Strobel’s Rental in Great Falls, MT has a saying: “We rent most everything.” Co-owners Kevin and Doug Pierson wouldn’t mind adding the words “more of” before the year is out. “Last year was a good year and we expect this year to be good, as well,” said brother Kevin. “There’s a new Walmart store being built and plenty of other construction around town to keep rental equipment busy.”
An expanding oil refinery and an air force base in the city of 60,000 will help keep the economy moving. “We’re not like some of the other cities in the state that rely exclusively on the tourist industry. They have sharp peaks and valleys and ours are rather mild compared to theirs. Sixty-five percent of our state’s economy is also based on agriculture and that is a relatively stable influence,” he added.
The company, which was founded in 1961, was purchased by Kevin’s father, Patrick, in 1981. Kevin, who is currently serving his second stint as the president of ARA of Montana, started working there full time in 1989. He and Doug purchased the business from their father in 1994. The store has two city locations located 4.5 miles apart. They employ between 12 and 14 people between them and rent everything from aerials, skid-steer loaders and lawn mowers to nearly every variety of party goods.
Even though business is good it could always be better for the brothers. “It would be great if the Trump administration could help small businesses like ours with tax relief and regulation reduction,” said Kevin. “There’s certainly a place to spend the additional money. We always like to add inventory and it would be great if we could offer employees better benefits. Currently, we cannot afford to provide health insurance, the cost of which is going up dramatically. I’m 49 years old and my health insurance alone went up 35 percent this past year and it has a high deductible.”
Again, the year is shaping up good for Strobel’s Rental, but good could always be better. A little help from the new administration just might help the local economy and the two stores roll along a little faster.
