United Rentals, Inc. operates as the largest equipment rental company globally, providing a wide array of rental equipment to construction companies, industrial plants, utilities, and municipalities. The company's business model centers on acquiring, maintaining, and renting out a large fleet of equipment, allowing customers to avoid the capital costs and maintenance burdens of ownership.
United Rentals operates through two primary segments: General Rentals and Specialty Rentals. The General Rentals segment supplies mainstream construction and industrial equipment, including earthmoving machines, material handling equipment, aerial work platforms, and hand tools. The Specialty Rentals segment focuses on specific applications, offering trench safety equipment, power and HVAC systems, fluid solutions, and mobile storage units. Equipment rentals account for approximately 85% of the company's total revenues. The remaining 15% is generated from the sale of used rental equipment, new equipment sales, contractor supplies, and repair services.
Geographically, United Rentals derives the vast majority of its revenue from North America, operating an integrated network of over 1,500 branches across the United States and Canada. It also maintains a smaller presence in Europe, Australia, and New Zealand. The company's competitive position is supported by its significant scale, extensive geographic footprint, and a history of strategic acquisitions, which have continually expanded its specialty capabilities and market share in the fragmented equipment rental industry.
