Editor Allan Leibowitz comments on the news of the week

A new report indicates that the mobile elevating work platform rental market is powering ahead - despite the resurgence of COVID, geo-political upheavals and increased input costs. Or maybe it's because of those factors!
Our recent industry discussions show that demand for almost all materials handling equipment remains high, prices are rising and supply is still constrained. So, rental is sometimes the only option for businesses with immediate needs.
There's no doubt, however, that rental operators are under the same pressures as the rest of the market. They can't readily boost their fleets without some creative solutions like holding onto vehicles for longer and scouring the refurbished/second-hand markets.
We're also hearing that a number of manufacturers are being forced to plunder their own rental fleets to meet orders or help tide some of their bigger customers over through these lean times.
It's clear that new thinking is required in this supply-starved market - and we'll certainly be following the trends and searching for novel ideas.