Alva has developed the machine rental depot of the future
What lies ahead is always unclear. In research, we always look at what has been done before and learn from it as we gaze into the future. “Stand on the shoulders of giants and look out over the new horizon,” say the scholars. Alva Eriksson is an inside sales representative in Östersund and, in parallel with that, has been studying Industrial Design at Mid Sweden University in Sundsvall for the past three years. She capped off her bachelor’s degree by researching the machine rental depot of the future.
Through about ten in-depth interviews, workshops with depots, and discussions with various sectors of the industry, she arrived at an exciting result. A concept that meets today’s sustainability and environmental requirements emerged: a “drive-in” facility, where the idea is for customers to drive their cars right in so that the entire rental process can take place in one location. The equipment is loaded and unloaded directly onto the customers’ cars or trailers, and the rental agreements are signed in the same facility behind the rental counter in the equipment hall.
– A concept that makes perfect sense to both customers and employees. The idea was conceived by a craftsman who couldn’t understand why the equipment rental industry didn’t already have this. “It’s a natural part of the lumberyard—so why not here, too?” says Alva Eriksson, an inside sales representative at Renta Östersund and a graduate in industrial design.
Drive-in Machine Hall
The biggest difference between Alva’s final concept and today’s depots is the implementation of a drive-in area in the machine hall, where the medium-sized machines are stored. These machines—such as vacuum cleaners, power saws, various grinders, and others—are loaded directly onto the customer’s car instead of being carried out of the storage facility by hand. Alva’s solution streamlines the workflow and reduces the number of times the customer has to start and stop their car when picking up a machine. When the machines are returned after use, the workshop and wash bay are located right next to the machine hall, which means a shorter route for the machines when they need to be cleaned and functionally tested before the next rental.
– Small, handheld power tools, such as chisels, hand saws, and drills, are rented out and returned in the same way as they are today in the store section. “Customers park outside, then go inside to pick up or return their tools to the sales associates working in the store, and can sit in the lounge at the same time to have a cup of coffee or eat lunch,” Alva concludes.
