The European Rental Association (ERA) successfully hosted its annual convention in Dublin on 4–5 June 2025, under the theme “Navigating Transitions in Rental”. The two-day event gathered over 350 rental professionals, manufacturers, policymakers and thought leaders from across Europe and beyond. The 2025 edition focused on how the rental industry is responding to some of the most pressing transitions of our time — including the energy transition, digitalisation and AI, and the drive toward sustainability.
ERA President Stéphane Henon opened the convention by highlighting the industry’s unique position, while Eamon McCafferty, founder of CCI (Construction Contractors Ireland), welcomed participants to Dublin.
Highlights from the programme included a presentation of ERA’s flagship project on energy transition by Matt Ross (Sunbelt Rentals) and Arthur Angelier (EY), followed by a panel discussion on TCO challenges with experts from CPA, LGMG, Ritchie Bros, Volvo CE, and Zeppelin Rental. The “From Digitalisation to AI” session featured insights from Ilias Iakovidis (European Commission), Alexander Schuessler (SmartEquip), Marine Cabrol (KPMG), and Joel Särkkä (Renta), as well as business cases from Loxam, Ardent Hire, Sunbelt and Renta. Antoine Onillon (KPMG) provided an exclusive market outlook for rental in 2025/26. Three workshops covered technical innovation, sustainability, and future trends. The convention closed with a keynote by Jamie Anderson, who inspired attendees with a powerful message on “Leading in a Complex World”.
The convention also hosted the ERA General Assembly, where members participated in key decisions for the future of the association. During the Convention, ERA officially announced a leadership transition, with long-serving Secretary General Michel Petitjean set to step down at the end of June 2025 after 19 years of service. Carole Bachmann, who has been part of ERA since 2013, was introduced as his successor and the new Secretary General.
European Rental Awards 2025
The European Rental Awards 2025 took place as part of the annual ERA Convention, celebrating outstanding achievements across the equipment rental industry in Europe. ERA extends its congratulations to all shortlisted companies and sincere thanks to all applicants. The event was made possible thanks to the generous support of our sponsors: Gold sponsors Case Construction and Perkins, and Silver sponsors Haulotte, Trackunit, and Volvo Construction Equipment.
The awards ceremony was judged by a distinguished panel including:
• Stéphane Hénon (ERA President and Managing Director, Loxam)
• Jon Overman (CEO, HSS Hire)
• Murray Pollok (Managing Editor, International Rental News)
• Monika Rubensson (CEO, Rentalföretagen)
• Frank Seidler (Managing Director, HKL)
• Michel Petitjean (non-voting Chair of Judges and ERA Secretary General)
Nine categories were presented throughout the evening:
ERA Technical Committee Award – Best initiative to minimise Total Cost of Ownership:
Kaeser, for reduced maintenance times on Mobilair compressors.
ERA Sustainability Committee Award – Best sustainability initiative by a rental company:
GAM (Spain) and Loxam (France), joint winners.
Rental Product of the Year:
Trime UK, for the MGTP 24000/30 THS low-emission generator.
Rental Technology Product of the Year:
Trackunit (Denmark), for the IrisX operating data platform.
Best Safety Initiative by a Rental Company:
Sunbelt Rentals UK, for its multi-faceted safety strategy.
Small/Medium Sized Rental Company of the Year:
EuroTecno (Italy).
Large Rental Company of the Year:
Alayan, operating across Italy, Spain, and Portugal.
ERA/IRN Rental Person of the Year:
Bodel Blom, Managing Director, Byggutrustning Luleå AB (Sweden).
Lifetime Achievement Award:
Michel Petitjean, in recognition of his outstanding service and leadership as ERA Secretary General.
The European Rental Association thanks all sponsors, judges, participants, and industry stakeholders for making the 2025 Awards a memorable celebration of excellence and commitment in the rental industry. As the industry continues to evolve, the ERA Convention remains the leading platform for knowledge exchange, collaboration and shaping the future of equipment rental in Europe.