NES Rental Holdings last week said it completed a four-year, $500 million fleet modernization plan as part of its strategic realignment to focus on the aerial equipment rental business.

The fleet modernization effort included the addition of 16,000 pieces of new aerial equipment, including more than 5,000 scissorlifts, 3,000 boomlifts, 1,500 rough-terrain telescopic forklifts and 800 industrial forklifts. The company also implemented a rigorous maintenance and inspection program, requiring all rental equipment to comply with applicable OEM standards. Overall, the fleet modernization initiative allowed NES Rentals to grow its rental fleet to more than 30,000 units with a replacement value of more than $1 billion.

“The safety of our customers and employees is our number one priority,” said Andrew Studdert, NES Rentals chairman and CEO. “Purchasing and maintaining the best aerial equipment fleet in the industry is part of assuring their safety. Our research shows that safety and reliability are our customers’ chief concerns when renting aerial equipment. Our modernization initiative has ensured that each piece of NES equipment meets our customers’ high standards.”

NES Rentals’ fleet modernization effort began in June 2004. By achieving the targeted fleet goals in early 2008, NES has completed this phase of its strategic realignment ahead of schedule.

Deerfield, Ill.-based NES Rentals is No. 6 on the RER 100.