Subhi Khudairi

Hertz Equipment Rental Corporation (HERC) has entered into a franchise agreement with the Khudairi Group for the exclusive licence to provide rental equipment in Iraq.

This move will significantly add to HERC's existing network in the Middle East, with HERC Iraq offering one of the largest light-to-medium equipment fleets in the country, serving oil and gas, construction, industrial, and government customers through a branch network that will include locations in Erbil, Baghdad, Basra and Sulaimani.

"This agreement reflects our long-term global business strategy to license franchises, establish joint ventures and, where appropriate, open company-owned branches in emerging and growth markets where the equipment-rental model is poised for continuing expansion," says Larry H. Silber, president and chief executive officer of HERC.

"HERC Iraq is well positioned to support the country's ongoing development, with oil-related and industrial projects, commercial construction and infrastructure work underpinning Iraq's revitalisation," says Jay Early, HERC international vice president.

According to Subhi Khudairi, president of the Khudairi Group, the franchisee has vast experience and expertise across the oilfield, construction, industrial and government sectors which will "enable us to understand and meet customer requirements in these demanding markets".
Khudairi Group is a leading provider of solutions to the oil and gas, construction and manufacturing industries in Iraq.

The expansion follows the June opening of the first Hertz Equipment Rental operation in Doha.

That development was part of a joint venture agreement between HERC, Dayim Holdings and Phoenix Project Development WLL of the Al-Attiyah Motors & Trading Group, building on the success of the Dayim Holdings and HERC partnership in Saudi Arabia (FLA #724).