Ltd and Chicago-based National Equipment Services are in discussions which could result in the sale of Brambles' US equipment rental business.

Neither company would comment. Brambles spokesman Ron Burke would neither confirm nor deny sale discussions were occurring. He said the company did not comment on industry rumours. National Equipment Services did not respond to Forkliftaction.com News's requests for information.

While the possibly imminent sale of Brambles' US rental division is unconfirmed, Brambles has made no secret of its intention to exit its forklift and equipment rentals businesses worldwide.

Last November Brambles sold its Australian forklift rental business to Portland, Oregon-based Nacco Materials Handling Group (NMHG), manufacturer of Hyster and Yale forklifts, after months of industry speculation.

And this week Brambles sold Wreckair, its Australian equipment rental business, to Coates Hire Ltd. The sale, to be completed on February 1, 2002, is the seventh in Brambles' divestment program.

Brambles chief executive John Fletcher said "structural changes in the forklift rental market globally ... meant future returns from these activities will not meet Brambles' long-term objectives".

The company's latest statement to the Australian Stock Exchange, on November 15, detailed the sale of its European rail division, Groupe CAIB. The statement mentioned that sales of all equipment rental operations in Australia, Germany and the US were "underway".

"Under current economic conditions, their divestment is not without challenges. Progress is therefore proving to be slower than previously expected," the statement said.