The power of community

June 29, 2009 – United Rentals announced that it has renewed its partnership with “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” for the 2009-2010, Season 7, with the recent launch of its 46th “Extreme” build this week.

The Emmy award-winning television show continues to rely on United Rentals branches for equipment, expertise and volunteers, including the donated use of more than 2,000 pieces of construction equipment.

The latest build benefited a family who opened their door on June 21 to discover that they would receive a  new home in just seven days, courtesy of ABC’s “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” and hundreds of community volunteers.

The United Rentals branch nearby organized the delivery of more than 70 pieces of equipment to the site, says Thomas Kennedy, branch manager, who has more than 10 years of experience as a safety trainer to industry groups. “Extreme Makeover has always gone onto a site saying ‘safety first,’ which is our position as well,” he says. “United Rentals is a large company but we take a very local approach to community involvement. If our expertise can help someone else, we want to share it. The excitement has been building with our employees, and we intend to support the construction crews around the clock. We’ve also heard from other United Rentals branches that want to help out any way they can.

Christopher Cox, national account manager for United Rentals in the U.S., noted that the latest build in Connecticut was followed just four days later by an Extreme home construction in Pennsylvania.

“This is no problem for our branch network. With the size of our footprint, we’re able to coordinate with multiple branches to provide equipment and support services on very short notice, just as we would for any large customer.

Commenting on renewing the partnership, Michel Kneeland, chief executive officer of United Rentals, says, “We are proud and honored to be the equipment supplier of choice to Extreme Makeover, and to support an exciting concept that has benefitted so many deserving families. These construction projects are incredible examples of the power of community involvement.”

www.unitedrentals.com