Franklin Equipment Opens Fourth Ohio Location

Dec. 4, 2013

Franklin Equipment has opened a new branch in Newcomerstown, Ohio, offering equipment rental for the construction, landscaping and oil-and-gas businesses. The location is Franklin’s fourth in Ohio, adding to its branches in Columbus, Lancaster and Dublin.

“We’re excited to open this branch,” said Tony Repeta, general manager. “There has been explosive growth in the area, especially in oil and gas. We hope our equipment rentals will be helpful for all the industries that are building there.”

Franklin Equipment was founded in 2008 by four partners — Gary Gabriel, Troy Gabriel, Repeta and Tom Richardson — with a combined experience of more than 150 years in equipment rental. The Gabriel family began in the industry in 1952 when Gary Gabriel’s father founded Sam’s Rental, which expanded to five locations and became the dominant rental company in Central Ohio before Sam’s sold to NationsRent as its platform acquisition in 1997.

Franklin Equipment purchased the assets of Franklin Tractor in April 2008 and revamped the dealership’s operations, investing heavily in facility upgrades.