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Entrevista a Alberto José Gutknecht Donoso, responsable de publicidad de Afron"The market is very demanding and will survive only most serious companies"
Interview with Alberto José Gutknecht Donoso, responsible advertising of Afron
Esther Güell / Laia Banús08/01/2009
January 8, 2009
Afron offers rental, sale of equipment extra specially aimed at the construction companies and platforms. Wide current product portfolio includes from vertical platforms, minigrúas, scissors, articulated, towable, telescopic truck platforms, manipulative, more a selection of special machines and additional equipment. Alberto José Gutknecht Donoso, responsible advertising of Afron, exposes us his point of view on the situation of the market.
Your company is dedicated to the rental and sale of machinery for public works. Tell us the reasons that made them also opt out of the rental sector.
Actually our company began with the sale of machinery, since once we saw a need in the Spanish market benefit from this new system. After checking that there was a segment of customers who could not afford a high cost, we decided to introduce the concept of the equipment rental, bearing a large ratio of acceptance of our clients.
What kind of machines currently has and what has been their recent acquisitions?
At the moment we can say, proud, Afron counts with the most specialized and diversified machinery rental sector range. We have from the air more conventional platforms, such as arms and scissors, until the platforms more special as they are mounted on tracks and minigrúas. We always try to give added value to our customers, trying to cover all your needs. The last of our acquisitions has been Glasaboy, a robot for the installation of glass. Equipped with a remote control allows an extremely sensitive handling.
As for its customers, what is their main type of applicant company of machinery?
We can say that an air platform is nowadays a product widely used in all sectors. We must bear in mind that it is the safest environment for work at height, and there are plenty of work at height.
In his view, what competitive advantages present rental versus purchase?
Both rental and purchase have their advantages, it all depends on the needs you have the client at every moment. The rent has the advantages that it can be considered a deductible expense, does not represent a big investment and does not entail storage costs. On the other hand, for long periods of work or constant work, it is much more practical to opt for the purchase, to be able to pay off the platform.
Afron offers rental, sale of equipment extra specially aimed at the construction companies and platforms.
After his experience in the sector, difficulties and what challenges are the most common in the rental of machines?
The main challenge is to give the best solution to our client, to advise any client in the selection profile perfectly of the machine and have an excellent technical team to focus on technical problems in less than 24 hours. This is the illusion that makes us share our project that we have been building for years.
At the moment, do you think that there is an increase in the rental of machinery with the purchase?
The current national economic situation is very pessimistic. Both consumer confidence and the employer has dropped to contributions never views. All this influences negatively the intention of buying, our clients see their future with uncertainty and do not want to undertake significant investments not to weaken its solvency. This situation may be that more oriented customer to use our teams more for rent than in buying.
Finally, in the future, where it does that the sector will develop in the coming years?
At the moment, and by the economic downturn we are already experiencing, I believe that we we have a question about the evolution that will take the sector, because that much will depend on the economy, the market. What if I can say is that the market is there, every day is more demanding and they will only survive the company more serious and professional, with a clear and committed strategy by all members of the organization.
