Our Plan for Good: Shaping the Future of Sustainable Rental Services
Shaping the Future of Sustainable Rental Services
At Lowe Rental Corporation, we have a simple but powerful mission, relentlessly delivering sustainable rental services. For us, this mission goes beyond offering critical equipment that helps businesses store, serve or sell food and beverages. It's about changing the way businesses use and think about refrigeration and cold rooms, catering equipment and kitchen infrastructure. In a world where the traditional model has been purchase, we're shifting the narrative to show the true value of renting. Where access, efficiencies – both in practical operations and financial savings, and sustainability come together to drive better outcomes for our clients and the planet.
This shift from ownership to rental also plays a vital role in supporting the principles of the circular economy. Renting allows for the continued use and reuse of assets, keeping them in circulation for the entirety of their useful purpose and reducing waste through extended asset lifespans and responsible disposal. We also source the most energy-efficient refrigeration equipment for our clients, supporting their carbon reductions through responsible energy consumption. By embracing rental models, we believe businesses can minimise their environmental impact, and maximise the value they get from a critical need in their operations.
Our Plan for Good
Our ESG strategy, Our Plan for Good, is an integral part of how we deliver on our promise to provide sustainable, flexible rental solutions that create lasting value for our clients, our people, and the planet. Through this approach, we're enhancing our operational impact, championing our people, and caring for the environment, all while staying true to our commitment to innovate and lead in sustainable rental services.
Addressing Our Carbon Footprint
I can't tell you how proud I am of the progress we've made in just a few years since we implemented our ESG strategy. One of the key focuses for us has been developing a refrigerant transition plan. Refrigeration was naturally a significant contributor to our carbon footprint, and we have not shied away from that, instead we've made a bold commitment backed by a comprehensive transition plan. By the end of 2034, we will be utilising 100% natural refrigerants across our entire refrigeration fleet which currently stands at 55,000+ assets and growing. This is a huge step in reducing our carbon emissions and one that we believe will have a meaningful impact. We've also developed a strategy around moving towards electric catering equipment, which will be another game-changer for us in terms of advancing our objectives to drive environmental performance across our operations.
Investing in Our People
But at the heart of everything we do is our people. We have always been committed to listening, really listening, to their needs and making sure we're giving them the tools, opportunities, and support to grow. We have invested heavily in learning and development, appointing a dedicated L&D manager who developed over 219 training courses and delivered 75 live sessions globally to support our employees on their professional growth journeys. Our focus on health and safety also remains a non-negotiable priority, with consecutive reductions in incidents and accidents YOY —42% in 2024 alone, a direct result of our ongoing commitment to creating safe work environments for our people in every sense of the word – our employees, our clients, partners and on-site colleagues.
Protecting Quality at Our Core
As for governance, safeguarding the quality and reliability that has defined the delivery of our rental services over the years has remained a core objective. Our first 10-day asset failure rate stands at just 1-2% globally, reflecting the enhanced asset reporting we have implemented to support our teams in pinpointing improvements in preparation, maintenance and dispatch. I also have to callout our ongoing global ERP implementation, which is continuing to streamline internal processes and centralised related data, delivering an integrated approach to asset management, operational delivery and customer engagement across our core business functions. This digital transformation will no doubt continue to aid our efforts to deliver seamless experiences for our clients and internal teams alike.
Looking Ahead
Looking ahead, we are staying focused on continuous improvement. There's always more to do, and we're committed to challenging ourselves to do better, set new targets and embrace innovative solutions that further our mission. As the world shifts toward more sustainable practices, we believe that renting, rather than owning, is the future. And as our mission continues to change how things are done, our ESG strategy will continue to work behind the scenes to ensure our services are as sustainable as they can be.
I look forward to seeing the ideas, initiatives and collective effort that will shape the next chapter of our journey.
To learn more about how we're driving change and making an impact, you can read our full ESG report here: Download the Report
Founded in 1977 in Northern Ireland, Lowe Corporation have grown to become a global leader in the provision of sustainable rental services. With a dedicated team of c. 450 employees worldwide, the company operates through 3 divisions and from 12 strategic distribution centres around the globe. Their portfolio of brands includes household names synonymous with their industries: Lowe Rental, Portable Kitchens Limited (PKL), Lotsenbüro, Abbey Design Associates (ADA), and LoweConex. With a turnover in excess of £100m, Lowe Corp. deliver into over 40 countries annually to empower customers with innovative solutions to achieve commercial success, operational excellence, and sustainable achievements.
