Volvo Rents made its second major acquisition within a week with the purchase of Tuff Equipment Rentals, a three-location rental company based in Slidell, La., with additional stores in Hammond and Covington, La. Volvo Rents, which a week ago acquired Sampson Equipment, based in Salt Lake City, has embarked on a new strategy to manage and grow a network of company-owned stores to augment its franchise network of rental store.

“Since 1983 when we opened our first equipment rental store, taking case of our customers is what Tuff Equipment Rentals has been about,” said Tuff owner Ralph Kastner Sr. “Volvo’s culture of customer care made becoming part of Volvo Rents an attractive decision for my family and my employees. Volvo Rents provides us with the resources to expand, and allows us to align our culture with a trustworthy brand that is known for their commitment to their employees and their customers.”

Kastner, who recently told RER his company came close to making the most recent RER 100, founded Kastner Equipment Rentals in 1983, which he sold to RSC Rentals in 1997. He founded Tuff some years later. Kastner’s son, Ralph Kastner Jr., will continue with Volvo Rents.

“Tuff Equipment’s culture of customer care and local decision-making has enabled the Kastner family to assemble an excellent team that is fully committed to customer care,” said Mike Crouch, vice president of business development for Volvo Rents. “Ralph Kastner Jr. and team will serve a significant role in the expansion of Volvo Rents in the state of Louisiana.

Gary Stansberry of Hageman, Stansberry & Associates represented Tuff in the transaction.