AEM Equipment Rentals has gone to utility equipment to get a bigger share of the short-term rental market in Monmouth County and beyond.
Operated by Alex Szoludko, AEM Equipment Rentals was founded a year ago and recently acquired five new Komatsu utility machines as the centerpiece of its growing rental fleet. Purchased through Binder Sales Representative Dominick Vecchiarelli, the machines include three compact excavators — a PC78MR-6, PC50MR-2 and PC35MR-2 — and two skid steer loaders — an SK818-5 and SK815-5.
According to Szoludko, AEM purchased the equipment to build and expand upon the strong base of landscaping clients served by its sister company, Millbrook Power Equipment Inc. Both rental operations are located under one roof at a high-profile location on Route 36 in North Middletown.
“Millbrook’s forte has been serving landscapers’ needs with a wide range of equipment, from hand-held tools, such as chain saws and weed trimmers, to riding lawn mowers,” said Szoludko, who launched Millbrook in 2000.
“As the company grew, I found more and more customers were using heavy equipment in their operations for such jobs as constructing retaining walls and block driveways. So I formed AEM to better serve our existing customer base while expanding the business into a broader market. Now my customers see I have these high-quality Komatsu machines from Binder to help with their construction and landscaping jobs.”
A One-Stop Shop
AEM and Millbrook rent equipment and tools in periods as short as a day and offer round-the-clock service, seven days a week.
“We pride ourselves on customer service and will deliver the machines wherever they need to go,” said Szoludko, who has 15 years of experience as a mechanic.
“We have excellent equipment and back it up with tremendous service. We now consider ourselves a one-stop shop for all the equipment and tools our customers need.”
To enhance the versatility of its Komatsu machines for customers, AEM has purchased a number of attachments. The compact excavators can be equipped with augers and thumbs as well as different size buckets. The skid steer loaders also can be outfitted with a variety of buckets, including multipurpose, plus augers and hydraulic breakers. The machines also have a number of comfort features. For example, the PC78 and PC50 have fully-enclosed cabs with air conditioning and radios.
Loyal Customers
One of AEM’s most loyal customers is Eddie Coffey & Sons Demolition and Excavating, a three-generation family business, located next door to AEM and Millbrook in the same building.
“I’ve used all the Komatsu machines on my jobs since AEM purchased them from Binder,” said Eddie Coffey III, president of Eddie Coffey & Sons. “They have been outstanding. I love the machines as much as my operators do. I now consider AEM as a strong resource for my equipment needs. The Komatsus are very productive and extremely easy and comfortable to run. With the AC and radio on, it’s like sitting in a Cadillac.”
Eddie followed his father Eddie Coffey Jr. into the construction industry 35 years ago as a laborer.
“I expanded the business into demolition and excavation 20 years ago and now we tackle residential and commercial projects. Much of it is on residential subdivisions where we build 10 to 20 homes at a time. I also have two other divisions — Eddie Coffey & Sons Home Improvement and Eddie Coffey & Sons Container Service.” The companies serve Monmouth, Ocean and Middlesex counties.
Now, the next generation of Eddie’s family is involved with the businesses. They include Eddie Coffey IV, Michael Coffey, Blake Coffey, Samantha Coffey and Christopher Coffey.
“My youngest son Christopher is 10 and has been on a machine since he was two years old,” added Eddie. “You can already tell he is following in dad’s footsteps.”
Having satisfied and growing customers such as Eddie Coffey & Sons drives Szoludko.
“I like watching customers grow and being a part of their success,” he said. “AEM and Millbrook are both in business to help our customers succeed.”
“We have formed a great partnership with AEM and a relationship that is a win-win situation for AEM and Binder,” said Dominick Vecchiarelli of Binder. “It’s great exposure for Binder to have AEM offer brand-new Komatsu equipment and successfully rent the exceptional products we have sold them. We know many customers in Monmouth County will benefit by renting Komatsu equipment from them as daily or weekly rentals.”
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