ASHEVILLE, N.C. — 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.”
The company also opened a new company-owned rental center in Dayton, Ohio, in expectation of local construction spending topping $6.2 billion between 2012 and 2016. The rental center is Volvo Rents' third location in Ohio, with existing locations in Columbus and Cincinnati.
“Despite the weakened economy, the construction equipment rental industry is projected to be one of the fastest-growing industries in North America, as more people are choosing to rent rather than commit to capital expenditures,” said Larry Kirkpatrick, division manager of the new store.
In addition, Volvo Rents opened a West regional office in Longmont, Colo. Tim Herzog, a 24-year veteran of the rental industry who joined Volvo Rents in 2003, will serve as western region vice president and will oversee the western United States as well as the western provinces of Canada.
Regional executive administrator is Heather Kovene. Division managers include Jon Zier (northwest: Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, Alaska and the Canadian provinces of British Columbia, Alberta and Saskatchewan); Bobby Creason, mountain region, including Colorado, Utah, New Mexico, Wyoming, North Dakota, South Dakota and Nebraska; and Herzog will handle the southwest, including California, Nevada, Arizona and Hawaii.
Region sales manager will be Steve Gatti; region safety manager will be Mike Henderson; regional controller will be Kyle Bullock; region credit manager, Danny Wedgeworth. Former Volvo Rents franchisee Helder Garcia will be leading the region's efforts in fleet, service/warranty and used equipment sales, as well as procurement and vendor relations.
Based in Asheville, N.C., Volvo Rents is No. 17 on the RER 100.
