Businessweek

United Rentals, Inc., through its wholly owned subsidiary, United Rentals (North America), Inc., operates as an equipment rental company worldwide. As of January 1, 2013, the company operated 836 rental locations. 724 of these locations are in the United States and 112 are in Canada. Its customer service network also consists of centralized call centers and online capabilities. As of December 31, 2012, its fleet of rental equipment included approximately 400,000 units. Segments The company operates through two segments, General Rentals; and Trench Safety, Power, and HVAC (Heating, Ventilating, and Air Conditioning). General Rentals This segment includes the rental of construction, aerial and industrial equipment, general tools and light equipment, and related services and activities. This segment comprises 12 geographic regions, including eastern Canada, Gulf South, Industrial (which serves the geographic Gulf region and has an industrial presence), Mid-Atlantic, Mid-Central, Midwest, Mountain West, Northeast, Northwest, South, Southeast, and Southwest and operates throughout the United States and Canada. Trench Safety, Power, and HVAC This segment includes the rental of specialty construction products and related services. This segment’s customers include construction companies involved in infrastructure projects, municipalities, and industrial companies. This segment operates throughout the United States and in Canada. Products and Services Equipment Rental: The company offers for rent approximately 3,300 classes of rental equipment on an hourly, daily, weekly, or monthly basis. The types of equipment that it offers include general construction and industrial equipment; aerial work platforms; trench safety equipment; power and HVAC equipment; and general tools and light equipment. Sales of Rental Equipment: The company sells used rental equipment and invests in new equipment to manage repairs and maintenance costs, as well as the composition and size of its fleet. It also sells used equipment in response to customer demand for the equipment. The company utilizes various channels to sell used equipment, such as through its national sales force, which could access various resale markets across North America; at auction; through brokers; and directly to manufacturers. It also sells used equipment through its Website, which includes an online database of used equipment available for sale. Sales of New Equipment: The company sells equipment for various major equipment manufacturers. The manufacturers that it represents and the brands that it carries include Genie, JLG, and Skyjack (aerial lifts); Multiquip, Wacker, and Honda USA (compaction equipment, generators, and pumps); Sullair (compressors); Skytrak and JLG (rough terrain reach forklifts); Takeuchi (skid-steer loaders); Terex (telehandlers); and DeWalt (generators). The type of new equipment that it sells varies by location. Contractor Supplies Sales: The company sells various contractor supplies, including construction consumables, tools, small equipment, and safety supplies. Its target customers for contractor supplies are its existing rental customers. Other Services: The company also offers repair, maintenance, and rental protection services and sells parts for equipment that is owned by its customers. Its target customers for these types of ancillary services are its rental customers, as well as those who purchase both new and used equipment from its branches. Customers The company serves customers that range from Fortune 500 companies to small businesses and homeowners. It also serves three principal end markets for equipment rental in North America, including industrial/non-construction; commercial (or private non-residential) construction rentals related to the construction and remodeling of office, lodging, healthcare, and other commercial facilities; and residential rentals for the construction and renovation of homes. The company’s customers include construction companies that use equipment for constructing and renovating commercial buildings, warehouses, industrial and manufacturing plants, office parks, airports, residential developments, and other facilities; industrial companies, such as manufacturers, chemical companies, paper mills, railroads, ship builders, and utilities, which use equipment for plant maintenance, upgrades, expansion, and construction; municipalities that require equipment for various purposes; and homeowners and other individuals that use equipment for projects that range from simple repairs to major renovations. Sales and Marketing The company markets its products and services through multiple channels, such as sales force; national account program; and e-rentals portal, which could be found at http://www.ur.com. The company also utilizes a proprietary software application, Total Control, which provides its major customers with a single in-house software application that enables them to monitor and manage all their rental equipment. Total Control is a customer service tool that enables the company to develop relationships with its customers. Acquisitions In April 2012, the company acquired RSC Holdings Inc., an equipment rental provider in North America. Strategy The company’s business strategy is to focus on customer service differentiation, customer segmentation, rate management, fleet management, and disciplined cost control. History United Rentals, Inc. was founded in 1997. The company was incorporated in Delaware in 1997.