CENTERVILLE, New Brunswick , Sept. 9, 2005 (PRIMEZONE) -- Thomas Equipment, Inc. ("Thomas") (OTCBB:TEQI) today announced that it has entered into a strategic initiative with United Rentals, Inc. (NYSE:URI) to deliver a stockpile of construction equipment near the disaster areas in the Gulf Region. Thomas is expediting the delivery of truckloads of skid steer loaders and attachments to key United Rentals rental branches in Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama so that Thomas' construction equipment is readily available once the rescue phase ends and the clean up and rebuilding phases begin.
"Given the magnitude of the devastation, a great deal of construction equipment will be needed during the clean up and reconstruction phases," said Pat Hunt, Director of Strategic Sourcing at United Rentals. "Working with Thomas, we can guarantee that top-quality construction equipment will be on-hand and ready to use where it's required."
United Rentals has 11 branches in Alabama, four in Mississippi, and eight in Louisiana. The company's regional contractor supplies distribution center in Atlanta, Georgia, will also aid in the deployment efforts.
Initially, during the clean up phase, Thomas skid steer loaders will be equipped with specialized heavy-duty tools such as grapple buckets and forks as well as hydraulic breakers to facilitate the clean up of debris left in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. During the restoration phase, Thomas skid steer loaders will be equipped with the range of Thomas' attachments necessary for specialized construction projects.
"As we have all witnessed, Hurricane Katrina was devastating in the magnitude of its destruction. Given our experience in connection with the clean up after the Tsunami disaster in Asia, Thomas is well equipped to support and deliver much needed construction equipment quickly to United Rentals," said Clifford Rhee, Thomas president and CEO. "Our prayers are with those families impacted by this tragedy."
About United Rentals:
United Rentals, Inc. is the largest equipment rental company in the world, with an integrated network of more than 730 rental locations in 48 states, 10 Canadian provinces and Mexico. The company's 13,200 employees serve construction and industrial customers, utilities, municipalities, homeowners and others. The company offers for rent over 600 different types of equipment with a total original cost of $3.9 billion. United Rentals is a member of the Standard & Poor's MidCap 400 Index and the Russell 2000 Index(r) and is headquartered in Greenwich, Conn. Additional information about United Rentals is available at unitedrentals.com.
About Thomas Equipment, Inc. ("TEQI"):
Thomas Equipment, Inc., www.thomas-equipment.com, www.thomasloaders.com, and its subsidiaries including Pneutech Inc., www.pneutech.ca, Rousseau Controls Inc., www.rousseaucontrols.com, Samsung Industry Co. Ltd., www.ss-ind.com, and Hydramen Fluid Power Limited, www.hydramen.com: Thomas is an innovative and technologically advanced global manufacturer of a full line of skid steer and mini skid steer loaders as well as attachments, mobile screening plants and six models of mini excavators. Thomas distributes its products through a worldwide network of distributors and wholesalers. In addition, Thomas' wholly owned subsidiaries manufacture specialty industrial and construction products, a complete line of potato harvesting and handling equipment, fluid power components, pneumatic and hydraulic systems, spiral wound metal gaskets, and packing material.
Safe Harbor Statement Under the Private Securities Litigation Act of 1995 -- With the exception of historical information, the matters discussed in this press release are forward-looking statements that involve a number of risks and uncertainties. The actual future results of TEQI could differ significantly from those statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially include risks and uncertainties such as the inability to finance the company's operations or expansion, inability to hire and retain qualified personnel, changes in the general economic climate, including rising interest rate and unanticipated events such as terrorist activities. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terminology such as "may," "will," "should," "expect," "plan," "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "predict," "potential" or "continue," the negative of such terms, or other comparable terminology. These statements are only predictions. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, such statements should not be regarded as a representation by the Company, or any other person, that such forward-looking statements will be achieved. We undertake no duty to update any of the forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. In light of the foregoing, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. For further risk factors see the risk factors associated with our Company, review our SEC filings.