Pennsylvania Rental Company Stephenson Equipment Acquires Walsh Equipment
Stephenson Equipment Inc., a Harrisburg, Pa.-based rental specialist serving the crane, heavy lifting, construction, paving, road building, road repair and maintenance markets in Pennsylvania and New York has acquired Walsh Equipment, an 85-year-old company. Walsh is based in Butler, Pa., with a branch location in Ebensburg, Pa. The partnership extends Stephenson’s operations to six locations in Pennsylvania along with two in New York, employing about 185 employees. Walsh will operate as a division of Stephenson Equipment, serving customers out of the two Walsh locations.
Stephenson, founded in 1957, is celebrating 60 years in business this year.
“Charlie Walsh was named SEI vice president of Walsh operations and will continue to lead his team of managers and employees,” said Dennis Heller, president and CEO of Stephenson Equipment. “This is a perfect venture for Stephenson; both Stephenson and Walsh share many business philosophies and principles, as well we both represent brands like JCB, LeeBoy, Rosco and Tiger. This merger puts Stephenson among the largest distributors in the United States for these manufacturers.”
All 40 Walsh employees will continue to work for the combined SEI company. Charlie Walsh, the third generation of his family to work in the business expressed appreciation to Mike Walsh who will retire from the business after 40+ years of ownership and leadership. “Mike (Walsh), myself and many of our employees have worked with SEI over the years, we know that SEI is truly one of the best dealerships in the industry, they share the same core commitments as we do, providing the best products, parts and service to our customers," said Charlie Walsh.
“Earlier this year we were approached by the Walshes with this opportunity to acquire the company,” said Bob Criste, chief operating officer, Stephenson Equipment. “SEI and Walsh combined is clearly a powerhouse, together we have an outstanding 145 years of Pennsylvania based dealership experience between us.”
“In the construction, road building and road maintenance industry, we as suppliers need to be able to grow and adapt to changes in the way this industry operates,” added Heller. “We believe this merger allows us to better serve our customers’ needs.”
“It is our plan to now offer rentals to the customers we serve, merging with SEI who already expertly provides rentals to customers is very knowledgeable on how to set up and operate rentals in our very niche product market,” said Charlie Walsh, now vice president of Walsh operations for Stephenson. “This will help us quickly adapt and offer this valuable service to customers in our region.”
Heller summed the deal by saying “With the merging of SEI and Walsh we will continue to build on the legacy and foundation that has brought us to this point. We will remain true to our values, our commitment to our customers and our employees.”
Stephenson’s represents brands such as JCB, LeeBoy, Rosco, Bomag, Tiger, Diamond, Manitowoc, Grove, National Crane, Jekko Minicranes, Manitex, Rogers Trailers, Felling Trailers and others.
About the Author
Michael Roth
Editor
Michael Roth has covered the equipment rental industry full time for RER since 1989 and has served as the magazine’s editor in chief since 1994. He has nearly 30 years experience as a professional journalist. Roth has visited hundreds of rental centers and industry manufacturers, written hundreds of feature stories for RER and thousands of news stories for the magazine and its electronic newsletter RER Reports. Roth has interviewed leading executives for most of the industry’s largest rental companies and manufacturers as well as hundreds of smaller independent companies. He has visited with and reported on rental companies and manufacturers in Europe, Central America and Asia as well as Mexico, Canada and the United States. Roth was co-founder of RER Reports, the industry’s first weekly newsletter, which began as a fax newsletter in 1996, and later became an online newsletter. Roth has spoken at conventions sponsored by the American Rental Association, Associated Equipment Distributors, California Rental Association and other industry events and has spoken before industry groups in several countries. He lives and works in Los Angeles when he’s not traveling to cover industry events.