Herc and Volvo agree multi-year supply agreement

L to R: Agako Nouch, Kent Somerville, Trayson Mathias and Scott Young of Volvo CE with Aaron Birnbaum, Will Bailie, Mark Humprey, Rob Valerio and Matt Gavin of Herc Rentals in Bonita Springs, Fla., in front of a recently delivered EC37 compact excavator.

Volvo Construction Equipment and Herc Rentals have signed a multi-year agreement that will see the rental company take delivery of hundreds of compact excavators.

The deal will see Herc add an unspecified number of 3.7 tonne Volvo EC37 compact machines to its fleet across its 439 branches in the US and Canada. 

The final units of the first phase of Herc Rental’s order were recently delivered, and hundreds more are planned for delivery to their branches across the US and Canada in 2025.

It follows a period in which the companies collaborated to “develop the model in a way that would best serve rental customers.”

Volvo first requested feedback from Herc technicians, salespeople and other staff when it was showcased at the Herc Rentals ProExpo in early 2024.

Following on from that, Volvo implemented several updates that are said to be beneficial to the rental customer, including making it easier to change attachments on the machine. 

In terms of user experience, Volvo said it prioritised the experience of the operator with the addition of a large cab, more ergonomic features and factory-installed telematics that offer “comprehensive real-time machine management.”

For safety, Volvo said it offers increased operator comfort, more stability and easier maintenance than its previous model, while it also offers 10% better fuel efficiency.

Other features of the machine, which is powered by a Volvo D1.7A engine, includes customisable hydraulics flow settings and work modes.

Kent Somerville, head of National Rental Accounts at Volvo CE, said, “The 3 to 4 tonne range makes up more than a quarter of the compact excavator market in North America. It’s a competitive market, but the versatility and comfort of the EC37 definitely make it stand out.”

Matt Gavin, VP product support and fleet operations, Herc Rentals, said, “Collaborating with Volvo on the EC37 allowed us to incorporate essential features that significantly impact our customers’ success.

“Our partnership with Volvo is invaluable — they resonate with our core values and prioritize what truly matters to us, demonstrating their commitment to creating an exceptional customer experience.”

Scott Young, head of region North America Volvo CE, added, “We’re proud to have such a strong relationship with Herc Rentals, one of the largest machine buyers in the world.

“Compact equipment has become a big focus area for us, and this partnership exemplifies our dedication to providing the best solutions possible.”