Rental: How did you first get into the rental industry?
Tim Gerbus: I have been associated with the rental industry in one form or another most of my life. Currently, with Taylor Construction Equipment we have a large rental fleet with all different types and sizes of machines. We rent the complete line of Hyundai Construction Equipment products, Bell trucks, Sakai Rollers, SMI crushing and screening, Fecon mulching heads, and Loadscan volumetric scanners.
I started in construction back in the 70s as my family had a construction company called Gerbus Brothers Construction. We were a heavy dirt contractor specializing in housing and site development. Later, we started working at coal burning power plants disposing of fly ash and bottom ash. This led to us discovering Moxy articulated dump trucks in Europe and eventually, we became the distributor of Moxy Trucks in North America until we sold it back to the factory in 2001. At Moxy, we worked with all of our dealers to rent Moxy ADTs to their customers. Most ADTs started out in the rental market. I would estimate over 70% of all new ADTs are put into dealer rental fleets.
Rental: Can you give us some insight into your company?
Gerbus: Taylor Construction Equipment is a division of the Taylor Group of Companies. Taylor Construction Equipment is only two years old, but the Taylor Group of Companies has been in business in Louisville, Miss. for over 96 years. As a new division of Taylor, we share the philosophy of renting equipment to our new and future customers, giving them options to purchasing equipment, and allowing them to experience our world-class products and customer service which sets us apart from other construction equipment dealers.
We are a 96-year-old company consisting of 11 different divisions. Taylor Construction Equipment is one of the newest divisions but has grown rapidly. We started out two years ago with a small territory in Mississippi. and now have locations in 5 states including Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky, Tennesee, and Mississippi. Our value proposition is “servicing the customer” and keeping them up and running. We develop relationships with our customers and become partners with them in their business. Our ability to sell or rent equipment gives our customers the flexibility they need to stay profitable and flexible in today’s ever-changing environment. 
Taylor Service Tech TruckTaylor Construction Equipment
Rental: What have been some of your successes and challenges since you've been in the industry?
Gerbus: Our customers have grown to love the vendor partners that we represent. We rent or sell them world-class products and back them up with aftermarket support that is second to none. The most important thing you can provide a customer is supporting their machines and keeping them up and running. That means they are making money. One of our challenges, like many manufacturers that are not the Big 4, is that we have great equipment that is just as good if not better than the big guys. Being a “challenger brand” we have to work harder, longer, and smarter. We don’t get the same breaks as the other guys.
Rental: What do you think the industry could use more of?
Gerbus: The rental industry is going to continue to grow as equipment continues to increase in price and interest rates stay at a 20-year high. In my opinion, the rental industry is in a good place right now. It has the ability to service all different types of customers with a huge selection of equipment to rent. Satisfying the customer's needs and keeping them up and running is the key to rental.
Rental: What is your favorite part of the industry? Of your company?
Gerbus: I have been in the construction equipment industry for the majority of my life. I grew up in my dad’s construction company and got to know what the contractor is looking for and what they need to be successful. I have been able to transfer that knowledge to my roles in the OEM sector and the dealer sector. The people in the equipment business and friendly and genuine. There is healthy competition with a high level of respect. The Taylor Group of Companies is an outstanding organization. Loaded with family values, we stand behind our mission of; Faith, Vision, Works. Taylor is currently in its third generation and the fourth generation is very active and ready to lead in the future. At Taylor, it is all about the employees.
Rental: What trends do you foresee coming down the pipeline in the rental industry?
Gerbus: The rental industry is going to continue to grow as prices for new machines continue to escalate and rising interest rates make it more difficult to finance equipment. We have seen the supply chain shift and manufacturers have pre-covid inventory.
Rental: What is your top priority for 2024?
Gerbus: Have the right equipment for the right customer, not all equipment is for everyone!
Rental: What do you like to do outside of work?
Gerbus: I have a large family and we love to spend time together. We live on a farm and raise horses, so there is never a dull moment or a real opportunity to rest. Cutting fields, training horses, fixing fences, and bailing hay are just a few things that keep me busy.
