Top 10 rental stories of 2020

In a normal year we would have expected news about a major rental acquisition or OEM merger to head up the ‘most read’ stories list, but not in 2020. As the list below shows - and you didn’t need telling -  2020 was different, with half the stories either directly or indirectly dealing with the pandemic fall-out. 

It is perhaps a relief that some of the articles reflected ’business as normal’, with a comforting focus on interesting new products (Kubota), a major rebranding (Sunbelt) and the promise of glory (rental awards shortlists).

The top 10 stories of 2020 were:

1. KHL’s rolling story on Covid-19
2. Top 10 rental companies in 2019
3. Reassurance about Coronavirus at ConExpo
4. European Rental Awards shortlists announced
5. Hitachi CME to stop manufacturing in Europe
6. Kubota reveals electric mini excavator
7. A-Plant rebranded as Sunbelt Rentals
8. Briggs & Stratton files for bankruptcy protection
9. Demand remains stable for Boels
10. UK rental hardest hit by Covid-19 in Europe

The stories also highlight the arc that we went through during the year, from widespread unease in the runup to Conexpo in March, to stories painting a hopeful picture of the impact (the ’Boels stable’ story was posted on 20 March…).

By the end of the year, we were reporting on bancruptcies (Briggs & Stratton survived, happily, and is now under new ownership), and the actual, significant impact on the rental sector.

We published more than 900 pandemic-related news articles on khl.com over the year, a number that tells its own story.

Of course, there is little prospect of a rapid escape from the pandemic, either in real-life or on our webpages, but let’s hope that as 2021 progresses, we start to see pure rental stories taking centre-stage again.

IRN wishes its readers a Merry Christmas and a healthier 2021.