History of United Rentals in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: March 25, 2026

United Rentals, Inc. is the largest equipment rental company in the world, holding a significant share of the North American market. As of 2025, it boasts the largest rental fleet, valued at over $20 billion. The company operates a vast network of over 1,600 locations across North America, Europe, Australia, and New Zealand. In North America, they have locations in 49 U.S. states, Puerto Rico, and all Canadian provinces. United Rentals generated over $6.64 billion in revenue and $1.35 billion in profit in 2017.

September 1997: United Rentals Founded

United Rentals was founded in September 1997.

October 1997: Acquisition and Consolidation Strategy

In October 1997, then-chairman and CEO Hector Salazar Jr. began the company's growth through acquisition and consolidation with six small leasing companies across North America.

December 1997: Stock Exchange Listing

In December 1997, three months after forming, United Rentals began trading on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol URI.

1997: United Rentals Founded

In 1997, United Rentals was founded by Brad Jacobs and grew primarily through acquisition, offering general, aerial, and specialty rentals, as well as new and used equipment sales, servicing, and safety training.

June 1998: Acquisition of U.S. Rentals, Inc.

In June 1998, United Rentals acquired U.S. Rentals, Inc. for approximately $1.2 billion to $1.31 billion, making it the largest equipment rental company in North America.

2002: Previous Fortune 500 Ranking

In 2002, United Rentals had previously ranked as high as 517 on the Fortune 500 before falling back down.

December 26, 2006: Sale of Highway Technology Division

On December 26, 2006, United Rentals announced the sale of their Highway Technology division to HTS Acquisition, Inc.

July 23, 2007: Agreement to Sell to Cerberus Capital Management

On July 23, 2007, United Rentals announced a definitive agreement to sell itself to Cerberus Capital Management for approximately $6.6 billion, including the assumption of approximately $2.6 billion in debt obligations.

November 15, 2007: Cerberus Not Proceeding with Purchase

On November 15, 2007, United Rentals announced that Cerberus Capital Management was not prepared to proceed with the purchase on the original terms.

December 21, 2007: Court Ruling on Takeover Bid

On December 21, 2007, a Delaware Chancery Court ruling denied United Rentals' attempt to force Cerberus to follow through on the takeover bid but ordered Cerberus to pay the $100 million termination fee.

December 16, 2011: Merger Agreement with RSC Holdings, Inc.

On December 16, 2011, United Rentals and RSC Holdings, Inc. announced they had entered into a definitive merger agreement for United Rentals to acquire RSC in a cash-and-stock transaction.

April 30, 2012: Finalization of RSC Holdings Merger

On April 30, 2012, the merger between United Rentals and RSC Holdings, Inc. was finalized, making it the largest merger in rental equipment history and boosting URI to a 13 percent market share.

2013: Headquarters Relocation

In 2013, United Rentals moved its headquarters from Greenwich, Connecticut, to Stamford, Connecticut.

2013: Revenue

In 2013, United Rentals' revenues were $4.955 billion.

March 9, 2014: Acquisition Announcement of National Pump

On March 9, 2014, United Rentals announced plans to acquire National Pump for $780 million.

March 31, 2014: National Pump Acquisition Finalized

On March 31, 2014, United Rentals finalized its acquisition of National Pump, becoming the second-largest pump rental company in North America.

June 2014: Fortune 500 Listing

In June 2014, United Rentals was first listed on the Fortune 500, ranking exactly 500th based on its 2013 revenues of $4.955 billion.

September 19, 2014: Addition to S&P 500 Index

On September 19, 2014, United Rentals was added to the S&P 500 Index.

January 25, 2017: Purchase Announcement of NES Rentals

On January 25, 2017, United Rentals announced the purchase of NES Rentals for approximately $965 million.

April 3, 2017: Acquisition of NES Rentals Completed

On April 3, 2017, United Rentals completed the acquisition of NES Rentals.

August 22, 2017: Acquisition of Power Generation Assets from Cummins Inc.

On August 22, 2017, United Rentals announced it had acquired all power generation assets, primarily mobile generator sets, from Cummins Inc.

October 2, 2017: Acquisition of Neff Corporation

On October 2, 2017, United Rentals announced it had completed the acquisition of Neff Corporation for approximately $1.3 billion, acquiring approximately $867 million in equipment and 69 rental facility locations.

October 4, 2017: Acquisition of Superior Speedie Portable Services

On October 4, 2017, United Rentals announced it had acquired the assets of Superior Speedie Portable Services, Inc. and Superior Logistics Services, Inc., including over 8,000 portable toilets and over 130 restroom trailers, forming the new United Rentals Reliable Onsite Services division.

2017: Revenue and Profit

In 2017, United Rentals' revenue totaled more than $6.64 billion, with over $1.35 billion in profit.

March 1, 2018: Acquisition of Industrial Rental Services Assets

On March 1, 2018, United Rentals acquired certain assets of Industrial Rental Services, LLC, expanding its Tool Solutions specialty division to include two-way radio communications and industrial blind services.

July 2, 2018: Agreement to Purchase BakerCorp International

On July 2, 2018, United Rentals announced it had agreed to purchase BakerCorp International for about $715 million in cash, enhancing its Pump Solutions division. Following the transaction, United Rentals changed the name of its Pump Solutions division to United Rentals Fluid Solutions.

September 11, 2018: Agreement to Acquire BlueLine Rental

On September 11, 2018, United Rentals announced an agreement to add BlueLine Rental to its acquisitions, purchasing BlueLine from Platinum Equity for about $2.1 billion in cash.

2019: Leadership and Stock Performance

Since 2019, United Rentals has been led by Matthew Flannery (President & CEO), Michael Durand (Executive Vice President & COO), and Ted Grace (Executive Vice President & CFO). In 2019, United Rentals was announced the 6th best stock of the 2010s, with a total return of 1,559%.

2021: Acquisition of General Finance Corporation

In 2021, United Rentals acquired General Finance Corporation, a provider of mobile storage and office containers, mobile offices and modular building solutions operating in North America, New Zealand and Australia.

December 7, 2022: Acquisition of Ahern Rentals, Inc.

On December 7, 2022, United Rentals completed the acquisition of Ahern Rentals, Inc. for approximately $2.0 billion in cash, adding 106 rental facilities and approximately 66,000 rental assets.

2022: North American Market Share

In 2022, United Rentals held approximately 16 percent of the North American equipment rental market share.

March 15, 2024: Acquisition of Yak Access, Yak Mat and New South Access & Environmental Solutions

On March 15, 2024, United Access completed the acquisition of Yak Access, Yak Mat and New South Access & Environmental Solutions from Platinum Equity for approximately $1.1 billion.

2024: United Rentals Revenue and Fortune 500 Rank

In 2024, United Rentals revenue totaled $15.35 billion and it was ranked #298 on the Fortune 500 list.

2025: Largest Rental Fleet

As of 2025, United Rentals owned the world's largest rental fleet, consisting of approximately 4,800 classes of equipment with an original equipment cost (OEC) of about $20.59 billion.

2025: Ranked Largest Rental Equipment Company

As of 2025, United Rentals was ranked as the largest rental equipment company in North America according to the Rental Equipment Register.

2025: Sponsorship of Heterosexual Awesomeness Festival

In 2025, United Rental's Power and HVAC Boise Branch sponsored the Heterosexual Awesomeness Festival, providing financial backing and supplying all power needs. The event was poorly attended and criticized for its anti-LGBTQ+ mission.