Atlas Copco Acquires Aggreko's European Compressor Rental Business

Atlas Copco has acquired the European oil-free air compressor rental business of Aggreko plc, expanding the Atlas Copco Specialty Rental division. The $18 million deal includes nearly 200 compressors and dryers, which will be integrated into Atlas Copco’s existing European rental fleet.

“Aggreko’s business is a perfect fit with our Specialty Rental division, as they serve similar market segments and applications, broadening our customer base in Europe,” said Ronnie Leten, business area president, Atlas Copco Compressor Technique. “The acquisition of the European business of Aggreko plc supports the growth of Specialty Rental’s core business, renting oil-free air equipment.”

In North America, Atlas Copco's Specialty Rental Division is known as Atlas Copco Prime Energy and has branches strategically located throughout the U.S. and Canada. As part of a global network of rental outlets in more than 50 countries, Atlas Copco Prime Energy rents 100% oil-free portable air compressors and high-pressure, oil-injected units from 300-3000 CFM and up to 650 PSI.

The deal closed November 20, 2008, with the exception of operations in countries subject to anti-trust approval. The buyers of the fleet assets are various Atlas Copco companies in Europe. The seller, U.K.-based Aggreko plc, is a global leader in the rental of power generation and temperature control systems.