Rental

With tailor-made solutions in the areas of machine and equipment rental as well as temporary infrastructure and construction logistics, the SBU Rental ensures the safe, efficient, and sustainable execution of projects in construction, industry, trade, and events. In the rental sector, over 140,000 machines and devices from the global market leader Caterpillar and other renowned manufacturers guarantee maximum availability, quality, and range. The temporary infrastructure offers needs-based concepts in construction site and traffic safety, energy and construction water supply, power generation and air conditioning technology, as well as individual modular room solutions – from planning and furnishing to ongoing support from a single source. Through the overarching planning and coordination of all secondary processes on the construction site, construction logistics ensures the framework conditions for smooth processes and adherence to deadlines and budgets. Zeppelin Rental is represented in eight countries with over 195 locations and is one of the largest equipment rental organizations in Europe.

Review

The 2025 fiscal year was characterized by strong market momentum, innovative impetus, and consistent further development of the service portfolio for the SBU.

A particular highlight was the company's appearance at bauma 2025. Around 10,000 visitors were counted in the Zeppelin Rental Dome, an immersive experience space designed to showcase the product and service range. In addition, around 12,000 guests were welcomed in the hospitality area of the exhibition stand. The trade fair proved to be extremely successful: across all business areas of the SBU, the highest order intake ever achieved at a bauma was recorded.

Zeppelin Rental 2025 set an important milestone in the area of sustainability. For the first time, the CO₂ savings effect of alternating traffic management as scientifically proven. This was based on a case study of the Salzbachtal Bridge project, the results of which were also published in a white paper. The study proves that the solutions implemented by Zeppelin Rental can achieve significant emission reductions. The company is thus making a measurable contribution to sustainable traffic management.

As part of its activities to increase its attractiveness as an employer and reduce its carbon footprint, the Competence Center for Construction Site and Traffic Safety was relocated from Schorfheide to Bernau. The new, enlarged location has a sustainable energy supply with a photovoltaic system and storage system, as well as modern office and social rooms. This has further improved both the operational conditions and the working conditions.

The consistent focus on sustainability was also reflected in the expansion of the rental fleets. In 2025, more machines and equipment with alternative drive systems were added to the portfolio. At the same time, the SBU was also involved in the co-development of new products, including a new air-to-air heat pump in the field of power generation and air conditioning technology, in order to further promote energy-efficient solutions.

As part of its digitalization efforts, launched its used equipment shop, a new online channel for the sale of used construction equipment. Zeppelin Rental also continued to expand its digital communications: With the launch of a WhatsApp channel and a new corporate presence on TikTok, additional digital touchpoints were created to reach customers, partners, and interested parties in a contemporary way.

Outlook

Partly due to stable interest rates and inflation, there are signs of a slight economic recovery in the markets after two challenging years. The infrastructure package in Germany gives hope for timely expansion and modernization measures for transport and energy networks. The Construction Turbo Act could also boost residential construction. In the Nordic countries of Denmark, Sweden, and Norway, the construction industry expects slight growth of three to five percent. Also driven by infrastructure and residential construction, the markets in Austria, in the Czech Republic, and in the Slovak Republic are showing slight signs of recovery. The expected public investments and subsidy programs offer opportunities for the SBU's business activities, although international crises and trade conflicts continue to cause uncertainty.

In Germany, the focus is on measures to improve earnings quality through operational excellence and efficient processes in order to provide customers with reliable, efficient, and cost-effective support. At the same time, the organizational structure is being increasingly geared toward international business in order to raise awareness in foreign markets and expand business. The targets set are to be achieved with the existing service portfolio, among other things through the continuous optimization of the customer journey in Germany. In addition, sustainable solutions are being offered in all markets, for example with products for CO2-reduced energy supply to construction sites that take both efficiency and environmental requirements into account.

Successful orders

In Germany, Rental supported the construction of a new production hall for fully electric vehicles for the BMW Group with up to 150 electrically powered personnel platforms from the ecoRent portfolio. A coordinated service and logistics concept ensured the safe, efficient, and sustainable implementation of the complex construction project.

Zeppelin provided central construction logistics and infrastructure services for the construction of the Estrel Tower in Berlin, the tallest non-technical building in the city. These included access control, waste disposal logistics, electrical construction site equipment, construction water supply, and the provision of room systems and rental technology.

Zeppelin Rental Austria was responsible for the overall construction logistics and construction management for up to 14 construction sites built in parallel in the Vienna urban development area "Oberes Hausfeld". Digital logistics control, environmental requirements from the EIA, and a sustainable energy supply ensured an efficient and compliant project process.

In the Czech Republic, Rental provided rental machines for the construction of a section of the Prague motorway between Běchovice and Úvaly. The client for the infrastructure project was the construction company Skanska. The machines used supported the construction work along the busy traffic axis and contributed to the timely completion of the project.

Product innovations

Zeppelin Rental continued to develop its innovation portfolio in 2025 with a focus on sustainability, digitalization, and efficiency. In Germany, a new online used equipment shop went live, giving customers transparent and convenient access to used rental machines and strengthening the circular economy.

At the same time, Zeppelin Rental expanded its digital presence and launched its own corporate account on TikTok for the first time at bauma 2025. This allows the company to tap into new communication channels in order to appeal to younger target groups in particular.

Another focus was on adding sustainable products to the rental fleets. These include a new air-to-air heat pump, battery storage, the Cat 906 Electric wheel loader, and electric skid steer loaders. In addition, the BL2/RCU-150 forestry mulcher was added to the portfolio in the Czech Republic. It can be operated remotely and enables use in safety-critical areas.

In the area of sustainable construction site solutions, scientific proof of CO₂ savings through intelligent traffic management was achieved for the first time. This was based on a case study of the Salzbachtal Bridge project, the results of which demonstrate the effectiveness of digital traffic telematics.

Zeppelin Rental provided further innovation impetus internationally: In Denmark, the ECOmanager was developed and introduced, which reduces energy consumption and CO₂ emissions in construction site containers. In Austria, a cooperation with the building materials dealer Schilowsky strengthened the range of services and regional networking.

Events and Awards

In 2025, Zeppelin Rental received multiple awards for its achievements in the areas of sustainability, innovation, and corporate culture, which reflect high quality, efficiency, and customer benefits in project management. Zeppelin Rental Austria received the Solid Supplier Award in the construction logistics and rental category for the ninth time in a row. In addition, the ecoSolutions sustainability brand was nominated for the bauma Innovation Award in the climate protection category.

Individual achievements were also recognized: Dr. Markus Heidak, Senior CSR Manager at Zeppelin Rental, was added to the Sustainability People Watchlist. Janine Faaß, Team Leader Project Management and PMO, received the Queermentor Role Model Award. Internationally, Zeppelin Rental Denmark was honored with the Børsen Sustainable Case Award 2025 for ECOManager, a digital tool that helps customers make energy consumption on construction sites transparent, reduce costs, and specifically reduce CO₂ emissions.

In addition, Zeppelin Rental was present at numerous industry events and trade fairs in 2025, positioning itself as a powerful partner, including at the TAR trade fair, a central industry meeting place for industrial turnarounds. The Room and Sanitary Systems division also participated in several school construction trade fairs and presented its rental and purchase offerings for modular room solutions.

A particular highlight was the joint appearance with Zeppelin Construction Industry & Mining at NordBau 2025 in Neumünster. The trade fair appearance met with an exceptionally positive response and was rated highly by customers, particularly for service quality, reliability, and high availability. Zeppelin Rental impressed visitors with solutions in the areas of construction logistics, construction site lighting and monitoring, and sustainable construction power supply, including the Cat XES 120 battery storage system. The Morooka crawler dumper, winter construction heating solutions, and the sale of used construction equipment also attracted considerable interest.

¹ Effective February 1, 2026, Peter Schrader has assumed interim leadership of the Rental Strategic Business Unit and the role of CEO at Zeppelin Rental GmbH.