The Rental Journal Podcast

Recorded live at the 2026 ARA Show in Orlando by Michael Larsen, this episode back industry icon Anthony Durante one of the most influential voices in equipment rental. Fresh off the major announcement of his new venture The Owl partnering with Point of Rental, Anthony shares the vision behind what he calls a full-scale “data revolution” for the rental industry. Built on over 30 years of operation...

Recorded live at the 2026 ARA Show in Orlando by Michael Larsen, this episode features Achille Ettorre the owner of GTA Equipment Rentals,  analytics leader, and author of The Digital Advantage . Cutting through the noise, Achille reframes AI not as a shiny tool or silver bullet, but as a leadership capability—one that empowers better, faster decision-making across rental operations. He breaks dow...

Recorded live at the 2026 ARA Show in Orlando by Michael Larsen, this episode features Dan Crowley the President of Peer Executive Groups. Dan is a facilitator, business strategist, and trusted advisor to rental leaders across the industry. With decades of experience spanning finance, operations, and over 20 business acquisitions, Dan unpacks what truly separates good rental businesses from great...

Recorded live at the 2026 ARA Show in Orlando by Michael Larsen, this episode features three industry leaders spanning software, operations, and asset intelligence come together to challenge one of rental’s biggest assumptions. Is downtime really a labor problem, or is it a workflow problem? With perspectives from SmartEquip (Alexander Schuessler), Texada Software (Adam Kropf), and real world oper...

Michael Larsen speaks with with Phil Parker (CEO) and Andrew Winlow (Fleet Director) of Sunbelt Rentals UK & Ireland, two leaders shaping one of the most influential rental businesses in the world. Following Sunbelt’s landmark New York Stock Exchange listing and continued global expansion, Phil and Andrew share insights into what it takes to lead at scale in an industry undergoing rapid transf...

Recorded live at the 2026 ARA Show in Orlando by Michael Larsen, this episode features Brian Richardson, President-Elect of the American Rental Association and owner of L & A Tent & Event Rentals. With over four decades in the industry, Brian shares hard-earned lessons on leadership, resilience, and what it truly means to operate in an environment where “there is no tomorrow.” From buildin...

Recorded by Michael Larsen, this episode features Linda Carter-Watts, Business Manager and Co Owner of Advanced Tent Technology , and one of the most respected and influential figures in the Australian event hire industry. From her early days working alongside the Canadian Formula One Grand Prix in Montreal to building a life and business in Australia, Linda’s journey is one of courage, adaptabili...

Recorded by Michael Larsen, this episode features Jeff Crotto, President of All About Events , whose journey from a 10 by 10 storage unit in Jacksonville, Florida to a 32,000 square foot operation with 45 team members is nothing short of remarkable. Jeff shares how a deep commitment to customer service, people first leadership, and a willingness to say yes to opportunity shaped both his business a...

In this episode, Michael Larsen sits down with Nathan Turner from Onsite Rental Group, whose career journey defies convention. From growing up in Papua New Guinea and working as a chef, television host, and security professional, to navigating landslides, remote communities, and high-pressure environments, Nathan brings a rare depth of lived experience into Australia’s mining and infrastructure se...

In this episode of The Rental Journal Podcast, Michael Larsen sits down with Robert Pedersen, President of A Tool Shed Equipment Rental — a fourth-generation, family-run business that’s been serving California’s Bay Area for over 80 years. Founded in 1945, A Tool Shed began as an Army surplus store called White Elephant Sales selling whatever they could pull from military storage containers. While...

In this episode recorded at the 2025 ARA Show in Las Vegas, host Michael Larsen sits down with Avery Dubose of Rental Guys Inc, a proud third-generation equipment rental business with deep roots in Northern California and Nevada. Avery shares the inspiring journey of Rental Guys, which has been family-owned and operated since 1959, and now spans 14 locations across the region. With a focus on loca...

In this episode, we’re joined by Tim Doling , Director of Global Markets at POWR2 , a global leader in clean energy storage solutions. Tim brings deep industry experience and a passion for sustainable innovation to the conversation, offering insights into how POWR2 is transforming the way the construction and rental industries approach power generation. POWR2 specializes in hybrid energy systems,...

Tony Conant is the American Rental Association Chief Executive Officer. The American Rental Association (ARA) is the largest international trade association for owners of equipment and event rental operations and manufacturers and suppliers of rental equipment. As rental continues to evolve, ARA employees and members are working together to build a strong future for our industry. Michael Larsen ca...

Tyler Carroll of United Rentals (previously Shore Hire) was awarded the Young Professional of the Year 2024 by the Hire & Rental Industry Association, and was recently completing his exchange program in the U.S with United Rentals. Michael Larsen caught up with Tyler at the ARA Show in the Las Vegas and chatted about his experiences in the HRIA's Young Professional Program, attending the Unite...

Anthony Durante comes from a family deeply rooted in the equipment rental industry, dating back to 1969. In 2009, he co-founded Durante Rentals alongside John Durante and Christopher Jones. From humble beginnings, the company expanded to 10 locations across the New York Tri-state area and earned a spot on the Inc. 5000 list of America’s fastest-growing companies for seven consecutive years—an acco...

Michael Larsen caught up with Tony Tye & Erin Blair at the ARA Show in Las Vegas to talk about how AI can help equipment rental businesses with their route planning, driver allocation, and reduce the spend on third party transport contractors. They dive into how InTempo & Wise Systems have partnered up to bring the latest logistics innovation to the equipment rental industry. Learn more ab...

Elliott Vigil has over 22 years experience in the equipment rental industry previously working in various sales roles at the likes of United Rentals & Ahern Rentals. Today Elliot is a sales coach to the construction & equipment rental industry, a key note speaker & co-host of the ARA's podcast ShopTalk . Michael Larsen sits down with Elliott Vigil at 2025 ARA Show in Las Vegas. Interes...

Tony Symons is the General Manager, Commercial at Kennards Hire with responsibility for the Major Projects Business and dotted line responsibility of the Kennards Hire business development teams.   Tony Symons started in the equipment hire industry in 1993 with Crommelins Hire & Machinery in Western Australia. In 2001 Tony joined Kennards Hire during their early expansion into Western Australi...

Tony Crane was awarded the HRIA Life Member award at the HIRE24 convention in Brisbane, an award that hasn’t been presented since 2018. Tony has worked in the equipment rental industry for the past 40 years, working at companies such as BOC & Flexihire. During that time, Tony also served as the QLD State President of the HRIA. Tony has also assisted in judging the Hire Company of the Year awar...

Tim Helfers in the Managing Director at Globe Power. Globe Power is a long time provider of reliable generator and lighting solutions. Globe Power has recognized the global need to shift towards renewable energy sources as an important market evolution and environmental necessity. Designed and engineered by an Australian team, all Globe products are tried and tested in the most challenging conditi...

Classic Hire is a Western Australian owned and family run business which began operations from just one location in 1993. Since then, they have grown to become one of Western Australia's largest hire companies of small to medium sized equipment with eight throughout Perth. This podcast episode was sponsored by Latner Software . Have you been searching for a modern equipment rental software that is...

Gab Robinson is the CEO of Harry the Hirer with over 20 years experience in the event hire industry. Harry the Hirer is a national supply company with offices in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane & Adelaide with a combined warehouse size of 135,000m². The Harry the Hirer warehouses are home to the latest and best products including, flooring, furniture, Audio Visual, lighting, power and rigging and...

Steve Mau is the President of Brainerd General Rental and the current & 61st President of the American Rental Association. Brainerd General Rental is a general rental store located in Brainerd, Minnesota. Steve previously worked for a Fortune 500 company and was looking to purchase and get involved with a small business in the early 2000s. In 2002 Steve & Maureen Mau acquired Brainerd Gene...

John Bibbo is a past American Rental Association president and is the President at Event Source, a 40 year old event second generation event rental business based in based across Ohio, Michigan & Pennsylvania. This episode was recorded by Michael Larsen at the ARA Show in New Orleans. This podcast episode was sponsored by Latner Software . Have you been searching for a modern equipment rental...

David Maxwell is the Managing Director at United Forklift and Access Solutions & Keith Clarke is the General Manager at Haulotte Australia. United Forklift and Access Solutions & Haulotte Australia have had a strong partnership since 2010 and United recently hit a milestone of purchasing the 5000th Haulotte machine.