ARA to induct Moore and Etzel into Rental Hall of Fame

ARA Logo_Type_C_R PCThe American Rental Association (ARA) will induct Art Moore and Spencer Etzel into its Rental Hall of Fame during a ceremony at The Rental Show in February.

ARA first created the Rental Hall of Fame in 2000 as a means of fostering an “appreciation of the historical development of the rental industry and the leaders who helped the industry grow and expand.”

Details from ARA on the inductees’ backgrounds:

Art Moore

“In 1959, Art Moore founded Snorkel Fire Equipment Co. in Grandview, Mo., with a revolutionary platform used for firefighting and rescue. In 1971, the company was sold to ATO, which later became Figgie International, and the company name was changed to Snorkel. Today, Snorkel has an expansive product line of aerial work platform (AWP) equipment.

Moore is regarded as a key pioneer of today’s AWP industry. Snorkel entered the construction and industrial market with the introduction of the Snorkelift telescopic boom AWP in 1977, changing the company’s focus away from firefighting platforms. Moore’s emphasis on innovation, safety and simplicity drove the development of rental-friendly products and made an impact on the overall equipment rental industry.

He helped many independent rental businesses explore new opportunities with their rental fleet by focusing on products that could easily be made available. To further assist these rental companies, Moore also introduced a financing program in which Snorkel guaranteed all loans the company provided to customers.

Under his leadership, Snorkel grew to become a Fortune 500 company. He expanded the company internationally, first entering into a license agreement with a fire pump company in Japan to manufacture the Squrt brand of products to fill demand. This opened the door to an even wider international market and Moore developed business relationships around the world.

A longtime supporter of ARA, Moore has participated in many meetings and events, and exhibited at The Rental Show. He also believes in giving back and sharing his knowledge and experience with others in the industry. Although he retired in 1991, Moore is still active within Snorkel and remains on the board of directors.”

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Spencer Etzel

“Spencer Etzel is recognized for advocating the critical importance of research and education in the party and event segment of the rental industry. He has dedicated his knowledge and passion for more than 40 years to associations and committees in an effort to understand and promote safe tenting practices and mitigate the need for externally imposed regulations that may be unfavorable for the industry.

Etzel’s quest to create safer and faster tent installation procedures has had a lasting impact on the materials and processes used today. He has many credits to his name, including being the first to design an all-vinyl fabric tent with welded seams, webbing and load plates; inventing the now-ubiquitous “quick pin” used in installations; importing the first European fabric structure; laying the groundwork for the first scientific and professional studies in the industry on the holding power of tent stakes; and designing the first slide-track top system for Western-style frame tents. All of his designs and innovations have improved installation and created safer efficiencies for party and event rental businesses.

Etzel has been an active volunteer for ARA, serving on the Events & Tents Task Force and Exhibitor Advisory Committee and sharing his knowledge as a speaker at The Rental Show and Events & Tents. In addition, he was a co-author of ARA’s Certified Event Rental Professional (CERP) Tent Installation discipline.

Due to the depth and breadth of his commitment to learning and understanding tenting codes, and his work to find solutions, his efforts have had a profound impact on the growth and prosperity of tenting within party and event rental.”