Volvo Rents expanded its operations into Iowa when it bought Aerial Platform Experts, a single-location construction equipment rental company in Davenport.
The move comes as U.S. builders' spending on construction projects increases for a second consecutive month. The latest Commerce Department data measured a 0.3% rise in construction spending in April, matching a March gain, thanks largely to increasing home construction and commercial projects.
It also comes on the heels of a new study by the Associated General Contractors of America that ranks Iowa No. 4 in percentage growth of construction jobs for the 12 months ending in February.
“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.”
In addition to Volvo Rents’ expanding line of Volvo compact equipment – such as backhoe and skid steer loaders, compact wheel loaders, compact excavators and compaction equipment – the rental centers carry a comprehensive line of essential equipment and tools for the construction, commercial, industrial and homeowner markets. The focus is on daily, weekly and monthly rentals.
“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 active with the operations of the store as manager. All 14 of Aerial’s employees will remain employed by Volvo Rents.