MISSISSAUGA, Canada - Long a fixture in the southern Ontario homeowner and small contractor rental market, Stephenson's Rent-All has acquired six Canadian rental companies during the past few months, establishing itself as a national player.

Its recent acquisitions include two branches of Lonsdale Rentals, North Vancouver, British Columbia; Crowfoot Tool & Equipment Rentals, Calgary, Alberta; and No. 1 Rent-All in Edmonton, Alberta. Stephenson's also recently bought two-location Mr. Rent-All, Scarborough, Ontario; City Equipment, Toronto; and Ritson Rentals, Oshawa, Ontario.

Stephenson's CEO Chris McKay told RER that the company is planning to continue to develop rental departments in Revy's home improvement centers. The company, which already operates rental departments in seven Revy's stores, has an opening planned September 1 in Calgary, and plans two more in Calgary and two in Edmonton by the end of November. Stephenson's also plans to open two more rental departments in Toronto this fall, McKay added.

Stephenson's is No. 61 on the RER 100 with $14 million (U.S.) in 1998 rental volume. The company now has more than 50 rental outlets.