Ramirent believes machine rental will increase ( link to article)

Machinery rental business is in a turning point. High speed of building has kept Ramirent in a growing state on all markets. Now Russia and big parts of Central Europe are growing fast. Markets if Nordic countries, Estonia, Latvia and Hungary are shadowed by some clouds. In Scandinavia decline of residential building is affecting construction markets. This affects Ramirent's business in different ways. In Finland residential building accounts for 10 per cent of rental business. In other Nordic countries share of building firm clients is higher than in Finland. In Denmark competition is tough. Country manager Erik Høi tells that competition can be seen in prices. In Norway especially Oslo area, that is Ramirent's strong area, was hit by decline in building. Ramirent's competitors have big customerships in oil fields of South Western Norway, and they are not affected by decline in building. Ramirent has however signed a contract with country's biggest building firm Veidekken. In Sweden a big challenge has been transformation of Altima. Former owner NCC is still a big customer. Eastern Europe has been divided into two divisions. Russia, Ukraine and Baltic countries belong to Eastern Europe. Poland, Czech republic, Slovakia and Hungary belong to Central Europe. In Russia one big question is moving into other big cities besides Moscow.

Journalist: Sanna Autio
Main source: Ramirent CMD'08