The merger of south-eastern construction and materials handling equipment rental business Synergy Equipment with Texas-based Opifex Enterprises has created the ninth-largest general equipment rental company in the United States.

The combined entity will continue to operate under its two existing brands across a combined 25 branches in Texas, Florida, Georgia and Alabama.

A five-person management committee, led by Synergy chief executive officer JC Mas, will merge the leadership of both businesses, including Opifex chief executive officer Jay Vaughn, to manage the new entity.

“We have been very impressed with the rapid growth, high asset utilisation and strong profitability that Opifex has produced over the last several years,” Mas says. “We look forward to working with Jay and his team to expand Opifex's footprint throughout the 'Texas Triangle' and beyond.”

Vaughn adds: "JC Mas has been a leader in the equipment rental industry for decades and I look forward to working with him and the experienced Synergy team to build the next great equipment rental platform”.

“With our combined resources, we will be optimally positioned to support the needs of our current and future customers as an independent rental company with national scale,” Vaughn continues.

The merged entity has received incremental equity capital from JC Mas and private equity firm, Vance Investment Management.

Established in 2012, Synergy Equipment boasts more than 7,500 pieces of equipment at its 24 branches. 

Opifex, meanwhile, claims to own “thousands of pieces of brand new construction equipment” augmented by “a robust fleet of mechanics, trucks, and support staff”. It also acts as a dealer for some of the premier brands in the aerial lift market.