The company’s local expertise, tailored solutions, and sustainable technologies fuel its global ranking and expansion across the region, Quentin Lo tells OGN

Byrne's place among the top global equipment rental companies underscores its deep Middle East expertise, outshining multinational rivals.

The company’s local knowledge of market dynamics, regulations, and client needs delivers unmatched responsiveness. This milestone highlights the region’s growing economic clout and Byrne’s pivotal role in it.

Beyond equipment, Byrne provides tailored solutions, transforming client outcomes, and driving efficiency, safety, and sustainability.

'By guiding global firms through local regulations and delivering innovative systems, Byrne ensures clients achieve operational and ESG goals, boosting revenue significantly,' Quentin Lo, Chief Strategy Officer and Chief Operation Officer, tells OGN energy magazine.

Below are excerpts from the interview:

What does it mean for Byrne to be named among the top 100 global equipment rental companies?

For Byrne, it is more than recognition. It’s proof that a company rooted in the Middle East can compete at the highest global level.

The ranking is typically dominated by multinational firms from the US, Europe, and China, which makes it especially meaningful that Byrne is one of two GCC-headquartered companies to achieve this milestone.

Quentin Lo

This reflects not only the trust of our customers and the dedication of our team, but also the growing influence and confidence of the GCC economy on the global stage.

How does having your headquarters in the Middle East shape Byrne’s approach compared to international competitors?

Our advantage is local intelligence and a strong regional geographical footprint. We understand the market dynamics, regulatory frameworks, and customer needs across the GCC far better than someone flying in from outside the region.

Our decisions are made here, close to our customers, and we can respond faster and more precisely.

That’s why many global names partner with us when they enter the region. We don’t just rent equipment, we help them succeed in the local environment.

Byrne has always been known as an equipment rental leader. How are you evolving beyond equipment into solutions?

Customers today don’t just want machines, they want outcomes. Our role has evolved from a rental provider to a solutions partner, helping clients choose the right technology, integrate sustainable power, and achieve safer, smarter, and more efficient operations.

A strong example is our early investment in mastclimbers. Many once relied on traditional scaffolding for façade and high-rise work — a labour-heavy and less flexible method.

We recognised early their HSE advantages and economic benefits, and through years of client education, adoption grew steadily.

Today, Byrne is among the GCC market leaders, with revenue doubling last year, proving the success of our early vision and commitment.

Share some recent examples where Byrne’s role as a solutions partner has really made a difference?

A strong example is our work with NMDC Group, where we initiated engagement directly with their leadership to secure buy-in at the right level.

This allowed us to co-develop a practical solution: A fully solar-powered offshore camp for 500 personnel.

Powered by 700 rooftop panels with hybrid controllers, it cut diesel use, lowered costs, and advanced NMDC’s ESG goals under challenging offshore conditions.

Byrne’s generators offer reliable power

Another instance was when a global oil and gas company established its first UAE operation, they turned to Byrne not only for equipment, but also for guidance.

We not only delivered a solar camp solution, but we also advised them on compliance with regulations, safety standards, and local operational practices.

For an outdoor advertising company, frequent generator breakdowns were holding them back. We introduced an innovative solar + battery system, which was cleaner, quieter, and more reliable. We also supported them in securing permits.

These cases show how Byrne applies the right engagement strategy with clients.

How central is sustainability to Byrne’s growth strategy?

Sustainability is no longer seen as a slogan or cost-saving measure. Customers now recognise it as vital for compliance, reputation, and contributing to a better future. They are prepared to invest in cleaner technologies, even at higher upfront costs.

Byrne positions itself as an environmental partner. It’s part of our role to advise early, helping customers make informed choices that support both performance and sustainability.

Our introduction of battery storage systems for crane operations is a classic example. It not only improved efficiency but also reduced noise and fuel usage.

Many of these benefits, such as fewer breakdowns, quieter operations, and lower maintenance, may not be obvious at the start but become clear through professional guidance and proven results.

How does Byrne build long-term relationships with key customers?

We start by listening. Customers have different priorities. Some value cost-effectiveness, others focus on sustainability, HSE and compliance, or uninterrupted operations.

We tailor our approach to these needs, ensuring each client receives solutions that genuinely fit their objectives.

We invest time in understanding our customers’ industries, anticipating future requirements, and staying engaged well beyond a single project.

Through regular site visits, joint planning, and open communication, we stay proactive and adaptable. This is why many of our relationships have lasted for decades and across multiple sectors.

What role does your team play in delivering these solutions?

Byrne’s solar-powered camp for NMDC

Our people are at the core of Byrne’s success. Many have decades of loyal service, giving them unmatched local intelligence and a deep understanding of the region’s culture, regulations, and conditions.

While long experience is a strength, we complement it with continuous training and exposure to new technologies, including building an AI-ready culture, to keep our teams sharp, innovative, and ready to meet evolving customer needs.

Guided by our core values of teamwork, communication, improvement, and change, we invest in training and team-building to keep our people motivated and aligned.

How does Byrne leverage opportunities in the UAE and Saudi Arabia, two of the fastest-growing markets in the Middle East?

Both the UAE and Saudi Arabia are driving industrial diversification, energy transition, and major infrastructure programmes.

In the UAE, national programmes and ADNOC’s listings have fuelled investment in energy, logistics, and manufacturing.

Global partnerships in projects, such as Ruwais LNG and hydrogen corridors show how capital and innovation are converging.

In Saudi Arabia, Vision 2030 is driving large-scale execution, from giga-projects and logistics corridors to industrial and tourism developments, boosting liquidity and accelerated growth.

With local content targets, tighter HSE standards, and faster timelines, clients increasingly value partners who can mobilise quickly and deliver at scale.

For Byrne, the opportunity is clear: To help local and international partners deliver ambitious projects efficiently, safely, and sustainably, while reinforcing the GCC’s role as a global hub for investment and innovation.

To capitalise on these opportunities, Byrne is expanding strategically. In the UAE, we expanded our Abu Dhabi base from 15,000 sq m to 20,000 sq m and opened a new branch in Madinat Zayed to support projects, such as MERAM O&G.

In Saudi Arabia, we doubled our Riyadh depot to 30,000 sq m, added a new sales office in Olaya, and are building a 50,000 sq m headquarter in Jubail, due 2026 Q4.

What’s next for Byrne in the coming years?

The next chapter for Byrne is about scaling with purpose; expanding our reach, investing in sustainable technologies, and enhancing the way we work with our customers.

We’re advancing operational innovation across the business, by streamlining processes, improving responsiveness, and building an AI-ready culture that equips our teams with smarter tools and insights.

At the same time, we’re broadening our cleaner power portfolio, from large-scale solar camps to integrated hybrid and battery systems, helping clients meet rising ESG and compliance expectations.

Our regional expansions will further strengthen our presence and responsiveness across the GCC.

After more than 30 years in the region, our focus remains clear: To combine scale, reliability, and sustainable innovation so customers can deliver ambitious projects safely, efficiently, and confidently.

As the GCC steps forward on the global stage, Byrne will continue to be a trusted partner, driving progress through practical solutions and a forward-looking mindset.