Future Proof Your Supply Chain With Rental Trucks and Trailers
Why short-term flexibility is key to long-term success
Rental trucks and trailers provide a flexible, scalable solution for businesses that need a short-term capacity boost without a long-term commitment or capital investment. Renting equipment offers many of the same benefits as leasing, but with enhanced flexibility, and can be a valuable tool to future proof your supply chain.
A Rapid Response
Disruptions in the supply chain can cause sudden demand surges as companies rush to replenish inventory or reroute shipments. Rental trucks provide immediate access to capacity when businesses need to react quickly. Rentals are particularly valuable during peak periods, temporary expansions, unplanned business surges or the last mile, and quick access to vehicles helps businesses stay nimble and future proof against unexpected events.
Fleet Diversification
Consumer needs and demands are constantly changing, which can change the type of equipment that works best within the operation. Rental trucks can allow companies to use and test various types of equipment to find the ideal size trucks for their needs or the optimal size of their fleet before making long-term investments. Rentals also let companies experiment with smaller or non-CDL vehicles to fill gaps in delivery networks without hiring commercial drivers. This flexibility supports fleet strategies designed to future proof operations and reduce long-term risk.
Supply Chain Segmenting as a Future Proof Strategy
In some industries, companies are developing distinct supply chains tailored to specific segments and profit centers. In the grocery sector, for instance, some retailers are moving highly perishable products out of conventional distribution systems and into faster, more responsive ones. This shift to smaller, more frequent deliveries impacts transportation strategies and may require different equipment.
Piloting and Testing New Equipment
Rentals can be a valuable strategic tool to test different vehicle types or evaluate new equipment technology to determine the optimal fleet composition before making long-term decisions. Sustainability and innovation are key to future proofing logistics operations, and rental trucks provide a low-risk platform for testing alternative fuels. Penske offers several electric vehicle options and can help fleets explore low-risk ways to integrate EVs.
Geographic Expansion
Rentals are ideal for companies exploring new geographic markets and can be a cost-effective way to validate business models before making permanent infrastructure or fleet investments. Businesses can rent locally instead of relocating existing fleet assets to support temporary expansions or new demand. This is especially useful for retailers or distributors testing regional fulfillment centers, different lanes or new types of customers. This adaptability supports growth strategies designed to future proof the business while minimizing upfront investment.
Additional Trailer Capacity
Rental trailers can provide operational flexibility. They can be added to an existing fleet of trucks to increase capacity, which is especially advantageous during peak seasons or when facing unexpected spikes in demand. In addition to providing more capacity, they can enable drop-and-hook operations that minimize driver downtime. Trailers can also be placed strategically at cross-docking facilities, which speeds the transfer of goods from one trailer to another, cutting transit times and optimizing supply chain efficiency.
Short-Term Trailer Storage To Future Proof Your Inventory Plan
The availability of warehouse space can fluctuate, and many providers require multi-year leases. Trailers can serve as temporary warehousing solutions when warehouse space is limited, not in the ideal geographic location or cost-prohibitive. They can be parked strategically on-site, providing a quick and cost-effective way to store excess inventory or seasonal goods.
Trailers can also be used as on-demand storage space and serve as temporary, mobile solutions while companies test new locations, reconfigure their supply chains and/or position additional inventory near distribution centers. These mobile solutions are a smart way to future proof storage strategies without long-term commitments.
Benefit From Technology
As with our leases, technology can enhance the rental experience. We provide consolidated billing and customized reporting options for improved visibility. Customers can also access Fleet Insight™ for visibility and real-time, data-driven insights to monitor rental vehicles, view the current location of their rental trucks and trailers, view and edit reservations, and schedule maintenance.
The Fleet Insight app also offers real-time updates on the status of roadside events and Penske units in for service, and helps drivers easily find nearby fuel, EV charging, service, rental, parking and certified public scale locations. Users can view current fuel pricing from Penske and costs for third-party fueling locations across the United States. Access to these real-time tools and visibility supports more informed decisions and helps future proof your supply chain through better data.
Rent With Penske To Future Proof Your Fleet Fast
We provide customers with some of the newest commercial equipment in the industry and offer everything from cargo vans and light-duty box trucks to refrigerated box trucks, medium-duty box trucks and Class 8 tractors, as well as dry van, refrigerated and flatbed trailers.
Equipment is readily available for daily, weekly or monthly rentals at more than 2,500 rental facilities across North America. All rentals routinely go through Dynamic PM®, our unique, data-driven service that delivers the right preventive maintenance at the right time, ensuring that vehicles run efficiently and get the attention they deserve, avoiding breakdowns and preventable repairs. 24/7 roadside assistance is also included, providing round-the-clock support when and where you need it.
