Project Announcement | RPI Rentals to Build $9.6 Million Headquarters in Birmingham
The Birmingham Business Alliance (BBA) is proud to announce the relocation and expansion of RPI Rentals, a leading provider of construction equipment, materials and supply solutions, to a new headquarters facility in the City of Birmingham. The project represents a significant $9.6 million capital investment into the region’s construction and industrial services landscape and will bring 17 jobs to the city of Birmingham with management, sales, technical and administrative roles.
Located on a 24-acre site at 1802 John Rogers Drive, the new office and warehouse facility will span approximately 32,500 sq. ft., allowing RPI to expand its service department, inventory and equipment capacity. The company outgrew its current 17,000-sq.-ft. facility located on 6 acres in unincorporated Jefferson County in Bessemer. The new location, situated near Crestwood Boulevard and Norfolk Southern’s Norris Yard, will offer improved access to all three major interstates surrounding metro Birmingham and support the company’s continued growth across East Alabama and into Georgia.
“Relocating our headquarters to Birmingham is an exciting milestone for RPI,” said Cary Thomas, RPI Rentals Vice President. “This move not only positions us closer to the heart of our customer base, but also gives us the space and resources to support our continued growth and future expansion. We’ve outgrown our existing facility, and this new location will allow us to scale our operations and create new opportunities for hiring and innovation. The Birmingham Business Alliance’s support was instrumental in helping us secure the property and kickstart the construction process, and we’re looking forward to becoming an even more active part of the Birmingham business community.”
The company closed on the property in June 2025 with a land purchase of $2.25 million and will invest $7.25 million in new construction and $100,000 in personal property and equipment, bringing the total capital investment to $9.6 million. Construction is expected to be complete by June 2026. The economic impact of this project over the next 20 years totals $2.5 million for the community.
Delivering economic development services for the region and serving as the regional chamber of commerce for economic prosperity, the BBA was the lead facilitator on the project, guiding RPI Rentals through the abatement and incentive process with the Birmingham Industrial Development Board, and facilitating meetings with the Birmingham Construction Industry Authority, City of Birmingham and Jefferson County.
“At the heart of Birmingham’s story is that we are a community of builders,” said BBA President & CEO Steve Ammons. “From the founding of the city, Birmingham has been home to bold entrepreneurs with ambitious plans to build and grow their companies. RPI is an embodiment of this community value – their investment in Birmingham strengthens the construction and industrial backbone of our economy, brings high-quality jobs to our residents, and reinforces Birmingham’s role as a destination for business expansion.”
“We're excited to welcome RPI Rentals’ Headquarters to the City of Birmingham,” said Coreata’ R. Houser, Interim Director of Innovation and Economic Opportunity for the City of Birmingham. “This new facility not only continues to diversify our local economy but promises a ripple effect of new jobs and continued growth in strengthening our community's long-term prosperity.”
Jefferson County Commission Economic Development Advisor Jefferson Traywick added, “Jefferson County recognizes RPI Rentals’ tremendous growth and commends them on choosing the county for their new $7.4 million facility. This investment will have a positive impact on the tax base and the families employed by this great company. We are excited about their growth and can’t wait to see where the future takes this home-grown company.”
RPI Rentals offers an expansive catalog of equipment and materials to meet the needs of the construction industry. Offerings include tower cranes and manned material hoists, material handling equipment, climate control systems, jobsite storage solutions, earth-moving equipment such as track loaders and excavators, concrete tools, elevated access equipment, safety and PPE gear, and more. The company also sells a wide range of construction tools, supplies, apparel, office equipment, and consumables under nationwide agreements that allow for competitive pricing on premium, top-tier products.
The RPI project adds to the BBA’s growing portfolio of strategic wins across the seven-county region. In 2024, BBA helped land 17 successful projects resulting in 1,001 new jobs and $490 million in capital investment. Since its inception in 2009, BBA has supported more than 700 economic development projects that together represent approximately 34,000 new jobs and more than $9.2 billion in capital investment.
For more information about RPI Rentals, visit https://rpirents.com. To reach RPI Rentals or BBA leadership, please contact Audrey Pannell at apannell@birminghambusinessalliance.com or 205.837.3140.