GREENWICH, Conn. — United Rentals announced recently a merchandising program to promote the sale of construction supplies.

The program will focus on 500 products that have the greatest customer demand, including diamond blades, bonded abrasives, concrete drilling tools, safety products, hand tools and marking products. United managers will be able to purchase these products from 70 preferred suppliers from whom United has obtained substantial discounts.

Before the creation of this program, developed by Chris Makinen, merchandising manager, United branch managers generally bought supplies individually from whatever suppliers they chose. The development of a preferred supplier program will facilitate purchasing at discounted prices, although branches will be free to continue to buy from other suppliers if they prefer.

“Customers told us that offering them more merchandise would make their lives easier,” Makinen said. “They want the added convenience of a one-stop shop approach.”

United has developed a merchandising training program to help branches create the most effective inventory, displays and pricing. It also plans a new advertising program to build customer awareness of this effort.

United Rentals, No. 1 on the RER 100, has 744 locations in 47 states, seven Canadian provinces and Mexico.