Kwant and United Rentals: Advancing Safety, Efficiency, and Sustainability in Construction

When it comes to the construction industry managing resources, ensuring safety, and optimizing operations has always been challenging. The partnership between Kwant and United Rentals aims to alleviate these challenges by combining the world’s largest equipment rental platform with Kwant’s innovative IoT solutions. Together, we deliver smarter, safer, and more efficient construction sites.

A Partnership Built on Expertise

The construction industry shapes the country as a cornerstone of innovation and progress, driving infrastructure development and shaping communities worldwide. With its ever-evolving nature, the industry continues to adopt advanced technologies and modern practices to tackle complex challenges. However, despite its remarkable strides, certain pain points that demand innovative solutions persist.

Managing a dispersed workforce, ensuring on-site safety, and optimizing equipment utilization remain top priorities for contractors. Added to this are the pressures of adhering to strict timelines, controlling costs, and meeting growing sustainability expectations—all while contending with labor shortages, regulatory requirements, and the intricacies of project management.

United Rentals, as the world’s largest rental company for construction equipment, offers a vital solution by providing contractors the flexibility to access the tools and machinery they need without the burden of ownership. This scalable approach ensures that teams have the right equipment when and where it’s needed, directly addressing one of the industry's most pressing challenges.

Kwant complements this by integrating cutting-edge IoT solutions into the mix. The partnership pioneers “single badge system”, advanced sensors, and workforce management software go beyond traditional equipment rentals, creating a seamless ecosystem where:

• Workers enjoy secure, role-specific access to equipment and job sites.
• Project managers gain real-time visibility into workforce and equipment operations.
• Safety protocols are automated through data-driven alerts and controls.

By tackling these challenges head-on, the partnership between Kwant and United Rentals empowers contractors to focus on what truly matters—delivering projects safely, efficiently, and sustainably.

Safety First: Protecting Workers

Safety has always been important to the construction industry, yet historically, it has been one of its greatest challenges. In the past, safety measures largely relied on manual oversight, paper-based checklists, and reactive approaches. Accidents often went unreported or unresolved until after they occurred, leaving workers vulnerable and equipment at risk of misuse or theft. This lack of real-time oversight led to inefficiencies, heightened risks, and significant financial and human costs.

Over the years, the industry has made significant strides in improving safety. Regulations like OSHA standards and innovations such as personal protective equipment (PPE) have played pivotal roles. However, more than these measures is needed to address modern job site complexities. With larger projects, dispersed teams, and more advanced equipment, safety demands have grown exponentially.

Today, technology is transforming how safety is managed on construction sites. IoT-enabled devices, data analytics, and AI-powered solutions have introduced real-time monitoring and proactive risk management. These tools are shifting the industry from a reactive to a proactive stance, enabling greater control and transparency.

Kwant, through its partnership with United Rentals, leverages these advancements to prioritize safety at every level. Its IoT-enabled solutions ensure:

• Access Control: Only authorized personnel can access specific areas or operate equipment, reducing accidents and misuse.
• Equipment Monitoring: Real-time tracking of usage and location prevents theft, vandalism, and overuse.
• Worker Safety: Proactive monitoring identifies potential hazards, enabling swift action to prevent incidents.

By integrating these revolutionary technologies, Kwant and United Rentals are setting a new standard for safety in construction, ensuring that workers and resources are protected in ways that were once unimaginable.

These advanced features are already being implemented on major projects, including Ford Blue Oval City and the Ford Blue Oval Battery Plant through Walbridge—two of the largest construction sites in the country. Additional deployments include prominent projects with EllisDon in Canada and NUCOR, showcasing the wide-ranging impact of these solutions.

Sustainability: Smarter Use of Resources

Beyond safety and efficiency, this partnership supports sustainability by leveraging data insights to optimize workforce and equipment usage. Kwant’s IoT technology tracks how equipment is used, helping customers:

• Minimize idle time 
• Reduce unnecessary rentals
• Lower emissions by ensuring tools are used only when and where needed

This data-driven approach not only cuts costs but also contributes to greener construction practices, meeting the growing demand for sustainability in the industry.

The Path Forward

By combining Kwant’s innovative IoT solutions with United Rentals’ vast equipment network, this partnership is setting a new standard for resource management and safety on construction sites. Together, they are creating a future where construction is not only efficient and safe but also aligned with sustainability goals.

For contractors seeking smarter site management and better safety solutions, Kwant and United Rentals are paving the way for transformative change.