Cooper Equipment Rentals Expands Footprint in Airdrie

Cooper Equipment Rentals' new branch in Airdrie is helping construction contractors rent what they need to get jobs done on time and on budget.

The Airdrie branch, which opened its new doors in late 2023, was purchased from the previous rental company, One Stop Rentals, in 2022. Construction plans for the new location were already in the works and aligned with Cooper Equipment Rentals’ vision. The purchase of Scotty's Rentals in Rocky View County was amalgamated into the new purpose-built rental shop.

“They had great people…[and] they had a customer list that attracted us,” said Brad Turton, branch manager of Cooper Equipment Rentals in Airdrie.

Cooper Equipment Rentals, founded in 1972 by Gordon Cooper, started as a modest operation in the Greater Toronto Area. The company saw exponential growth when Cooper’s son, Darryl, took over in 2012 and has since expanded from three stores to 78 locations across Canada.

Turton, who joined Cooper three years ago, has extensive experience in the rental industry since 2001. He’s enjoyed integrating local businesses such as One Stop Rentals into the Cooper family.

The new facility offers a broad range of equipment, including forklifts, man lifts, air compressors and compaction equipment. Additionally, the branch has a specialized heat division providing diesel fuel, propane and construction heaters.

“We moved in right at the start of our heat season,” said Turton. “As soon as winter hits, we're full speed ahead.”

A unique feature of the Airdrie branch is its trenching division, which is heavily involved in water main repairs and construction projects. This division provides essential shoring solutions to ensure the safety and efficiency of construction sites. They supplied equipment for the water main repair in Calgary in June of this year.

With a team of about 50 employees at the Airdrie branch and about 1,800 nationwide, Cooper Equipment Rentals maintains a family-oriented culture despite its large scale. Darryl Cooper, the founder’s son, continues to foster a personal connection with employees, maintaining traditions like sending personalized birthday voice recordings.

The Airdrie branch is poised to support significant local growth, particularly in the construction industry, with plans to expand its offerings to homeowners in the future.

Turton said their client companies are forecasting 20 to 30 per cent growth in builds over the next year. Cooper is hiring people and buying equipment to meet demand.

“We're gearing up for this to be a very busy time,” said Turton. “We're here to support.”

For more information, visit cooperequipment.ca.