HOUSTON — Aggreko plc has strengthened its already powerful share of the temporary power, temperature control and oil-free compressed air rental market by finalizing its acquisition of Atlanta-based GE Energy Rentals.

By acquiring the activities of GE Energy Rentals, with the exception of those relating to large gas turbines, Aggreko increases its global capacity to more than 4,700 megawatts of rental power, including 12,000 generator sets and 2,000 water-cooled and air-cooled chillers for temperature control solutions. The combined operations will operate from 28 countries with more than 100 locations. Aggreko, which has operated for more than 20 years in North America, now has more than 50 North American locations.

“The acquisition of GE Energy Rentals will increase our fleet and our experienced service team, while adding one new location in Miami,” said George Walker, president of Aggreko LLC, the Houston-based North American division of Aggreko plc. “Increased availability of equipment in our locations allows us to have more equipment ready when our customers need it most, in an emergency.”

The acquisition strengthens Aggreko's ability to compete effectively for work related to large sporting events. The acquisition increases the size of Aggreko's generator fleet — as measured by megawatts of capacity — by 31 percent, and of its chiller fleet by 28 percent. The access to GE's skilled workforce will also help Aggreko's future expansion efforts.

The deal particularly strengthens Aggreko's position in the Middle East, Australia and Asia and facilitates its entry into Mexico and Chile. Aggreko will take over three GE Energy Rentals facilities in Chile — Santiago, Antofagasta, and Puerto Montt — and will open new facilities to take over GE's business in Campinas, Brazil and Mexico City.

Aggreko is opening a new branch in Miami. “For the past several years, we have been serving the Miami market through our facilities in North Florida,” said area sales manager Tim Ainslie. “We have acquired [G.E.'s] Miami location and will now have the ability to serve this market directly.”

Aggreko is No. 13 on the RER 100.