Timp Rental Center opens third location

After years of planning, Timp Rental Center has opened its new location in Saratoga Springs, Utah. This marks the third location for the family-owned-and-operated equipment rental operation that caters to the homeowner, contractor, business and government agency markets. Their other locations are in Orem and American Fork, Utah.

Timp Rental Center President Paul Phelon, who co-owns the business with his brothers, Dan and Joe, says Saratoga Springs was chosen as their latest location because “we needed to expand. We now have the third generation of our family coming into the business who are ready to continue to move it forward. This also is a huge growth area — the biggest commercial and housing area of the state. We are in what is called ‘the Silicon Slopes,’ a high-tech corridor area that is booming. In 2000, the population was around 500. Today it is around 60,000. They estimate that 80 percent of the state’s population and growth of high-tech businesses is in this area, so we knew this location could assist us in serving that growing need.”

While the official grand opening was July 29, 2022, the Phelons have been looking at the area for expansion for the past 19 years. “We have been eyeing this area since 2003 and were able to purchase the land three years ago. It took us a while to be in a position to pull the trigger, and then it took time for the architectural plans and construction,” Paul says.

The 12,000-sq.-ft., two-story building includes the showroom, counter area and offices for managers, a break room and the shop on the first floor. The second floor houses a large conference/training room, complete with a kitchenette; a reception area that recently was used to hold 100 people at the grand-opening barbecue for staff and their families; and administrative offices. All areas offer not only views of the yard but also stunning sights of Mount Timpanogos, which the business was named after.

When putting together the design of the new location, Phelon, who served as American Rental Association (ARA) president from 2014-2015, pulled ideas from ARA headquarters in Moline, Ill., and other rental operations he has visited over the years.

“I incorporated ideas from all my rental travels. For instance, I got the idea for the conference room from ARA. I also am looking at turning part of the upstairs area into a call center. When I went to Kennards in Australia when I was ARA board chair, I saw their call center, which was great. I would like to incorporate that here to help us take the pressure off the people who are helping our customers at the counter. The call center also could help us with our website chat offerings. They could do it quicker and more efficiently than having our counter people answer the chats between customers. We have the room now, so this is what we are looking toward,” Paul says.

To make sure they would be ready to handle all rentals on Day One of the Saratoga Springs’ opening, the Phelons began hiring staff for the new location back in the winter. “We were heavy on staff this winter, but we felt it was important to have all 13 team members at this new location fully trained and ready to go as soon as we opened. We also have spread the work among our six mechanics at the three stores. All of this helps with our deliveries and service calls, too,” Paul says.

In addition, they have been buying more equipment for the past several years to make sure they are fully stocked — a move that has helped them better navigate the present supply chain challenges.

With all stores offering the same type of equipment, the Phelons say their customers can go to any of their locations, from their store in Orem, which is the farthest south, to their location in Saratoga Springs, the farthest north, and be able to access the same equipment. “Each location has the same construction and general tool equipment our customers might need,” Paul says.