United Rentals enters agreement to be acquired for $6.6 billon

United Rentals announced July 23 that it has signed a definitive merger agreement to be acquired by affiliates of Cerberus Capital Management, L.P., in a transaction valued at approximately $6.6 billion, including the assumption of approximately $2.6 billion in debt obligations.

Under the terms of the agreement, United Rentals stockholders will receive $34.50 in cash for each share of United Rentals common stock that they hold. The purchase price per share represents a 25 percent premium over United Rentals' closing share price of $27.55 prior to the company's announcement on April 10, 2007 that it had commenced a process to explore a broad range of strategic alternatives.

“We're pleased that our strategic alternatives process has resulted in this favorable agreement for our shareholders,” said Bradley S. Jacobs, chairman of United Rentals. “This transaction is a credit to the thousands of United Rentals employees who have created unmatched value in our industry. A decade ago we started United Rentals with little more than a concept and achieved industry leadership in just 13 months. Today we remain the preeminent equipment rental company in the world.”

"We will continue to focus intensely on customer service and employee satisfaction,” Michael J. Kneeland, chief executive officer of United Rentals. “Cerberus is a firm that shares our deep respect for operational excellence. They have an impressive track record of investing in industry leaders and working constructively with management teams to accelerate profitability and growth.”

The board of directors of United Rentals has approved the merger agreement and has recommended the approval of the transaction by United Rentals stockholders.

Completion of the transaction is subject to customary closing conditions, including approval of the transaction by United Rentals' stockholders and regulatory review.

MEC promotes Shanahan to General Manager of CMEC Division

Selma, CA, May 2007 --- MEC Aerials has announced the appointment of Frank Shanahan to General Manager of its CMEC (California Manufacturing and Engineering Company) Division. CMEC manufactures electric and rough terrain scissor lifts and telehandlers that are marketed by MEC Aerials.

Mr. Shanahan joined CMEC in October 2004 as Chief Financial Officer and later assumed Operations responsibilities. He previously served as CFO and Operations Manager for Actagro, LLC. Actagro is a manufacturer and distributor of chemical fertilizers based in Biola, CA.

Prior to Actagro, Mr. Shanahan spent nine years in the insurance industry with Western States Administrators, National American Lift Insurance Company and the Department of Insurance at the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. He also worked 5 years in banking as CFO and then President of Western Commercial, a bank holding company for Fresno Bank of Commerce and Merced Bank of Commerce.

He began his career with Ernst & Young where he worked in various positions including Senior Audit Manager specializing in the Financial Services industry. Mr. Shanahan is a Certified Public Accountant and earned his B.S. degree in Business Administration at California State University at Fullerton.

MEC manufacturing facilities are headquartered in Selma, CA, where the company builds a full line of aerial work platforms and telescopic handlers that are marketed worldwide. For more information about MEC products, visit the MEC website at www.mecawp.com.

Brad Boehler named Chair of the ANSI A92.6 Sub-committee

Boehler was nominated for this position by the previous chair, Bud Hayden, who decided to step down after many years of service. A majority vote at the Main Committee meeting, held on Nov. 7, 2006 in Baltimore, MD, confirmed the appointment, which was officially made
by Dave Merrifield, the Chair of the A92 Main Committee. Boehler has been active with the A92 committee and various sub-committees for the past four years. He is also involved with the Canadian CSA B354 Elevating Work Platforms Technical Committee, and the ISO Technical Committee 214 (TC 214) - Elevating Work Platforms. He is also an Approved AWPT (Aerial Work Platform Training) Instructor, sits on the AWPT Advisory Council, and acts as the Chair of the AWPT Practical
Evaluation Working Group. Boehler is also a member of the IPAF (International Powered Access Federation) Manufacturer’s Technical Committee, and the FEM Mobile Elevating Work Platforms, Product Group. Boehler has spoken at every Aerial Platform Safety Conference, as part of the Plenary sessions, as well as individual sessions, regarding accident prevention, maintenance and training.

Skyjack said in a press release that it is very pleased with this appointment and is proud to be so deeply involved in Aerial Work Platform safety.

AWPT Hires Industry Veteran, Tony Groat

AerialWork Platform Training (AWPT) has hired industry veteran Tony Groat as its North American membership development director. Groat is responsible for acquiring new members, training centers and developing services for IPAF’s North American members. He is based in Albany, NY. IPAF, the International Powered Access Federation, is the parent organization of AWPT.

Groat has been involved with the rental industry for 31 years, starting with Albany Ladder and NES Rental. During his career, he has held positions such as sales, COO, district manager and regional VP. He was accountable for up to 20,000 rental assets (mostly AWPs and forklifts), 850 employees and 43 loca tions in 13 states. He is a past president of the North East Sub Contractors Association (NESCA), a former board member for Associated Equipment Distributors (AED) and a long-term member of the American Rental Association (ARA) and the Scaffold Industry Association (SIA).

“Quality processes, procedures and training in all aspects of the business– sales, service, delivery – are essential to achieve a safe work environment in the access industry,” Groat said. “I plan on enlisting many new members and AWPT training centers through increased awareness of AWPT, its training programs, and
the quality and value it brings to the industry. Having an industry standard for AWP training is the first critical step to ensuring compliance and implementation. The ultimate goal is to ensure safe
operation of AWPs in the field.

Toyota develops fuel cell lift truck

Toyota Material Handling, U.S.A., Inc. displayed a prototype of a fuel cell lift truck at ProMat 2007 in Chicago. The prototype, called the Toyota FCHV-F, was developed by Toyota Industries Corporation in cooperation with Toyota Motor Corporation.

“Toyota’s commitment to the environment is widely illustrated through its vast motor vehicle and truck applications,” said Shankar Basu, president and CEO of TMHU. “However, this is the first example of a fuel cell lift truck that is designed to significantly reduce emissions.”

Using hydrogen as its main power source, the Toyota FCHV-F produces electricity without combustion and generates zero carbon dioxide emissions. Overall operating costs are reduced due to less fuel consumption and lower maintenance.

Maintenance is lower than electric lift trucks, whose batteries must be periodically charged, refilled with water and replaced. In addition, the fuel cell hybrid system ensures constant power delivery and performance, eliminating the reduction in voltage output that occurs as batteries discharge.

These and other features make fuel cell lift trucks ideally suited to conditions found at large distribution centers, where lift trucks often run continual 24-hour shifts. These individual plants will be able to establish their own hydrogen fueling stations and achieve significantly lower total logistics costs.

Toyota plans to continue to advance its fuel cell technology and bring a fuel cell lift truck to market in the next few years.

Raymond unveils fuel cell-powered forklift prototype at ProMat 2007

The Raymond Corporation exhibited new lift trucks and emerging technologies at ProMat 2007. On display were prototypes of a fuel cell-powered pallet truck, an RFID-ready Reach-Fork truck, and several
new lift truck models featuring Raymond’s exclusive ACR System, which uses AC technology to deliver quicker acceleration, better control and greater energy efficiency.

“Raymond continues to innovate and improve products in ways that benefit our customers,” said Jim Malvaso, president and CEO of The Raymond Corporation.“ For example, we are researching how fuel cells and RFID work with lift trucks to help warehouse owners further reduce costs and increase productivity.”

AWPT receives clarification from State of Washington regarding use of harnesses in scissor lifts

COURTESY OF AWPT
Following the release of a widely circulated story stating that the State of Washington had issued a document requiring the use of harnesses on scissor lifts, Aerial Work Platform Training (AWPT), an organization that exists to promote the safe and effective use of powered access equipment sought clarification of the new requirement.

After speaking directly with Dan K. McMurdie, Compliance Operations Manager from the State of Washington’s Division of Occupational Safety & Health, AWPT’s Tony Groat learned that there was a misunderstanding of the rules found in the recently released document from the Washington State Department of Labor and Industries.

“The Division of Occupational Safety and Health has not changed the requirements for fall protection while using scissor lifts,” McMurdie said. “The requirement is still standard guardrails on all open sides. Full body harness and lanyard is only required when working from a boom elevated platform or rotating aerial device.”

Further clarification of the new rules contained in Chapter 296-869 WAC “ Elevating Work Platforms” can be found on the department’s Web site at www.lni.wa.gov/WISHA/Rules/elevated platforms/default.htm.

The misunderstanding of the new rule apparently stems from wording found in Section WAC 296-869-20045, “Working from the Platform,” that states, “Make sure all persons in the platform wear a full body harness with lanyard attached.”

This section however, pertains only to “ aerial lifts” which are defined as: “An aerial device mounted on a vehicle such as a truck, trailer, or all-terrain vehicle.” Scissor lifts are not considered “aerial lifts,” they fall into the classification of “ Elevating Work Platforms.”

Specifically, scissor lifts are called “selfpropelled elevating work platforms” which are defined as: “A self-propelled, integral chassis, elevating work platform with a platform that can’t be positioned
completely beyond the base.”

AWPT is in complete agreement with the recently adopted rules and notes that anyone working in boom lifts, whether self-propelled or vehicle-mounted, should wear a full body harness, with an adjustable lanyard set as short as is possible.

Users of scissor lifts and other vertical platforms need not normally wear harnesses. AWPT stresses that the use of any platform however should be preceded by a job specific risk analysis and take into consideration the manufacturer’s instructions.

To clarify their position, AWPT has drafted Technical Guidance Note H1 providing simple guidance on when to wear a harness. This document is in the final stages of approval and is due to be finalized early this year. An international version of H1 was recently issued by the International Powered Access Federation and can be downloaded at www.ipaf.org/h10505.pdf.