Takeuchi and United Rentals Donate Use of Five Earthmoving Units to WyoTech to Train Technicians
Takeuchi-US, in partnership with United Rentals, has donated the use of five Takeuchi machines to the diesel technology program at WyoTech in Laramie, Wyo. WyoTech is a private trade school that specializes in automotive, diesel, collision/refinishing and welding technologies. Currently the construction, rental and broader equipment industry, are finding it challenging to recruit and retain qualified technicians.
According to an Associated Equipment Distributors industry report, the sector will need to fill up to 73,500 heavy equipment technician positions over the next five years, and nearly 90 percent of AED member dealerships report job opening rates above the national average, with 89 percent having technician shortages in their own companies.
The three Takeuchi TL8R2 compact track loaders and two TB216 compact excavators will be used as part of WyoTech’s diesel and heavy equipment training curriculum, allowing students to train on current machine models and systems they may encounter in the field. The Takeuchi machines used in the program will be rotated on a regular basis to expose students to a variety of models, features and applications.
“By working with current-generation Takeuchi equipment, students gain hands-on experience with the same technology used on today’s job sites,” said Derek Koontz, national account manager for Takeuchi. “Rotating the machines allows students to work on different models and applications, helping them build confidence and diagnostic skills that translate directly to real-world service and repair environments.”
WyoTech’s training model emphasizes hands-on learning, industry relevance and strong employer partnerships — an approach that has helped graduates transition successfully into diesel technician roles nationwide.
“Our success comes from keeping students in the shop, learning by doing, with a curriculum shaped directly by employer needs,” said Cindy Barlow, director of industry relations for WyoTech. “Having access to brand-new Takeuchi compact track loaders and excavators allows students to train on modern hydraulics, electronics, diagnostics and service procedures, not outdated technology. That experience prepares them to step into technician roles from day one.”
United Rentals played a key role in bringing the partnership together, aligning the donation with its focus on workforce development and equipment reliability.
“Training the next generation of technicians is critical for the rental industry,” said Keith Pearson, skilled trades program manager for United Rentals. “Well-trained technicians keep equipment rental-ready, reduce downtime and improve safety on jobsites. Partnering with a respected manufacturer like Takeuchi and a trade school like WyoTech helps ensure students develop the skills our industry depends on.”
Pearson noted that Takeuchi was a natural fit for the initiative, citing the manufacturer’s strong presence in United Rentals’ fleet and its commitment to the Takeuchi Gives charitable-giving program that continues to support community colleges and trade schools.
For WyoTech students, the partnership creates a direct connection between training and employment. Students will practice preventive maintenance, fault-code troubleshooting, engine performance testing, CAN-bus diagnostics and OEM service procedures using the donated equipment.
“Industry partnerships are not just beneficial — they are essential,” Barlow added. “When companies like Takeuchi and United Rentals invest their time, resources and trust in our students, they’re investing directly in the future of the skilled trades and the strength of the workforce.”
The collaboration reflects a shared commitment among Takeuchi, United Rentals and WyoTech to support workforce development and ensure the next generation of technicians is prepared for the evolving demands of modern equipment.
For more information about Takeuchi track loaders, excavators and wheel loaders, or to find a dealer, visit takeuchi-us.com.
About the Author
Michael Roth
Editor
Michael Roth has covered the equipment rental industry full time for RER since 1989 and has served as the magazine’s editor in chief since 1994. He has nearly 30 years experience as a professional journalist. Roth has visited hundreds of rental centers and industry manufacturers, written hundreds of feature stories for RER and thousands of news stories for the magazine and its electronic newsletter RER Reports. Roth has interviewed leading executives for most of the industry’s largest rental companies and manufacturers as well as hundreds of smaller independent companies. He has visited with and reported on rental companies and manufacturers in Europe, Central America and Asia as well as Mexico, Canada and the United States. Roth was co-founder of RER Reports, the industry’s first weekly newsletter, which began as a fax newsletter in 1996, and later became an online newsletter. Roth has spoken at conventions sponsored by the American Rental Association, Associated Equipment Distributors, California Rental Association and other industry events and has spoken before industry groups in several countries. He lives and works in Los Angeles when he’s not traveling to cover industry events.