Volvo Construction Equipment Rents last week opened a new Volvo Rents equipment rental center in Jessup, Md., in the greater Baltimore area.

Equiprent Inc., owned by Cris Leatherwood, opened its first Volvo Rents center in Fallston, Md., in September 2004. The new Volvo Rents center serves the Baltimore/Washington D.C. and surrounding areas. They will carry, in addition to Volvo construction equipment, inventory specializing in earthmoving, aerial, and a diverse mix of general rental and industrial equipment.

“We are very excited to be expanding the Volvo Rents brand into the Baltimore/Washington corridor and look forward to serving our customers here for many years to come,” said owner Cris Leatherwood.

The Volvo Rents franchise program was designed by Volvo Construction Equipment and covers all aspects of an operating business model. Features include use of the Volvo brand, financial assistance, a fleet purchasing program, a Volvo Rents proprietary software program, operational support and guidance, comprehensive training in systems, sales, service and management as well as facility design and regional and local marketing. Principal Volvo products for its rental centers include its extensive line of compact excavators and wheel loaders, backhoes and skid-steer loaders.

Asheville, N.C.-based Volvo Rents is No. 19 on the RER 100.