Sunstate finalises trenching acquisition

Sunstate Equipment has completed the asset purchase of US-based sister companies Trench Shore Rentals (TSR) and Trebor Shoring Rentals.

The deals expand Sunstate’s offering of trench rentals and training services to Southern California, Arizona, and El Paso and Texas markets, ensuring it has 19 branches across nine states in the process. 

Current TSR COO Adam Huffman will assume the role of vice president for the entire Sunstate Trench Safety Rental division.

Huffman has been with TSR since 2004, during which he has served as both COO and division president. 

Huffman said, “The talent and experience these combined teams will bring to the marketplace is truly exciting. I’ve never seen two companies more alike and aligned in their focus on safety, values, and the customer experience. We are all looking forward to the new opportunities that lay ahead.” 

Drew Carson, senior vice president of sales, Sunstate Equipment, added, “M&A is a common activity in our industry, but it’s a rare opportunity to acquire a seasoned rental company that seamlessly integrates with our existing Trench business while also creating sustainable, long-term synergies across our General Rental business.

“Adam’s leadership, TSR’s experience, plus Sunstate’s nearly five decades of general rental presence is a powerful recipe to accelerate growth and provide an even greater customer experience across both divisions.” 

Sunstate first entered the underground rental space six years ago, and has continued to grow the segment in that time. In 2020 it added Cascade Shoring LLC and Cascade Trench Safety LLC in the Pacific Northwest.

DLA Piper (for Sunstate), and Catalyst Strategic Advisors and Haynes & Boone (for TSR) acted as advisors for the transaction.