BlueLine Rental today named Phillip Hobson CEO replacing Scott Hall, who left the company earlier this week.
Hobson comes to BlueLine from portable storage company Mobile Mini, where he was executive vice president, operations. Before working at Mobile Mini, Hobson was a senior executive at RSC Rentals until the business was acquired by United Rentals in 2012. RSC was the second largest equipment rental company in North America with revenue of $1.5 billion and more than 400 locations.
“I look forward to working with customers, employees and other partners to help BlueLine reach its potential,” said Hobson. “We have a tremendous opportunity to build on the strength and experience of the past while establishing our own identity and propelling the company to even higher levels of achievement.”
BlueLine Rentals, formerly Volvo Rents, was acquired in January by Platinum Equity. The BlueLine Rental brand identity was launched in February following the transition to the new ownership group.
“Phil’s experience at RSC is a perfect fit for BlueLine,” said Louis Samson, partner at Platinum Equity who led the BlueLine Rental acquisition. “He is passionate about the rental equipment business and is well respected in the industry. His track record at RSC and throughout his career proves that he knows what it takes to build an industry leader. We will work with Phil and the management team to help the business grow both organically and through prospective complementary add-on acquisitions.”
Hobson joined RSC in 1998 and spent 14 years with the company in a variety of operational and financial roles, serving as a member of the company’s executive leadership team reporting to the CEO.
“We have high aspirations for BlueLine and we are confident that Phil is the right executive to help the company maximize its potential,” said Bryan Kelln, partner and president of portfolio operations for Platinum Equity. ”He has the vision, leadership ability and industry experience necessary to lead the company into the future. He will help drive efforts to optimize business operations and profitability, while focusing on growth and effectively managing the company’s young fleet.”
Based in Shippensburg, Pa., BlueLine Rentals is No. 5 on the RER 100.
