Volvo Rents, which has acquired a number of its franchise operations in recent weeks, has acquired Gulf South Machinery of Mississippi, with stores in Hattiesburg and Gulfport.

According to Volvo Rents, local construction spending is projected to total more than $1.5 billion in Hattiesburg and nearly $3 billion in Gulfport between 2012 and 2016. Mike Crouch, vice president of business development for Volvo Rents, said the staff of the two stores will “remain an integral part of our expansion in Mississippi.”

Volvo Rents, based in Asheville, N.C., is No. 17 on the RER 100.