39
IRN NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2013
SIMPLEX EQUIPMENT RENTAL INTERVIEW
of its enterprise resource planning (ERP) system,
replacing a 30 year old software solution.
“We waited too long to update our ERP,” says Mr
Véronneau. “We are now taking this opportunity to
improve our own processes so we’re doing the best
we can. We are using the best of the best, state-of-
the-art equipment. This is why we stopped opening
branches for a little bit; we wanted to have better
processes.”
Simplex is a “few months” into the implementation
and says it has about six to eight more months to go
before it is up and running.
“We have heard bad stories of people trying to
implement a new system and it was a nightmare,”
he says. “This is why we hired an IT specialist – to be
sure the system is going to be well-received.”
Longer term, the company would like to have
processes in place that allows customers to rent
equipment online through its website, and there
are also hopes to implement barcode asset tracking
technology.
For André Véronneau and his team – including
his son Euclide – the various initiatives reflect a
refocusing of the business, something Simplex
has had to do many times before; “We’ve been in
business for 106 years. We’ve adapted and now it’s
time for us to adapt again.”
There are no global ambitions for the business – he
laughs when asked if they would consider a move to
Europe or Brazil – and says the company’s fate lies
in the hands of his children. “My focus is to be very
strong in the Quebec market,” he says. “It’s up to
Euclide and his sister to choose another way.”
Another way might be to sell the business. “Each
month I refuse a selling offer,” says Mr Véronneau.
“Ten years ago it was each week I refused one. But
no, I have no plans to sell.”
Simplex prides itself on having close relationships
with its customers and its own staff - some of
Simplex’s mechanics have been with the company
for over 30 years.
“You have to have a great relationship with your
customers. Stay honest with them”, says André
Véronneau, “The spirit of how we do business is
to serve the customer, that’s how we’ve been in
business for over a century. These values have been
put forth since the beginning and it’s very important,
more important than making money.”
It is the kind of statement that you hear often
from family-owned businesses. In Quebec right now,
with the Charbonneau Commission providing weekly
doses of depressing testimony, it’s a sentiment that
carries extra significance.
IRN
Simplex is retreating from the earthmoving sector in favour of
aerial platforms and forklifts.
Machines in line for maintenance at Simplex’s Montreal workshop.
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INTERNATIONAL
rental
Official magazine of the ERA
A KHL Group Publication
Volume 13 Issue 7
November-December 2013
NEWS
Groundforce develops global rental
market for hydraulic shoring struts
Geneva shoring
p46
NEW PRODUCTS: TELEHANDLERS, SURFACE PREPARATION& PRESSUREWASHERS
INTERVIEWS:
Himoinsa
p13
Simplex
Equipment
p36
Results of
IRN
Confidence Survey
p17
21 February
deadline for2014
RentalAwards
p24
IRN 11-12 2013Cover.indd 1
02/12/2013 09:13:04
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