Heavy machinery rental giant expands into Bradenton

H&E Rentals, which specializes in heavy machinery like forklifts, recently opened an office in Bradenton.

The location features a fully fenced yard area, repair shop and offices. It carries aerial lifts, telescopic forklifts, compaction equipment, light towers, generators, compressors, earthmoving equipment and other items.

Founded in 1961, H&E Rentals has offices across the United States and says it is one of the largest equipment rental companies in the nation. It opened the Bradenton location at 4004 15th St. E. on June 19. It marks the 14th rental location for H&E in Florida and the sixth new branch in the Sunshine State to open in the last two years.

H&E has been undergoing a rapid expansion. In just over a year, it has opened 20 new branches across the country and acquired nine additional locations.

“The location of our new Bradenton branch gives H&E expanded coverage of south-central Florida along the Gulf,” Branch Manager Sara Paris says in a statement. 

Before, customers would have to use offices in Tampa, Fort Myers and Lakeland.

"Renting equipment is now even more convenient for customers along the coast — from just above I-275, down through Sarasota and Venice, to Englewood, and then inland to Myakka City and Arcadia," Paris says. “Our facility is near highways 301, 41 and 70 and sits between our established Tampa and Fort Myers general rental locations, so we are able to source the equipment you need from an expanded local fleet and move it directly to your job site.”

H&E Rentals had $1.47 billion in revenue in 2023, up 18.1% from 2022. Since 2020, it has been trying to increase its branch density through accelerated expansion and acquisitions. It had 137 branches at the end of 2023.