Blue Ash Equipment Rental Celebrates 50 Years of Service

Cheers to 50 years! Blue Ash Equipment Rental is celebrating its 50th anniversary this fall, and recently shared the article below detailing its five decades of service to contractors, homeowners and communities across the Greater Cincinnati area. Enjoy!

Blue Ash Equipment Rental was founded on October 1, 1976, by Steve Heil, a Cincinnati native whose entrepreneurial vision, tireless work ethic and deep roots in the region have shaped the company from its very first day.

Heil, a west side Cincinnati native and Oak Hills High School alumnus, came to the equipment rental industry through hands-on experience. While working in construction for Crest Homes, he developed an intimate familiarity with the wide range of equipment that both contractors and homeowners regularly needed — and recognized a strong, underserved market in the area. He also drew inspiration closer to home: his maternal grandfather, Carl Koch, had once owned and operated a tool rental and hobby shop in Columbus, Ohio, planting a seed that would eventually take root in Cincinnati.

When Heil opened his doors on Blue Ash Road in the fall of 1976, the surrounding area looked very different from the thriving suburb it is today. “Blue Ash was very rural when I opened, as if it were just being born,” he recalled. Neighboring businesses like Blue Ash Hardware and Hager Oil were among the familiar faces of a close-knit commercial landscape that defined Blue Ash in its early years — a community Heil was proud to join.

Built from the Ground Up

Heil spent the first two years of the business as its sole employee, operating out of a building he rented at 9008 Blue Ash Road. In 1978, he and Susan Ingram were married, and he brought on his first employee: his newly retired father-in-law, Hugh “Perry” Ingram. It was the beginning of what would become a defining characteristic of the business — a team built on loyalty, trust and longevity.

Susan Ingram Heil, who worked alongside her husband in those early years as an administrative assistant, witnessed firsthand the discipline and drive that would carry the business through five decades. “Steve’s always been very driven to succeed and make the business the best it can be,” she said. “He has a strong work ethic, built a great team, and takes pride in providing good service. He persevered through lean times, and he continually reinvested the money he made into new tools and technologies.” The Heils regularly attended equipment rental trade shows to research the latest tools, purchasing new inventory on credit and paying it off before the next acquisition — a steady, deliberate approach to growth that defined the company’s trajectory.

Five Decades of Strategic Growth

That growth is a source of immense pride for Heil. What began in a single rented building has grown into an expansive, purpose-built facility. In 1980, Heil purchased a building at 8976 Blue Ash Road and relocated the tool rental operation there. Additions and adjacent property acquisitions followed throughout the 1980s and early 1990s, as Heil methodically expanded the business’s footprint — purchasing neighboring residential and commercial properties and leasing them while planning for the future. In 1996, the current facility at 8970 Blue Ash Road was constructed and it remains the home of Blue Ash Equipment Rental today.

As the business and its customer base grew, so did the scale of equipment Heil offered. Over the years, Blue Ash Equipment Rental expanded beyond hand tools and light equipment to include larger machinery, most notably long-standing partnerships with Bobcat Enterprises and Vermeer Heartland that have become hallmarks of the company’s inventory. Bernie Gierach, an account manager with Bobcat Enterprises who has known Heil for nearly 40 years, has watched that evolution firsthand. “Steve is a straight shooter, and we’ve always had a healthy, loyal business relationship,” said Gierach. “I’ve really enjoyed seeing him grow his business with Bobcat equipment over the years.” The two have shared more than just business dealings — fond memories of the Greater Cincinnati Tool Rental Association’s annual holiday party and Bobcat’s annual clay shooting event are part of a friendship that has outlasted decades of industry change.

That loyalty to trusted equipment partners has been central to how Heil has grown the business. Rich Farrens, CEO of Vermeer Heartland, has witnessed that commitment firsthand. “Steve Heil has been the backbone of his company and a loyal user of Vermeer equipment throughout most of his career,” said Farrens. “We are proud and thankful for being part of the Blue Ash Equipment Rental team and wish Steve and everyone there the very best on this 50th anniversary and for the future of the business.”

A Team Built to Last

Over the course of 50 years, Blue Ash Equipment Rental has employed over 75 people — and some of its most beloved team members have stayed for a quarter century or more. Three longtime employees, Reed Bartlett, Ed Hamilton and John Harris, each devoted roughly 25 or more years to the business before retiring, and their stories speak to the culture Steve Heil built.

Ed Hamilton, a Blue Ash native with a mechanical engineering degree, joined the team in 1989 while simultaneously serving as a full-time firefighter at the Blue Ash Fire Department. Working a demanding 48-hours-on, 24-hours-off schedule at the firehouse, he spent his off days working as a mechanic at the equipment rental. With Heil’s full support, Hamilton had the freedom to leave if the fire station needed extra manpower. Hamilton retired from Blue Ash Equipment Rental in 2018, after 29 years. “I came to the job with some knowledge, but I learned how to fix equipment and troubleshoot it by working directly with the equipment manufacturers,” he said. “I really enjoyed working with the equipment, learning from it and educating customers.”

John Harris — known affectionately throughout the tool rental community as “Big John” — is a lifelong Blue Ash resident who joined the team in 1994, just 30 days after retiring from a career as a deputy sheriff. It was his brother-in-law, Ed Hamilton, who introduced him to Heil. Harris started in a part-time, entry-level role and grew into the position of full-time office manager. “I was very fortunate that Steve gave me a chance and entrusted me with that role,” said Harris, who retired after 28 years. “He treated me very well.” Harris also spoke to Heil’s character in a moment that mattered most — when his late wife, Pat, fell ill and was hospitalized, Heil gave him the space and support to be present for his family without the burden of worry about his job.

Reed Bartlett, a 36-year Blue Ash resident, retired after 25 years with the company. “I enjoyed working there and had the greatest group of coworkers during my time,” he said — a sentiment that echoes across the many long tenures that have defined this team.

The spirit of that team lives on today. Gary Miller, a current employee who spent 35 years in the towing industry before joining Blue Ash Equipment Rental three years ago, came to the job the same way many customers have come to the business — through years of renting equipment from Heil. What started as a part-time role quickly became full-time, and Miller now handles equipment maintenance and deliveries. “Steve is a very nice boss who has helped me out a lot,” said Miller. “I really enjoy working with him and the rest of the team.”

James Waycaster brings more than 30 years of equipment rental industry experience to the team. Originally from Asheville, North Carolina, Waycaster relocated to Ohio and joined Blue Ash Equipment Rental a year and a half ago, splitting his time between repairing equipment in the warehouse and working the front of house. “Steve is a great guy to work for and I’m really happy with my job,” said Waycaster. “He works hard and deserves to be in business for 50 years.”

Greg Hodapp’s background made him a natural fit when Heil personally invited him to join the team five years ago. A retired national accounts manager for Stanley Black & Decker Hydraulic Tools, Hodapp came to Blue Ash Equipment Rental with deep experience in the rental industry and now supports rental sales. “Steve is a great guy to work for because he’s fair and extremely family-oriented,” said Hodapp. “He gives us the flexibility to be there for our families when it matters.” At the heart of it, he says, is the fellowship — with teammates, contractors, and homeowners who walk through the door. It is the same quality that has drawn so many others to careers at Blue Ash Equipment Rental.

A Family Legacy

From the beginning, Heil’s approach to the business was inseparable from his identity as a husband and father. Known for his curiosity, sense of humor and genuine respect for nature, he worked six days a week while making it a point to be home for dinner with his family every evening — a discipline that his family remembers with deep admiration.

Heil and Susan are the parents of two children, Dr. Jason Heil and Amanda Heil Hodapp, who arrived within five years of the company’s founding. Dr. Heil has fond memories of visiting his father and grandfather at work during the 1980s, and in the summer of 1998, while on break from college, he worked as an equipment manager — cleaning and servicing tools, and loading trailers. “I developed a greater appreciation for the full scope of my father’s operations and particularly enjoyed the camaraderie and expertise of the employees,” said Dr. Heil. “Our entire family is grateful for this business that not only provided for our family but made it possible for our father to be an engaged parent.”

The legacy continues into a third generation. These days, Heil can often be found spending time with his grandchildren, John Hodapp IV and Valerie Hodapp. Much like his uncle before him, John can be found working alongside his grandfather during school breaks. Heil also sponsors his grandson’s karting each season, with the Blue Ash Equipment Rental logo proudly displayed on the race kart. One project stands out above the rest: removing the motor from a plate compactor and replacing it with a new one that they later rebuilt together. “I love working here because of the atmosphere,” said John. “Everyone helps you if you get stuck, and you have all the tools to do anything you need to do.” It is a sentiment that would not sound out of place coming from any of the employees who have called Blue Ash Equipment Rental home over the past 50 years — and perhaps the clearest sign yet that the spirit Steve Heil built here is destined to endure.

Woven Into the Community

Blue Ash Equipment Rental has long been more than a place to rent tools — it has been a neighbor and a partner to the communities it serves. The business has proudly supported Rossmoyne’s St. Saviour Festival and Paint the Town for many years, and its reputation for reliability and service has earned it the loyalty of customers across generations.

Gregg Pancero, owner of Trio Bistro and a fellow Oak Hills High School classmate of Heil’s, offered his congratulations on the milestone. “Blue Ash Equipment Rental has always taken care of us,” he said.

The milestone has drawn warm recognition from Blue Ash’s elected leadership. “This is an incredible milestone, and it speaks to the dedication, hard work, and commitment that makes Blue Ash Equipment Rental such a valued part of our community,” said Blue Ash Mayor Jill Cole. “The five decades of contributions to our local economy, through lasting relationships with residents and businesses, are immeasurable. On behalf of the City of Blue Ash and Council, we are proud to celebrate this achievement and look forward to seeing all the company accomplishes in the years ahead.”

Chris McKeown, president and owner of Denny McKeown’s Bloomin’ Garden Centre, has been a customer for 34 of the business’s 50 years — a relationship that spans two generations. “Being in the garden and landscape business, there are many times we need a specialty tool to complete a job,” said McKeown. “Steve always has what we need and never lets us down. They never rented us a tool without being certain it was just what we needed, and most importantly, they provided all the information we needed to use it properly. There have been many challenging jobs made easier thanks to the great tools and advice from him and everyone at Blue Ash Equipment Rental.” McKeown noted that both he and his father have counted Heil as a trusted friend throughout those decades — a reflection of the personal relationships that have always set the business apart.

Looking Ahead

As Blue Ash Equipment Rental marks its golden anniversary, Steve Heil reflects on what has made 50 years possible: a willingness to reinvest, a team that stayed and a community that showed up — year after year, project after project.

This article was provided by Blue Ash Equipment Rental. Click here for more info.