United Rentals

United Rentals is the largest equipment rental company in the world. It supplies contractors, industrial operators, utilities, infrastructure projects and facility owners with a wide range of general construction equipment and specialized solutions. The business is built around supporting jobsites over the full life of a project, using its fleet, branch network and digital tools to keep equipment available, maintained and compliant.

The company was founded in 1997, when its leadership began buying and integrating independent rental houses into a single national platform. That roll‑up strategy set the stage for a major milestone in 2012, when United Rentals acquired RSC Holdings. The RSC deal significantly increased its North American presence and confirmed its role as the leading equipment rental provider in the region. Over the years that followed, United Rentals continued to add local and regional operators, folding them into a common operating model and brand.

As of October 2024, United Rentals operates about 1,686 rental locations worldwide. Roughly 1,591 of those locations are in North America, with additional branches across Europe, Australia and New Zealand. The network is organized into two primary segments. The General Rentals segment focuses on aerial lifts, earthmoving equipment, material handling and general tools. The Specialty segment provides trench safety, fluid solutions, power and HVAC, onsite services, and storage and modular space products that often support larger or more complex projects.

During the last five years, United Rentals has broadened its business mix beyond traditional rental yards. The company has invested heavily in specialty lines such as trench safety and fluid solutions, as well as power and HVAC and modular space. It has also expanded its presence outside the United States and Canada, adding locations in Europe, Australia and New Zealand. At the same time, it has deepened its coverage in existing regions, filling in around major metros and industrial corridors so customers see the brand as a local partner rather than only a national name.

United Rentals is headquartered in Stamford, Connecticut, and employs roughly 27,900 people. It is publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker URI. Its scale, fleet utilization and broad customer base support multi‑billion‑dollar annual revenue and an investment‑grade credit profile that many landlords and lenders recognize.

For property owners and developers, United Rentals typically occupies a mix of formats that range from traditional equipment rental branches with yard and service areas to more specialized sites focused on trench safety, fluid solutions, power and HVAC, or modular space. The company’s current growth strategy targets dense construction and industrial corridors, large U.S. and Canadian metro areas, energy and infrastructure hubs, logistics and port regions, and select markets in Europe, Australia and New Zealand where long‑term project pipelines are strong. Its focus on infill coverage and proximity to active job corridors often translates into stable, long‑duration occupancy in well‑located industrial and commercial locations.