Hertz opens rental depot in Saudi Arabia

Hertz Equipment Rental Corporation (HERC) has opened its first rental depot in the Middle East. The location is in Damman, Saudi Arabia, and it is a joint venture with local company Dayim Holdings Co.

The branch is 6 km north of Damman on the main Damman-Jubail Highway and comprises a 650 m2 workshop, 8000 m2 yard, offices and showroom. It will stock aerial platforms, telehandlers and forklifts, compressors, lighting towers and generators up to 1 MW.

Hertz, which announced the Dayim joint venture in February last year, said the location will rent and sell equipment and tools to construction and industrial markets throughout the region.

"Damman is home to one of the largest concentrations of oil, gas and petrochemical businesses in the world," said Hertz chairman and chief executive officer, Mark Frissora.

"Driven by infrastructure development and opportunities in the petro-chemical industry, the new location will allow HERC to tap into the high growth potential throughout the country while offering customers in Saudi Arabia a one stop shop for their equipment rental and fleet management needs."

Damman is the capital of Saudi Arabia's Eastern province and the depot will provide good access to the largest refinery in the province.

HERC's partner in the venture is Dayim Holdings, a company that was established in 2006 as a vehicle for investment and partnerships in Saudi Arabia. Its activities include joint ventures, investment and strategic partnerships in construction, oil and gas, security, IT and telecommunications. One of its partners is Punj Lloyd, one of India's largest engineering contractors.