Today, firms operating in the built environment sector face many challenges, managing equipment resource costs has always been vital for success but in times of economic and political uncertainty, the rental of expensive pieces of equipment can be the most cost-effective solution to acquiring specialist test instrumentation without the need to outlay large capital sums. More and more companies are now using the hiring of equipment as the preferred solution to their needs, as it frees up capital to focus on its core activities without compromising its businesses growth.
Dan Higgins, Sales Manager at BSRIA Instrument Solutions (BIS), one of the UK’s leading suppliers said “There are many benefits of equipment rental rather than direct ownership with access to a wide range of up-to-date technology, when you need it, probably being the greatest benefit. Hire of instrumentation ensures that no money is tied up when equipment is not being used, and the hidden costs to ownership such as maintenance are also not incurred.
Currently it is impossible for any UK business to ignore the ‘B’ word, and with uncertainty over exactly what the fallout from Brexit may look like, many firms are wisely being prudent with regards to capital expenses especially in the short term. Clarity of its impact on the UK business landscape will take time to materialise regardless of the outcome. This uncertainty affects everyone in the supply chain and equipment rental provides an ideal solution by allowing firms to flex resources quickly to match customer demands without the need for often lengthy and expensive procurement and credit processes.
With such a wide variety of instruments available rental allows for a better planning of costs on a project-by-project basis. For example, if you are to embark on a thermal imaging survey a good quality camera can be purchased for this task costing in the order of £7000, and if a wide-angle or telephoto lens is needed the equipment cost for these can mount up further. The rental charge for the same equipment can be in the region of £350 per week, and this lower cost option soon becomes an attractive proposition to buying for many companies especially when finances are tight. On balance, hiring has never looked better”.
When selecting a supplier for rental, careful consideration must be given to the level of service needed. For example, does the rental company operate a quality accredited calibration system for the items it offers for hire? A simple question to ask but one that is often overlooked. Correct calibration is of paramount importance especially in regulated and safety critical environments, a lack of recognised accredited calibration could be why the rental cost are low. Likewise does the company offer any technical back up to the products within its rental range, or does it simply refer the user back to the manufacturer if a problem arises? Is the rental company tied to a single supplier, or does it source it from the best equipment manufacturers from around the world and have access to an extensive product range? Finally does the rental company have a regional presence so goods can be picked-up in person or promptly delivered to site with a same day carrier service?
In summary, instrument rental can be a cost-effective solution to acquiring expensive pieces of instrumentation especially if it is only used on an ad-hoc basis. Careful selection of the rental company is important, and choosing one not tied to a single manufacturer ensures access to the best suppliers of instrumentation around the world.
BSRIA Instrument Solutions is a leading supplier of specialist test and measurement instruments since 1990 and can assist engineers from all industries in selecting instruments that meet and exceed their expectations. It has built its reputation by providing the most reliable and advanced test equipment from leading manufacturers supporting it with a high level of customer service they can offer a choice of thermal imaging solutions with products from the leading instrument manufacturers.
For further details of the Instrument Solutions equipment hire, sales and calibration capabilities visit www.bsria.co.uk/instruments
