The equipment rental industry continues to be a favorite amongst thieves due to the sheer amount of value typically kept outside on unsecured yards. According to internal AMAROK Business Case data, the average equipment rental location that admitted to past theft issues experienced approximately $60,000 in annual losses due to theft. Across the U.S., rental equipment theft costs businesses $1 billion every year.
Without a strong perimeter security plan, your business is vulnerable to major financial losses. Securing high-value assets, investing in effective deterrents, and creating inventory tracking systems to manage equipment rental theft can help reduce your risk. It’s important to take a strategic approach that incorporates these strategies in order to minimize losses and protect business operations.
With all this in mind, what equipment are thieves after? Before we look at three of the most commonly targeted items, let’s understand why equipment rental sites continue to be such a big target.
Why Thieves Target Equipment Rental Yards
Thieves target rental yards because they store high-value equipment, tools, and vehicles in open areas. With millions of dollars in equipment sitting outside, you would think all equipment rental locations would have Fort Knox-level security. However, this is often not the case.
Here are a few reasons why thieves love to target equipment rental yards:
Big Open Yards
Many equipment rental sites store their equipment on open dirt lots with little more than a chain-link fence and little to no lighting, which is an ideal environment for a thief looking to go undetected. Rental yards located in more remote locations also mean less law enforcement presence and less after-hours surveillance.
Universal Keys
Due to the amount of equipment coming and going, having unique keys for each piece of equipment would be a big hassle, which is why universal keys are an industry standard. The downside is that this puts equipment at risk, even heavier equipment like skid steers and backhoes that are thought to be safe due to their size. Obtaining these keys is extremely easy and even comes with free two-day shipping!
Low Chance of Recovery
There is a low chance of tracking down any stolen equipment, with statistics suggesting that only 27.3% of stolen property in the U.S. is recovered annually. As Chris Cagle would say, it’s gone for good, and it’s good and gone. If a piece of equipment does happen to be recovered, it’s usually due to GPS tracking, or maybe the thief was genius enough to post it on Facebook Marketplace.
Common Equipment for Thieves to Target
Thieves focus on equipment that is difficult to trace, portable, and valuable on the resell market. The following pieces of equipment are most susceptible to external theft:
Welders
Welders are a popular item, especially in areas like Texas, Oklahoma, and New Mexico, where these machines are in high demand due to their use on oil rigs. Depending on the type of welder, buying a replacement can cost thousands of dollars.
Generators
Similar to welders, portable generators are kept on small trailers and can be easily towed off. These generators come in a wide range of sizes, and their value can vary from a few thousand to tens of thousands of dollars.
UTVs
The utility vehicle (UTV) category can cover a wide range of vehicles, including golf carts, side-by-sides, and electric industrial carts — all of which can be found at equipment rental sites. Their value can vary greatly based on the type of vehicle, but most fall into the $3,500 to over $20,000 range.
Universal keys make UTVs very easy to drive off with, and many states do not require a UTV to be titled. This makes them even easier to sell.
How to Protect Your Equipment
Multi-layered perimeter security is the best defense against theft of equipment. An integrated security strategy incorporates multiple layers to deter criminals. Start by scheduling a threat assessment where a professional team can assess your risks, identify potential weak spots in your perimeter security, and recommend opportunities to strengthen your approach.
Start With the Basics
The first step is registering serial numbers on a national equipment database and engraving or marking equipment with unique identifiers. These measures can help with equipment recovery in case of theft.
Training employees to follow strict security protocols and report suspicious behavior is important. Implement policies where small but valuable tools are locked away overnight to keep them away from prying eyes. Your rental yard may also want to coordinate with local law enforcement agencies and request regular patrols in your area at certain times of the day.
Install Physical Barriers and Electric Fencing
Effective perimeter security for rental yards starts with electric fencing solutions. Would-be intruders receive a safe but memorable shock if they attempt to breach the perimeter, making them think twice about trying again. Fencing also provides a visual deterrent for opportunistic thieves.
Invest in additional enhancements like angled fencing, lay-down fencing, and sentinels to make your perimeter even more of a physical and psychological deterrent.
Implement Video Surveillance and Remote Monitoring
Video surveillance and remote monitoring systems can integrate seamlessly with your electric fence to capture compelling evidence against would-be intruders. Even the presence of cameras alone can help show potential thieves that your property is under constant surveillance.
Install high-resolution security cameras with motion sensors and night vision. Remote monitoring systems that send real-time alerts when suspicious activity is detected increase the ability to respond quickly to potential security threats. These measures also serve as a psychological deterrent, with warning signs that make it clear that trespassers will be monitored. Thieves often prefer acting anonymously, and surveillance cameras make that difficult.
At the end of the day, cameras alone will not stop would-be intruders from accessing your equipment rental yard but should be installed as part of a layered approach to your perimeter security.
Increase Rental Yard Security With AMAROK
Equipment theft can cost your business thousands in lost assets and downtime. Protect your people, property, profits, and productivity with proactive measures as part of a multi-layered security approach.
Stop theft before it happens at your equipment rental yard. Find your AMAROK representative today and work with us to customize your property’s ultimate perimeter security solution.
