Compact Power partners with utilities protection scheme

Compact Power Equipment Center (CPEC), which runs compact equipment rental businesses in Home Depot locations, is attaching ‘811' ground utility reminder stickers to more than 4000 items of rental equipment.

The 811 telephone number was established in 2007 by the Common Ground Alliance (CGA) to allow contractors to check that there are no underground utilities in areas where they are planning to dig. The CGA estimates that one underground utility is damaged by digging every three minutes in the US.

CPEC is attaching 811 stickers to machines at the more than 400 rental locations sites at Home depot stores.

"At Compact Power Equipment Centers, we value safety above all else," said Chuck Beats, CPEC's safety and product manager. "We feel that partnering with 811 in support of the national CGA initiative is a perfect way to promote our job safety and damage prevention message."

From a start of seven locations in 2009, Compact Power Equipment Centers are now in 405 Home Depot Tool Rental Centers, growing by 100 locations in the first four months of 2012 alone.

The company is planning to have as many as 1000 stores within three years. Each location typically has between eight and 12 models, including Boxer mini skid steers, Terex compact tracked loaders, Kubota or Allmand backhoes and Kubota, Terex or IHI mini excavators.