Local business D&M Rentals is on the verge of making some big changes.
“Right now we offer construction equipment, and we are getting out of that,” says Kevin Derksen, who has operated the company with his wife Charmaign since 2007.
Derksen says that a lot of the smaller businesses which D&M has serviced have been getting out of the market in recent years.
The company’s new focus will be on entertainment and event rentals. This includes tents, tables, chairs, dance floors, and indoor and outdoor staging.
“All the event products have really taken off,” says Derksen. “This is now our fourth season doing tents, and like any business, you want growth to happen. This year it skyrocketed and exceeded our expectations. There’s been growth every year. My feeling is that people like to spend money on entertainment. It’s a way to escape sometimes and just have fun.”
The construction rental side of the business has been largely localized to the Niverville area, whereas the event rentals have significantly broadened their footprint. They’ve worked with clients in Hecla, La Rivière, Manitou, Portage la Prairie, Emerson, and even locations north of Kenora. In addition to weddings, there have also been a growing number of corporate events, community fairs, and festivals.
The change is going to happen this winter and will eventually involve a move to a new location. “We’ve talked about
leasing or selling our building,” says Derksen. “The building isn’t suited for the items we want to get into and the way we want to expand. So the plan right now is to put up another building in this area that will be better situated for us.”
Derksen notes that their business philosophy is to chase what people are asking for, to embrace change, and to do both with excellence.
“But D&M is still going to be around,” he wants to assure people. “That is key. We love this community and D&M is still going to be a part of it. That’s not changing. We’re just changing what we do.”
