SHIPPENSBURG, Pa. — Volvo Rents continued its acquisition spree with the acquisition of an aerial specialist in Davenport, Iowa, called Aerial Platform Experts. Volvo Rents acquired another aerial work platform rental company in late 2011, Midwest Aerials & Equipment.
The acquisition follows a new study by the Associated General Contractors of America that lists Iowa No. 4 in percentage growth of construction jobs for the 12 months ending in February.
“While the industry is still struggling in too many states to declare that construction is in full recovery, builders have grown more confident since last fall, in part because more people are expressing interest in buying a home,” said Mike Crouch, vice president of business development for Volvo Rents, adding that builder optimism reached its highest level in five years. “The acquisition of Aerial Platform Experts is a strategic move that will launch our footprint in Iowa and puts us in a favorable position to meet what will undoubtedly translate into a growing demand for construction equipment rental.”
“Iowa’s construction industry is no doubt showing improvement, but a full recovery will take time,” said Andy Fliege, who co-founded Aerial Platform Experts in 2005. “The problem is being resolved and we look forward to being a big part of that resolution.”
Fliege will remain with the rental center as manager. All 14 of APE’s employees will remain with Volvo Rents.
Based in Shippensburg, Pa., Volvo Rents is No. 21 on the RER 100.
