Illini Hi-Reach, Crown Point, Ind.-based aerial rental specialist, has opened a new branch in South Bend, Ind. The location, which will serve the South Bend/Mishawaka/Elkhart marketplace and surrounding area including southern Michigan, is the fifth branch for Illini. The expansion is part of Illini’s continuing growth strategy and customer requests for Illini’s rental footprint to expand further into northern Indiana.

Illini Hi Reach’s five full-service locations now serve southern Wisconsin, northern Illinois and the greater Chicagoland area through north central Indiana.

“Illini is very pleased to now be in the South Bend marketplace as we have had expansion plans for this area for quite some time,” Larry Workman, Illini Hi Reach president and CEO, told RER. “We are eager to grow in this market in the short and long term as this area has shown excellent potential for Illini’s service abilities, customer support and product lines for the next several years. The new South Bend location is complemented by our new 30,000-square-foot Crown Point, Ind., headquarters and its unique abilities for customer service, rental fleet repair and in-field support for our growing customer base.”

JLG aerial work platforms and telehandlers will be represented in South Bend’s fleet as in all other Illini locations.

The branch is managed by Troy Farkas, a 20-year rental industry veteran.

“Seasoned industry veterans of the South Bend marketplace are committed to top-level service from the bottom up,” said Farkas. “We are ready to demonstrate our capabilities and commitment to excellence.”

Illini Hi-Reach is No. 98 on the RER 100.