EDMONTON, Alberta — Finning Canada last month announced that through a subsidiary company it has acquired the assets and business operations of Edmonton, Alberta-based Wirtanen Electric Ltd., a rental service company providing temporary electrical power and supporting products. Wirtanen, a 53-year-old company, will operate as a division of Finning's Cat Rental Store network.

“The acquisition … is consistent with our strategic plan to position The Cat Rental Stores as the market-leading full-service equipment rental company in our dealership territory,” said Finning Canada president Ian Reid. “Our customers will now enjoy direct access, through the Cat Rental Stores, to an expanded rental offering for temporary power supply and allied services.”

Cat Rental Stores general manager Harry Hoyer added that the acquisition will enable the company to “offer a more comprehensive range of rental solutions to our customers in the commercial and industrial construction sectors.”

Wirtanen Electric was established in 1963 by Ernie Wirtanen. The company rents electrical instrumentation, test equipment, transformers and related apparatus to customers in the commercial and industrial construction industries. With a fleet of more than 7,000 rental pieces, Wirtanen has provided portable power distribution to all the major oil sands and refinery construction projects in Alberta. Wirtanen's operations and all of its 32 employees will remain at their current location in Edmonton, the company said.

Also based in Edmonton, Finning is No. 16 on the RER 100.