CRA eJournal
EPIC Brokers
EDCO, Inc.
Rental Center News
John Kent Company
John Kent
451 County Road 32B
Davis, CA 95618
(800) 700-5368
johnasherkent@gmail.com
 
StreetCal Enterprises
Juan Juarez
210 Iowa Place
Oxnard, CA 93036
(805) 889-9981
J.M.Juarez87@gmail.com
  
 
Alex DuBose of Rental Guys in Chico, California was presented with the James Gartland Memorial Award at the California Rental Association’s January Board of Directors Meeting, held in Las Vegas, Nevada. The award was presented to Alex DuBose by Michael Roth, RER Magazine editor, and Dale Blackwell, CRA Executive Director, during the Board Dinner. Alex is a second-generation owner of Rental Guys. He served on the CRA Board of Directors from 2005 until 2015. During his time on the board, he served as Treasurer, Vice President, President, and Chairman. He returned to the Board in 2016 and currently serves on the Insurance, Investment, Member Benefits, and Public Relations Committee. Alex has also served as an officer of the Big Foot Chapter. Congratulations and thanks to Alex for his many years of contribution to CRA and to the rental industry!
 
The James Gartland Memorial Award, named for the founder of RER Magazine who was a long-time friend of the California Rental Association (CRA), is given annually to a rental person or service provider in recognition of their contribution to the rental industry. James Gartland helped recognize many “Rentalmen of the Year” and CRA continues that tradition by acknowledging men and women who embody the qualities Jim himself demonstrated—respect, vision, and leadership.
 
RSIF promotes education in the rental industry, in addition to providing disaster support for members. RSIF scholarships are available for adult students of all ages, and at many levels. Full or part-time students in trade schools, community colleges, or universities are eligible. Applicants must be CRA members, their employees or their college-age children. Congratulations to the following Spring 2019 scholarship winners:
 
Rebecca Antill
Beth Arbon
Robert Arbon
Allison Holm
Will Tursellino
Michelle Weitz
 
Alliance North America
Allied Insurance Brokers, Inc.
Cybersecurity is the protection of computer systems from theft or damage to their hardware, software or electronic data, as well as from disruption or misdirection of the services they provide. CRA thanks Gabe Marquez from the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) for his contribution of a series of articles on Cybersecurity. He received the articles from a presentation given by FBI Agent Scott Augenbaum during the 2018 National Cargo Theft Summit. All articles are available to view at www.CalRental.org in the Cybersecurity section on the Public Resources tab. Over the next several months, we will be presenting a different article. This month we have an article about Passwords, Two-Factor Authentication.
This article, by Holly Welles, was recently published online and forwarded to CRA by RTR Nation. The article deals with how construction companies should be able to adapt to the changing needs of our environment, which means updating and reforming outdated methods. Stating that the preservation of the planet is a shared responsibility, the author stresses that companies in every industry must make a collective effort to align with ecofriendly practices, striving to reduce carbon emissions and excessive waste with sustainability as the primary goal. Environmental compliance provides a foundation on which to build. Point 2 in the article especially applies to our industry.
With companies like MetLife and Travelers working together to create programs such as their trademarked Synchrony, the concept of integrated disability is gaining wider acceptance, though there are still hurdles. Integrated disability means combining the administration of the disability component of workers’ comp and the disability programs in the benefits arena. The following are some of the issues that Integrated Disability aims to address.
Vendor News
  
On January 31, 2019, Electric Guard Dog, LLC, the #1 Theft Deterrent Service, announced that Commissioner Bill Bratton, one of the most highly decorated and well-known law enforcement officials in the United States, will join its Board of Directors. Mr. Bratton is currently Senior Managing Director of Teneo Holdings, a global CEO advisory firm, and Executive Chairman of its Teneo Risk Advisory Division. Mr. Bratton also serves as the Vice Chairman for the Secretary of Homeland Security’s Advisory Council. Mr. Bratton has over 40 years of experience in law enforcement, including as Chief of Los Angeles Police Department and Commissioner of New York City and Boston Police Departments. His numerous awards include being named one the “Most Influential People in the Security Industry” by Security Magazine and “Public Official of the Year” by Governing Magazine.
  
Custom Equipment, LLC welcomes industry veteran Terry Dolan as its president and CEO. Dolan brings nearly 30 years of experience in the rental, construction and equipment industries and will lead the overall direction and strategy of the organization. Dolan is known for building strong organizations with his customer-first approach, starting with the customer’s challenges, then developing products and services that enable them to be more productive, safe and profitable. He has more than 20 years of executive and general management experience in the industrial equipment and rental sector, including leading national sales, operations and marketing teams. His experience has provided him with a strong background in the construction, agriculture and mining sectors.
  
Brokk, the world’s leading manufacturer of remote-controlled demolition machines, introduced the Brokk 200, a new weight class of machine. The new model packs the power of a 3-ton Brokk machine into a 2-ton package. The Brokk 200 is one of four new next generation remote-controlled demolition machines Brokk showcased at World of Concrete 2019 in Las Vegas. The machine comes equipped with Brokk’s signature SmartConcept™ technology for increased efficiency. SmartConcept includes the extra power of SmartPower™, the added reliability of SmartDesign™ and enhanced ergonomics and productivity of SmartRemote™. “When we set out to design the Brokk 200 we saw an opportunity to support customers further by introducing a new weight class,” said Martin Krupicka, President and CEO of Brokk Group. “The Brokk 200 allows contractors to work in tight spaces without a loss in power.”
  
ASV Holdings Inc., an industry-leading manufacturer of all-purpose and all-season compact track loaders and skid steers, has introduced a new brand strategy highlighting the product features and qualities that make ASV an industry leader and allow customers to get more done in more places. The company also launched a new website with features to improve customer experience and ease of use.
  
Xtreme Manufacturing debuted two new B-Class rough terrain telehandlers at World of Concrete 2019. The new Xtreme XR742 has a 7,000 lbs. (3,175kg) lift capacity, a maximum lift height of 42 ft. (12.8m) and a forward reach of 26 ft. 11 in. (8.2m), while the new Xtreme XR944, which replaces the Xtreme XR842, has a 9,000 lbs. (4,082kg) lift capacity, a maximum lift height of 44 ft. (13.4m), and a maximum forward reach of 28 ft. 10 in. (8.7m). Both models utilize a common chassis design that is also used on the Xtreme XR1055 and XR1147, improving familiarity across the product range and reducing spare parts inventory when operating a fleet. They feature a three-section boom with long-life boom rollers as standard, and both are electric over hydraulic, with fully automatic transmission. They also share a common control system with the XR619, XR1055 and XR1147.
  
Xtreme Manufacturing unveiled a new compact telehandler, the XR619, at World of Concrete 2019. The XR619 replaces the Xtreme XR5919 compact telehandler, and becomes the smallest model in the Xtreme telehandler family. Delivering a capacity upgrade over the XR5919, this compact A-Class telehandler has a lift capacity of 6,000 lbs. (2,721kg), a maximum lift height of 19 ft. (5.79m) and a forward reach of 11 ft. (3.35m).
  
Meridian Pacific Sales is excited to announce the recent acquisition of Rhino Sales from long-time CRA member Doug Strom. Doug has been a supporter of the industry and CRA for over 45 years. He is at every CRA Tradeshow and Territory meeting, always with a smile. Doug served on the planning committee for several of CRA’s Annual Golf Tournaments and was awarded the CRA James Gartland Memorial Award in 2017. Doug's career started in 1967 as a sales rep for Jay P. Casteel Company. He later went into business with his sons, Pete and John, starting Strom Equipment Sales. Doug left Strom Sales several years ago for his sons to run so he could represent Rhino Sales, and now has sold Rhino Sales to an appreciative Chris Watson of Meridian Pacific Sales.
  
The Toro Company recently announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire privately-held The Charles Machine Works, Inc., an Oklahoma corporation and the parent company of Ditch Witch and several other leading brands in the underground construction market, for $700 million in cash subject to certain adjustments set forth in the definitive agreement. The transaction is subject to regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions and is currently anticipated to close before the end of Toro’s fiscal 2019 third quarter. 
  
Leading global manufacturer of aerial work platforms, Snorkel, is expanding its telehandler line with the introduction of two new models at World of Concrete 2019. Following on from the successful launch of the Snorkel SR5719 compact rough terrain telehandler in January 2018, Snorkel is bringing two larger capacity models to the market. The new SR9244 offers a lift capacity of 9,260 lbs. (4,200kg), a maximum lift height of 44 ft. 4 in. (13.5m) and a forward reach of 31 ft. 2 in. (9.5m), whilst the larger SR1054 delivers a lift capacity of 10,000 lbs. (4,535kg), a maximum lift height of 53 ft. 9 in. (16.4m) and a forward reach of 41 ft. 4 in. (12.6m). Both models have an overall width of just 7 ft. 6 in. (2.3m) and a stowed height of 8 ft. 5 in (2.56m).
  
Following their European launch in 2017, Snorkel is introducing its narrow compact rough terrain scissor lifts to the North American market at World of Concrete 2019. Expanding its current family of compact rough terrain scissor lifts, the two new narrow models are ideal for working in confined spaces with rough terrain or uneven ground conditions. The Snorkel S2755RT, which will make its North American debut at the show, delivers a maximum working height of 32 ft. 4 in. (10.1m) and a platform capacity of 661 lbs. (300kg) from a chassis that is just 4 ft. 9 in. (1.45m) wide. In the same narrow width, Snorkel also now offers the S2255RT, a smaller version with a maximum working height of 27 ft. 3 in. (8.5m) and a lift capacity of 926 lbs. (420kg).
Business News
The recent requirement to submit Form 300A data electronically doesn’t relieve employers of the responsibility to post the hard copy Form 300A each year. Each establishment (place of business) must post the Form 300A from February 1 to April 30 in a conspicuous place or places where notices to employees normally are posted. This requirement, in addition to all others listed in Section 14300.32 of the California Code of Regulations, remains in effect. Unfortunately, this fact was not included as a note in the electronic filing regulation to ensure that the electronic filing requirement was not perceived to be the new norm, bypassing the requirement for the hard copy.
Last week, CalChamber reported on Governor Newsom''s first State of the State address:
"Hard decisions" are "coming due," Governor Gavin Newsom said in last week's address. Water, energy, high-speed rail, housing, health care and the “affordability crisis” were just a few of the long-standing issues the Governor touched upon in his upbeat talk to both houses of the Legislature, statewide officials, Supreme Court justices and special guests. He also talked about California’s changing workforce, privacy and California’s aging population.
Evelyn Cook, and the president and certified public accountant of Cook CPA Group, recently discussed Assembly Bill 266, which aims to offer tax credits for homeowners who install attic vent closures on their property, in an article on foxandhoundsdaily.com: Assembly Bill 266 (AB 266), presented by Assemblymember Steven Choi, aims to offer tax credits for homeowners who install attic vent closures on their property. These tax credits will specifically apply to the Personal Income Tax Law, and will not apply to business tax or commercial properties. If passed, the bill would provide a credit in every taxable year between January 1, 2020, to January 1, 2025.
The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) estimates that margins for U.S. Gulf Coast refiners have declined to the lowest levels since late 2014, based on recent price trends in certain grades of crude oil and petroleum products. Although EIA estimates U.S. refiners will be able to find alternative sources of crude oil supply, recent crude oil supply reductions from members of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and Canada along with threat of production disruptions in Venezuela have disproportionately reduced the availability of medium and heavy grades of crude oil with high sulfur content and increased the prices of these oils relative to other grades. In addition, gasoline crack spreads have been mostly negative since November 2018 and are further contributing to low refiner margins. Despite the low gasoline margins, refinery runs remain relatively high because of strong distillate prices.
Calendar

Feb. 17-20, 2019 – Anaheim, CA
The Rental Show more....
 
April 11, 2019
CPP’s 3rd Annual BBQ & Brews more…
 
April 15, 2019, San Diego, CA
Associate Member Liaison Committee Meeting
 
April 16-17, 2019, San Diego, CA
CRA Board & Committee Meetings
 
April 30, 2019 – Torrance, CA
GLAO Territory Meeting Hosted by Makinex more…
 
July 14 - 23, 2019 – Oceano, CA
CRA Summer RV Campout more…
Survey Results
Thank you to all who take time to participate in our surveys. CRA uses the information we gather to better serve you. If you have an idea for a survey for CRA members, please send your request to CRA at Info@CalRental.org. This month, we surveyed members about social media.
Steve Sawin from Valley Tool Rentals in Buellton is the winner of the February Survey Raffle. Congratulations Steve!