Our family’s journey in the equipment industry is one built on tradition, innovation, and a steadfast commitment to our customers. It all began in 1929, when Walter Krueger founded Krueger Machinery Co. in Saginaw, Michigan. From the start, Walter believed in delivering dependable equipment that could help builders, contractors, and communities bring their projects to life.
In the early 1970s, Walter’s son, Tom Krueger, carried that vision forward by opening one of the first stand-alone rental stores under the Associated Equipment Dealers (AED) umbrella. This bold step reshaped the way customers accessed construction equipment, providing them with flexible rental options without requiring a full purchase—an approach that was innovative for its time and incredibly valuable to growing businesses.
Tom’s entrepreneurial spirit continued in 1982, when he opened the very first Rentalex store in Tampa, Florida. The store quickly became a trusted partner for local contractors, offering both reliable equipment and personalized service. Over the years, that single store grew into a family network of three Florida locations—Tampa, Hudson, and our newest in Land O’Lakes—now proudly operated by Tom’s sons, Bob and Tim Krueger. The family legacy expanded further in 2001, when Tom’s brother, Jeff Krueger, opened a Rentalex store in Kalamazoo, Michigan.
