Helsinki, Finland-based Ramirent has opened a rental branch in Sochi, Russia, the city hosting the 2014 Winter Olympics. The Sochi branch opens new opportunities for Ramirent in southern Russia.

“Thanks to our new outlet, we are now able to benefit from the business opportunities created by the Winter Olympics at a much greater scale,” said Kari Aulasmaa, Ramirent’s senior vice president, Finland and Europe East. “At the same time, we are strengthening our equipment rental offering in southern Russia.

Up to this point, Ramirent’s Russia operations have focused on the Moscow and St. Petersburg areas.

“Construction related to the Winter Olympics has made Sochi a third focus area in Russia for Ramirent,” said Grigory Grif, country manager, Russia, for Ramirent. “Demand for our machinery and equipment in Sochi is high, and our local partner has had excellent success in the area.”

Ramirent has been operating in Sochi since 2009 through its local partner, LLC Rostechnostroy. Ramirent has been operating in Russia since 1988, and now has six branches in Russia. It has three branches in St. Petersburg, two in Moscow and 10 re-renter agents operating across Russia.

Ramirent has about 380 branches in 13 countries.