Volvo Rents buys again

Volvo Rents has acquired Iowa-based Aerial Platform Experts, an equipment rental company with a single location in Davenport.

This marks one of the many acquisitions Volvo Rents has spearheaded during the last year by embarking on a strategy of buying dozens of small, independent rental companies in the US to expand its network. It has been very active in California, announcing in March the acquisition of Max Equipment Rentals as well as the May purchase of Rental Solutions, a three-branch operation with stores in Napa Valley, Santa Rosa and Cloverdale.

"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, noting that builder optimism rose to the 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. "You don't go from having a heart attack to running a marathon overnight. The problem is on its way to being resolved and we look forward to being a big part of that resolution."

Fliege will remain as the store manager and all of Aerial's employees will stay on board, as well.