GREENWICH, Conn. — United Rentals recently opened new general rentals branches in Indianapolis, Ind.; Salt Lake City, Utah; Homestead, Fla.; Minneapolis; and Gulfport, Miss., which was heavily damaged during Hurricane Katrina.

The Gulfport branch is a 7,200-square-foot facility. “The Gulf Coast of the United States will soon enter a prolonged period of rebuilding as a result of the devastation caused by the 2005 hurricane season,” said branch manager Michael Sauve. “Our branch team has hit the ground running in support of our customers in the area.”

The company also opened trench safety rental branches in North Olmsted, Ohio, and Minneapolis; a pump, power and HVAC equipment rental branch also in North Olmstead; and a high reach-focused branch in Flint, Mich.

The company strategically positioned its North Olmstead trench safety rental branch to serve its customers involved in upgrading Cleveland's network of utilities and sewer systems, said Steve Bayda, branch manager for the trench safety branch. “An estimated $1 billion will be spent on construction to complete these projects. The North Olmsted facility is our second trench safety branch in the Buckeye State, effectively expanding our availability to customers who need quality underground equipment, service and supplies.”

The pump, power and HVAC equipment rental division will provide solutions in temporary power, fluid handling, and climate control as well as a comprehensive line of contractor supplies.

The trench safety rental branch, located in the Minneapolis suburb of Savage, Minn., will focus on underground construction equipment rentals, sales and service and a comprehensive line of contractor supplies. The emphasis is on steel and aluminum trench shields, aluminum trench shores, steel sheet pile with modular walling systems, steel crossing plates and custom slide rail systems, confined space ventilators, detectors and other equipment.

The Flint branch will focus on aerial work platforms, forklifts, scaffolding and related equipment for commercial and industrial construction. Branch manager Matthew Flannery said Flint is becoming a hub for high-tech manufacturing.

United Rentals last month also announced a 15.7 percent year-over-year increase in third-quarter revenues, grossing $984 million, compared to $850 million for the same period last year. Total revenues for the first nine months of 2005 were $2.61 billion, an increase of 15.1 percent compared with $2.27 billion for the first nine months of 2004.

“Our strong performance this quarter reflects continuing success in improving rental rates, expanding our rental fleet, increasing time utilization and driving contractor supplies revenue growth,” said Wayland Hicks, CEO. “Dollar utilization of 72.7 percent in the third quarter was the highest we have ever achieved.”

The company plans to open 35 new branches in 2005, of which 30 are already operating. Greenwich, Conn.-based United Rentals is No. 1 on the RER 100.