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14 SMT007 MAGAZINE I MARCH 2026 F E AT U R E I N T E RV I E W BY M A R CY L A R O N T, I - C O N N ECT0 07 SMT RENTING Redefining Equipment Investments SMT Renting, based in Copenhagen, is challenging the traditional machine-ownership model with a flexible, service-based approach. Busi- ness Manager Christian Thers discusses how rental options, "stop and swap" flexibility, and a new pay- per-placement model help electronics manufactur- ers reduce risk and adapt quickly in an unpredict- able market. Marcy LaRont: Christian, please tell us a bit about SMT Renting and your role there. Christian Thers: We were founded in 2015, and our focus is on providing flexible rental solutions to electronics manufacturers for equipment such as SMT and through-hole technology (THT), as well as material handling for logistics, including compo- nent handling and storage. I've been with SMT Renting for almost six years. We handle all the tasks a typical electron- ics manufacturer would manage when invest- ing in new technology. We source the equip- ment, have agreements with top suppliers in the industry, and finance it through flexi- ble contracts ranging from 12 to 60 months. We also handle service and warranty for all our equipment. Through our unique "stop and swap" option, we build flexibility into every contract. This allows custom- ers to adapt to market demands by changing out rented equipment regardless of manufacturer or technology. The primary concept is to make things flexible and as easy as possible for our customers to win new business with lower risk. That's a really interesting business model. Flexibil- ity and adaptability are heavy-hitter descriptors for companies trying to stay competitive today. How did SMT Renting get its start? We're part of the SMT House business group, founded in 2012. The founder was looking at the consumer car market, particularly leasing models. If you want a convertible this year, you lease it. A few years later, maybe you have a family and need something different, so you switch cars. Today, we see similar service-based models across industries, from cars to IT equipment to copi- ers. People want everything taken care of, includ- ing service and the ability to upgrade. That thinking inspired SMT Renting. This industry is quite conservative, so adoption took time. But over the past five or six years, market sentiment has changed significantly due to COVID, the war in Ukraine, and ongoing geopolitical uncer- tainty. Companies are less confident about long- term forecasting. If you invest $1 million in an SMT line, you want it to stay relevant for seven years. Today, that's hard to predict. Leaders want flexibility because they don't know what they'll be producing a few years from now. Right now, we see strong THT demand. But in two or three years, AI-driven advances could shift production needs. The ability to adapt quickly is essential to staying competitive. Is part of that flexibility the option to purchase leased equipment? Yes. Electric vehicles are a good example. We offer three options. First is operational leasing, where the C h ri st i a n T h e r s