Two new inductees selected for the Rental Hall of Fame

Words: Chris ColemanTwo industry veterans from the manufacturing side of equipment rental will become the newest inductees into the Rental Hall of Fame next February. Art Moore, the founder of Snorkel, and Spencer Etzel, a visionary in tent rental now with Rainier, will be formally inducted during a ceremony at The Rental Show® on Feb. 27.

The American Rental Association (ARA) created the Rental Hall of Fame in 2000 to foster an appreciation of the historical development of the rental industry and the leaders who helped the industry grow and expand. Each year, nominations are accepted to recognize individuals who have made a substantial impact on the industry at the national or international level. The induction ceremony is held annually during The Rental Show keynote session.

Here is more information on the two newest inductees.

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 they 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.

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.

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