Industry Interview
By Seth Skydel
Jason MacKenzie, president, Select Crane Sales
Shaping Strategy
Select Crane Sales is embracing challenges to meet industry needs
As the crane and lifting industry continues to navigate economic uncertainty, supply chain disruptions and a growing push for sustainability, the way companies access equipment is evolving, noted Jason MacKenzie, president of Select Crane Sales.“ In today’ s market, it’ s no longer just about buying, it’ s about finding smarter ways to use equipment,” he said.
One trend that Select Crane Sales is not only watching but actively embracing, according to MacKenzie, is a shift in demand from ownership to more bare rentals. Rising acquisition costs, spiking interest rates, labor shortages and unpredictable job schedules are already weighing on crane ownership, he related.
“ Now, with the lead times for new equipment stretching out months or even longer, many companies are choosing to rent instead, avoiding the delays and financial strain that come with buying,” MacKenzie added.“ This shift allows customers to reduce risk and preserve cash flow, locking in a more predictable cost structure for individual projects without committing to the long-term burdens of ownership.
“ We’ re constantly looking to renew our rental fleet with new or later-model low hours machines” MacKenzie continued.“ It’ s about making sure we have the right equipment ready when our customers need it.”
Keeping a rental fleet stocked with quality machines requires constant strategic thinking and that’ s harder than ever, MacKenzie noted.“ We have many of the same challenges as our customers, including rising equipment prices and the burden of high financing rates,” he pointed out.“ Sourcing late-model cranes from around the world is also getting trickier, and now tariffs are adding new complexity.”
Thinking Creatively
“ While the impact of tariffs is still up in the air, they’ re certainly making things more expensive and difficult,” MacKenzie explained further.“ These pressures impact
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May 2025 • www. cranehotline. com