Sunbelt Rentals has acquired Mahaffey USA, a provider of temporary fabric structures for businesses, including temporary warehouses, aviation hangars, fire stations, blast-resistant structures, base camps for the military, storage, production spaces for manufacturers and more. Customers include FedEx, Fluor, the U.S. Army, BP, Exxon, Ford, Toyota, Nissan and Pfizer.
Terms of the deal were not released.
“We are excited about this partnership that signals a big, bright future for Mahaffey USA,” said William Pretsch, chairman of the board for the family-owned company. “The large structures we’re famous for are the perfect complement to the broad lineup of products and specialty services Sunbelt Rentals provides. Selecting the right buyer was an important part of the process for our family business. We have worked closely with Sunbelt over the years, and their reputation for doing what they say they are going to do went a long way in helping us make our decision.”
Because the business is unlike anything else at Sunbelt, Mahaffey USA will retain its leadership team and Memphis, Tenn., support center. George Smith, president of Mahaffey USA, will remain with the company to ensure a smooth transition. “This is a proud day for the employees of Mahaffey,” said Smith. “Together we have built a business that attracted the attention of the country’s leading equipment rental company. Our associates at every level have contributed to this phenomenal success, and I am excited for them. This is a tremendous opportunity for our people and our company to continue the incredible growth we have experienced over the last decade.”
While Mahaffey USA is commercial- and industrial-focused, the consumer party- and event-focused Mahaffey Event and Tent Rentals LLC is not part of the transaction and will remain a stand-alone business serving the special events market in Memphis and the Mid-South.
Mahaffey USA was founded in 1924 by brothers Owen, Gene and Earl Mahaffey, making tarpaulins, awning and sacks. In 1929, a customer asked them to make a tent. When the customer failed to pick it up, and when they received a request from the Tri-State Fair, it entered the tent rental business. It eventually evolved to making hospital ward tents for the U.S. Army during World War 2. Now Mahaffey serves customers throughout North America, Mexico, the Caribbean and beyond, installing more than 400 fabric structures in a typical year. It now has 18 construction crews and can install up to 10,000 square feet a day.
Sunbelt Rentals, Fort Mill, S.C., is No. 2 on the RER 100.
