United Rentals Newest Purchase

United Rentals is based in Connecticut and operates a network of more than 550 rental locations in the United States and Canada.  This makes them the largest equipment rental company in the world.  United Rentals has agreed to purchase rival RSC Holdings Inc. for $1.9 billion.  RSC Holdings provides heavy equipment rental services to clients in several industries including the construction and manufacturing.

Crane Safety Council in Canada

A new Canadian crane safety council was established recently at a national conference in Edmonton Canada.  The Canadian Hoisting & Rigging Safety Council was established during the Crane & Rigging Conference Canada 2012 in Alberta’s capital.  The creation of the CHRSC is a unique initiative system to regulate and approve credentials in B.C. and Alberta.  They also promote the development of a crane operator qualification system in BC.

Driverless Trucks

Rio Tinto PLC, the world’s second largest iron ore miner, has announced their plan to drastically boost the number of driverless trucks in their company.  This will bring the number of trucks to 150 within the next four years.  The trucks are built buy Komatsu Limited and will allow material to be moved more efficiently and safely.  The trucks will be controlled remotely from Rio's operations headquarters.