The Home Depot

By CE Contributing Authors February 16, 2012 View Profile

The equation between equipment, contractor and dealer is an ever-changing formula. Over the last couple of decades, big box chains (places like Lowe’s, The Home Depot and even Wal-Mart) have infiltrated the contractor supply chain, using a more consumer-focused approach to tooling and now equipment rental.

Today, Compact Equipment Power Equipment Centers (CPECs) are located in hundreds of select locations of The Home Depot Tool Rental stores, supplying both consumers and professional contractors with iron. Two big equipment brands have announced their partnership with The Home Depot rental centers over the last two months — both Terex and Kubota.

“Our partnership with CPEC makes Kubota available to an entirely new customer base of rental users,” said Tim Bauer, Kubota national accounts manager. “During these uncertain economic times, the rental option serves customers who are hesitant to invest in equipment ownership, conserving their cash flow and lines of credit. This partnership will expose many new consumers to the quality, durability and versatility of Kubota equipment. People who have rented Kubota products are visiting their local dealers to see more of our products, and in some cases, purchasing products for their own permanent use.”

Since 2008, CPEC has provided customers with towable rental equipment for a variety of projects, which now includes Kubota’s K008-3 excavator and BX25 tractor loader-backhoe (TLB). The K008-3 and BX25 TLB are currently available in approximately 100 Home Depot locations nationwide including The Home Depot flagship store in Georgia, as well as stores in Tennessee, South Carolina, Texas, Florida and Mississippi. CPEC hopes to place Kubota equipment in each of its 280 current locations, with a 2012 expansion goal of more than 400 additional locations.

Terex also recently announced its PT-30 and PT-50 compact track loaders, TSR50 skid steer loaders and TC16 compact excavators are available for rent at certain CPEC locations.

“This is an exciting opportunity for Terex,” said John Poag, director of rental, government and remarketing at Terex Construction. “We are pleased to have the Terex brand presented to customers alongside such well-known, reputable brands as Compact Power Equipment Centers and The Home Depot.”

According to Poag, when the partnership between The Home Depot and CPEC was formed earlier this year, Terex placed equipment in 170 Home Depot locations. Top performing locations include The Home Depot flagship store in Atlanta, as well as stores in: Nashville, Tenn.; Rock Hill, S.C.; Greenville, S.C.; Fort Worth, Texas; Tampa, Fla.; Dallas; Memphis, Tenn.; and Olive Branch, Miss. Both the Memphis and Olive Branch stores are just 30 miles from the Terex Construction operations office in Southaven, Miss.

“For contractors who are trying to keep their overhead low or need some extra equipment for a big job, our goal is to provide solutions for all of their equipment needs,” said Jon Richardson, director of corporate fleets at Compact Power. “This means having the right equipment, like Terex compact track loaders, skid steers and compact excavators, available when and where contractors need it. Whether a contractor is looking for a long-term rental contract or simply requires equipment for a few hours, our centers are dedicated to providing these customers with excellent service, helpful advice and versatile, affordable equipment solutions for every rental need.”