PARIS — France's largest equipment rental company Loxam last month acquired France's third-largest rental company Laho Equipment from Barclays Private Equity. Laho has 119 branches and annual rental volume of EUR 124 million (about U.S. $165 million).
Loxam, which operates in nine European countries, had 2006 revenue of about EUR 540 million (about U.S. $720 million).
Laho grew its network by 25 branches under Barclays' ownership.
The combined companies will give Loxam almost 19-percent market share in France, company officials said.
The acquisition is subject to approval from market-competition authorities.
