LOWE RENTAL
Name and position of the interviewee
Karen Rumsey, Chief Operating Officer at Lowe Rental Corporation Europe
Patricia Diaz, Head of EU Short Term Rental at Lowe Rental
Who are Lowe Rental and what are its objectives?
[Karen] Established in 1977 in Northern Ireland, Lowe Rental have grown to become the global rental leader in commercial refrigeration, kitchen infrastructure and catering equipment. Over the decades, the company has expanded its expertise and equipment rental solutions to serve a diverse range of industries including, major sporting and music events, the world’s largest food & beverage exhibitions, retail, hospitality, healthcare, government, military and more. Lowe Rental are proud to be a part of Lowe Rental Corporation, a family of equipment rental brands comprised of Lowe Rental, Portable Kitchens Limited (PKL) Group and Lotsenbüro with auxiliary services in refrigeration design consultancy Abbey Design Associates (ADA) and disruptive IoT technology innovator LoweConex, who together are relentlessly delivering sustainable rental services around the world.
What rental services is Lowe Rental bringing to the Spanish market? How are you adapting to changing market needs? and what added value do your equipment rental solutions offer compared to other alternatives?
[Karen] Lowe Rental is bringing its proven range of temporary kitchen solutions to the Spanish market, addressing the increasing demand for flexible, fully equipped kitchens that cater to today’s evolving market needs: minimising operational downtime during kitchen refurbishments, and ensuring rapid, reliable solutions in emergency situations. As industries across the public and private sectors push to modernise their kitchen infrastructure without disruption, our temporary kitchens provide a smarter alternative to phased refurbishments, allowing clients to maintain uninterrupted operations during large-scale projects or in emergency situations.
[Karen] Our offering goes beyond the rental of temporary kitchens; it’s a comprehensive turnkey solution tailored precisely to client needs. Lowe Rental’s end-to-end service includes site surveys, kitchen design, and contingency planning, with a dedicated project management team overseeing every detail from equipment preparation to installation and ongoing technical support. This full-service approach guarantees that each project is executed seamlessly, maximising efficiency and minimising downtime.
[Karen] This end-to-end approach guarantees a seamless and efficient process throughout commercial kitchen refurbishments and emergencies, minimising disruptions and maximising operational success for our clients. By offering a fully managed solution, Lowe Rental provides added value that goes beyond simple temporary kitchens and catering equipment rental, making us the preferred partner for those needing reliable, expertly managed kitchen infrastructure.
What challenges and opportunities do you foresee for this expansion?
[Karen] One of the primary challenges we have seen is the varying regulatory landscapes across European Countries, . With an established presence in the UK and Germany, and a track record of supporting customers throughout Europe, we are well-positioned to navigate these challenges. We view this as an opportunity to leverage our regional expertise alongside our global resources to tailor and localise our offerings. By combining strong local knowledge with our proven turnkey rental solutions, we are confident in our ability to expand without sacrificing exceptional value to customers throughout Europe
What expectations does Lowe Rental have when entering the public sector market?
[Patricia] Lowe Rental expects a strong response from the public sector as the market increasingly moves toward modernising kitchen infrastructure without disruption. Our extensive experience in delivering temporary kitchen solutions across other markets has demonstrated that our rental solutions provide a smarter alternative to phased refurbishments, enabling clients to maintain uninterrupted operations during large-scale projects or urgent situations. We anticipate that public sector clients, from hospitals and care homes to municipal offices and schools, will recognise the benefits of this model in achieving efficient, cost-effective solutions.
[Karen] As a leading provider of temporary kitchens, Lowe Rental has a proven track record of enabling uninterrupted operations for schools, hospitals, care homes, and other critical public sector institutions during essential kitchen refurbishments. Our fully equipped, high-capacity temporary kitchens ensure that these facilities can continue serving students, patients, and residents without any disruption to vital food services. This demonstrated success highlights our unmatched capability to meet the rigorous standards of the public sector, where continuity and reliability are essential. Lowe Rental’s trusted solutions empower essential institutions to maintain seamless operations, even during the most complex, large-scale projects. We are now bringing these proven solutions to Spain, ready to support public and private sector clients with the same level of expertise and reliability.
What role does Spain play in Lowe Rental's long-term strategy, and how do you expect the market to evolve in the coming years?
[Karen] Spain plays a pivotal role in Lowe Rental’s long-term strategy as a key growth market within Southern Europe. The country’s vibrant public sector, events, and hospitality, markets present significant opportunities for our rental solutions, particularly in refrigeration, catering equipment, and temporary kitchens. To support this growth, we’ve established a strong operational foundation, including a 40,000 sq ft warehouse in Zaragoza, which enables rapid deployment, faster response times, and a streamlined service experience tailored to meet the unique demands of the Spanish market.
[Patricia] We have observed a growing requirement of rental solutions within Spain, particularly in the public sector, where organisations are increasingly recognising the flexibility and cost-efficiency that temporary rental options provide. This trend reflects a shift in how organisations address short-term needs such as kitchen refurbishments or emergency situations, where temporary solutions offer a practical, scalable alternative to lengthy, disruptive projects. Phased refurbishments often result in extended project durations, increased labour costs, and challenges in maintaining food hygiene standards, while also risking revenue loss, customer attrition, and staff dissatisfaction. Temporary kitchen facilities mitigate these risks, providing a cost-effective solution with predictable timelines that allow organisations to continue generating revenue and retaining their workforce. We anticipate that the Spanish market will evolve toward more frequent kitchen refurbishments and modernisation projects, driven by the need to improve efficiency, hygiene standards, and sustainability in food service.
[Patricia] This creates a rising demand for temporary kitchens and support services that can seamlessly step in during these upgrades. Lowe Rental’s turnkey solutions—which include contingency planning, equipment preparation, and ongoing technical support—are uniquely positioned to ensure that catering operations run smoothly throughout refurbishment projects, aligning with market expectations for minimal disruption and high standards of service.
EL MUNDO: https://www.elmundo.es/