Los Angeles-based Classic Party Rentals solidified its market dominance last week with its announcement that it has acquired major party rental companies in Chicago and New York. Classic acquired McCook, Ill.-based Chicago Party Rental, ranked fifth on the Special Events Magazine "30 Top Event Rental Companies" list, and New York-based TriServe Party Rentals, ranked 20th. Together, Chicago Party Rental and TriServe generate about $38 million in sales annually, according to estimates from Special Events. Terms of the deals were not disclosed.
Chicago Party Rental got its start in 1967, when Ben Shipper II and wife Bea opened A-Z Rental--offering tools and party items for homeowners--in Countryside, Ill. Son Ben Shipper III joined the business in the early '70s, and grandson Ben Shipper IV served most recently as president and chief operating officer.
“As the leading company in one of the top markets in the country, Chicago Party Rental has developed into a fantastic business,” John Campanelli, CEO of Classic Party Rentals, said in a statement. “We share their dedication to clients and employees, core values and approach to the business. By strategically adding the experienced Chicago Party Rental team to the Classic family, we gain a strong hub to branch out from in the Midwest, and we can now better serve our Chicago-based clients, national accounts with local operations, and large national events. ”
Classic will continue to operate the business at the company’s existing locations and will re-brand the company as Classic Party Rentals. Ben Shipper IV will continue with the company as general manager, with current vice president Gary Braun leading the national events business.
TriServe was born in 2001, when veteran rental company Service Party Rentals joined forces with Tri State Party Rentals.
“We are excited to be part of the nation’s leading party rental company,” said Lance York, co-owner of TriServe. “New York clients are always looking for new and exciting products, and now we have the resources to go get them.”
Classic will continue to operate the business at the company’s existing showroom and warehouse, located in Manhattan’s Garment District and the Bronx, respectively. The locations will be re-branded as Classic Party Rentals. York will serve as general manager and executive John Dawson will continue with the company as operations manager.
