☕ Power Moves in Rental: The Industry is Consolidating

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Hey 👋,

The equipment rental industry is shifting—again. Sunbelt Rentals, one of the top three companies in the industry, continues expanding its market share by acquiring Hawkeye Equipment Rentals, a key player in the aerial lift rental market east of Los Angeles. This acquisition is just one among many; in the third quarter of 2024 alone, Sunbelt acquired 10 rental centers. The race for market consolidation is accelerating, especially with new technologies making it easier to integrate newly acquired rental centers.

With 23 years of experience, a fleet valued at $35 million, and over 1,700 units, Hawkeye strengthens Sunbelt's presence in the dynamic LA market. While the purchase price remains undisclosed, the strategic value of this acquisition is undeniable.

An Industry in Transformation

Sunbelt’s growth reflects a broader industry trend: consolidation, digitalization, and automation are reshaping equipment rental. The shift is increasingly noticeable. It is part of our job to speak with rental centers across Quebec and Canada on a daily basis, and their perspective is changing. We are hearing more comments like:

“The market is definitely heading in that direction. I think we’re behind, and it’s only a matter of time before we adapt.”

– Owner of a rental center in Quebec

What’s Next?

Every industry changes and evolves, but what's currently driving transformation in the rental industry is digital integration. The success of rental centers no longer relies solely on fleet size and customer service. With automation and online rentals, rental centers now differentiate themselves through operational efficiency and superior customer service that no longer depends exclusively on people, but rather on a collaboration between humans and technology.

Have you noticed similar trends in your region? Share your thoughts with us!

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