Quality Magazine logo
search
cart
facebook twitter linkedin youtube
  • Sign In
  • Create Account
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
Quality Magazine logo
  • NEWS
  • PRODUCTS
    • FEATURED PRODUCTS
    • SUBMIT YOUR PRODUCT
  • CHANNELS
    • AUTOMATION
    • MANAGEMENT
    • MEASUREMENT
    • NDT
    • QUALITY 101
    • SOFTWARE
    • TEST & INSPECTION
    • VISION & SENSORS
  • MARKETS
    • AEROSPACE
    • AUTOMOTIVE
    • ENERGY
    • GREEN MANUFACTURING
    • MEDICAL
  • MEDIA
    • A WORD ON QUALITY PUZZLE
    • EBOOK
    • PODCASTS
    • VIDEOS
    • WEBINARS
  • EVENTS
    • EVENT CALENDAR
    • IMTS
  • DIRECTORIES
    • BUYERS GUIDE >
      • Supplier Insights
    • NDT SOURCEBOOK
    • VISION & SENSORS
    • TAKE A TOUR
  • INFOCENTERS
    • Digital Quality Management Systems
    • NEXT GENERATION SPC & QUALITY ANALYTICS
  • AWARDS
    • ROOKIE OF THE YEAR
    • PLANT OF THE YEAR
    • PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR
  • MORE
    • Expert Columns
    • NEWSLETTERS
    • QUALITY STORE
    • INDUSTRY LINKS
    • SPONSOR INSIGHTS
  • EMAG
    • eMAGAZINE
    • ARCHIVES
    • CONTACT
    • ADVERTISE
  • SIGN UP!
NDT

In A Down Economy, Look to NDT Rentals

By Dylan Duke
November 4, 2011
What is the solution for an NDT service company when they require an inspection tool but do not have the capital? NDT equipment rental companies have been delivering the answer.



For a fraction of the cost of ownership, a business can rent almost any NDT tool. Source: MFE Rentals, Inc.



The guys in Washington might be saying the recession is over, but try telling that to the struggling businesses and the 9.1% unemployed. The fact is, times are tough for businesses. One does not have to be an economist to know that, in a down economy, businesses have less capital to invest, especially when banks are lending at an all time low. What is the solution for an NDT service company when they require an inspection tool but do not have the capital? NDT equipment rental companies have been delivering the answer. Many businesses are not aware of the advantages a rental company has to offer a business and how it can help a company grow.

NDT rental companies provide a quick solution to any business in a capital crunch or with an inability to obtain a loan from the bank. Why tie up much-needed capital when, for a fraction of the cost of ownership, a business can rent almost any NDT tool? Rental companies offer the ability to rent a tool daily, weekly, 4-weekly or even long-term. The rental frees up capital tied to owning the equipment while still getting to use that equipment.

Not in a capital crunch and the bank is the company’s best friend? An operation may still need the service of a NDT rental company. On the day of the job, how many times has a technician realized the equipment is out of calibration, deep discharged or does not function? I have heard too many of these sad stories. All of these issues result in lost time and revenue. With a NDT rental company, the equipment is calibrated, fully charged and ready to go, saving on calibration, maintenance and other hidden costs of ownership.

What about the age of the company’s existing equipment? Every year manufacturers come out with the latest technology. It is only a matter of a few years before NDT tools are considered outdated. Customers might not want outdated equipment on the job site or have seen competitors showing off their new tools. This forces the purchase of the latest equipment. NDT rental companies always have the latest NDT tools on the market, allowing the job to get done with the best tool on the market at a fraction of the cost of ownership.

What about inventory? Inventory is always in issue with NDT companies. How many NDT tools are on hand, where is the equipment located and who has it right now? Unfortunately, sometimes these are difficult questions to answer. I have heard many stories about how UT gauges spring legs and “walk off” job sites. Or inventory was incorrect and fewer tools were available then thought. Lost or incorrect inventory costs time and money. Rental equipment eliminates the need for tracking inventory. It frees up time and money for other important issues.

Still need to be convinced that rental might be a valid option? How about when booking an unexpected job? Many rentals result from unexpected work at the site. For example, a company is contracted to do one job but the customer is now requesting more work be done. Not owning the right equipment to complete the extra work could jeopardize the contract. One call to an NDT rental company and the equipment can be shipped overnight or delivered the same day.

NDT rentals are a great way of doing business. It results in freed up capital for more important jobs. Rentals can assure that the latest and greatest equipment can be on the job site, calibrated, fully charged and ready to go while saving on calibration and other costs. Rentals free up the time and money associated with keeping an inventory and make it easier to handle the unexpected workload. For these reasons, and a few more, the NDT rental market is a key in a struggling economy. NDT





Tech Tips

  • Equipment can be rented daily, weekly, 4-weekly or even long-term.

  • Lost or incorrect inventory costs time and money.

  • Many NDT rental companies can ship equipment overnight or deliver the same day.

  • Share This Story

    Looking for a reprint of this article?
    From high-res PDFs to custom plaques, order your copy today!

    Dylan Duke is vice president of MFE Rentals, Inc., in Pasadena, TX.

    Recommended Content

    JOIN TODAY
    to unlock your recommendations.

    Already have an account? Sign In

    • 2024 Quality Rookie of the Year Justin Wise 1440x750px banner with "Quality Rookie of the Year" logo inset

      Meet the 2024 Quality Rookie of the Year: Justin Wise

      Justin Wise is an exceptional individual who has been...
      Aerospace
      By: Michelle Bangert
    • Man with umbrella and coat stands outside while it rains at night looking at a building.

      Nondestructive Testing: Is there an ethics problem?

      I was a whistleblower who exposed fraudulent activities...
      NDT
      By: Dale Norwood
    • Unraveling Deflategate: Football stadium with closeup of football on field

      Unraveling the Tom Brady Deflategate

      The Deflategate scandal erupted following the 2014 AFC...
      Measurement
      By: Greg Cenker and Henry Zumbrun
    Manage My Account
    • eMagazine Subscriptions
    • Newsletters
    • Online Registration
    • Subscription Customer Service
    • Manage My Preferences

    More Videos

    Sponsored Content

    Sponsored Content is a special paid section where industry companies provide high quality, objective, non-commercial content around topics of interest to the Quality audience. All Sponsored Content is supplied by the advertising company and any opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and not necessarily reflect the views of Quality or its parent company, BNP Media. Interested in participating in our Sponsored Content section? Contact your local rep!

    close
    • Key Takeaways for Quality Leaders
      Sponsored byComplianceQuest

      Key Takeaways for Quality Leaders from the 2026 Gartner Magic Quadrant™ for QMS

    • This image shows a person seated next to a Bobcat T66 compact track loader.
      Sponsored byPolyWorks by InnovMetric

      Supercharging Digital Gauging at Bobcat North America

    • Dorsey Calibration Lab photo by Tom LaBarbera Picture this Studios
      Sponsored byDorsey Metrology International

      Ensuring Product Quality in a Competitive Manufacturing Landscape

    Popular Stories

    a titanium diaphragm speaker driver

    The One Thing Elon Gets Right Is Designed to Scare You

    This image shows a person seated next to a Bobcat T66 compact track loader.

    Supercharging Digital Gauging at Bobcat North America

    Dorsey Calibration Lab photo by Tom LaBarbera Picture this Studios

    Ensuring Product Quality in a Competitive Manufacturing Landscape

    2026 Quality Professional of the Year!

    Events

    June 9, 2026

    Future-Proof your Quality Processes with Advanced 3D Optical CMM Technology

    Discover how to effortlessly capture complex data, leverage true multi-sensor automation, and ensure continuous operation without creating inspection delays.

    June 22, 2026

    Automate 2026

    Automate is North America's largest robotics and automation event — and the best place to take your ideas from insight to impact.
     
    Our show floor features the world’s leading automation solutions, from AI and robotics to motion control, vision systems, and more. Plus, our educational conference is second to none, led by the brightest minds in automation today.
     
    Ready to transform the way you work? Take the next step at Automate.
    View All Submit An Event

    Products

    Lean Manufacturing and Service Fundamentals, Applications, and Case Studies

    Lean Manufacturing and Service Fundamentals, Applications, and Case Studies

    See More Products
    Quality Podcast Channel Custom Content

    Related Articles

    • Supply Chain Efficiency Was Key Factor in Driving Profits for Manufacturers During Down Economy

      See More
    • Engineers Look to Web for Resources

      See More
    • July Mfg Tech Orders

      Manufacturing Technology Orders Look to Rebound as IMTS 2024 Opens, Rate Cuts Loom

      See More

    Related Products

    See More Products
    • Lean Manufacturing in a Small Shop DVD

    • Factory Physics for Managers: How Leaders Improve Performance in a Post-Lean Six Sigma World

    See More Products
    ×

    Stay in the know with Quality’s comprehensive coverage of
    the manufacturing and metrology industries.

    Newsletters | Website | eMagazine

    JOIN TODAY!
    • RESOURCES
      • Advertise
      • Contact Us
      • Directories
      • Manufacturing Division
      • Store
      • Want More
    • SIGN UP TODAY
      • Create Account
      • eMagazine
      • Newsletters
      • Customer Service
      • Manage Preferences
    • SERVICES
      • Marketing Services
      • Market Research
      • Reprints
      • List Rental
      • Survey/Respondent Access
    • STAY CONNECTED
      • LinkedIn
      • Facebook
      • YouTube
      • X (Twitter)
    • PRIVACY
      • PRIVACY POLICY
      • TERMS & CONDITIONS
      • DO NOT SELL MY PERSONAL INFORMATION
      • PRIVACY REQUEST
      • ACCESSIBILITY

    Copyright ©2026. All Rights Reserved BNP Media, Inc. and BNP Media II, LLC.

    Design, CMS, Hosting & Web Development :: ePublishing