Volvo Rents, Shippensburg, Pa., has acquired Blue Eagle Equipment, a three-store equipment rental company based in South Carolina, with stores in Columbia, Greenville and Spartanburg, and recently opened a new store in Englewood, Colo. 

The Blue Eagle acquisition brings Volvo Rents’ South Carolina presence to a total of four rental centers.

“We’re tremendously excited to see last year’s success continue into the New Year,” said Michael Crouch, vice president of business development for Volvo Rents, noting the company’s surge of nearly 50 pick-ups since the beginning of 2011. “As the American economy, and particularly the construction equipment rental industry, continues to make a significant shift from buying to renting, we find ourselves in a great position for continued growth.”

“Volvo Rents’ strong national presence and brand recognition made our decision to become part of the company’s network of stores an easy one,” said Robert Griffin, a 26-year veteran of the construction equipment rental industry who founded Blue Eagle Equipment in 2004. “Joining the Volvo Rents culture of customer care and commitment to local decision-making offers great opportunities for our team members.”

Griffin will remain active with the operations/management of all three locations as general manager. All 19 of his employees also will stay on to run the stores.

The new Englewood, Colo., rental center is Volvo Rents’ third in the state of Colorado — joining existing locations in Colorado Springs and Longmont — and will service all of the Front Range area.

Volvo says local construction spending is projected to total more than $6.2 billion between 2012 and 2016 in the Greater Denver area.

“Despite the weakened economy, the construction equipment rental industry is projected to be one of the fastest growing industries in North America, as more people are choosing to rent rather than commit to capital expenditures,” said Ian Bull, branch manager of the new Englewood Volvo Rents location. “Our strong brand recognition, coupled with the growing demand for construction equipment rental, allows us to look to the future with great enthusiasm.”