Johannes Stöhr You have been part of EURORENT Network since February 15, 2025 – your first anniversary is just behind you. How do you look back on your first year with the company?
With much gratitude – and honestly also with pride. The first year is always a phase of arriving and settling in. At the same time, I wanted to shape and provide impetus right from the start. I quickly realized that it’s not just processes that count here, but people. That made it easy for me to get started. The first year was intense – but that’s exactly what makes it exciting. Growth rarely happens when things are idle.
You have been working in the access platform and forklift industry for many years and have built up your own customer base – what was the decisive success factor for you?
Quite clearly: trust. In our industry, of course, it’s all about technology, prices, availability and, above all, speed. However, long-term customer relationships are not built on the best offer, but on reliability. I understood early on that my job is not to sell machines, but to create solutions. That means listening, understanding the customer’s processes and being honest when something doesn’t make sense. Another point was consistency: continuity in contact, fast response times and the promise to be available – especially when there is a “fire” on the construction site. In the end, it’s not the machines that retain customers. It’s the feeling of having a reliable partner at their side.
What convinced you to become part of EURORENT Network back then, and what has been confirmed since you started?
The combination of entrepreneurial thinking, short decision-making processes and real creative freedom. What appealed to me was not just being part of a system, but being able to play an active role in its development – strategically, close to the market and with a clear focus on growth. It has been confirmed that innovation is not only talked about, but also lived. Speed, pragmatism and team spirit are not just buzzwords, but part of everyday life. That’s what makes the difference for me.
You are not only active in the office, but also regularly out and about visiting customers, on site visits and at trade fairs – why is this proximity to the market so important to you?
Because strategy without market proximity is just theory. I can only make good decisions if I can see how our machines are actually used, what challenges arise on the construction site and what really motivates customers. The direct exchange on site gives me a realistic picture of the market. You don’t recognize trends, new requirements and also problems at your desk, but in conversation. If you are up close, you can react faster, develop better solutions and grow more sustainably.
When you are out and about representing EURORENT Network – what do you want the company to stand for?
For me, there are three pillars here. The first pillar is reliability: what we promise, we keep. The second pillar is competence with practical relevance: we don’t just talk about devices, we understand areas of application, processes and economic relationships. The third pillar is progress with a sense of proportion: innovation yes – but always with clear added value for the customer: more efficient, safer, more economical. In the end, EURORENT should be perceived as a partner that thinks along, takes responsibility and thinks long-term – not just until the next order.
What role does personal contact with customers and partners still play today, even though our industry is becoming increasingly digital?
Personal contacts remain irreplaceable – especially in a digital world. Digitalization speeds up processes and facilitates the exchange of information, but real relationships only develop through direct exchange. On construction sites, during inspections or at trade fairs, you immediately notice what really matters to customers. Trust, understanding and reliability can only be conveyed digitally to a limited extent. For me, personal contact is the foundation of every collaboration: it creates closeness, opens doors for innovation and ensures that solutions are practical and sustainable. Without this personal connection, we would simply overlook many opportunities.
What developments are you currently observing in the world of access platforms and forklift trucks that will shape the industry in the coming years?
The industry is currently facing several clear development trends that will shape it in the coming years. I would like to break this down into four points.
Point 1: Electrification & sustainability.
The shift towards electric and hybrid work platforms and forklifts is no longer a dream of the future, but a reality. More and more devices are becoming emission-free, quieter and more efficient. This is changing the way we plan and advise fleets.
Point 2: Digitalization & Smart Fleet Management.
Telematics and data-based fleet management are becoming increasingly important. Real-time monitoring, predictive maintenance and digital service processes increase availability and reduce costs. This is becoming the standard for rental companies and users.
Point 3: Safety & assistance systems.
New assistance and sensor systems, for example for collision avoidance or stability monitoring, are increasingly being integrated. This increases safety on the construction site.
Point 4: Adaptation to urban needs.
Compact, flexible machines for confined construction sites or indoor spaces are on the rise – both for work platforms and forklifts for urban and industrial use. In short: sustainability, digitalization and safety will be the strategic levers to which product and business models in our industry must be aligned.
In your opinion, what distinguishes successful long-term cooperation from short-term business relationships?
Short-term business is about price – long-term partnerships are about trust. Those who listen, are reliable and develop solutions together create real added value for both sides. This is exactly what makes cooperation sustainable and successful.
After many years in the industry, what continues to motivate you personally every day?
After all these years, one thing motivates me above all else: creating real solutions that really help customers move forward. No two days are the same – new construction sites, new challenges, new ideas. It is precisely this mixture of dynamism, practice and impact that keeps me curious and makes me enjoy every day anew.
Looking ahead, what role do you want to play within EURORENT Network in the future and what contribution do you want to make to further growth?
My boss will decide what role I take on in the future 😉 I would like to get even more involved in strategic projects in the future. My goal is to actively shape the growth of EURORENT – through practical ideas, sustainable partnerships and the implementation of trends that make our fleets, services and customer relationships future-proof.
