FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. - NationsRent last month announced five acquisitions that will expand its presence in the metropolitan New York, New Jersey and North Carolina markets and establish a platform to grow in the Rocky Mountain region.

The largest acquisition was that of five-location Holt Machinery Co., based in Cranford, N.J., with branches in Bayonne and Perth Amboy, N.J., and Freeport and Jamaica, N.Y. Adding to its presence in the region was the purchase of Sylvan Equipment's two stores in Brooklyn, N.Y., and North Arlington, N.J.

The Fort Lauderdale, Fla.-based consolidator also established a foothold in the Rocky Mountain region with the acquisition of three-location Boulder, Colo.-based Rental City, with branches in Broomfield and Longmont, Colo., and Loveland Rental Center, Loveland, Colo.

Former Rental City owner Jim Ziegler will remain with NationsRent as regional manager. Bruce Dunn, who served as Rental City's general manager, will be district manager overseeing the Colorado region. NationsRent also has a presence in Utah, managed by Rafael Garzarelli, former owner of Salt Lake City-based Howe Rents.

Ziegler told RER that NationsRent plans to open at least five more branches in Colorado this year and will compete in the lucrative Denver market.

Mike Holt, son of Holt founder Jim Holt and co-owner of Holt Machinery, will play an important role in the transition, as will his brother Scott, who will continue with NationsRent. Sylvan owner Elliott Prigozen will also continue in Sylvan's transition process.

NationsRent also acquired Burlington, N.C.-based Rental Center USA, a two-location general construction rental company with a branch in Mebane, N.C. The purchase gives the Fort Lauderdale, Fla.-based firm five locations in the state.

Ed Scott, co-owner and co-founder of Rental Center USA, will remain with the company and play an integral rolein the transition process.

NationsRent, No. 8 on the RER 100, has more than 170 branches in 26 states.