Ashtead Group plc · London United Kingdom ·(London: AHT)

Equipment rental has stood the Ashtead Group in good stead. Ashtead's largest operating subsidiaries, A-Plant (in the UK) and Sunbelt Rentals (in the US), rent industrial equipment to clients such as government agencies, construction firms, broadcasters, and railroads. Sunbelt, which represents about 75% of Ashtead's sales, operates about 430 branches in 35 states in the US. A-Plant has nearly 200 locations across the UK. Ashtead hires out everything from air compressors, pumps, and welders to aerial work platforms, road compactors, and generators. The company sold its Ashtead Technology unit, which rents electronic underwater survey and inspection and other equipment, to management of that unit in 2008. To read the full description, subscribe now.