What makes Van Lommel N.V.’s business model unique among Belgian rental operations? The 20-year-old company, which started with just one machine and one operator, doesn’t simply rent out heavy construction equipment. It also provides experienced operators along with its machines.
“We believe it’s much more efficient that way,” says CEO Michael van Moffaert. “Our customers don’t have all the responsibilities that come with hiring their own operators. They get an experienced operator, and when the project is done—whether it takes a day or several years—they don’t have to look for another job for that operator.”
Van Lommel specializes in renting products to customers in the road construction, demolition and earthmoving industries—and for that, the company relies on a fleet of 120 mainly Cat® machines.
“For this type of work, Cat machines are the best,” van Moffaert says. “They are reliable and robust for the heavy work of earthmoving and demolition. Plus, sometimes we need to sell machines quickly because we need another. Cat machines deliver very high resale value.”
They’re also popular among the operators who work for Van Lommel.
“FOR THIS HEAVY WORK, THE S3090 IS A PERFECT FIT FOR THE 385 EXCAVATOR. THE MACHINE AND THE SHEAR ARE VERY EASY TO OPERATE. THE MANEUVERABILITY IS PERFECT. I DON’T NEED ANY FORCE TO GET THE JOB DONE.”
“Cat equipment is reliable and the preferred equipment to work with,” says Gerwin Wijs, a freelance operator with 28 years of experience. “Because of my skills I can basically operate any machine, but Cat equipment makes my work so much easier.”
Wijs is currently operating a new addition to Van Lommel’s fleet—a Cat S3090 scrap shear that’s helping to demolish 12 cement silos in the city of Gent.
“For this heavy work, the S3090 is a perfect fit for the 385 excavator,” Wijs says. “The machine and the shear are very easy to operate. The maneuverability is perfect. I don’t need any force to get the job done.”
In addition to ease of operation, sustainability is another important factor in Van Lommel’s decision to operate Cat equipment. The company recently purchased three 336E H hybrid excavators.
“In the rental industry, we are one of the few who are investing in hybrid machines,” van Moffaert says. “It was a big investment, because these machines are more expensive than regular machines. But we believe hybrid equipment will get more important and profitable. Fuel consumption is 25% less, and customer demand for these types of machines will grow.”
No matter what type of machine or work tool Van Lommel rents to its customers, the company relies on Cat dealer BM Belgium for what van Moffaert describes as “perfect aftermarket support.”
“Because of their large network, they are always close to us and our customer projects,” he says. “Technicians are available 24/7. And the availability of work tools and parts is much, much better than the competition.”
