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Form 10-K

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D. C. 20549

FORM 10-K

(Mark One)

x	ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011

¨	TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from to

Commission file number: 000-51759

H&E EQUIPMENT SERVICES, INC.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)


Delaware		81-0553291
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization)		(IRS Employer Identification No.)

11100 Mead Road, Suite 200, Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70816		(225) 298-5200
(Address of Principal Executive Offices, including Zip Code)		(Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code)

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:


Title of Each Class		Name of Each Exchange on Which Registered
Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share		Nasdaq Global Market

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:

None

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes ¨ No x

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. Yes ¨ No x

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Sections 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes x No ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes x No ¨

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K (§229.405) is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of the registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. x

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act (Check one):

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act). Yes ¨ No x

The aggregate market value of the common stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant was approximately $401,102,911 (computed by reference to the closing sale price of the registrant’s common stock on the Nasdaq Global Market on June 30, 2011, the last business day of the registrant’s most recently completed second fiscal quarter).

As of February 28, 2012, there were 35,084,737 shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of the registrant outstanding.

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

Portions of the document listed below have been incorporated by reference into the indicated parts of this Form 10-K, as specified in the responses to the item numbers involved.

Part III

The registrant’s definitive proxy statement, for use in connection with the Annual Meeting of Stockholders, to be filed within 120 days after the registrant’s fiscal year ended December 31, 2011.

TABLE OF CONTENTS


PART I
Item 1.	Business	3
Item 1A.	Risk Factors	11
Item 1B.	Unresolved Staff Comments	20
Item 2.	Properties	21
Item 3.	Legal Proceedings	22
Item 4.	Mine Safety Disclosures	22

PART II
Item 5.	Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities	22
Item 6.	Selected Financial Data	24
Item 7.	Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations	27
Item 7A.	Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk	50
Item 8.	Financial Statements and Supplementary Data	50
Item 9.	Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure	85
Item 9A.	Controls and Procedures	85
Item 9B.	Other Information	88

PART III
Item 10.	Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance	88
Item 11.	Executive Compensation	88
Item 12.	Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters	88
Item 13.	Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence	88
Item 14.	Principal Accountant Fees and Services	88

PART IV
Item 15.	Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules	89
SIGNATURES		91
EXHIBIT INDEX		92

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This Annual Report on Form 10-K contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws. Statements that are not historical facts, including statements about our beliefs and expectations, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements include statements preceded by, followed by or that include the words “may,” “could,” “would,” “should,” “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “plan,” “estimate,” “target,” “project,” “intend,” “foresee” and similar expressions. These statements include, among others, statements regarding our expected business outlook, anticipated financial and operating results, our business strategy and means to implement the strategy, our objectives, the amount and timing of capital expenditures, the likelihood of our success in expanding our business, financing plans, budgets, working capital needs and sources of liquidity.

Forward-looking statements are only predictions and are not guarantees of performance. These statements are based on our management’s beliefs and assumptions, which in turn are based on currently available information. Important assumptions relating to the forward-looking statements include, among others, assumptions regarding demand for our products, the expansion of product offerings geographically or through new marketing applications, the timing and cost of planned capital expenditures, competitive conditions and general economic conditions. These assumptions could prove inaccurate. Forward-looking statements also involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement. Many of these factors are beyond our ability to control or predict. Such factors include, but are not limited to, the following:

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general economic conditions and construction and industrial activity in the markets where we operate in North America, as well as the depth and duration of the recent macroeconomic downturn and related decreases in construction and industrial activities, which may significantly affect our revenues and operating results;

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the impact of conditions in the global credit markets and their effect on construction spending and the economy in general;

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relationships with equipment suppliers;

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increased maintenance and repair costs as we age our fleet and decreases in our equipment’s residual value;

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our indebtedness;

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risks associated with the expansion of our business;

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our possible inability to integrate any businesses we acquire;

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competitive pressures;

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compliance with laws and regulations, including those relating to environmental matters and corporate governance matters; and

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other factors discussed under Item 1A—Risk Factors or elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Except as required by applicable law, including the securities laws of the United States and the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), we are under no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements after we file this Annual Report on Form 10-K, whether as a result of any new information, future events or otherwise. Investors, potential investors and other readers are urged to consider the above mentioned factors carefully in evaluating the forward-looking statements and are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, we cannot guarantee future results or performance.

PART I

Item 1. Business

The Company

We are one of the largest integrated equipment services companies in the United States focused on heavy construction and industrial equipment. We rent, sell and provide parts and service support for four core categories of specialized equipment: (1) hi-lift or aerial work platform equipment; (2) cranes; (3) earthmoving equipment; and (4) industrial lift trucks. We engage in five principal business activities in these equipment categories:

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equipment rentals;

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new equipment sales;

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used equipment sales;

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parts sales; and

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repair and maintenance services.

By providing rental, sales, parts, repair and maintenance functions under one roof, we offer our customers a one-stop solution for their equipment needs. This full-service approach provides us with (1) multiple points of customer contact; (2) cross-selling opportunities among our rental, new and used equipment sales, parts sales and

services operations; (3) an effective method to manage our rental fleet through efficient maintenance and profitable distribution of used equipment; and (4) a mix of business activities that enables us to operate effectively throughout economic cycles. We believe that the operating experience and extensive infrastructure we have developed throughout our history as an integrated services company provide us with a competitive advantage over rental-focused companies and equipment distributors. In addition, our focus on four core categories of heavy construction and industrial equipment enables us to offer specialized knowledge and support to our customers. For the year ended December 31, 2011, we generated total revenues of approximately $720.6 million. The pie charts below illustrate a breakdown of our revenues and gross profit (loss) for the year ended December 31, 2011 by business segment (see note 17 to our consolidated financial statements for further information regarding our business segments):

LOGO

We have operated, through our predecessor companies, as an integrated equipment services company for approximately 51 years and have built an extensive infrastructure that as of February 28, 2012 includes 65 full-service facilities located throughout the West Coast, Intermountain, Southwest, Gulf Coast, Southeast and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. Our management, from the corporate level down to the branch store level, has extensive industry experience. We focus our rental and sales activities on, and organize our personnel principally by, our four core equipment categories. We believe this allows us to provide specialized equipment knowledge, improve the effectiveness of our rental and sales forces and strengthen our customer relationships. In addition, we operate our day-to-day business on a branch basis, which we believe allows us to more closely service our customers, fosters management accountability at local levels and strengthens our local and regional relationships.

Products and Services

Equipment Rentals. We rent our heavy construction and industrial equipment to our customers on a daily, weekly and monthly basis. We have a well-maintained rental fleet that, at December 31, 2011, consisted of 17,538 pieces of equipment having an original acquisition cost (which we define as the cost originally paid to manufacturers or the original amount financed under operating leases) of approximately $736.6 million and an average age of approximately 43.3 months. Our rental business creates cross-selling opportunities for us in sales and service support activities.

New Equipment Sales. We sell new heavy construction and industrial equipment in all four core equipment categories, and are a leading U.S. distributor for nationally recognized suppliers including JLG Industries, Gehl, Genie Industries (Terex), Komatsu, and Doosan/Bobcat. In addition, we are the world’s largest distributor of Grove and Manitowoc crane equipment. Our new equipment sales operation is a source of new customers for our parts sales and service support activities, as well as for used equipment sales.

Used Equipment Sales. We sell used equipment primarily from our rental fleet, as well as inventoried equipment that we acquire through trade-ins from our customers and selective purchases of high-quality used equipment. For the year ended December 31, 2011, approximately 74.2% of our used equipment sales revenues were derived from sales of rental fleet equipment. Used equipment sales, like new equipment sales, generate parts and service business for us.

Parts Sales. We sell new and used parts to customers and also provide parts to our own rental fleet. We maintain an extensive in-house parts inventory in order to provide timely parts and service support to our customers as well as to our own rental fleet. In addition, our parts operations enable us to maintain a high-quality rental fleet and provide additional product support to our end users.

Service Support. We provide maintenance and repair services for our customers’ owned equipment and to our own rental fleet. In addition to repair and maintenance on an as-needed or scheduled basis, we provide ongoing preventative maintenance services and warranty repairs for our customers. We devote significant resources to training our technical service employees and over time, we have built a full-scale services infrastructure that we believe would be difficult for companies without the requisite resources and lead time to effectively replicate.

In addition to our principal business activities mentioned above, we provide ancillary equipment support activities including transportation, hauling, parts shipping and loss damage waivers.

Industry Background

Although there has been some consolidation within the industry, including the recent announcement that United Rentals had entered into an agreement to acquire Rental Services Corporation, the U.S. construction equipment distribution industry remains highly fragmented and consists mainly of a small number of multi-location regional or national operators and a large number of relatively small, independent businesses serving discrete local markets. The industry is driven by a broad range of economic factors including total U.S. non-residential construction trends, construction machinery demand, and demand for rental equipment and has been adversely affected by the recent economic downturn and the related decline in construction and industrial activities. Construction equipment is largely distributed to end users through two channels: equipment rental companies and equipment dealers. Examples of rental equipment companies include United Rentals, Rental Service Corporation, Sunbelt Rentals and Hertz Equipment Rental. Examples of equipment dealers include Finning and Toromont. Unlike many of these companies, which principally focus on one channel of distribution, we operate substantially in both channels. As an integrated equipment services company, we rent, sell and provide parts and service support. Although many of the historically pure equipment rental companies also provide parts and service support to customers, their service offerings are typically limited and may prove difficult to expand due to the infrastructure, training and resources necessary to develop the breadth of offerings and depth of specialized equipment knowledge that our service and sales staff provides.

Our Competitive Strengths

Integrated Platform of Products and Services. We believe that our operating experience and the extensive infrastructure we have developed through years of operating as an integrated equipment services company provide us with a competitive advantage over rental-focused companies and equipment distributors. Key strengths of our integrated equipment services platform include:

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Ability to strengthen customer relationships by providing a full-range of products and services;

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Purchasing power gained through purchases for our new equipment sales and rental operations;

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High quality rental fleet supported by our strong product support capabilities;

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Established retail sales network resulting in profitable disposal of our used equipment; and

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Mix of business activities that enables us to effectively operate through economic cycles.

Complementary, High Margin Parts and Service Operations. Our parts and service businesses allow us to maintain our rental fleet in excellent condition and to offer our customers high-quality rental equipment. Our after-market parts and service businesses together provide us with a high-margin revenue source that has proven to be relatively stable throughout a range of economic cycles.

Specialized, High-Quality Equipment Fleet. Our focus on four core types of heavy construction and industrial equipment allows us to better provide the specialized knowledge and support that our customers demand when renting and purchasing equipment. These four types of equipment are attractive because they have a long useful life, high residual value and generally strong industry demand.

Well-Developed Infrastructure. We have built an infrastructure that as of February 28, 2012 included a network of 65 full-service facilities, and a workforce that included a highly-skilled group of approximately 532 service technicians and an aggregate of 199 sales people in our specialized rental and equipment sales forces. We believe that our well-developed infrastructure helps us to better serve large multi-regional customers than our historically rental-focused competitors and provides an advantage when competing for lucrative fleet and project management business.

Leading Distributor for Suppliers. We are a leading U.S. distributor for nationally-recognized equipment suppliers, including JLG Industries, Gehl, Genie Industries (Terex), Komatsu and Doosan/Bobcat. In addition, we are the world’s largest distributor of Grove and Manitowoc crane equipment. These relationships improve our ability to negotiate equipment acquisition pricing and allow us to purchase parts at wholesale costs.

Customized Information Technology Systems. Our information systems allow us to actively manage our business and our rental fleet. We have a customer relationship management system that provides our sales force with real-time access to customer and sales information. In addition, our enterprise resource planning system implemented in 2010 expands our ability to provide more timely and meaningful information to manage our business.

Experienced Management Team. Our senior management team is led by John M. Engquist, our President and Chief Executive Officer, who has approximately 37 years of industry experience. Our senior and regional managers have an average of approximately 23 years of industry experience. Our branch managers have extensive knowledge and industry experience as well.

Our Business Strategy

Our business strategy includes, among other things, leveraging our integrated business model, managing the life cycle of our rental equipment, further developing our parts and services operations and selectively entering new markets and pursuing acquisitions. However, the timing and extent to which we implement these various aspects of our strategy depend on a variety of factors, many of which are outside our control, such as general economic conditions and construction activity in the United States.

Leverage Our Integrated Business Model. We intend to continue to actively leverage our integrated business model to offer a one-stop solution to our customers’ varied needs with respect to the four categories of heavy construction and industrial equipment on which we focus. We will continue to cross-sell our services to expand and deepen our customer relationships. We believe that our integrated equipment services model provides us with a strong platform for growth and enables us to effectively operate through economic cycles.

Managing the Life Cycle of Our Rental Equipment. We actively manage the size, quality, age and composition of our rental fleet, employing a “cradle through grave” approach. During the life of our rental equipment, we (1) aggressively negotiate on purchase price; (2) use our customized information technology systems to closely monitor and analyze, among other things, time utilization (equipment usage based on customer demand), rental rate trends and targets and equipment demand; (3) continuously adjust our fleet mix and pricing; (4) maintain fleet quality through regional quality control managers and our on-site parts and services support; and (5) dispose of rental equipment through our retail sales force. This allows us to purchase our rental equipment at competitive prices, optimally utilize our fleet, cost-effectively maintain our equipment quality and maximize the value of our equipment at the end of its useful life.

Grow Our Parts and Service Operations. Our strong parts and services operations are keystones of our integrated equipment services platform and together provide us with a relatively stable high-margin revenue source. Our parts and service operations help us develop strong, ongoing customer relationships, attract new customers and maintain a high quality rental fleet. We intend to further grow this product support side of our business and further penetrate our customer base.

Enter Carefully Selected New Markets. We intend to continue our strategy of selectively expanding our network to solidify our presence in attractive and contiguous regions where we operate. We look to add new locations in those markets that offer attractive growth opportunities, high demand for construction and heavy equipment, and contiguity to our existing markets.

Make Selective Acquisitions. The equipment industry is fragmented and includes a large number of relatively small, independent businesses servicing discrete local markets. Some of these businesses may represent attractive acquisition candidates. We intend to evaluate and pursue acquisitions on an opportunistic basis which meet our selection criteria, including favorable financing terms, with the objective of increasing our revenues, improving our profitability, entering additional attractive markets and strengthening our competitive position.

History

Through our predecessor companies, we have been in the equipment services business for approximately 51 years. H&E Equipment Services L.L.C. was formed in June 2002 through the combination of Head & Engquist Equipment, LLC (“Head & Engquist”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Gulf Wide Industries, L.L.C. (“Gulf Wide”), and ICM Equipment Company L.L.C. (“ICM”). Head & Engquist, founded in 1961, and ICM, founded in 1971, were two leading regional, integrated equipment service companies operating in contiguous geographic markets. In the June 2002 transaction, Head & Engquist and ICM were merged with and into Gulf Wide, which was renamed H&E Equipment Services L.L.C. (“H&E LLC”). Prior to the combination, Head & Engquist operated 25 facilities in the Gulf Coast region, and ICM operated 16 facilities in the Intermountain region of the United States.

In connection with our initial public offering in February 2006, we converted H&E LLC into H&E Equipment Services, Inc. Prior to our initial public offering, our business was conducted through H&E LLC. In order to have an operating Delaware corporation as the issuer for our initial public offering, H&E Equipment Services, Inc. was formed as a Delaware corporation and wholly-owned subsidiary of H&E Holdings, and immediately prior to the closing of our initial public offering, on February 3, 2006, H&E LLC and H&E Holdings merged with and into us (H&E Equipment Services, Inc.), with us surviving the reincorporation merger as the operating company. Effective February 3, 2006, H&E LLC and H&E Holdings no longer existed under operation of law pursuant to the reincorporation merger.

We completed, effective as of February 28, 2006, the acquisition of all the outstanding capital stock of Eagle High Reach Equipment, Inc. (now known as H&E California Holdings, Inc.) and all of the outstanding equity interests of its subsidiary, Eagle High Reach Equipment, LLC (now known as H&E Equipment Services (California) LLC) (collectively, “Eagle” or the “Eagle Acquisition”). Prior to the acquisition, Eagle was a privately-held construction and industrial equipment rental company serving the southern California construction and industrial markets out of four branch locations.

We completed, effective as of September 1, 2007, the acquisition of all of the outstanding capital stock of J.W. Burress, Incorporated (now known as H&E Equipment Services (Mid-Atlantic), Inc.) (“Burress” or the “Burress Acquisition”). Prior to the acquisition, Burress was a privately-held company operating primarily as a distributor in the construction and industrial equipment markets out of 12 locations in four states in the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States.

Customers

We serve approximately 29,800 customers in the United States, primarily in the West Coast, Intermountain, Southwest, Gulf Coast, Southeast and Mid-Atlantic regions. Our customers include a wide range of industrial and commercial companies, construction contractors, manufacturers, public utilities, municipalities, maintenance contractors and a variety of other large industrial accounts. They vary from small, single machine owners to large contractors and industrial and commercial companies who typically operate under equipment and maintenance budgets. Our branches enable us to closely service local and regional customers, while our well developed full-service infrastructure enables us to effectively service multi-regional and national accounts. Our integrated strategy enables us to satisfy customer requirements and increase revenues from customers through cross-selling opportunities presented by the various products and services that we offer. As a result, our five reporting segments generally derive their revenue from the same customer base. In 2011, no single customer accounted for more than 1.7% of our total revenues, and no single customer accounted for more than 10% of our revenue on a segmented basis. Our top ten customers combined accounted for approximately 8.8% of our total revenues in 2011.

Sales and Marketing

We have two distinct, focused sales forces; one specializing in equipment rentals and one focused specifically on new and used equipment sales. We believe maintaining separate sales forces for equipment rental and equipment sales is important to our customer service, allowing us to effectively meet the demands of different types of customers.

Both our rental sales force and equipment sales force are divided into smaller, product focused teams which enhances the development of in-depth product application and technical expertise. To further develop knowledge and experience, we provide our sales forces with extensive training, including frequent factory and in-house training by manufacturer representatives regarding the operational features, operator safety training and maintenance of new equipment. This training is essential, as our sales personnel regularly call on customers’ job sites, often assisting customers in assessing their immediate and ongoing equipment needs. In addition, we have a commission-based compensation program for our sales forces.

We maintain a company-wide customer relationship management system. We believe that this comprehensive customer and sales management tool enhances our territory management program by increasing the productivity and efficiency of our sales representatives and branch managers as they are provided real-time access to sales and customer information.

We have developed strategies to identify target customers for our equipment services in all markets. These strategies allow our sales force to identify frequent rental users, function as advisors and problem solvers for our customers and accelerate the sales process in new operations.

While our specialized, well-trained sales force strengthens our customer relationships and fosters customer loyalty, we also promote our business through marketing and advertising, including industry publications, direct mail campaigns, the Yellow Pages and our Company website at www.he-equipment.com.

Suppliers

We purchase a significant amount of equipment from the same manufacturers with whom we have distribution agreements. We purchased approximately 64% of our new equipment and rental fleet from three manufacturers (Grove/Manitowoc, Komatsu, and Genie Industries (Terex)) during the year ended December 31, 2011. These relationships improve our ability to negotiate equipment acquisition pricing. We are also a leading U.S. distributor for nationally-recognized equipment suppliers including JLG Industries, Gehl, Genie Industries (Terex), Komatsu, Doosan/Bobcat and Grove/Manitowoc. As an authorized distributor for a wide range of suppliers, we are also able to provide our customers parts and service that in many cases are covered under the manufacturer’s warranty. While we believe that we have alternative sources of supply for the equipment we purchase in each of our principal product categories, termination of one or more of our relationships with any of our major suppliers of equipment could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations if we were unable to obtain adequate or timely rental and sales equipment.

Information Technology Systems

We have specialized information systems that track (1) rental inventory utilization statistics; (2) maintenance and repair costs; (3) returns on investment for specific equipment types; and (4) detailed operational and financial information for each piece of equipment. These systems enable us to closely monitor our performance and actively manage our business, and include features that were custom designed to support our integrated services platform. The point-of-sale aspect of our systems enables us to link all of our facilities, permitting universal access to real-time data concerning equipment located at the individual facility locations and the rental status and maintenance history for each piece of equipment. In addition, our systems include, among other features, on-line contract generation, automated billing, applicable sales tax computation and automated rental purchase option calculation. We customized our customer relationship management system to enable us to more effectively manage our sales territories and sales representatives’ activity. This customer relationship management system provides sales and customer information, available rental fleet and inventory information, a quote system and

other organizational tools to assist our sales forces. We maintain an extensive customer database which allows us to monitor the status and maintenance history of our customers’ owned-equipment and enables us to more effectively provide parts and service to meet their needs. All of our critical systems run on servers and other equipment that is current technology and available from major suppliers and serviceable through existing maintenance agreements.

Seasonality

Although our business is not significantly impacted by seasonality, the demand for our rental equipment tends to be lower in the winter months. The level of equipment rental activities is directly related to commercial and industrial construction and maintenance activities. Therefore, equipment rental performance will be correlated to the levels of current construction activities. The severity of weather conditions can have a temporary impact on the level of construction activities.

Equipment sales cycles are also subject to some seasonality with the peak selling period occurring during the spring season and extending through the summer. Parts and service activities are less affected by changes in demand caused by seasonality.

Competition

The equipment industry is generally comprised of either pure rental equipment companies or manufacturer dealer/distributorship companies. We are an integrated equipment services company and rent, sell and provide parts and service support. Although there has been some consolidation within the equipment industry, including the recent announcement that United Rentals had entered into an agreement to acquire Rental Services Corporation, the equipment industry remains highly fragmented and consists mainly of a small number of multi-location regional or national operators and a large number of relatively small, independent businesses serving discrete local markets. Many of the markets in which we operate are served by numerous competitors, ranging from national and multi-regional equipment rental companies (for example, United Rentals, Rental Services Corporation, Sunbelt Rentals and Hertz Equipment Rental) or equipment dealers (for example, Finning and Toromont) to small, independent businesses with a limited number of locations.

We believe that participants in the equipment rental industry generally compete on the basis of availability, quality, reliability, delivery and price. In general, large operators enjoy substantial competitive advantages over small, independent rental businesses due to a distinct price advantage. Many rental equipment companies’ parts and service offerings are limited and may prove difficult to expand due to the training, infrastructure and management resources necessary to develop the breadth of service offerings and depth of knowledge our service technicians are able to provide. Some of our competitors have significantly greater financial, marketing and other resources than we do.

Traditionally, equipment manufacturers distributed their equipment and parts through a network of independent dealers with distribution agreements. As a result of consolidation and competition, both manufacturers and distributors sought to streamline their operations, improve their costs and gain market share. Our established, integrated infrastructure enables us to compete directly with our competitors on either a local, regional or national basis. We believe customers place greater emphasis on value-added services, teaming with equipment rental and sales companies who can meet all of their equipment, parts and service needs.

Environmental and Safety Regulations

Our facilities and operations are subject to comprehensive and frequently changing federal, state and local environmental and occupational health and safety laws. These laws regulate (1) the handling, storage, use and disposal of hazardous materials and wastes and, if any, the associated cleanup of properties affected by pollutants; (2) air quality; and (3) wastewater. We do not currently anticipate any material adverse effect on our business or financial condition or competitive position as a result of our efforts to comply with such requirements. Although we have made and will continue to make capital and other expenditures to comply with environmental requirements, we do not expect to incur material capital expenditures for environmental controls or compliance.

In the future, federal, state or local governments could enact new or more stringent laws or issue new or more stringent regulations concerning environmental and worker health and safety matters, or effect a change in their enforcement of existing laws or regulations, that could affect our operations. Also, in the future, contamination may be found to exist at our facilities or off-site locations where we have sent wastes. There can be no assurance that we, or various environmental regulatory agencies, will not discover previously unknown environmental non-compliance or contamination. We could be held liable for such newly-discovered non-compliance or contamination. It is possible that changes in environmental and worker health and safety laws or liabilities from newly-discovered non-compliance or contamination could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Employees

As of December 31, 2011, we had approximately 1,646 employees. Of these employees, 625 are salaried personnel and 1,021 are hourly personnel. Our employees perform the following functions: sales operations, parts operations, rental operations, technical service and office and administrative support. Collective bargaining agreements relating to two branch locations cover approximately 67 of our employees. We believe our relations with our employees are good, and we have never experienced a work stoppage.

Generally, the total number of employees does not significantly fluctuate throughout the year. However, acquisition activity or the opening of new branches may increase the number of our employees or fluctuations in the level of our business activity could require some staffing level adjustments in response to actual or anticipated customer demand.

Available Information

We file electronically with the SEC annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K and amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. The public may read and copy any materials we have filed with or furnished to the SEC at the SEC’s Public Reference Room at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. The public may obtain information on the operation of the Public Reference Room by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-3330. The SEC maintains an Internet site (www.sec.gov) that contains reports, proxy and information statements, and other information regarding issuers that file electronically with the SEC. Copies of our annual report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K, ownership reports for insiders and any amendments to these reports filed with or furnished to the SEC are available free of charge through our internet website (www.he-equipment.com) as soon as reasonably practicable after filing with the SEC. Additionally, we make available free of charge on our internet website:

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our Code of Conduct and Ethics;

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the charter of our Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee;

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the charter of our Compensation Committee; and

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the charter of our Audit Committee.

Item 1A. Risk Factors

Investing in our securities involves a high degree of risk. You should consider carefully the following risk factors and the other information in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, including our consolidated financial statements and related notes, before making any investment decisions regarding our securities. If any of the following risks actually occur, our business, financial condition and operating results could be adversely affected. As a result, the trading price of our securities could decline and you may lose part or all of your investment.

Our business could be adversely affected by declines in construction and industrial activities, or a downturn in the economy in general, which could lead to decreased demand for equipment, depressed equipment rental rates and lower sales prices, resulting in a decline in our revenues, gross margins and operating results.

Our equipment is principally used in connection with construction and industrial activities. Consequently, a downturn in construction or industrial activities, or the economy in general, may lead to a decrease in the demand for equipment or depress rental rates and the sales prices for our equipment. Our business may also be negatively impacted, either temporarily or long-term, by:

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a reduction in spending levels by customers;

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unfavorable credit markets affecting end-user access to capital;

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adverse changes in federal and local government infrastructure spending;

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an increase in the cost of construction materials;

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adverse weather conditions which may affect a particular region;

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an increase in interest rates; or

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terrorism or hostilities involving the United States.

Weakness or deterioration in the non-residential construction and industrial sectors caused by these or other factors could have a material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations and cash flows in the future and may also have a material adverse effect on residual values realized on the disposition of our rental fleet. Most recently, during fiscal years 2009 and 2010, the economic downturn and related economic uncertainty, combined with weakness in the construction industry and a decrease in industrial activity, resulted in a significant decrease in the demand for our new and used equipment and depressed equipment rental rates, which resulted in decreased revenues and lower gross margins realized on our equipment rentals and on the sale of our new and used inventory during those periods.

The inability to forecast trends accurately may have an adverse impact on our business and financial condition.

An economic downturn or economic uncertainty makes it difficult for us to forecast trends, which may have an adverse impact on our business and financial condition. The recent economic downturn — which included, among other things, significant reductions in available capital and liquidity from banks and other providers of credit, substantial reductions and/or fluctuations in equity and currency values worldwide and concerns that the worldwide economy may enter into a prolonged recessionary period — limited our ability, as well as the ability of our customers and our suppliers, to accurately forecast future product demand trends. Uncertainty regarding future product demand could cause us to maintain excess equipment inventory and increase our equipment inventory carrying costs. Alternatively, this forecasting difficulty could cause a shortage of equipment for sale or rental that could result in an inability to satisfy demand for our products and a loss of market shares.

Unfavorable conditions or disruptions in the capital and credit markets may adversely impact business conditions and the availability of credit.

Disruptions in the global capital and credit markets as a result of an economic downturn, economic uncertainty, changing or increased regulation, reduced alternatives or failures of significant financial institutions could adversely affect our customers’ ability to access capital and could adversely affect our access to liquidity

needed for business in the future. Additionally, unfavorable market conditions may depress demand for our products and services or make it difficult for our customers to obtain financing and credit on reasonable terms. Unfavorable market conditions also may cause more of our customers to be unable to meet their payment obligations to us, increasing delinquencies and credit losses. If we are unable to manage credit risk adequately, or if a large number of customers should have financial difficulties at the same time, our credit losses could increase aove historical levels and our operating results would be adversely affected. Delinquencies and credit losses generally can be expected to increase during economic slowdowns or recessions. Moreover, our suppliers may be adversely impacted by unfavorable capital and credit markets, causing disruption or delay of product availability. These events could negatively impact our business, financial position, results of operations and cash flows.

In addition, if the financial institutions that have extended line of credit commitments to us are adversely affected by the conditions of the capital and credit markets, they may be unable to fund borrowings under those credit commitments, which could have an adverse impact on our financial condition and our ability to borrow funds, if needed, for working capital, acquisitions, capital expenditures and other corporate purposes.

We have, and may incur, significant indebtedness and may be unable to service our debt. This indebtedness could adversely affect our financial position, limit our available cash and our access to additional capital and prevent us from growing our business.

We have a significant amount of indebtedness and may incur additional indebtedness. As of December 31, 2011, our total indebtedness was $268.7 million, consisting of the $250.0 aggregate amounts outstanding under our senior unsecured notes, $16.1 million outstanding under our senior secured credit facility and $2.6 million of capital lease obligations. Although the indenture for our senior unsecured notes limits our ability to incur indebtedness, this limitation is subject to a number of significant exceptions and qualifications. Moreover, the indenture does not impose any limitation on our incurrence of certain liabilities that are not considered “Indebtedness” under the indenture (such as operating leases), nor does it impose any limitation on the amount of liabilities incurred by our subsidiaries, if any, that might be designated as “Unrestricted Subsidiaries” under the indenture.

At December 31, 2011, we had $16.1 million in outstanding borrowings under our senior secured credit facility and had $296.9 million of borrowing availability, net of $7.0 million of outstanding letters of credit. At February 28, 2012, we had $18.1 million of outstanding borrowings under our senior secured credit facility and had borrowing availability under the senior secured credit facility of $295.4 million, net of $6.5 million of outstanding letters of credit, and we may be able to incur additional other liabilities. All borrowings under the senior secured credit facility as well as letters of credit outstanding under the senior secured credit facility are first-priority secured debt and effectively senior to our senior unsecured notes. Additionally, our senior unsecured notes are effectively subordinated to our capital lease obligations and our obligations under $58.3 million of first-priority secured manufacturer floor plan financings (to the extent of the value of their collateral).

The level of our indebtedness could have important consequences, including:

•

a portion of our cash flow from operations is dedicated to debt service and may not be available for other purposes;

•

limiting our flexibility in planning for, or reacting to, changes in our business and the industry in which we operate;

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limiting our ability to obtain financing in the future for working capital, capital expenditures and general corporate purposes, including acquisitions, and may impede our ability to secure favorable lease terms;

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making us more vulnerable to economic downturns and possibly limiting our ability to withstand competitive pressures; and

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placing us at a competitive disadvantage compared to our competitors with less indebtedness.

To service our indebtedness, we will require a significant amount of cash. Our ability to generate cash depends on many factors, some of which are beyond our control. An inability to service our indebtedness could lead to a default under our senior secured credit facility and the indenture governing our senior unsecured notes, which may result in an acceleration of our indebtedness.

To service our indebtedness, we will require a significant amount of cash. Our ability to pay interest and principal in the future on our indebtedness and to fund our capital expenditures and acquisitions will depend upon our future operating performance and the availability of refinancing indebtedness, which will be affected by prevailing economic conditions and the availability of capital, as well as financial, business and other factors, some of which are beyond our control.

Our future cash flow may not be sufficient to meet our obligations and commitments. If we are unable to generate sufficient cash flow from operations in the future to service our indebtedness and to meet our other commitments, we will be required to adopt one or more alternatives, such as refinancing or restructuring our indebtedness, selling material assets or operations or seeking to raise additional debt or equity capital. These actions may not be effected on a timely basis or on satisfactory terms or at all, and these actions may not enable us to continue to satisfy our capital requirements. In addition, our existing or future debt agreements, including the indenture governing the senior unsecured notes and the senior secured credit facility agreement, may contain restrictive covenants prohibiting us from adopting any of these alternatives. Our failure to comply with these covenants could result in an event of default which, if not cured or waived, could result in the acceleration of all of our indebtedness. See also Item 7—Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Liquidity and Capital Resources.

Our senior secured credit facility and the indenture governing our senior unsecured notes contain covenants that limit our ability to finance future operations or capital needs, or to engage in other business activities.

The operating and financial restrictions and covenants in our debt agreements, including the senior secured credit facility and the indenture governing our senior unsecured notes, may adversely affect our ability to finance future operations or capital needs or to engage in other business activities. Our senior secured credit facility requires us to maintain a minimum fixed charge coverage ratio (as defined therein) and a maximum total leverage ratio (as defined therein), in each case, in the event that our excess borrowing availability is below $40 million. Our borrowing availability under the senior secured credit facility as of December 31, 2011 was $296.9 million, net of $7.0 million of letters of credit outstanding. The imposition of the minimum fixed charge coverage ratio and maximum total leverage ratio may require that we limit our permitted capital expenditures, take action to reduce debt or act in a manner contrary to our business objectives. In addition, the senior secured credit facility and the indenture governing the senior unsecured notes contain certain covenants that, among other things, restrict our and our restricted subsidiaries’ ability to:

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incur additional indebtedness, assume a guarantee or issue preferred stock;

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pay dividends or make other equity distributions or payments to or affecting our subsidiaries;

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make certain investments;

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create liens;

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sell or dispose of assets or engage in mergers or consolidations;

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engage in certain transactions with subsidiaries and affiliates;

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enter into sale leaseback transactions; and

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engage in certain business activities.

These restrictions could limit our ability to obtain future financing, make strategic acquisitions or needed capital expenditures, withstand economic downturns in our business or the economy in general, conduct operations or otherwise take advantage of business opportunities that may arise. A failure to comply with the restrictions contained in the senior secured credit facility could lead to an event of default, which could result in an acceleration of our indebtedness. Such an acceleration would constitute an event of default under the indenture

governing the senior unsecured notes. A failure to comply with the restrictions in the senior unsecured notes indenture could result in an event of default under the indenture. Our future operating results may not be sufficient to enable compliance with the covenants in the senior secured credit facility, the indenture or other indebtedness or to remedy any such default. In addition, in the event of an acceleration, we may not have or be able to obtain sufficient funds to refinance our indebtedness or make any accelerated payments, including those under the senior unsecured notes. Also, we may not be able to obtain new financing. Even if we were able to obtain new financing, we cannot guarantee that the new financing will be on commercially reasonable terms or terms that are acceptable to us. If we default on our indebtedness, our business financial condition and results of operations could be materially and adversely affected. We are currently in compliance with the applicable covenants under our senior secured credit facility and our senior unsecured notes.

Our business could be hurt if we are unable to obtain additional capital as required, resulting in a decrease in our revenues and profitability.

The cash that we generate from our business, together with cash that we may borrow under our senior secured credit facility, may not be sufficient to fund our capital requirements. We may require additional financing to obtain capital for, among other purposes, purchasing equipment, completing acquisitions, establishing new locations and refinancing existing indebtedness. Any additional indebtedness that we incur will make us more vulnerable to economic downturns and limit our ability to withstand competitive pressures. Moreover, we may not be able to obtain additional capital on acceptable terms, if at all. If we are unable to obtain sufficient additional financing in the future, our business could be adversely affected by reducing our ability to increase revenues and profitability.

Our revenue and operating results may fluctuate, which could result in a decline in our profitability and make it more difficult for us to grow our business.

Our revenue and operating results have historically varied from quarter to quarter. Periods of decline could result in an overall decline in profitability and make it more difficult for us to make payments on our indebtedness and grow our business. We expect our quarterly results to continue to fluctuate in the future due to a number of factors, including:

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general economic conditions in the markets where we operate;

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the cyclical nature of our customers’ business, particularly our construction customers;

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seasonal sales and rental patterns of our construction customers, with sales and rental activity tending to be lower in the winter months;

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severe weather and seismic conditions temporarily affecting the regions where we operate;

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changes in corporate spending for plants and facilities or changes in government spending for infrastructure projects;

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the effectiveness of integrating acquired businesses and new start-up locations; and

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timing of acquisitions and new location openings and related costs.

In addition, we incur various costs when integrating newly acquired businesses or opening new start-up locations, and the profitability of a new location is generally expected to be lower in the initial months of operation.

Fluctuations in the stock market, as well as general economic and market conditions, may impact the market price of our common stock.

The market price of our common stock has been and may continue to be subject to significant fluctuations in response to general economic changes and other factors including, but not limited to:

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variations in our quarterly operating results or results that vary from investor expectations;

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changes in the strategy and actions taken by our competitors, including pricing changes;

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securities analysts’ elections to discontinue coverage of our common stock, changes in financial estimates by analysts or a downgrade of our common stock or of our sector by analysts;

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announcements by us or our competitors of significant contracts, acquisitions, strategic partnerships, joint ventures or capital commitments;

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investor perceptions of us and the equipment rental and distribution industry; and

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national or regional catastrophes or circumstances and natural disasters, hostilities and acts of terrorism.

Broad market and industry factors may materially reduce the market price of our common stock, regardless of our operating performance. In addition, the stock market in recent years has experienced price and volume fluctuations that often have been unrelated or disproportionate to the operating performance of companies. These fluctuations, as well as general economic and market conditions, including to those listed above and others, may harm the market price of our common stock.

We are subject to competition, which may have a material adverse effect on our business by reducing our ability to increase or maintain revenues or profitability.

The equipment rental and retail distribution industries are highly competitive and the equipment rental industry is highly fragmented. Many of the markets in which we operate are served by numerous competitors, ranging from national and multi-regional equipment rental companies to small, independent businesses with a limited number of locations. We generally compete on the basis of availability, quality, reliability, delivery and price. Some of our competitors have significantly greater financial, marketing and other resources than we do, and may be able to reduce rental rates or sales prices. The recent market downturn and increased competitive pressures in 2009 and 2010 caused us to significantly reduce our rates to maintain market share, resulting in lower operating margins and profitability. We may encounter increased competition from existing competitors or new market entrants in the future, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

We purchase a significant amount of our equipment from a limited number of manufacturers. Termination of one or more of our relationships with any of those manufacturers could have a material adverse effect on our business, as we may be unable to obtain adequate or timely rental and sales equipment.

We purchase most of our rental and sales equipment from leading, nationally-known original equipment manufacturers (“OEMs”). For the year ended December 31, 2011, we purchased approximately 64% of our rental and sales equipment from three manufacturers (Grove/Manitowoc, Komatsu, and Genie Industries (Terex)). Although we believe that we have alternative sources of supply for the rental and sales equipment we purchase in each of our core product categories, termination of one or more of our relationships with any of these major suppliers could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations if we were unable to obtain adequate or timely rental and sales equipment.

Our suppliers of new equipment may appoint additional distributors, sell directly or unilaterally terminate our distribution agreements, which could have a material adverse effect on our business due to a reduction of, or inability to increase, our revenues.

We are a distributor of new equipment and parts supplied by leading, nationally-known OEMs. Under our distribution agreements with these OEMs, manufacturers retain the right to appoint additional dealers and sell directly to national accounts and government agencies. We have both written and oral distribution agreements with our new equipment suppliers. Under our oral agreements with the OEMs, we operate under our established course of dealing with the supplier and are subject to the applicable state law regarding such relationship. In most instances, the OEM’s may appoint additional distributors, elect to sell to customers directly or unilaterally terminate their distribution agreements with us at any time without cause. Any such actions could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations due to a reduction of, or an inability to increase, our revenues.

The cost of new equipment that we sell or purchase for use in our rental fleet may increase and therefore we may spend more for such equipment. In some cases, we may not be able to procure new equipment on a timely basis due to supplier constraints.

The cost of new equipment from manufacturers that we sell or purchase for use in our rental fleet may increase as a result of increased raw material costs, including increases in the cost of steel, which is a primary material used in most of the equipment we use. These increases could materially impact our financial condition or results of operations in future periods if we are not able to pass such cost increases through to our customers.

Our rental fleet is subject to residual value risk upon disposition.

The market value of any given piece of rental equipment could be less than its depreciated value at the time it is sold. The market value of used rental equipment depends on several factors, including:

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the market price for new equipment of a like kind;

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wear and tear on the equipment relative to its age;

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the time of year that it is sold (prices are generally higher during the construction season);

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worldwide and domestic demands for used equipment;

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the supply of used equipment on the market; and

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general economic conditions.

We include in operating income the difference between the sales price and the depreciated value of an item of equipment sold. Although for the year ended December 31, 2011, we sold used equipment from our rental fleet at an average selling price of approximately 141.9% of net book value, we cannot assure you that used equipment selling prices will not decline. Any significant decline in the selling prices for used equipment could have a material adverse affect on our business, financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

We incur maintenance and repair costs associated with our rental fleet equipment that could have a material adverse effect on our business in the event these costs are greater than anticipated.

As our fleet of rental equipment ages, the cost of maintaining such equipment, if not replaced within a certain period of time, generally increases. Determining the optimal age for our rental fleet equipment is subjective and requires considerable estimates by management. We have made estimates regarding the relationship between the age of our rental fleet equipment, and the maintenance and repair costs, and the market value of used equipment. Our future operating results could be adversely affected because our maintenance and repair costs may be higher than estimated and market values of used equipment may fluctuate.

Fluctuations in fuel costs or reduced supplies of fuel could harm our business.

We could be adversely affected by limitations on fuel supplies or significant increases in fuel prices that result in higher costs to us of transporting equipment from one branch to another branch or one region to another region. A significant or protracted disruption of fuel supplies could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

We may not be able to facilitate our growth strategy by identifying or completing transactions with attractive acquisition candidates, which could impede our revenues and profitability. Future acquisitions may result in significant transaction expenses and we may involve significant costs. We may experience integration and consolidation risks associated with future acquisitions.

An important element of our growth strategy is to selectively pursue on an opportunistic basis acquisitions of additional businesses. The success of this element of our growth strategy depends, in part, on selecting strategic acquisition candidates at attractive prices and identifying strategic start-up locations.

We cannot assure you that we will be able to identify attractive acquisition candidates or complete the acquisition of any identified candidates at favorable prices and upon advantageous terms and conditions, including financing alternatives. We expect to face competition for acquisition candidates, which may limit the number of acquisition opportunities and lead to higher acquisition costs. We may not have the financial resources necessary to consummate any acquisitions or the ability to obtain the necessary funds on satisfactory terms. Any future acquisitions may result in significant transaction expenses and risks associated with entering new markets. We may also be subject to claims by third parties related to the operations of these businesses prior to our acquisition and by sellers under the terms of our acquisition agreements.

We also cannot assure you that we will be able to identify attractive start-up locations. Opening start-up locations may involve significant costs and limit our ability to expand our operations. Start-up locations may involve risks associated with entering new markets and we may face significant competition.

We may not have sufficient management, financial and other resources to integrate and consolidate any future acquisitions. Any significant diversion of management’s attention or any major difficulties encountered in the integration of the businesses we acquire could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations, which could decrease our profitability and make it more difficult for us to grow our business. Furthermore, general economic conditions or unfavorable global capital and credit markets could affect the timing and extent to which we successfully acquire new businesses, which could impede our revenues and profitability.

We may not be able to facilitate our growth strategy by identifying and opening attractive start-up locations, which could impede our revenues and profitability.

An important element of our growth strategy is to selectively identify and implement start-up locations in order to add new customers. The success of our growth strategy depends, in part, on identifying strategic start-up locations.

We may not have sufficient management, financial and other resources to successfully operate new locations. Any significant diversion of management’s attention or any major difficulties encountered in the locations that we open in the future could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations, which could decrease our profitability and make it more difficult for us to grow our business. Furthermore, general economic conditions or unfavorable global capital and credit markets could affect the timing and extent to which we open new start-up locations, which could impede our revenues and profitability.

We are dependent on key personnel. A loss of key personnel could have a material adverse effect on our business, which could result in a decline in our revenues and profitability.

Our senior and regional managers have an average of approximately 23 years of industry experience. Our branch managers have extensive knowledge and industry experience as well. Our success is dependent, in part, on the experience and skills of our management team. Competition for top management talent within our industry is generally significant. If we are unable to fill and keep filled all of our senior management positions, or if we lose the services of any key member of our senior management team and are unable to find a suitable replacement in a timely manner, we may be challenged to effectively manage our business and execute our strategy.

Disruptions in our information technology systems, including our customer relationship management system, could adversely affect our operating results by limiting our capacity to effectively monitor and control our operations.

Our information technology systems facilitate our ability to monitor and control our operations and adjust to changing market conditions. Any disruption in any of these systems, including our customer management system, or the failure of any of these systems to operate as expected could, depending on the magnitude of the problem, adversely affect our operating results by limiting our capacity to effectively monitor and control our operations and adjust to changing market conditions.

If the Company fails to maintain an effective system of internal controls, the Company may not be able to accurately report financial results or prevent fraud.

Effective internal controls are necessary to provide reliable financial reports and to assist in the effective prevention of fraud. Any inability to provide reliable financial reports or prevent fraud could harm our business. We must annually evaluate our internal procedures to satisfy the requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, which requires management and auditors to assess the effectiveness of our internal controls. If we fail to remedy or maintain the adequacy of our internal controls, as such standards are modified, supplemented or amended from time to time, we could be subject to regulatory scrutiny, civil or criminal penalties or shareholder litigation.

In addition, failure to maintain effective internal controls could result in financial statements that do not accurately reflect our financial condition or results of operations. There can be no assurance that we will be able to maintain a system of internal controls that fully complies with the requirements of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 or that our management and independent registered public accounting firm will continue to conclude that our internal controls are effective.

We are exposed to various risks related to legal proceedings or claims that could adversely affect our operating results. The nature of our business exposes us to various liability claims, which may exceed the level of our insurance coverage and thereby not fully protect us.

We are a party to lawsuits in the normal course of our business. Litigation in general can be expensive, lengthy and disruptive to normal business operations. Moreover, the results of complex legal proceedings are difficult to predict. Responding to lawsuits brought against us, or legal actions that we may initiate, can often be expensive and time-consuming. Unfavorable outcomes from these claims and/or lawsuits could adversely affect our business, results of operations, or financial condition, and we could incur substantial monetary liability and/or be required to change our business practices.

Our business exposes us to claims for personal injury, death or property damage resulting from the use of the equipment we rent or sell and from injuries caused in motor vehicle accidents in which our delivery and service personnel are involved and other employee related matters. Additionally, we could be subject to potential litigation associated with compliance with various laws and governmental regulations at the federal, state or local levels, such as those relating to the protection of persons with disabilities, employment, health, safety, security and other regulations under which we operate.

We carry comprehensive insurance, subject to deductibles, at levels we believe are sufficient to cover existing and future claims made during the respective policy periods. However, we may be exposed to multiple claims that do not exceed our deductibles, and, as a result, we could incur significant out-of-pocket costs that could adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations. In addition, the cost of such insurance policies may increase significantly upon renewal of those policies as a result of general rate increases for the type of insurance we carry as well as our historical experience and experience in our industry. Although we have not experienced any material losses that were not covered by insurance, our existing or future claims may exceed the coverage level of our insurance, and such insurance may not continue to be available on economically reasonable terms, or at all. If we are required to pay significantly higher premiums for insurance, are not able to maintain insurance coverage at affordable rates or if we must pay amounts in excess of claims covered by our insurance, we could experience higher costs that could adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.

Our future operating results and financial position could be negatively affected by impairment charges to our goodwill, intangible assets or other long-lived assets.

When we acquire a business, we record goodwill as the excess of the consideration transferred plus the fair value of any non-controlling interest in the acquiree at the acquisition date over the fair values of the identifiable net assets acquired. At December 31, 2011, we had goodwill of approximately $34.0 million. In accordance with Accounting Standards Codification 350, Intangibles–Goodwill & Other, we test goodwill for impairment on October 1 of each year, and on an interim date if factors or indicators become apparent that would require an interim test. In connection with our annual impairment test as of October 1, 2009, and as further discussed in note 2 to the consolidated financial statements included herein, we recorded a non-cash goodwill impairment of $9.0 million.

If economic conditions deteriorate and result in significant declines in the Company’s stock price, or if there are significant downward revisions in the present value of our estimated future cash flows, additional impairments to one or more reporting units could occur in future periods, and such impairments could be material. A downward revision in the present value of estimated future cash flows could be caused by a number of factors, including, among others, adverse changes in the business climate, negative industry or economic trends, decline in performance in our industry sector, or a decline in market multiples for competitors. Our estimates regarding future cash flows are inherently uncertain and changes in our underlying assumptions and the impact of market conditions on those assumptions could materially affect the determination of fair value and/or goodwill impairment. Future events and changing market conditions may impact our assumptions as to revenues, costs or other factors that may result in changes in our estimates of future cash flows. We can provide no assurance that a material impairment charge will not occur in a future period. Such a charge could negatively affect our results of operations and financial position. We will continue to monitor the recoverability of the carrying value of our goodwill and other long-lived assets (see “Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates” in Part II, Item 7).

Labor disputes could disrupt our ability to serve our customers and/or lead to higher labor costs.

We currently have approximately 67 employees in Utah, a significant territory in our geographic footprint, who are covered by collective bargaining agreements and approximately 1,579 employees who are not represented by unions or covered by collective bargaining agreements. Various unions periodically seek to organize certain of our nonunion employees. Union organizing efforts or collective bargaining negotiations could potentially lead to work stoppages and/or slowdowns or strikes by certain of our employees, which could adversely affect our ability to serve our customers. Further, settlement of actual or threatened labor disputes or an increase in the number of our employees covered by collective bargaining agreements can have unknown effects on our labor costs, productivity and flexibility.

We have operations throughout the United States, which exposes us to multiple state and local regulations. Changes in applicable law, regulations or requirements, or our material failure to comply with any of them, can increase our costs and have other negative impacts on our business.

Our 65 branch locations in the United States are located in 22 different states, which exposes us to a host of different state and local regulations. These laws and requirements address multiple aspects of our operations, such as worker safety, consumer rights, privacy, employee benefits and more, and can often have different requirements in different jurisdictions. Changes in these requirements, or any material failure by our branches to comply with them, can increase our costs, affect our reputation, limit our business, drain management time and attention and generally otherwise impact our operations in adverse ways.

We could be adversely affected by environmental and safety requirements, which could force us to increase significant capital and other operational costs and may subject us to unanticipated liabilities.

Our operations, like those of other companies engaged in similar businesses, require the handling, use, storage and disposal of certain regulated materials. As a result, we are subject to the requirements of federal, state and local environmental and occupational health and safety laws and regulations. We may not be in complete compliance with all such requirements at all times. We are subject to potentially significant civil or criminal fines

or penalties if we fail to comply with any of these requirements. We have made and will continue to make capital and other expenditures in order to comply with these laws and regulations. However, the requirements of these laws and regulations are complex, change frequently, and could become more stringent in the future. It is possible that these requirements will change or that liabilities will arise in the future in a manner that could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Environmental laws also impose obligations and liability for the cleanup of properties affected by hazardous substance spills or releases. These liabilities can be imposed on the parties generating or disposing of such substances or operator of the affected property, often without regard to whether the owner or operator knew of, or was responsible for, the presence of hazardous substances. Accordingly, we may become liable, either contractually or by operation of law, for remediation costs even if a contaminated property is not presently owned or operated by us, or if the contamination was caused by third parties during or prior to our ownership or operation of the property. Given the nature of our operations (which involve the use of petroleum products, solvents and other hazardous substances for fueling and maintaining our equipment and vehicles), there can be no assurance that prior site assessments or investigations have identified all potential instances of soil or groundwater contamination. Future events, such as changes in existing laws or policies or their enforcement, or the discovery of currently unknown contamination, may give rise to additional remediation liabilities which may be material.

Hurricanes, other adverse weather events, national or regional catastrophes or natural disasters could negatively affect our local economies or disrupt our operations, which could have an adverse effect on our business or results of operations.

Our market areas in the Gulf Coast and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States are susceptible to hurricanes. Such weather events can disrupt our operations, result in damage to our properties and negatively affect the local economies in which we operate. Future hurricanes could result in damage to certain of our facilities and the equipment located at such facilities, or equipment on rent with customers in those areas. In addition, climate change could lead to an increase in intensity or occurrence of hurricanes or other adverse weather events. Future occurrences of these events, as well as regional or national catastrophes or natural disasters, and their effects may adversely impact our business or results of operations.

Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments

None.

Item 2. Properties

As of February 28, 2012, we had a network of 65 full-service facilities, serving approximately 29,800 customers across 22 states in the West Coast, Intermountain, Southwest, Gulf Coast, Southeast and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States.

In our facilities, we rent, display and sell equipment, including tools and supplies, and provide maintenance and basic repair work. Of the 65 total facilities, we own 9 of our locations and lease 56 locations. Our leases typically provide for varying terms and renewal options. The following table provides data on our locations and the number of multiple branch locations in each city is indicated by parentheses:


City/State	Leased/Owned	City/State	Leased/Owned
Alabama		Mississippi
Birmingham	Leased	Jackson	Leased
Huntsville	Leased	Montana
Arizona		Billings	Leased
Phoenix	Leased	Belgrade	Leased
Tucson	Leased	Missoula	Leased
Arkansas		New Mexico
Little Rock	Owned	Albuquerque	Leased
Springdale	Owned	Nevada
California		Las Vegas	Leased
Bakersfield	Leased	Reno	Leased
La Mirada	Leased	North Carolina
Sacramento	Leased	Arden	Leased
San Diego	Leased	Burlington	Leased
Santa Fe Springs	Owned	Charlotte(2)	Leased(2)
Fontana	Leased	Raleigh	Leased
Colorado		Winston-Salem	Leased
Denver	Leased	Oklahoma
Colorado Springs	Leased	Oklahoma City	Leased
Florida		Tulsa	Leased
Fort Myers	Leased	South Carolina
Orlando	Leased	Columbia	Leased
Pompano Beach	Leased	Greenville	Leased
Tampa	Leased	Tennessee
Georgia		Memphis	Leased
Atlanta	Leased	Nashville	Leased
Idaho		Texas
Boise	Leased	Austin	Leased
Coeur D’Alene	Leased	Corpus Christi	Leased
Louisiana		Dallas(2)	Leased(1) Owned(1)
Alexandria	Leased	Houston(2)	Leased(2)
Baton Rouge	Leased	San Antonio	Owned
Belle Chasse	Leased	Utah
Gonzales	Leased	Salt Lake City	Leased
Kenner	Owned	St. George	Leased
Lafayette	Leased	Virginia
Lake Charles	Leased	Norfolk	Leased
Shreveport(2)	Leased(2)	Ashland	Owned
Maryland		Roanoke	Owned
Baltimore(2)	Leased(1) Owned(1)	Warrenton	Leased
		Washington
		Pasco	Leased

Each facility location has a branch manager who is responsible for day-to-day operations. In addition, branch operating facilities are typically staffed with approximately seven to 96 people, who may include technicians, salespeople, rental operations staff and parts specialists. While facility offices are typically open five days a week, we provide 24 hour, seven day per week service.

Our corporate headquarters employs approximately 200 people. Our corporate headquarters are located in four separate locations in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, where we occupy a total of approximately 31,232 square feet under four separate leases that extend through varying dates ending October 10, 2013. We are currently constructing a new corporate office facility in Baton Rouge, which will consolidate our corporate headquarters at one location, except for our computer network operations center, which will remain in its current location. We expect to move into the corporate facility in the third quarter of 2012.

Item 3. Legal Proceedings

From time to time, we are involved in various claims and legal actions arising in the ordinary course of our business. In the opinion of management, after consultation with legal counsel, the ultimate disposition of these various matters will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated financial position, results of operations or liquidity.

Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures

Not applicable.

PART II

Item 5.

Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

Market Information

Our common stock, par value $0.01 per share, trades on the Nasdaq Global Market (“Nasdaq”) under the symbol “HEES.” The following table sets forth, for the quarterly periods indicated, the high and low closing sale prices per share for our common stock as reported by Nasdaq for the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010.


	High		Low
Year ended December 31, 2010
First quarter	$	11.55	$	9.15
Second quarter		12.51		7.49
Third quarter		9.80		6.78
Fourth quarter		12.14		7.54
Year ended December 31, 2011
First quarter	$	19.56	$	11.54
Second quarter		20.13		12.51
Third quarter		14.61		7.50
Fourth quarter		14.32		7.17

Holders

On February 28, 2012, we had 184 stockholders of record of our common stock.

Dividends

We have never paid or declared any dividends on our common stock and do not anticipate paying any dividends on our common stock in the foreseeable future. Any future determination relating to our dividend policy will be made at the discretion of our board of directors and will depend on, among other things, our results

of operations, financial conditions, cash requirements, contractual restrictions and other factors that our board of directors may deem relevant. In addition, our ability to declare and pay dividends is restricted by covenants in our senior secured credit facility and the indenture governing our senior unsecured notes and may be further limited by instruments governing future outstanding indebtedness we or our subsidiaries may incur.

Securities Authorized for Issuance Under Equity Compensation Plans

For certain information concerning securities authorized for issuance under our equity compensation plan, see Item 12 — Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters.

Performance Graph

The Performance Graph below compares the cumulative total stockholder return on H&E Equipment Services, Inc. common stock beginning on December 31, 2006 and for each subsequent quarter period end through and including December 31, 2011, with the cumulative return of the Russell 2000 Index and an industry peer group selected by us. The peer group we selected is comprised of the following companies: United Rentals, Inc., RSC Holdings, Inc., Hertz Global Holdings, Inc., Toromont Industries, Ltd., Finning International, Inc., and The Ashtead Group, PLC. RSC Holdings, Inc. is only included in the peer group beginning on May 23, 2007, the date its initial public offering was priced for initial sale.

The Performance Graph comparison assumes $100 was invested in our common stock and in each of the other indices on December 31, 2006. Dividend reinvestment has been assumed and returns have been weighted to reflect relative stock market capitalization. No cash dividends have been declared on our common stock. The stock performance shown on the graph below is not necessarily indicative of future price performance.

LOGO


	12/31/06		12/31/07		12/31/08		12/31/09		12/31/10		12/31/11
H&E Equipment Services, Inc	$	100.00	$	76.22	$	31.13	$	42.39	$	46.71	$	54.18
Russell 2000 Index		100.00		98.43		65.18		82.89		105.14		100.75
Peer Group		100.00		100.83		43.43		70.22		102.33		96.09

This stock performance information is “furnished” and shall not be deemed to be “soliciting material” or subject to Rule 14A of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), shall not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Exchange Act or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section, and shall not be deemed incorporated by reference in any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act, whether made before or after the date of this Annual Report on Form 10-K and irrespective of any general incorporation by reference language in any such filing, except to the extent that we specifically incorporate this information by reference.

Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

There were no stock repurchases or other purchases of equity securities by the Company during the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2011.

Item 6. Selected Financial Data

The following table sets forth our selected historical consolidated financial data as of the dates and for the periods indicated. The selected historical consolidated financial data as of and for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009 have been derived from our audited consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. The selected historical consolidated financial data as of and for the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007 have been derived from our audited consolidated financial information not included herein. Our historical results are not necessarily indicative of future performance or results of operations. You should read the consolidated historical financial data together with our consolidated financial statements and related notes included in Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K and with Item 7—Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.


	For the Year Ended December 31,
	2011			2010			2009			2008			2007⁽¹⁾
	(Amounts in thousands, except per share amounts)
Statement of operations data⁽²⁾:
Revenues:
Equipment rentals	$	228,038		$	177,970		$	191,512		$	295,398		$	286,573
New equipment sales		220,211			167,303			208,916			374,068			355,178
Used equipment sales		85,347			62,286			86,982			160,780			148,742
Parts sales		94,511			86,686			100,500			118,345			102,300
Services revenues		53,954			49,629			58,730			70,124			64,050
Other		38,490			30,280			33,092			50,254			46,291

Total revenues		720,551			574,154			679,732			1,068,969			1,003,134

Cost of revenues:
Rental depreciation		86,781			78,583			87,902			104,311			94,211
Rental expense		46,599			40,194			42,086			49,481			45,374
New equipment sales		196,152			150,665			183,885			324,472			307,897
Used equipment sales		65,042			48,269			70,305			121,956			112,351
Parts sales		69,222			63,902			72,786			83,561			71,791
Services revenues		21,024			18,751			21,825			25,324			23,076
Other		43,028			37,851			35,445			49,824			42,394

Total cost of revenues		527,848			438,215			514,234			758,929			697,094

Gross profit (loss):
Equipment rentals		94,658			59,193			61,524			141,606			146,988
New equipment sales		24,059			16,638			25,031			49,596			47,281
Used equipment sales		20,305			14,017			16,677			38,824			36,391
Parts sales		25,289			22,784			27,714			34,784			30,509
Services revenues		32,930			30,878			36,905			44,800			40,974
Other		(4,538	)		(7,571	)		(2,353	)		430			3,897

Total gross profit		192,703			135,939			165,498			310,040			306,040

Selling, general and administrative expenses⁽³⁾		153,354			148,277			144,460			181,037			165,048
Impairment of goodwill and intangible assets⁽⁴⁾		—			—			8,972			22,721			—
Gain from sales of property and equipment, net		793			443			533			436			469

Income (loss) from operations		40,142			(11,895	)		12,599			106,718			141,461

Other income (expense):
Interest expense⁽⁵⁾		(28,727	)		(29,076	)		(31,339	)		(38,255	)		(36,771	)
Loss on early extinguishment of debt⁽⁶⁾		—			—			—			—			(320	)
Other, net		726			591			619			934			1,045

Total other expense, net		(28,001	)		(28,485	)		(30,720	)		(37,321	)		(36,046	)

Income (loss) before income taxes		12,141			(40,380	)		(18,121	)		69,397			105,415
Income tax provision (benefit)		3,215			(14,920	)		(6,178	)		26,101			40,789

Net income (loss)	$	8,926		$	(25,460	)	$	(11,943	)	$	43,296		$	64,626

Net income (loss) per common share:
Basic	$	0.26		$	(0.73	)	$	(0.35	)	$	1.22		$	1.70

Diluted	$	0.26		$	(0.73	)	$	(0.35	)	$	1.22		$	1.70

Weighted average common shares outstanding:
Basic		34,759			34,668			34,607			35,575			38,065

Diluted		34,887			34,668			34,607			35,583			38,065


	For the Year Ended December 31,
	2011			2010			2009			2008			2007⁽¹⁾
	(Amounts in thousands)
Other financial data:
Depreciation and amortization⁽⁷⁾	$	99,398		$	92,266		$	99,293		$	117,677		$	104,281
Statement of cash flows:
Net cash provided by operating activities		60,385			17,938			72,901			120,467			104,094
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities		(80,928	)		(29,669	)		37,900			(36,675	)		(188,647	)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities		15,609			(4,456	)		(76,731	)		(87,288	)		90,012


	As of December 31,
	2011		2010		2009		2008		2007⁽¹⁾
	(Amounts in thousands)
Balance sheet data:
Cash	$	24,215	$	29,149	$	45,336	$	11,266	$	14,762
Rental equipment, net		450,877		426,637		437,407		554,457		577,628
Goodwill⁽⁴⁾		34,019		34,019		34,019		42,991		54,731
Deferred financing costs, net		5,640		7,027		5,545		6,964		8,628
Intangible assets, net⁽⁸⁾		66		429		988		1,579		10,642
Total assets		753,305		734,421		763,084		966,634		1,012,853
Total debt⁽⁹⁾		268,660		252,754		254,110		330,584		374,951
Stockholders’ Equity		264,207		254,250		278,882		290,207		288,078

⁽¹⁾	Our operating results for the year ended December 31, 2007 included the operating results of H&E Equipment Services (Mid-Atlantic) as of September 1, 2007, the date of our acquisition of J.W. Burress, Incorporated.

⁽²⁾	See note 17 to the consolidated financial statements discussing segment information.

⁽³⁾	Stock-based compensation expense included in selling, general and administrative expenses for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008 and 2007 totaled $1.3 million, $1.0 million, $0.7 million, $1.5 million and $1.3 million, respectively.

⁽⁴⁾

As more fully described in note 2 to the consolidated financial statements, and in connection with our annual impairment test, we recorded in 2009 a non-cash goodwill impairment of approximately $9.0 million, or $5.5 million after tax, related to our Equipment Rentals Component 1 reporting unit. In 2008, we recorded non-cash goodwill impairments totaling approximately $15.9 million, or $9.9 million after tax, related to our New Equipment and Service Revenues reporting units. Also in 2008, we recorded a non-cash impairment charge of $6.8 million, or $4.2 million after tax, related to our customer relationship intangible asset.

⁽⁵⁾	Interest expense is comprised of cash-pay interest (interest recorded on debt and other obligations requiring periodic cash payments) and non-cash pay interest comprised of amortization of deferred financing costs and accretion of loan discounts.

⁽⁶⁾

On July 31, 2007, we redeemed with available cash on hand all of the remaining $4.5 million in aggregate principal amount outstanding of the senior secured notes. In connection with the transaction, we recorded a loss on the early extinguishment of debt on the 2007 transaction of approximately $0.3 million.

⁽⁷⁾	Excludes amortization of deferred financing costs and accretion of loan discounts, which are both included in interest expense.

⁽⁸⁾	We recorded a $6.8 million impairment, or $4.2 million after tax, in 2008 related to our customer relationships intangible asset.

⁽⁹⁾	Total debt represents the amounts outstanding, as applicable for the periods presented, under the senior secured credit facility, senior secured notes, senior subordinated notes, senior unsecured notes, notes payable and capital leases.

Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

The following discussion summarizes the financial position of H&E Equipment Services, Inc. and its subsidiaries as of December 31, 2011, and its results of operations for the year ended December 31, 2011, and should be read in conjunction with the Selected Financial Data and our consolidated financial statements and the accompanying notes thereto included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. The following discussion contains, in addition to historical information, forward-looking statements that include risks and uncertainties (see discussion of “Forward-Looking Statements” included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K). Our actual results may differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of certain factors, including those factors set forth under Item 1A—Risk Factors of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Background

As one of the largest integrated equipment services companies in the United States focused on heavy construction and industrial equipment, we rent, sell and provide parts and service support for four core categories of specialized equipment: (1) hi-lift or aerial work platform equipment; (2) cranes; (3) earthmoving equipment; and (4) industrial lift trucks. By providing equipment rental, sales, on-site parts, repair and maintenance functions under one roof, we are a one-stop provider for our customers’ varied equipment needs. This full service approach provides us with multiple points of customer contact, enables us to maintain a high quality rental fleet, as well as an effective distribution channel for fleet disposal and provides cross-selling opportunities among our new and used equipment sales, rental, parts sales and service operations.

As of February 28, 2012, we operated 65 full-service facilities throughout the Intermountain, Southwest, Gulf Coast, West Coast, Southeast and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. Our work force includes distinct, focused sales forces for our new and used equipment sales and rental operations, highly skilled service technicians, product specialists and regional managers. We focus our sales and rental activities on, and organize our personnel principally by, our four core equipment categories. We believe this allows us to provide specialized equipment knowledge, improve the effectiveness of our rental and sales force and strengthen our customer relationships. In addition, we have branch managers for each location who are responsible for managing their assets and financial results. We believe this fosters accountability in our business, and strengthens our local and regional relationships.

Through our predecessor companies, we have been in the equipment services business for approximately 51 years. H&E Equipment Services L.L.C. (“H&E LLC”) was formed in June 2002 through the business combination of Head & Engquist, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Gulf Wide, and ICM. Head & Engquist, founded in 1961, and ICM, founded in 1971, were two leading regional, integrated equipment service companies operating in contiguous geographic markets. In the June 2002 transaction, Head & Engquist and ICM were merged with and into Gulf Wide, which was renamed H&E LLC. Prior to the combination, Head & Engquist operated 25 facilities in the Gulf Coast region, and ICM operated 16 facilities in the Intermountain region of the United States.

In connection with our initial public offering in February 2006, we converted H&E LLC into H&E Equipment Services, Inc. Prior to our initial public offering, our business was conducted through H&E LLC. In order to have an operating Delaware corporation as the issuer for our initial public offering, H&E Equipment Services, Inc. was formed as a Delaware corporation and wholly-owned subsidiary of H&E Holdings, and immediately prior to the closing of our initial public offering, on February 3, 2006, H&E LLC and H&E Holdings merged with and into us (H&E Equipment Services, Inc.), with us surviving the reincorporation merger as the operating company. Effective February 3, 2006, H&E LLC and Holdings no longer existed under operation of law pursuant to the reincorporation merger.

We expanded our operations into California and the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States through our acquisitions of Eagle High Reach Equipment, Inc. (now known as H&E California Holdings, Inc.) and its subsidiary, Eagle High Reach Equipment, LLC (now known as H&E Equipment Services (California) LLC) and J.W. Burress, Incorporated (now known as H&E Equipment Services (Mid-Atlantic), Inc.) in 2006 and 2007.

Business Segments

We have five reportable segments because we derive our revenues from five principal business activities: (1) equipment rentals; (2) new equipment sales; (3) used equipment sales; (4) parts sales; and (5) repair and maintenance services. These segments are based upon how we allocate resources and assess performance. In addition, we also have non-segmented revenues and costs that relate to equipment support activities.

•

Equipment Rentals. Our rental operation primarily rents our four core types of construction and industrial equipment. We have a well-maintained rental fleet and our own dedicated sales force, focused by equipment type. We actively manage the size, quality, age and composition of our rental fleet based on our analysis of key measures such as time utilization (which we analyze as equipment usage based on: (1) the number of rental equipment units available for rent, and (2) as a percentage of original equipment cost), rental rate trends and targets, rental equipment dollar utilization and maintenance and repair costs, which we closely monitor. We maintain fleet quality through regional quality control managers and our parts and services operations.

•

New Equipment Sales. Our new equipment sales operation sells new equipment in all of our four core product categories. We have a retail sales force focused by equipment type that is separate from our rental sales force. Manufacturer purchase terms and pricing are managed by our product specialists.

•

Used Equipment Sales. Our used equipment sales are generated primarily from sales of used equipment from our rental fleet, as well as from sales of inventoried equipment that we acquire through trade-ins from our equipment customers and through selective purchases of high quality used equipment. Used equipment is sold by our dedicated retail sales force. Our used equipment sales are an effective way for us to manage the size and composition of our rental fleet and provide a profitable distribution channel for disposal of rental equipment.

•

Parts Sales. Our parts business sells new and used parts for the equipment we sell and also provides parts to our own rental fleet. To a lesser degree, we also sell parts for equipment produced by manufacturers whose products we neither rent nor sell. In order to provide timely parts and service support to our customers as well as our own rental fleet, we maintain an extensive parts inventory.

•

Services. Our services operation provides maintenance and repair services for our customers’ equipment and to our own rental fleet at our facilities as well as at our customers’ locations. As the authorized distributor for numerous equipment manufacturers, we are able to provide service to that equipment that will be covered under the manufacturer’s warranty.

Our non-segmented revenues and costs relate to equipment support activities that we provide, such as transportation, hauling, parts freight and damage waivers, and are not generally allocated to reportable segments.

You can read more about our business segments under Item 1—Business and in note 17 of the consolidated financial statements in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Revenue Sources

We generate all of our total revenues from our five business segments and our non-segmented equipment support activities. Equipment rentals and new equipment sales account for more than half of our total revenues. For the year ended December 31, 2011, approximately 31.7% of our total revenues were attributable to equipment rentals, 30.6% of our total revenues were attributable to new equipment sales, 11.8% were attributable to used equipment sales, 13.1% were attributable to parts sales, 7.5% were attributable to our service revenues and 5.3% were attributable to non-segmented other revenues.

The pie charts below illustrate a breakdown of our revenues and gross profit (loss) for the year ended December 31, 2011 by business segment (see note 17 to our consolidated financial statements for further information regarding our business segments):

LOGO

The equipment that we sell, rent and service is principally used in the construction industry, as well as by companies for commercial and industrial uses such as plant maintenance and turnarounds. As a result, our total revenues are affected by several factors including, but not limited to, the demand for and availability of rental equipment, rental rates and other competitive factors, the demand for new and used equipment, the level of construction and industrial activities, spending levels by our customers, adverse weather conditions and general economic conditions. For a discussion of the impact of seasonality on our revenues, see “Seasonality” below.

Equipment Rentals. Our rental operation primarily rents our four core types of construction and industrial equipment. We have a well-maintained rental fleet and our own dedicated sales force, focused by equipment type. We actively manage the size, quality, age and composition of our rental fleet based on our analysis of key measures such as time utilization (which we analyze: (1) as equipment usage based on the number of rental equipment units available for rent and (2) as a percentage of original equipment cost), rental rate trends and targets, rental equipment dollar utilization and maintenance and repair costs, which we closely monitor. We maintain fleet quality through regional quality control managers and our parts and services operations. We recognize revenue from equipment rentals in the period earned on a straight-line basis, over the contract term, regardless of the timing of the billing to customers.

New Equipment Sales. We seek to optimize revenues from new equipment sales by selling equipment through a professional in-house retail sales force focused by product type. While sales of new equipment are impacted by the availability of equipment from the manufacturer, we believe our status as a leading distributor for some of our key suppliers improves our ability to obtain equipment. New equipment sales are an important component of our integrated model due to customer interaction and service contact and new equipment sales also lead to future parts and service revenues. We recognize revenue from the sale of new equipment at the time of delivery to, or pick-up by, the customer and when all obligations under the sales contract have been fulfilled and collectibility is reasonably assured.

Used Equipment Sales. We generate the majority of our used equipment sales revenues by selling equipment from our rental fleet. The remainder of our used equipment sales revenues comes from the sale of inventoried equipment that we acquire through trade-ins from our equipment customers and selective purchases of high-quality used equipment. Our policy is not to offer specified price trade-in arrangements on equipment for sale. Sales of our rental fleet equipment allow us to manage the size, quality, composition and age of our rental fleet, and provide us with a profitable distribution channel for the disposal of rental equipment. We recognize revenue for the sale of used equipment at the time of delivery to, or pick-up by, the customer and when all obligations under the sales contract have been fulfilled and collectibility is reasonably assured.

Parts Sales. We generate revenues from the sale of new and used parts for equipment that we rent or sell, as well as for other makes of equipment. Our product support sales representatives are instrumental in generating our parts revenues. They are product specialists and receive performance incentives for achieving certain sales levels. Most of our parts sales come from our extensive in-house parts inventory. Our parts sales provide us with a relatively stable revenue stream that is generally less sensitive to the economic cycles that tend to affect our rental and equipment sales operations. We recognize revenues from parts sales at the time of delivery to, or pick-up by, the customer and when all obligations under the sales contract have been fulfilled and collectibility is reasonably assured.

Services. We derive our services revenues from maintenance and repair services to customers for their owned equipment. In addition to repair and maintenance on an as-needed or scheduled basis, we also provide ongoing preventative maintenance services to industrial customers. Our after-market service provides a high-margin, relatively stable source of revenue through changing economic cycles. We recognize services revenues at the time services are rendered and collectibility is reasonably assured.

Non-Segmented Other Revenues. Our non-segmented other revenue consists of billings to customers for equipment support and activities including: transportation, hauling, parts freight, environmental fees and loss damage waiver charges. We recognize non-segmented other revenues at the time of billing and after the related services have been provided.

Principal Costs and Expenses

Our largest expenses are the costs to purchase the new equipment we sell, the costs associated with the used equipment we sell, rental expenses, rental depreciation and costs associated with parts sales and services, all of which are included in cost of revenues. For the year ended December 31, 2011, our total cost of revenues was approximately $527.8 million. Our operating expenses consist principally of selling, general and administrative expenses. For the year ended December 31, 2011, our selling, general and administrative expenses were $153.4 million. In addition, we have interest expense related to our debt instruments. Operating expenses and all other income and expense items below the gross profit line of our consolidated statements of income are not generally allocated to our reportable segments.

We are also subject to federal and state income taxes. Our Federal Tax Returns for the tax years 2005 through 2009 are currently under examination by the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) due to a net operating loss carryback. Accordingly, we may incur additional tax expense based on probable outcomes of such matters.We currently do not expect any material adjustment resulting from the IRS examination.

Cost of Revenues:

Rental Depreciation. Depreciation of rental equipment represents the depreciation costs attributable to rental equipment. Estimated useful lives vary based upon type of equipment. Generally, we depreciate cranes and aerial work platforms over a ten year estimated useful life, earthmoving over a five year estimated useful life with a 25% salvage value, and industrial lift trucks over a seven year estimated useful life. Attachments and other smaller type equipment are depreciated over a three year estimated useful life. We periodically evaluate the appropriateness of remaining depreciable lives assigned to rental equipment.

Rental Expense. Rental expense represents the costs associated with rental equipment, including, among other things, the cost of servicing and maintaining our rental equipment, property taxes on our fleet and other miscellaneous costs of rental equipment.

New Equipment Sales. Cost of new equipment sold primarily consists of the equipment cost of the new equipment that is sold, net of any amount of credit given to the customer towards the equipment for trade-ins.

Used Equipment Sales. Cost of used equipment sold consists of the net book value of rental equipment for used equipment sold from our rental fleet, the equipment costs for used equipment we purchase for sale or the trade-in value of used equipment that we obtain from customers in equipment sales transactions.

Parts Sales. Cost of parts sales represents costs attributable to the sale of parts directly to customers.

Services Support. Cost of services revenues represents costs attributable to service provided for the maintenance and repair of customer-owned equipment and equipment then on-rent by customers.

Non-Segmented Other. These expenses include costs associated with providing transportation, hauling, parts freight, and damage waiver including, among other items, drivers’ wages, fuel costs, shipping costs, and our costs related to damage waiver policies.

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses:

Our selling, general and administrative (“SG&A”) expenses include sales and marketing expenses, payroll and related benefit costs, insurance expenses, legal and professional fees, rent and other occupancy costs, property and other taxes, administrative overhead, depreciation associated with property and equipment (other than rental equipment) and amortization expense associated with intangible assets. These expenses are not generally allocated to our reportable segments.

Interest Expense:

Interest expense for the periods presented represents the interest on our outstanding debt instruments, including indebtedness outstanding under our senior secured credit facility, senior unsecured notes due 2016 and our capital lease obligations. See note 8 to the consolidated financial statements for further information on our senior unsecured notes. Interest expense also includes interest on our outstanding manufacturer flooring plans payable which are used to finance inventory and rental equipment purchases. See note 6 to the consolidated financial statements for further information on our manufacturer flooring plans payable. Non-cash interest expense related to the amortization cost of deferred financing costs is also included in interest expense.

Principal Cash Flows

We generate cash primarily from our operating activities and historically, we have used cash flows from operating activities, manufacturer floor plan financings and available borrowings under our revolving senior secured credit facility as the primary sources of funds to purchase inventory and to fund working capital and capital expenditures (see also “Liquidity and Capital Resources” below).

Rental Fleet

A significant portion of our overall value is in our rental fleet equipment. The net book value of our rental equipment at December 31, 2011 was $450.9 million, or approximately 59.9% of our total assets. Our rental fleet as of December 31, 2011, consisted of 17,538 units having an original acquisition cost (which we define as the cost originally paid to manufacturers or the original amount financed under operating leases) of approximately $736.6 million. As of December 31, 2011, our rental fleet composition was as follows (dollars in millions):


	Units		% of Total Units			Original Acquisition Cost		% of Original Acquisition Cost			Average Age in Months
Hi-Lift or Aerial Work Platforms		12,274		70.0	%	$	443.2		60.2	%		50.7
Cranes		358		2.0	%		96.5		13.1	%		40.2
Earthmoving		1,806		10.3	%		149.4		20.3	%		26.8
Industrial Lift Trucks		571		3.3	%		20.5		2.8	%		27.7
Other		2,529		14.4	%		27.0		3.6	%		23.4

Total		17,538		100.0	%	$	736.6		100.0	%		43.3

Determining the optimal age and mix for our rental fleet equipment is subjective and requires considerable estimates and judgments by management. We constantly evaluate the mix, age and quality of the equipment in our rental fleet in response to current economic and market conditions, competition and customer demand. The mix and age of our rental fleet, as well as our cash flows, are impacted by sales of equipment from the rental fleet, which are influenced by used equipment pricing at the retail and secondary auction market levels, and the capital expenditures to acquire new rental fleet equipment. In making equipment acquisition decisions, we evaluate current economic and market conditions, competition, manufacturers’ availability, pricing and return on investment over the estimated useful life of the specific equipment, among other things. As a result of our in-house service capabilities and extensive maintenance program, we believe our rental fleet is well-maintained.

The original acquisition cost of our gross rental fleet increased by approximately $51.5 million, or 7.5%, for the year ended December 31, 2011, due to equipment rental purchases in response to improved equipment time utilization from the increase in demand. The average age of our rental fleet equipment increased by approximately 0.2 months for the year ended December 31, 2011.

Our average rental rates for the year ended December 31, 2011 were 5.2% higher than the comparative year ended December 31, 2010 (see further discussion on rental rates in “Results of Operations” below).

The rental equipment mix among our four core product lines for the year ended December 31, 2011 was largely consistent with that of the prior year comparable period as a percentage of total units available for rent and as a percentage of original acquisition cost.

Principal External Factors that Affect our Businesses

We are subject to a number of external factors that may adversely affect our businesses. These factors, and other factors, are discussed below and under the heading “Forward-Looking Statements,” and in Item 1A—Risk Factors in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

•

Economic downturns. The demand for our products is dependent on the general economy, the stability of the global credit markets, the industries in which our customers operate or serve, and other factors. Downturns in the general economy or in the construction and manufacturing industries, as well as adverse credit market conditions, can cause demand for our products to materially decrease.

•

Spending levels by customers. Rentals and sales of equipment to the construction industry and to industrial companies constitute a significant portion of our total revenues. As a result, we depend upon customers in these businesses and their ability and willingness to make capital expenditures to rent or buy specialized equipment. Accordingly, our business is impacted by fluctuations in customers’ spending levels on capital expenditures and by the availability of credit to those customers.

•

Adverse weather. Adverse weather in a geographic region in which we operate may depress demand for equipment in that region. Our equipment is primarily used outdoors and, as a result, prolonged adverse weather conditions may prohibit our customers from continuing their work projects. Adverse weather also has a seasonal impact in parts of our Intermountain region, primarily in the winter months.

We believe that our integrated business tempers the effects of downturns in a particular segment. For a discussion of seasonality, see “Seasonality” on page 48 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

We prepare our consolidated financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. The application of many accounting principles requires us to make assumptions, estimates and/or judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses in our consolidated financial statements. We base our estimates and judgments on historical experience and other assumptions that we believe are reasonable under the circumstances. These assumptions, estimates and/or judgments, however, are often subjective and they and our actual results may change based on changing circumstances or changes in our analyses. If actual amounts are ultimately different from our estimates, the revisions are included in our results of operations for the period in which the actual amounts first become known. We believe the following critical accounting policies could potentially produce materially different results if we were to change underlying assumptions, estimates and/or judgments. See also note 2 to our consolidated financial statements for a summary of our significant accounting policies.

Revenue Recognition. Our revenue recognition policies vary by reporting segment. Our policy is to recognize revenue from equipment rentals in the period earned on a straight-line basis, over the contract term, regardless of the timing of the billing to customers. A rental contract term can be daily, weekly or monthly. Because the term of the contracts can extend across financial reporting periods, we record unbilled rental revenue and deferred rental revenue at the end of reporting periods so rental revenue earned is appropriately stated in the periods presented. We recognize revenue from new equipment sales, used equipment sales and parts sales at the time of delivery to, or pick-up by, the customer and when all obligations under the sales contract have been fulfilled and collectibility is reasonably assured. We recognize services revenues at the time services are rendered. We recognize other revenues for support services at the time we generate an invoice including the charge for such completed services. See also “Revenue Sources” above.

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts. We maintain an allowance for doubtful accounts that reflects our estimate of the amount of our receivables that we will be unable to collect. We develop our estimate of this allowance based on our historical experience with specific customers, our understanding of our current economic circumstances and our own judgment as to the likelihood of ultimate payment. Our largest exposure to doubtful accounts is in our rental operations. We perform credit evaluations of customers and establish credit limits based on reviews of our customers’ current credit information and payment histories. We believe our credit risk is somewhat mitigated by our geographically diverse customer base and our credit evaluation procedures. During the year, we write off customer account balances when we have exhausted reasonable collection efforts and determined that the likelihood of collection is remote. Such write-offs are charged against our allowance for doubtful accounts. Bad debt expense as a percentage of total revenues for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009 were 0.4%, 0.6% and 0.5%, respectively. The actual rate of future credit losses, however, may not be similar to past experience. Our estimate of doubtful accounts could change based on changing circumstances, including changes in the economy or in the particular circumstances of individual customers. Accordingly, we may be required to increase or decrease our allowance for doubtful accounts.

Useful Lives of Rental Equipment and Property and Equipment. We depreciate rental equipment and property and equipment over their estimated useful lives (generally three to ten years), after giving effect to an estimated salvage value ranging from 0% to 25% of cost. The useful life of rental equipment is determined based on our estimate of the period the asset will generate revenues, and the salvage value is determined based on our estimate of the minimum value we could realize from the asset after such period. We periodically review the assumptions utilized in computing rates of depreciation. We may be required to change these estimates based on changes in our industry or other changing circumstances. If these estimates change in the future, we may be required to recognize increased or decreased depreciation expense for these assets.

The amount of depreciation expense we record is highly dependent upon the estimated useful lives and the salvage values assigned to each category of rental equipment. Generally, we assign estimated useful lives to our rental fleet ranging from a three-year life, five-year life with a 25% salvage value, seven-year life and a ten-year life. Depreciation expense on our rental fleet for the year ended December 31, 2011 was $86.8 million. For the year ended December 31, 2011, the estimated impact of a change in estimated useful lives for each category of equipment by two years was as follows:


	Hi-Lift or Aerial Work Platforms		Cranes		Earth- moving		Industrial Lift Trucks		Other		Total
	($ in millions)
Impact of 2-year change in useful life on results of operations for the year ended December 31, 2011
Depreciation expense for the year ended December 31, 2011	$	44.9	$	10.6	$	24.1	$	2.8	$	4.4	$	86.8
Increase of 2 years in useful life		35.8		7.6		16.5		2.1		4.3		66.3
Decrease of 2 years in useful life		53.8		11.4		38.5		3.8		4.4		111.9

For purposes of the sensitivity analysis above, we elected not to decrease the useful lives of other equipment, which are primarily three-year estimated useful life assets; rather, we have held the depreciation expense constant at the actual amount of depreciation expense. We believe that decreasing the life of the other equipment by two years is an unreasonable estimate and would potentially lead to the decision to expense, rather than capitalize, a significant portion of the subject asset class. As noted in this sensitivity table, in general terms, a one-year increase in the estimated life across all classes of our rental equipment will give rise to an approximate decrease in our annual depreciation expense of approximately $10.2 million. Additionally, a one-year decrease in the estimated life across all classes of our rental equipment (with the exception of other equipment as discussed above) will give rise to an approximate increase in our annual depreciation expense of approximately $12.5 million.

Another significant assumption used in our calculation of depreciation expense is the estimated salvage value assigned to our earthmoving equipment. Based on our recent experience, we have used a 25% factor of the equipment’s original cost to estimate its salvage value. This factor is highly subjective and subject to change upon future actual results at the time we dispose of the equipment. A change of 5%, either increase or decrease, in the estimated salvage value would result in a change in our annual depreciation expense of approximately $1.5 million.

Purchase Price Allocation. We have made significant acquisitions in the past and we may make additional acquisitions in the future that meet our selection criteria that solidify our presence in the contiguous regions where we operate with an objective of increasing our revenues, improving our profitability, entering additional attractive markets and strengthening our competitive position. Pursuant to Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 350 (“ASC 350”), Intangibles-Goodwill and Other, we record as goodwill the excess of the consideration transferred plus the fair value of any non-controlling interest in the acquiree at the acquisition date over the fair values of the identifiable net assets acquired. Such fair market value assessments require judgments and estimates that can be affected by various factors over time, which may cause final amounts to differ materially from original estimates. For acquisitions completed through December 31, 2011, adjustments to fair value assessments have been recorded to goodwill over the purchase price allocation period (typically not exceeding 12 months).

With the exception of goodwill, long-lived fixed assets generally represent the largest component of our acquisitions. Typically, the long-lived fixed assets that we acquire are primarily comprised of rental fleet equipment. Historically, virtually all of the rental equipment that we have acquired through purchase business combinations has been classified as “To be Used,” rather than as “To be Sold.” Equipment that we acquire and classify as “To be Used” is recorded at fair value, as determined by replacement cost of such equipment. Any significant inventories of new and used equipment acquired in the transaction are valued at fair value, less cost to sell.

In addition to long-lived fixed assets, we also acquire other assets and assume liabilities. These other assets and liabilities typically include, but are not limited to, parts inventory, accounts receivable, accounts payable and other working capital items. Because of their short-term nature, the fair values of these assets and liabilities generally approximate the carrying values reflected on the acquired entities balance sheets. However, when appropriate, we adjust these carrying values for factors such as collectibility and existence. The intangible assets that we have acquired generally consist primarily of the goodwill recognized. Depending upon the applicable purchase agreement and the particular facts and circumstances of the business acquired, we may identify other

intangible assets, such as trade names or trademarks, non-compete agreements and customer-related intangibles (specifically, customer relationships). A trademark has a fair value equal to the present value of the royalty income attributable to it. The royalty income attributable to a trademark represents the hypothetical cost savings that are derived from owning the trademark instead of paying royalties to license the trademark from another owner. When specifically negotiated by the parties in the applicable purchase agreements, we base the value of non-compete agreements on the amounts assigned to them in the purchase agreements as these amounts represent the amounts negotiated in an arm’s length transaction. When not negotiated by the parties in the applicable purchase agreements, the fair value of non-compete agreements is estimated based on an income approach since their values are representative of the current and future revenue and profit erosion protection they provide. Customer relationships are generally valued based on an excess earnings or income approach with consideration to projected cash flows. We use an independent third party valuation firm to assist us with estimating the fair values of our acquired intangible assets.

Goodwill. We have made acquisitions in the past that included the recognition of goodwill. Pursuant to ASC 350, goodwill is the excess of the consideration transferred plus the fair value of any non-controlling interest in the acquiree at the acquisition date over the fair values of the identifiable net assets acquired. We evaluate goodwill for impairment annually or more frequently if triggering events occur or other impairment indicators arise which might impair recoverability.

Impairment of goodwill is evaluated at the reporting unit level. A reporting unit is defined as an operating segment (i.e., before aggregation or combination), or one level below an operating segment (i.e., a component). A component of an operating segment is a reporting unit if the component constitutes a business for which discrete financial information is available and segment management regularly reviews the operating results of that component. Pursuant to ASC 350 and ASC 280, Segment Reporting, and other relevant guidance, we have identified two components within our Rental operating segment (Equipment Rentals Component 1 and Equipment Rentals Component 2) and have determined that each of our other four operating segments (New Equipment, Used Equipment, Parts, and Service segments) represents a reporting unit, resulting in six total reporting units.

As of December 31, 2011, our goodwill was comprised of the following carrying values of three reporting units (amounts in thousands):


Reporting Unit	Carrying Value at 12/31/11
Equipment Rentals Component 2	$	20,427
Used Equipment Sales		6,712
Parts Sales		6,880

Total Goodwill	$	34,019

In September 2011, the FASB issued ASU 2011-08, Intangibles-Goodwill and Other (Topic 350)-Testing Goodwill for Impairment (“ASU 2011-08”), to allow entities to first use a qualitative approach to test goodwill for impairment. ASU 2011-08 permits an entity to first perform a qualitative assessment to determine whether it is more likely than not (a likelihood of greater than 50%) that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying value. If it is concluded that this is the case, the currently prescribed two-step goodwill test must be performed. Otherwise, the two-step goodwill impairment test is not required. Considerable judgment is required by management in using the qualitative approach under ASU 2011-08 to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying value. As noted in note 2 to the consolidated financial statements, we adopted ASU 2011-08 in conjunction with our annual impairment test as of October 1, 2011. As a result of our adoption of this guidance, we performed a qualitative assessment and determined that it is more likely than not that the fair value of each of our reporting units is not less than its carrying value and, therefore, did not perform the prescribed two-step goodwill impairment test. We considered various factors in performing the qualitative test, including macroeconomic conditions, industry and market considerations, the overall financial performance of our reporting units, the Company’s stock price and the excess amount or “cushion” between our reporting unit’s fair value and carrying value as indicated on our most recent quantitative assessment.

Based upon improving macroeconomic conditions and positive trends within our industry and market, combined with recent positive operating results in comparison to prior periods and our internal forecasts, and with consideration of the cushion between the reporting unit’s fair value and carrying value from our most recent quantitative analysis, we determined that it is more likely than not that the fair value of our reporting units exceeds their respective carrying values at the October 1, 2011 valuation date and there was no goodwill impairment at October 1, 2011.

If the two-step goodwill test must be performed, we determine whether the fair value of our goodwill reporting units is greater than their carrying value. If the fair value of the reporting unit exceeds the carrying value of the net assets assigned to that reporting unit, goodwill is not impaired. However, if the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying value, then the second step of the impairment test is performed to determine the implied fair value of goodwill. If the carrying value of a reporting unit’s goodwill exceeds its implied fair value, then we record an impairment loss for the excess amount.

For purposes of performing the first step of the impairment test described above, we estimate the fair value of our reporting units using a discounted cash flow analysis and/or by applying various market multiples. The principal factors used in the discounted cash flow analysis are our internal projected results of operations, weighted average cost of capital (“WACC”) and terminal value assumptions.

Our internal projected results of operations serve as key inputs for developing our cash flow projections for a planning period of twelve years. Beyond this period, we also determine an assumed long-term growth rate representing the expected rate at which a reporting unit’s earnings stream is expected to grow. These rates are used to calculate the terminal value of our reporting units and are added to the cash flows projected during the twelve year planning period. The WACC is an estimate of the overall after-tax rate of return required by equity and debt holders of a business enterprise and represents the expected cost of new capital likely to be used by market participants. The WACC is used to discount our combined future cash flows.

The inputs and variables used in determining the fair value of a reporting unit require management to make certain assumptions regarding the impact of operating and macroeconomic changes, as well as estimates of future cash flows. Our estimates regarding future cash flows are based on historical experience and projections of future operating performance, including revenues, margins and operating expenses. These estimates involve risk and are inherently uncertain. Changes in our estimates and assumptions could materially affect the determination of fair value and/or the amount of goodwill impairment to be recognized. However, we believe that our estimates and assumptions are reasonable and represent our most likely future operating results based upon current information available. Future deterioration in the macroeconomic environment, adverse changes within our industry, further deterioration in our common stock price, downward revisions to our projected cash flows based on new information, or other factors, some of which are beyond our ability to control, could result in a future impairment charge that could materially impact our future results of operations and financial position in the reporting period identified.

Long-lived Assets and Intangible Assets. Our long-lived assets principally consist of rental equipment and property and equipment. Our intangible assets consist principally of the intangible assets acquired in the September 1, 2007 Burress Acquisition. We review our long-lived assets and intangible assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. In reviewing for impairment, the carrying value of such assets is compared to the estimated undiscounted future cash flows expected from the use of the assets and their eventual disposition. If such cash flows are not sufficient to support the asset’s recorded value, an impairment charge is recognized to reduce the carrying value of the asset to its estimated fair value. The determination of future cash flows as well as the estimated fair value of long-lived and intangible assets involves significant estimates and judgment on the part of management. Our estimates and assumptions may prove to be inaccurate due to factors such as changes in economic conditions, changes in our business prospects or other changing circumstances.

We evaluate the remaining useful life of our intangible assets on a periodic basis to determine whether events and circumstances warrant a revision to the remaining estimated amortization period.

Inventories. We state our new and used equipment inventories at the lower of cost or market by specific identification. Parts and supplies are stated at the lower of the weighted average cost or market. We maintain allowances for damaged, slow-moving and unmarketable inventory to reflect the difference between the cost of the inventory and the estimated market value. Changes in product demand may affect the value of inventory on hand and may require higher inventory allowances. Uncertainties with respect to inventory valuation are inherent in the preparation of financial statements.

Reserves for Claims. We are exposed to various claims relating to our business, including those for which we provide self-insurance. Claims for which we self-insure include: (1) workers compensation claims; (2) general liability claims by third parties for injury or property damage caused by our equipment or personnel; (3) automobile liability claims; and (4) employee health insurance claims. These types of claims may take a substantial amount of time to resolve and, accordingly, the ultimate liability associated with a particular claim, including claims incurred but not reported as of a period-end reporting date, may not be known for an extended period of time. Our methodology for developing self-insurance reserves is based on management estimates and independent third party actuarial estimates. Our estimation process considers, among other matters, the cost of known claims over time, cost inflation and incurred but not reported claims. These estimates may change based on, among other things, changes in our claim history or receipt of additional information relevant to assessing the claims. Further, these estimates may prove to be inaccurate due to factors such as adverse judicial determinations or other claim settlements at higher than estimated amounts. Accordingly, we may be required to increase or decrease our reserve levels.

Income Taxes. The Company files a consolidated federal income tax return with its wholly-owned subsidiaries. The Company is a C-Corporation under the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code. We utilize the asset and liability approach to measuring deferred tax assets and liabilities based on temporary differences existing at each balance sheet date using currently enacted tax rates in accordance with ASC 740, Income Taxes (“ASC 740”). ASC 740 takes into account the differences between financial statement treatment and tax treatment of certain transactions. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect of a change in tax rate is recognized as income or expense in the period that includes the enactment date of that tax rate.

In accordance with ASC 740, the Company recognizes the effect of an income tax position only if it is more likely than not (a likelihood of greater than 50%) that such position will be sustained. Recognized income tax positions are measured at the largest amount that is greater than 50% likely of being realized. Changes in recognition or measurement are reflected in the period in which the change in judgment occurs. The Company recognizes both interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions as part of the income tax provision.

Our deferred tax calculation requires management to make certain estimates about future operations. Deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance when, in the opinion of management, it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized.

Our U.S. federal tax returns for 2005 and subsequent years remain subject to examination by tax authorities. We are also subject to examination in various state jurisdictions for 2007 and subsequent years. Accordingly, we may incur additional tax expense based on probable outcomes of such matters. Our Federal Tax Returns for the tax years 2005 through 2009 are currently under examination by the IRS. We currently do not expect any material adjustment resulting from the IRS examination.

Results of Operations

The tables included in the period-to-period comparisons below provide summaries of our revenues and gross profits for our business segments and non-segmented revenues. The period-to-period comparisons of our financial results are not necessarily indicative of future results.

During the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009, our revenues and gross profits/margins were negatively impacted by lower customer demand resulting from several factors, including: (i) the decline in construction and industrial activities; (ii) the macroeconomic downturn; and (iii) unfavorable credit markets affecting end-user access to capital. Although our total gross profit margins trended downward from the year ended December 31, 2006 through December 31, 2010, the rate of total gross profit margin decline was the most significant during the year ended December 31, 2009 and in the first quarter of 2010, as a result of the above factors. However, during the second, third and fourth quarters of 2010, as well as the 2011 fiscal year, our operating segments generally realized either higher gross profit margins or improvements in the rate of gross profit margin decline on a year-over-year comparative quarterly basis. We cannot forecast with certainty whether these recent gross profit margin improvements are indicative of a favorable trend in our business, nor can we forecast whether, or to what extent, we may experience any other declines, or whether our responses to any ongoing or future unfavorable business conditions will be meaningful in mitigating or reversing the gross profit margin declines for the foreseeable future.

Further deterioration in the non-residential construction industry and the industrial sectors we serve could result in declining revenues and gross profits/margins and may have a material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations and cash flows in the future. During the recent economic downturn, we proactively responded to these unfavorable business factors through various operational and strategic measures, including closing underperforming branches and redeploying rental fleet assets to existing branches with higher demand or to branches in new markets where demand is higher; minimizing rental fleet capital expenditures; reducing headcount; implementing cost reduction measures throughout the Company; and using some of the excess cash flow resulting from our planned reduction in capital expenditures to repay outstanding debt. We believe that these measures strengthened our balance sheet by improving our cash position. We will continue to evaluate and respond to business conditions as appropriate. While we cannot predict the timing, duration or the impact of an economic recovery and/or improved conditions within the construction and industrial sectors, we believe that our efforts have positioned us to take advantage of future opportunities when a prolonged economic and business recovery occurs (see also Item 1A, “Risk Factors” above in this Annual Report on Form 10-K).

Our operating results for the year ended December 31, 2009 reflect the sale of a substantial portion of our Yale^® lift truck assets. On July 31, 2009, the Company sold certain of its Yale^® lift truck assets in its rental fleet, new and used equipment inventories and parts inventories located in the Intermountain region of the United States to Arnold Machinery Company (the “Arnold Transaction”) for total cash proceeds of approximately $15.7 million. At the time of the sale, these Yale^® lift trucks comprised approximately 71% of the total lift trucks in our rental fleet and approximately 3.5% of our total rental fleet assets (based on net book value). The Yale brand accounted for less than 5% of our total revenues in 2009 through the date of the Arnold Transaction. Details of the Arnold Transaction are presented below (amounts in thousands):


Revenues:
New equipment sales	$	1,161
Used equipment sales		13,437	(1)
Parts sales		1,061
Service revenues		895	(2)

Total revenues	$	16,554

Cost of revenues:
New equipment sales	$	1,125
Used equipment sales		12,830	(1)
Parts sales		1,011

Total cost of revenues		14,966

Gross profit	$	1,588

(1)	– Amounts include revenues and cost of revenues related to Yale^® lift truck rental fleet assets of $12.7 million and $12.2 million, respectively.

(2)	– Represents the recognition of deferred revenue associated with the termination of related Yale^® lift truck maintenance and repair contracts.

Year Ended December 31, 2011 Compared to the Year Ended December 31, 2010

Revenues.


	For the Year Ended				Total Dollar Increase		Total Percentage Increase
	December 31,
	2011		2010
	(in thousands, except percentages)
Segment Revenues:
Equipment rentals	$	228,038	$	177,970	$	50,068		28.1	%
New equipment sales		220,211		167,303		52,908		31.6	%
Used equipment sales		85,347		62,286		23,061		37.0	%
Parts sales		94,511		86,686		7,825		9.0	%
Services revenues		53,954		49,629		4,325		8.7	%
Non-Segmented revenues		38,490		30,280		8,210		27.1	%

Total revenues	$	720,551	$	574,154	$	146,397		25.5	%

Total Revenues. Our total revenues were $720.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2011 compared to $574.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2010, an increase of $146.4 million, or 25.5%. Revenues increased in all of our reportable segments and non-segmented revenues and are further discussed below.

Equipment Rental Revenues. Our revenues from equipment rentals for the year ended December 31, 2011 increased approximately $50.1 million, or 28.1%, to $228.0 million from $178.0 million in 2010. Rental revenues from aerial work platforms and earthmoving equipment increased approximately $31.8 million and $6.6 million, respectively, while rental revenues from aerial work platform equipment and other equipment increased $4.3 million and $5.5 million, respectively. Lift truck rental revenues increased $1.9 million. Our average rental rates for the year ended December 31, 2011 increased 5.2% compared to the year ended December 31, 2010.

Rental equipment dollar utilization (annual rental revenues divided by the average original rental fleet equipment costs) for the year ended December 31, 2011 improved to approximately 31.7% compared to 26.7% in 2010, an increase of 5.0%. The increase in comparative rental equipment dollar utilization was the result of a 8.8% increase in rental equipment time utilization (equipment usage based on the number of rental equipment units available for rent), combined with an 5.2% increase in average rental rates in the comparative period. Rental equipment time utilization based on the number of rental equipment units available for rent was 66.2% for the year ended December 31, 2011 compared to 57.4% in 2010. Rental equipment time utilization as a percentage of original equipment cost was 69.7% for the year ended December 31, 2011 compared to 60.5% in 2010, an increase of 9.2%.

New Equipment Sales Revenues. Our new equipment sales for the year ended December 31, 2011 increased $52.9 million, or 31.6%, to $220.2 million from $167.3 million in 2010. Sales of new cranes increased $38.1 million and sales of new earthmoving equipment increased $13.1 million, while other new equipment increased $4.0 million. These new equipment sales increases were partially offset by a decrease in sales of new aerial work platform equipment of $0.9 million and a $1.4 million decrease in sales of new lift trucks.

Used Equipment Sales Revenues. Our used equipment sales increased approximately $23.1 million, or 37.0%, to $85.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2011, from $62.3 million in 2010. Sales of used earthmoving equipment increased $17.4 million and used aerial work platform equipment increased $3.5 million. Used crane sales increased $1.8 million and used lift truck equipment sales increased $0.5 million. Sales of used other equipment decreased approximately $0.1 million.

Parts Sales Revenues. Our parts sales increased $7.8 million, or 9.0%, to $94.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2011 from $86.7 million in 2010. The increase in parts revenues was due to higher demand for parts compared to last year.

Services Revenues. Our services revenues for the year ended December 31, 2011 increased $4.3 million, or 8.7%, to approximately $54.0 million from $49.6 million in 2010. The increase in service revenues was largely due to an increase in demand for services in conjunction with the improvements in our rental and sales businesses.

Non-Segmented Other Revenues. Our non-segmented other revenues consisted primarily of equipment support activities including transportation, hauling, parts freight and damage waiver charges. For the year ended December 31, 2011, our other revenues were approximately $38.5 million, an increase of $8.2 million, or 27.1%, from $30.3 million in 2010. The increase was primarily due to an increase in the volume of these services in conjunction with the related improvements of our primary business activities.

Gross Profit.


	For the Year Ended						Total Dollar Change Increase		Total Percentage Change Increase
	December 31,
	2011			2010
	(in thousands, except percentages)
Segment Gross Profit (Loss):
Equipment rentals	$	94,658		$	59,193		$	35,465		59.9	%
New equipment sales		24,059			16,638			7,421		44.6	%
Used equipment sales		20,305			14,017			6,288		44.9	%
Parts sales		25,289			22,784			2,505		11.0	%
Services revenues		32,930			30,878			2,052		6.6	%
Non-Segmented revenues		(4,538	)		(7,571	)		3,033		40.1	%

Total gross profit	$	192,703		$	135,939		$	56,764		41.8	%

Total Gross Profit. Our total gross profit was $192.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2011 compared to $135.9 million in 2010, an increase of $56.8 million, or 41.8%. Total gross profit margin for the year ended December 31, 2011 was 26.7%, an increase of 3.0% from the 23.7% gross profit margin for the same period in 2010. Gross profit (loss) and gross margin for all reportable segments are further described below:

Equipment Rentals Gross Profit. Our gross profit from equipment rentals for the year ended December 31, 2011 increased $35.5 million, or 59.9%, to $94.7 million from $59.2 million in 2010. The increase in equipment rentals gross profit was the result of a $50.1 million increase in rental revenues for the year ended December 31, 2011, which was partially offset by a $6.4 million increase in rental expenses and an $8.2 million increase in rental equipment depreciation expense. The increase in rental expenses and rental equipment depreciation expense was primarily due to a larger fleet size in 2011 compared to 2010. As a percentage of equipment rental revenues, rental expenses were 20.4% for the year ended December 31, 2011 compared to 22.5% in 2010 and depreciation expense was 38.1% for the year ended December 31, 2011 compared to 44.2% for the same period in 2010.

Gross profit margin on equipment rentals for the year ended December 31, 2011 was approximately 41.5%, up 8.3% from 33.2% in 2010. This gross profit margin improvement was primarily due to the increase in comparative rental revenues resulting from improved utilization and higher average rental rates, combined with the decreases in depreciation expenses and rental expenses as a percentage of equipment rental revenues for the year ended December 31, 2011 compared to last year.

New Equipment Sales Gross Profit. Our new equipment sales gross profit for the year ended December 31, 2011 increased $7.4 million, or 44.6%, to approximately $24.1 million compared to $16.6 million in 2010 on a total new equipment sales increase of $52.9 million. Gross profit margin on new equipment sales for the year ended December 31, 2011 was 10.9%, an increase of 1.0% from 9.9% in 2010, reflecting primarily improved margins on new crane sales in the current year period.

Used Equipment Sales Gross Profit. Our used equipment sales gross profit for the year ended December 31, 2011 increased $6.3 million, or 44.9%, to $20.3 million from $14.0 million in 2010 on a used equipment sales increase of $23.1 million. Gross profit margin on used equipment sales for the year ended December 31, 2011 was 23.8%, up 1.3% from 22.5% in 2010, primarily as a result of the mix of used equipment sold. Our used equipment sales from the rental fleet, which comprised approximately 74.2% and 76.4% of our used equipment sales for years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively, were approximately 141.9% of net book value for the year ended December 31, 2011 compared to 137.2% for the same period in 2010.

Parts Sales Gross Profit. For the year ended December 31, 2011, our parts sales revenue gross profit increased approximately $2.5 million, or 11.0%, to $25.3 million from $22.8 million in 2010 on a $7.8 million increase in parts sales revenues. Gross profit margin on parts sales for the year ended December 31, 2011 was 26.8%, an increase of 0.5% from 26.3% in 2010, as a result of the mix of parts sold.

Services Revenues Gross Profit. For the year ended December 31, 2011, our services revenues gross profit increased approximately $2.1 million, or 6.6%, to $32.9 million from $30.9 million in 2010. Gross profit margin on services for the year ended December 31, 2011 was 61.0%, down 1.2% from 62.2% in 2010 as a result of service revenues mix.

Non-Segmented Other Revenues Gross Loss. Our non-segmented other revenues realized a gross loss of $4.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2011 compared to a gross loss of $7.6 million in 2010. On a gross margin basis, the margin of gross loss improved to a gross loss margin of 11.8% from 25.0%, primarily reflective of the $8.2 million improvement in non-segmented other revenues. Gross loss margin improved to less than 3% in the second half of 2011.

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses. SG&A expenses increased approximately $5.1 million, or 3.4%, to $153.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2011 compared to $148.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2010. The net increase in SG&A expenses was attributable to several factors. Employee salaries and wages and related employee expenses increased $5.7 million as a result of higher salaries, wages and payroll taxes primarily from an increase from commission and incentive pay that resulted from higher rental and sales revenues. Stock-based compensation expense was $1.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2011 compared to $1.0 million in 2010. Facility related expenses, which includes rent, fuel and utilities, increased $1.1 million. These increases were partially offset by a $2.0 million decrease in legal and professional fees. As a percent of total revenues, SG&A expenses were 21.3% for the year ended December 31, 2011, a decrease of 4.5% from 25.8% in 2010, primarily as a result of the current year increase in total revenues.

Other Income (Expense). For the year ended December 31, 2011, our net other expenses decreased $0.5 million to $28.0 million compared to $28.5 million in 2010. The decrease was substantially due to a $0.3 million net decrease in interest expense to approximately $28.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2011 compared to $29.1 million in 2010. Miscellaneous other income increased approximately $0.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2011 compared to 2010. The net decrease in interest expense is primarily the result of a $1.4 million decrease in interest expense related to our manufacturing flooring plans payable only partially offset by a $1.1 million increase in interest expense related to our senior secured credit facility. We incurred approximately $3.1 in interest expense for the year ended December 31, 2011 related to borrowings, commitment fees, letter of credit fees and amortization of deferred financing costs. Although we had no borrowings under our senior secured credit facility for the year ended December 31, 2010, we incurred approximately $2.0 million in interest costs related to the amortization of deferred financing costs, commitment fees and letter of credit fees. The decrease in interest expense related to manufacturing flooring plans payable is due to lower levels of floor plan financings during the year ended December 31, 2011 compared to 2010.

Income Taxes. We recorded income tax expense of $3.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2011 compared to an income tax benefit of $14.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2010. Our effective income tax rate for the year ended December 31, 2011 was 26.5% compared to approximately 37.0% for the year ended December 31, 2010. The decrease in our effective tax rate was primarily the result of an increase in favorable permanent differences. The amount of unrecognized tax benefits increased by $0.2 million from $6.5 million to $6.7 million during the year ended December 31, 2011. Based on available evidence, both positive and negative, we believe it is more likely than not that our deferred tax assets at December 31, 2011 are fully realizable through future reversals of existing taxable temporary differences and future taxable income, and are not subject to any limitations.

Year Ended December 31, 2010 Compared to the Year Ended December 31, 2009

Revenues.


	For the Year Ended				Total Dollar Decrease			Total Percentage Decrease
	December 31,
	2010		2009
	(in thousands, except percentages)
Segment Revenues:
Equipment rentals	$	177,970	$	191,512	$	(13,542	)		(7.1	)%
New equipment sales		167,303		208,916		(41,613	)		(19.9	)%
Used equipment sales		62,286		86,982		(24,696	)		(28.4	)%
Parts sales		86,686		100,500		(13,814	)		(13.7	)%
Services revenues		49,629		58,730		(9,101	)		(15.5	)%
Non-Segmented revenues		30,280		33,092		(2,812	)		(8.5	)%

Total revenues	$	574,154	$	679,732	$	(105,578	)		(15.5	)%

Total Revenues. Our total revenues were approximately $574.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2010 compared to $679.7 million in 2009, a decrease of approximately $105.6 million, or 15.5%. Included in total revenues for the year ended December 31, 2009 were revenues of $16.6 million from the Arnold Transaction as further described above. Revenues decreased for all reportable segments as further discussed below.

Equipment Rental Revenues. Our revenues from equipment rentals for the year ended December 31, 2010 decreased $13.5 million, or 7.1%, to $178.0 million from $191.5 million in 2009. Revenues from aerial work platforms decreased $11.9 million and cranes decreased $6.0 million. These decreases were due to lower demand resulting from the macroeconomic downturn, a downturn in construction and industrial activity and other factors as discussed above, which also negatively impacted our rental rates. Our average rental rates for the year ended December 31, 2010 declined 7.7% compared to last year. In addition, rental revenues from lift trucks decreased $5.5 million, primarily as a result of the Arnold Transaction. Partially offsetting these decreases in equipment rental revenues were a $6.9 million increase in earthmoving equipment rentals and a $3.0 million increase in other equipment rentals.

Rental equipment dollar utilization (annual rental revenues divided by the average original rental fleet equipment costs) for the year ended December 31, 2010 was 26.7% compared to 26.4% in 2009, an increase of 0.3%. The increase in comparative rental equipment dollar utilization was the net result of the 7.7% decrease in average rental rates in the comparative period and a 2.6% increase in rental equipment time utilization (equipment usage based on the number of rental equipment units available for rent). Rental equipment time utilization was 57.4% for the year ended December 31, 2010 compared to 54.8% for the same period in 2009. Rental equipment time utilization as a percentage of original equipment cost was 60.5% for the year ended December 31, 2010 compared to 57.0% in 2009, an increase of 3.5%.

New Equipment Sales Revenues. Our new equipment sales for the year ended December 31, 2010 decreased $41.6 million, or 19.9%, to $167.3 million from $208.9 million for the comparable period in 2009. The Arnold Transaction accounted for approximately $1.1 million of new lift truck equipment sales revenues in the prior year period. Sales of new cranes decreased $58.2 million, reflecting lower demand due to the macroeconomic downturn and the other factors discussed above. Sales of new lift trucks decreased $3.0 million largely as a result of the Arnold Transaction, while sales of new other equipment decreased approximately $0.5 million. Partially offsetting these new equipment sales decreases was a $9.0 million increase in the sales of new aerial work platforms and an $11.1 million increase in sales of new earthmoving equipment.

Used Equipment Sales Revenues. Our used equipment sales decreased $24.7 million, or 28.4%, to $62.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2010, from $87.0 million for the same period in 2009, primarily as a result of lower demand for used equipment. The Arnold Transaction accounted for $13.4 million of used lift truck sales revenues in the prior year period. Sales of used cranes and used aerial work platform equipment decreased $6.5 million and $2.9 million, respectively. Used lift truck sales decreased $14.3 million, primarily as a result of the Arnold Transaction, and other used equipment sales decreased approximately $0.5 million, while sales of used earthmoving equipment decreased $0.5 million.

Parts Sales Revenues. Our parts sales decreased $13.8 million, or 13.7%, to $86.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2010 from $100.5 million for the same period in 2009. Parts revenues related to the Arnold Transaction totaled $1.1 million in the prior year period. The decline in parts revenues was due to a decrease in customer demand for parts due to the decline in construction and industrial activity during the past year.

Services Revenues. Our services revenues for the year ended December 31, 2010 decreased $9.1 million, or 15.5%, to $49.6 million from $58.7 million for the same period last year. The Arnold Transaction resulted in the recognition of $0.9 million in deferred services revenues in the prior year period related to the termination of related lift truck maintenance and repair contracts. The decline in service revenues was largely due to a decrease in demand for services due to the decline in construction and industrial activity during the past year.

Non-Segmented Other Revenues. Our non-segmented other revenues consisted primarily of equipment support activities including transportation, hauling, parts freight and damage waiver charges. For the year ended December 31, 2010, our other revenues were $30.3 million, a decrease of $2.8 million, or 8.5%, from $33.1 million in the same period last year. The decrease was primarily due to a decrease in the volume of these services in conjunction with the decline of our primary business activities.

Gross Profit.


	For the Year Ended December 31,						Total Dollar Change Decrease			Total Percentage Change Decrease
	For the Year Ended December 31,
	2010			2009
	(in thousands, except percentages)
Segment Gross Profit:
Equipment rentals	$	59,193		$	61,524		$	(2,331	)		(3.8	)%
New equipment sales		16,638			25,031			(8,393	)		(33.5	)%
Used equipment sales		14,017			16,677			(2,660	)		(16.0	)%
Parts sales		22,784			27,714			(4,930	)		(17.8	)%
Services revenues		30,878			36,905			(6,027	)		(16.3	)%
Non-Segmented gross loss		(7,571	)		(2,353	)		(5,218	)		(221.8	)%

Total gross profit	$	135,939		$	165,498		$	(29,559	)		(17.9	)%

Total Gross Profit. Our total gross profit was $135.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2010 compared to $165.5 million in 2009, a decrease of $29.6 million, or 17.9%. Total gross profit margin for the year ended December 31, 2010 was approximately 23.7%, a decrease of 0.6% from a gross profit margin of approximately 24.3% for the same period in 2009. The Arnold Transaction contributed $1.6 million in gross profit on a total gross profit margin of 9.6% in the prior year period. Gross profit (loss) and gross margin for all reportable segments and non-segmented revenues are further described below:

Equipment Rentals Gross Profit. Our gross profit from equipment rentals for the year ended December 31, 2010 decreased $2.3 million, or 3.8%, to $59.2 million from $61.5 million in the same period in 2009. The decrease in equipment rentals gross profit is the net result of a $13.5 million decrease in rental revenues for the year ended December 31, 2010, which was partially offset by a $2.0 million decrease in rental expenses and a $9.3 million decrease in rental equipment depreciation expense. The net decrease in rental expenses and rental equipment depreciation expense was primarily due to a smaller average fleet size in 2010 compared to 2009. As a percentage of equipment rental revenues, maintenance and repair costs were approximately 15.9% for the year ended December 31, 2010 compared to 15.4% in 2009, an increase of 0.5%, primarily as a result of the decline in comparative revenues. Depreciation expense was 44.2% for the year ended December 31, 2010 compared to 45.9% for the same period in 2009, a decrease of 1.7%, primarily as a result of a smaller average fleet size in 2010.

Gross profit margin for the year ended December 31, 2010 was approximately 33.2%, up 1.1% from 32.1% in 2009. This gross profit margin increase was due to lower depreciation expenses as a percentage of equipment rental revenues and the product mix of equipment rented, which was partially offset by the 7.7% decline in our average rental rates and the increase in other rental expenses as a percentage of equipment rental revenues.

New Equipment Sales Gross Profit. Our new equipment sales gross profit for the year ended December 31, 2010 decreased $8.4 million, or 33.5%, to $16.6 million compared to $25.0 million for the same period in 2009 on a total new equipment sales decline of $41.6 million. Gross profit margin on new equipment sales for the year ended December 31, 2010 was 9.9%, a decrease of approximately 2.1% from 12.0% in 2009, reflecting lower demand for new equipment and lower margins on new crane sales. The Arnold Transaction accounted for new equipment sales gross profit of $36,000 on a gross profit margin of 3.2% in the prior year period.

Used Equipment Sales Gross Profit. Our used equipment sales gross profit for the year ended December 31, 2010 decreased $2.7 million, or 16.0%, to $14.0 million from $16.7 million for the same period in 2009 on a used equipment sales decrease of $24.7 million. Gross profit margin for the year ended December 31, 2010 was 22.5%, up 3.3% from 19.2% in 2009, as a result of the impact of lower demand for used equipment and pass thru’s of trade-in inventory in the prior year second quarter combined with the impact of the Arnold Transaction in the third quarter of last year. The Arnold Transaction accounted for $0.6 million in gross profit with a gross profit margin of 4.5%. Our used equipment sales from the rental fleet, which comprised approximately 76.4% and 81.6% of our used equipment sales for the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively, were approximately 137.2% of net book value for the year ended December 31, 2010 compared to 128.4% for the same period in 2009.

Parts Sales Gross Profit. For the year ended December 31, 2010, our parts sales gross profit decreased $4.9 million, or 17.8%, to $22.8 million from $27.7 million for the same period in 2009 on a $13.8 million decline in parts sales. Gross profit margin for the year ended December 31, 2010 was 26.3%, a decrease of 1.3% from 27.6% in 2009, as a result of the mix of parts sold. The Arnold Transaction accounted for approximately $50,000 in gross profit on a gross profit margin of 4.7% in the prior year period.

Services Revenues Gross Profit. For the year ended December 31, 2010, our services revenues gross profit decreased $6.0 million, or 16.3%, to $30.9 million from $36.9 million for the same period in 2009 on a $9.1 million decline in services revenues. Gross profit margin for the year ended December 31, 2010 was 62.2%, down 0.6% from 62.8% in 2009 due to revenue mix. The Arnold Transaction resulted in the recognition of $0.9 million in deferred services revenues in the prior year period related to the termination of related lift truck maintenance and repair contracts. Excluding the Arnold Transaction, gross profit margin was approximately 62.3% in the prior year period.

Non-Segmented Other Revenues Gross Loss. For the year ended December 31, 2010, our non-segmented other revenues realized a gross loss of approximately $7.6 million compared to a gross loss of approximately $2.4 million for the same period in 2009, as a result of declines in transportation, hauling and freight revenues and service related revenues associated with the lower revenues in our primary business activities combined with an increase in field costs.

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses. SG&A expenses increased approximately $3.8 million, or 2.6%, to $148.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2010 compared to approximately $144.5 million for the same period in 2009. The net increase in SG&A expenses was attributable to several factors. Legal and professional fees increased $1.5 million in 2010, primarily as a result of fees associated with data conversion costs and other consulting fees related to our ERP system implementation. Additionally, depreciation expense increased $3.1 million, primarily related to the depreciation of the ERP system, which was substantially complete and ready for its intended use in January 2010. Facility expenses, primarily rent and utilities expenses related to our branch facilities, increased $1.1 million and other corporate overhead expenses increased $1.1 million. Partially offsetting these increases were a $2.3 decrease in employee salaries and wages and related employee expenses as a result of cost control measures instituted by the Company, including workforce headcount reductions since the beginning of 2009, combined with lower commissions in the current twelve month period that resulted from lower rental and sales revenues. Insurance expense decreased $0.5 million as a result of improvements in the number and severity of workers compensation and general liability claims. Warranty expenses decreased $0.2 million. Stock-based compensation expense was $1.0 million and $0.7 million for the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively. As a percent of total revenues, SG&A expenses were 25.8% for the year ended December 310, 2010, an increase of 4.5% from 21.3% in 2009, reflecting the higher expenses described above, the fixed cost nature of certain SG&A expenses and the 15.5% decline in comparative total revenues.

Other Income (Expense). For the year ended December 31, 2010, our net other expenses decreased $2.2 million to $28.5 million compared to $30.7 million for the same period in 2009. The decrease was substantially due to a $2.2 million decrease in interest expense to approximately $29.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2010 compared to $31.3 million for the same period in 2009. The decrease in interest expense was due to several factors. Comparative interest expense incurred on our senior secured credit facility was approximately $0.5 million lower in the year ended December 31, 2010 compared to the same period in 2009. We had no borrowings under our senior secured credit facility for the year ended December 31, 2010, but incurred approximately $2.0 million in interest costs related to the amortization of deferred financing costs, commitment fees and letter of credit fees. For the year ended December 31, 2009, we incurred approximately $2.5 million in interest expense related to the senior secured credit facility for borrowings under the facility, amortization of deferred financing costs, commitment fees and letter of credit fees. Additionally, interest expense on our manufacturing flooring plan payables used to finance inventory purchases decreased approximately $1.6 million in the most recent year period, as a result of lower outstanding balances on those manufacturing flooring plan payables.

Income Taxes. We recorded an income tax benefit of $14.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2010 compared to an income tax benefit of $6.2 million for the same period in 2009. Our effective income tax rate for the year ended December 31, 2010 was approximately 37.0% compared to 34.1% for the year ended December 31, 2009. The lower effective tax rate for the year ended December 31, 2009 was the result of lower pre-tax income in relation to the permanent differences in 2009. Based on available evidence, both positive and negative, we believe it is more likely than not that our deferred tax assets at December 31, 2010 are fully realizable through future reversals of existing taxable temporary differences and future taxable income, and are not subject to any limitations.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Cash Flow from Operating Activities. For the year ended December 31, 2011, the cash provided by our operating activities was $60.4 million. Our reported net income of $8.9 million, which, when adjusted for non-cash income and expense items, such as depreciation and amortization, deferred income taxes, provision for losses on accounts receivable, stock-based compensation expense and net gains on the sale of long-lived assets, provided positive cash flows of $97.5 million. These cash flows from operating activities were also positively impacted by a $3.5 million decrease in prepaid expenses, a $4.6 million increase in accounts payable and a $2.5 million increase in accrued expenses payable. Offsetting these positive cash flows were an increase of $21.6 million in net inventories, a $16.7 million decrease in manufacturing flooring plans payable, and other liabilities and a $9.4 million increase in net receivables.

For the year ended December 31, 2010, our cash provided by our operating activities was $17.9 million. Our reported net loss of approximately $25.5 million, which, when adjusted for non-cash income and expense items, such as depreciation and amortization, deferred income taxes, provision for losses on receivables, stock-based compensation expense and net gains on the sale of long-lived assets, provided positive cash flows of approximately $46.1 million. These cash flows from operating activities were also positively impacted by an increase of $29.6 million in accounts payable. Offsetting these positive cash flows were a $17.8 million decrease in manufacturing flooring plans payable, a $30.3 million increase in net accounts receivable, a $6.8 million increase in net inventories, a $1.7 million increase in prepaid expenses and other assets and a $1.3 million decrease in accrued expenses payable and other liabilities.

Cash Flow from Investing Activities. For the year ended December 31, 2011, cash provided by our investing activities was exceeded by our cash used in our investing activities, resulting in net cash used in our investing activities of approximately $80.9 million. This was a result of purchases of rental and non-rental equipment totaling $145.7 million, which was partially offset by proceeds from the sale of rental and non-rental equipment of approximately $64.7 million.

For the year ended December 31, 2010, our cash provided by our investing activities was exceeded by our cash used in our investing activities, resulting in net cash used in our investing activities of approximately $29.7 million. This was a net result of purchases of rental and non-rental equipment of $77.9 million and proceeds from the sales of rental and non-rental equipment totaling $48.2 million.

Cash Flow from Financing Activities. For the year ended December 31, 2011, cash provided by our financing activities was approximately $15.6 million, which included net borrowings under our senior secured credit facility of $16.1 million. We purchased approximately $0.6 million of treasury stock for the year ended December 31, 2011 and recognized $0.3 million of excess tax benefits associated with stock-based awards. Payments on capital lease obligations for the year ended December 31, 2011 were approximately $0.2 million.

For the year ended December 31, 2010, cash used in our financing activities was approximately $4.5 million, representing payments of our notes payable and capital lease obligation and purchases of treasury stock of $1.2 million, $0.1 million and $0.2 million, respectively, and transactions costs of $2.9 million associated with our amended and restated senior secured credit facility (see note 10 to these consolidated financial statements for further information).

Senior Secured Credit Facility

We and our subsidiaries are parties to a $320.0 million senior secured credit facility with General Electric Capital Corporation as agent, and the lenders named therein. On February 29, 2012, we amended the credit facility (the “Amendment”). The Amendment (i) permits the refinancing of the Company’s 8 3/8% senior unsecured notes due 2016 in an amount not less than $200.0 million and not greater than the outstanding principal amount of such notes at the time of such refinancing and with no amortization or final maturity prior to the date six months following the maturity of the Credit Agreement, (ii) extends the maturity date of the credit facility from July 29, 2015 to the earlier to occur of, inter alia, February 29, 2017, and, unless previously refinanced, the date that is six months prior to the maturity of the senior unsecured notes (giving effect to any extensions thereof), (iii) provides that the unused commitment fee margin will be either 0.50% or 0.375%, depending on the ratio of the average of the daily closing balances of the aggregate revolving loans, swing line loans and letters of credit outstanding during each month to the aggregate commitments for the revolving loans, swing line loans and letters of credit, (iv) lowers the interest rate (a) in the case of index rate revolving loans, to the index rate plus an applicable margin of 1.00% to 1.50% depending on the leverage ratio and (b) in the case of LIBOR revolving loans, to LIBOR plus an applicable margin of 2.00% to 2.50%, depending on the leverage ratio, (v) lowers the margin applicable to the letter of credit fee to between 2.00% and 2.50%, depending on the leverage ratio, and (vi) adds provisions whereby the Company represents that it, its subsidiaries and other related parties are in compliance with federal anti-terrorism laws and regulations.

The credit facility continues to provide, among other things, a $320.0 million senior secured asset based revolver, which includes a $30.0 million letter of credit facility and a $130.0 million incremental facility. In addition, the borrowers under the credit facility remain the same, the credit facility remains secured by substantially all of the assets of the Company and its subsidiaries, and the Company and each of its subsidiaries continue to provide a guaranty of the obligations under the credit facility. The credit facility requires us to maintain a minimum fixed charge coverage ratio in the event that our excess borrowing availability is below $40.0 million (as adjusted if the incremental facility is exercised). The credit facility also requires us to maintain a maximum total leverage ratio of 5.0 to 1.0, which is tested if excess availability is less than $40 million (as adjusted if the incremental facility is exercised). As of December 31, 2011, we were in compliance with our financial covenants under the senior secured credit facility.

At December 31, 2011, the interest rate on the senior secured credit facility was based on a 3.25% U.S. Prime Rate plus 175 basis points, or 5.0%. At February 28, 2012, we had $291.6 million of available borrowings under our senior secured credit facility, net of $6.5 million of outstanding letters of credit.

Senior Unsecured Notes

We currently have outstanding $250.0 million aggregate principal amount of 8 3/8% senior unsecured notes that are due in 2016. The senior unsecured notes are guaranteed, jointly and severally, on an unsecured senior basis by all of our existing and future domestic restricted subsidiaries.

We may redeem the senior unsecured notes at specified redemption prices plus accrued and unpaid interest and additional interest. In addition, if we experience a change of control, we will be required to make an offer to repurchase the senior unsecured notes at a price equal to 101% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest and additional interest.

The indenture governing our senior secured notes contains certain covenants that, among other things, limit our ability and the ability of our restricted subsidiaries to: (i) incur additional indebtedness, assume a guarantee or issue preferred stock; (ii) pay dividends or make other equity distributions or payments to or affecting our subsidiaries; (iii) purchase or redeem our capital stock; (iv) make certain investments; (v) create liens; (vi) sell or dispose of assets or engage in mergers or consolidation; (vii) engage in certain transactions with subsidiaries or affiliates; (viii) enter into sale leaseback transactions with subsidiaries or affiliates; (viii) enter into sale leaseback transactions; and (ix) engage in certain business activities. Each of the covenants is subject to exceptions and qualifications. At February 28, 2012, we were in compliance with these covenants.

Cash Requirements Related to Operations

Our principal sources of liquidity have been from cash provided by operating activities and the sales of new, used and rental fleet equipment, proceeds from the issuance of debt, and borrowings available under our senior secured credit facility. Our principal uses of cash have been to fund operating activities and working capital, purchases of rental fleet equipment and property and equipment, fund payments due under facility operating leases and manufacturer flooring plans payable, and to meet debt service requirements. In the future, we may pursue additional strategic acquisitions and seek to open new start-up locations. In addition, we may use cash from working capital and/or borrowings under our senior secured credit facility should we repurchase Company securities. We anticipate that the above described uses will be the principal demands on our cash in the future.

The amount of our future capital expenditures will depend on a number of factors including general economic conditions and growth prospects. Our gross rental fleet capital expenditures for the year ended December 31, 2011 were approximately $155.6 million, including approximately $28.4 million of non-cash transfers from new and used equipment to rental fleet inventory. Our gross property and equipment capital expenditures for the year ended December 31, 2011 were $18.4 million. In response to changing economic conditions, we believe we have the flexibility to modify our capital expenditures by adjusting them (either up or down) to match our actual performance.

To service our debt, we will require a significant amount of cash. Our ability to pay interest and principal on our indebtedness (including the senior unsecured notes, the senior secured credit facility and our other indebtedness), will depend upon our future operating performance and the availability of borrowings under our senior secured credit facility and/or other debt and equity financing alternatives available to us, which will be affected by prevailing economic conditions and conditions in the global credit and capital markets, as well as financial, business and other factors, some of which are beyond our control. Based on our current level of operations and given the current state of the capital markets, we believe our cash flow from operations, available cash and available borrowings under our senior secured credit facility will be adequate to meet our future liquidity needs for the foreseeable future. As of February 28, 2012, we had $295.4 million of available borrowings under our senior secured credit facility, net of $6.5 million of outstanding letters of credit.

We cannot provide absolute assurance that our future cash flow from operating activities will be sufficient to meet our long-term obligations and commitments. If we are unable to generate sufficient cash flow from operating activities in the future to service our indebtedness and to meet our other commitments, we will be required to adopt one or more alternatives, such as refinancing or restructuring our indebtedness, selling material assets or operations or seeking to raise additional debt or equity capital. Given current economic and market conditions, including the significant disruptions in the global capital markets, we cannot assure investors that any of these actions could be affected on a timely basis or on satisfactory terms or at all, or that these actions would enable us to continue to satisfy our capital requirements. In addition, our existing debt agreements, including the indenture governing our senior unsecured notes, and our senior secured credit facility, as well as any future debt agreements, contain or may contain restrictive covenants, which may prohibit us from adopting any of these alternatives. Our failure to comply with these covenants could result in an event of default which, if not cured or waived, could result in the acceleration of all of our debt.

Certain Information Concerning Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

An off-balance sheet arrangement is any transaction, agreement or other contractual arrangement involving an unconsolidated entity under which a company has (1) made guarantees, (2) a retained or a contingent interest in transferred assets, (3) an obligation under derivative instruments classified as equity or (4) any obligation arising out of a material variable interest in an unconsolidated entity that provides financing, liquidity, market risk or credit risk support to the Company, or that engages in leasing, hedging or research and development arrangements with the Company.

We have no off-balance sheet arrangements as described above. Further, we do not have any relationships with unconsolidated entities or financial partnerships, such as entities often referred to as structured finance or special purpose entities, which would have been established for the purpose of facilitating off-balance sheet

arrangements or other contractually narrow or limited purposes. We are, therefore, not materially exposed to any financing, liquidity, market or credit risk that could arise if we had engaged in such relationships. We have also evaluated our relationships with related parties and determined that none of the related party interests represent variable interest entities pursuant to ASC 810, Consolidation.

In the normal course of our business activities, we may lease real estate, rental equipment and non-rental equipment under operating leases. See “Contractual and Commercial Commitments Summary” below.

Contractual and Commercial Commitments Summary

Our contractual obligations and commercial commitments principally include obligations associated with our outstanding indebtedness and interest payments as of December 31, 2011.


	Payments Due by Year
	Total		2012		2013-2014		2015-2016		Thereafter
	(Amounts in thousands)
Senior unsecured notes payable	$	250,000	$	—	$	—	$	250,000	$	—
Interest payments on senior unsecured notes (1)		104,687		20,937		41,875		41,875		—
Senior secured credit facility		16,055		—		—		16,055		—
Interest payments on senior secured credit facility (1)		8,197		2,287		4,575		1,335		—
Capital lease obligations (including interest) (2)		3,961		333		666		666		2,296
Operating leases (3)		85,395		11,851		18,588		13,643		41,313
Other long-term obligations (4)		58,383		24,996		33,387		—		—

Total contractual cash obligations (5)	$	526,678	$	60,404	$	99,091	$	323,574	$	43,609

(1)	Future interest payments are calculated based on the assumption that all debt remains outstanding until maturity. Interest on senior secured credit facility assumes the interest rate in effect at December 31, 2011 and includes the unused commitment fee.

(2)	This includes a capital lease for which the related liability has been recorded (including interest) at the present value of future minimum lease payments due under the lease.

(3)	This includes total operating lease rental payments having initial or remaining non-cancelable lease terms longer than one year.

(4)	Amounts include $58.3 million in manufacturer flooring plans payable, which is used to finance our purchases of inventory and rental equipment.

(5)

We had an unrecognized tax benefit of approximately $6.7 million at December 31, 2011. This liability is not included in the table above as approximately $6.6 million of this amount relates to federal income taxes and any liability subsequently determined and potentially assessed by the Internal Revenue Service would be offset against our Net Operating Losses for the related tax years and no cash payment would be required. The remaining $0.1 million relates to state income taxes and would require cash payments should the state taxing authorities determine and assess any tax liability with respect to the benefit.

As of December 31, 2011, we had a standby letter of credit issued under our senior secured credit facility totaling $7.0 million. On January 1, 2012, we amended and renewed that letter of credit for approximately $6.5 million for a one-year term, expiring on January 1, 2013.

Seasonality

Although we believe our business is not materially impacted by seasonality, the demand for our rental equipment tends to be lower in the winter months. The level of equipment rental activities are directly related to commercial and industrial construction and maintenance activities. Therefore, equipment rental performance will be correlated to the levels of current construction activities. The severity of weather conditions can have a temporary impact on the level of construction activities. Adverse weather has a seasonal impact in parts of our Intermountain region, particulary in the winter months.

Equipment sales cycles are also subject to some seasonality with the peak selling period during the spring season and extending through the summer. Parts and service activities are less affected by changes in demand caused by seasonality.

Inflation

Although we cannot accurately anticipate the effect of inflation on our operations, we believe that inflation has not had for the three most recent fiscal years ended, and is not likely in the foreseeable future to have, a material impact on our results of operations.

Acquisitions and Start-up Facilities

We periodically engage in evaluations of potential acquisitions and start-up facilities. The success of our growth strategy depends, in part, on selecting strategic acquisition candidates at attractive prices and identifying strategic start-up locations. We expect to face competition for acquisition candidates, which may limit the number of acquisition opportunities and lead to higher acquisition costs. We may not have the financial resources necessary to consummate any acquisitions or to successfully open any new facilities in the future or the ability to obtain the necessary funds on satisfactory terms. For further information regarding our risks related to acquisitions, see Item 1A – Risk Factors of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In October 2009, the FASB issued ASU 2009-13, Multiple-Deliverable Revenue Arrangements (amendments to ASC 605, Revenue Recognition) (“ASU 2009-13”). ASU 2009-13 addresses how to determine whether an arrangement involving multiple deliverables contains more than one unit of accounting and requires entities to allocate revenue in an arrangement containing more than one unit of accounting using estimated selling prices of the delivered goods and services based on a selling price hierarchy. The amendments eliminate the residual method of revenue allocation and require revenue to be allocated using the relative selling price method. We adopted the provisions of ASU 2009-13 effective January 1, 2011, and such adoption did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In September 2011, the FASB issued ASU 2011-08, Intangibles—Goodwill and Other (Topic 350)—Testing Goodwill for Impairment (“ASU 2011-08”), to allow entities to first use a qualitative approach to test goodwill for impairment. ASU 2011-08 permits an entity to first perform a qualitative assessment to determine whether it is more likely than not (a likelihood of greater than 50%) that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying value. If it is concluded that this is the case, the currently prescribed two-step goodwill impairment test must be performed. Otherwise, the two-step goodwill impairment test is not required. Entities are not required to perform the qualitative assessment and are permitted to skip the qualitative assessment for any reporting unit in any period and proceed directly to Step 1 of the two-step goodwill impairment test. ASU 2011-08 is effective for us in fiscal 2012 and earlier adoption is permitted. We adopted ASU 2011-08 in conjunction with our annual impairment test as of October 1, 2011. As a result of our adoption of this guidance, we performed a qualitative assessment and determined that it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is not less than its carrying value and therefore, did not perform the prescribed two-step goodwill impairment test. See also Critical Accounting Policies above and note 2 to the consolidated financial statements for further information on goodwill impairment testing.

In December 2010, the FASB issued updated accounting guidance related to the calculation of the carrying amount of a reporting unit when performing the first step of a goodwill impairment test. More specifically, this update requires an entity to use an equity premise when performing the first step of a goodwill impairment test and if a reporting unit has a zero or negative carrying amount, the entity must assess and consider qualitative factors and whether it is more likely than not that a goodwill impairment exists. The new accounting guidance became effective for us on January 1, 2011 for impairment tests performed during fiscal 2011. We adopted the new disclosures in conjunction with our annual impairment test as of October 1, 2011. As we currently do not have any reporting units with a zero or negative carrying amount, the application of this guidance did not have an impact on our consolidated financial statements.

Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

Our earnings may be affected by changes in interest rates since interest expense on our senior secured credit facility is currently calculated based upon the index rate plus an applicable margin of 1.00% to 1.50%, depending on the leverage ratio, in the case of index rate revolving loans and LIBOR plus an applicable margin of 2.00% to 2.50%, depending on the leverage ratio, in the case of LIBOR revolving loans. At December 31, 2011, we had total borrowings under our senior secured credit facility of $16.1 million. A 1.0% increase in the interest rate on the senior secured credit facility would result in approximately a $0.2 million increase in interest expense on an annualized basis. At February 28, 2012, we had $295.4 million of available borrowings under our senior secured credit facility, net of $6.5 million of outstanding letters of credit. We did not have significant exposure to changing interest rates as of December 31, 2011 on our fixed-rate senior unsecured notes or on our other notes payable. Historically, we have not engaged in derivatives or other financial instruments for trading, speculative or hedging purposes, though we may do so from time to time if such instruments are available to us on acceptable terms and prevailing market conditions are accommodating.

Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

Index to consolidated financial statements of H&E Equipment Services, Inc. and Subsidiaries

See note 16 to the consolidated financial statements for summarized quarterly financial data.


	Page
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm		51
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2011 and 2010		52
Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009		53
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009		54
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009		55
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements		57

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

Board of Directors and Stockholders

H&E Equipment Services, Inc.

Baton Rouge, Louisiana

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of H&E Equipment Services, Inc. and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2011 and 2010 and the related consolidated statements of operations, stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2011. In connection with our audits of the financial statements, we have also audited the financial statement schedule listed in Item 15(a) (2) of this annual report on Form 10-K. These financial statements and schedule are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and schedule based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements and schedule. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of H&E Equipment Services, Inc. and subsidiaries at December 31, 2011 and 2010, and the results of its operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2011, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

Also, in our opinion, the financial statement schedule, when considered in relation to the basic consolidated financial statements taken as a whole, present fairly, in all material respects, the information set forth therein.

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), H&E Equipment Services, Inc.’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2011, based on criteria established in Internal Control – Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO) and our report dated March 2, 2012 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.

/s/ BDO USA, LLP

Dallas, Texas

March 2, 2012

H&E EQUIPMENT SERVICES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

AS OF DECEMBER 31,


	2011			2010
	(Amounts in thousands, except share amounts)
Assets
Cash	$	24,215		$	29,149
Receivables, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $5,581 and $6,004, respectively		105,339			99,139
Inventories, net of reserves for obsolescence of $861 and $1,105, respectively		65,151			72,156
Prepaid expenses and other assets		5,223			8,679
Rental equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $281,493 and $254,662, respectively		450,877			426,637
Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation and amortization of $62,050 and $53,941, respectively		62,775			57,186
Deferred financing costs, net of accumulated amortization of $11,844 and $10,456, respectively		5,640			7,027
Intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization of $722 and $3,050, respectively		66			429
Goodwill		34,019			34,019

Total assets	$	753,305		$	734,421

Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity
Liabilities:
Amounts due on senior secured credit facility	$	16,055		$	—
Accounts payable		63,006			58,437
Manufacturer flooring plans payable		58,318			75,058
Accrued expenses payable and other liabilities		38,490			35,999
Senior unsecured notes		250,000			250,000
Capital leases payable		2,605			2,754
Deferred income taxes		58,616			55,919
Deferred compensation payable		2,008			2,004

Total liabilities		489,098			480,171

Commitments and Contingencies (Note 12)
Stockholders’ equity:
Preferred stock, $0.01 par value, 25,000,000 shares authorized; no shares issued		—			—
Common stock, $0.01 par value, 175,000,000 shares authorized; 38,808,941 and 38,699,666 shares issued at December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively, and 35,084,737 and 35,029,804 shares outstanding at December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively		387			386
Additional paid-in capital		210,695			209,111
Treasury stock at cost, 3,724,204 and 3,669,862 shares of common stock held at December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively		(56,884	)		(56,330	)
Retained earnings		110,009			101,083

Total stockholders’ equity		264,207			254,250

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$	753,305		$	734,421

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated statements.

H&E EQUIPMENT SERVICES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,


	2011			2010			2009
	(Amounts in thousands, except per share amounts)
Revenues:
Equipment rentals	$	228,038		$	177,970		$	191,512
New equipment sales		220,211			167,303			208,916
Used equipment sales		85,347			62,286			86,982
Parts sales		94,511			86,686			100,500
Services revenues		53,954			49,629			58,730
Other		38,490			30,280			33,092

Total revenues		720,551			574,154			679,732

Cost of revenues:
Rental depreciation		86,781			78,583			87,902
Rental expense		46,599			40,194			42,086
New equipment sales		196,152			150,665			183,885
Used equipment sales		65,042			48,269			70,305
Parts sales		69,222			63,902			72,786
Services revenues		21,024			18,751			21,825
Other		43,028			37,851			35,445

Total cost of revenues		527,848			438,215			514,234

Gross profit		192,703			135,939			165,498
Selling, general and administrative expenses		153,354			148,277			144,460
Impairment of goodwill and intangible assets		—			—			8,972
Gain from sales of property and equipment, net		793			443			533

Income (loss) from operations		40,142			(11,895	)		12,599

Other income (expense):
Interest expense		(28,727	)		(29,076	)		(31,339	)
Other, net		726			591			619

Total other expense, net		(28,001	)		(28,485	)		(30,720	)

Income (loss) before provision (benefit) for income taxes		12,141			(40,380	)		(18,121	)
Provision (benefit) for income taxes		3,215			(14,920	)		(6,178	)

Net income (loss)	$	8,926		$	(25,460	)	$	(11,943	)

Net income (loss) per common share:
Basic	$	0.26		$	(0.73	)	$	(0.35	)

Diluted	$	0.26		$	(0.73	)	$	(0.35	)

Weighted average common shares outstanding:
Basic		34,759			34,668			34,607

Diluted		34,887			34,668			34,607

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated statements.

H&E EQUIPMENT SERVICES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2011, 2010 AND 2009

(Amounts in thousands, except share amounts)


	Common Stock
	Shares Issued		Amount		Additional Paid-in Capital		Treasury Stock			Retained Earnings			Total Stockholders’ Equity
Balances at December 31, 2008		38,287,848	$	383	$	207,346	$	(56,008	)	$	138,486		$	290,207
Stock-based compensation		—		—		726		—			—			726
Surrendered restricted common stock		—		—		—		(110	)		—			(110	)
Issuance of non-vested restricted common stock		237,840		2		—		—			—			2
Net loss		—		—		—		—			(11,943	)		(11,943	)

Balances at December 31, 2009		38,525,688		385		208,072		(56,118	)		126,543			278,882
Stock-based compensation		—		—		1,039		—			—			1,039
Issuance of non-vested restricted common stock		173,978		1		—		—			—			1
Repurchases of 23,157 shares of restricted common stock		—		—		—		(212	)		—			(212	)
Net loss		—		—		—		—			(25,460	)		(25,460	)

Balances at December 31, 2010		38,699,666		386		209,111		(56,330	)		101,083			254,250
Stock-based compensation		—		—		1,327		—			—			1,327
Tax benefits associated with stock-based awards		—		—		257		—			—			257
Issuance of non-vested restricted common stock		109,275		1		—		—			—			1
Repurchases of 42,016 shares of restricted common stock		—		—		—		(554	)		—			(554	)
Net income		—		—		—		—			8,926			8,926

Balances at December 31, 2011		38,808,941	$	387	$	210,695	$	(56,884	)	$	110,009		$	264,207

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated statements.

H&E EQUIPMENT SERVICES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,


	2011			2010			2009
	(Amounts in thousands)
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income (loss)	$	8,926		$	(25,460	)	$	(11,943	)
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization of property and equipment		12,255			13,124			10,800
Depreciation of rental equipment		86,781			78,583			87,902
Amortization of deferred financing costs		1,388			1,406			1,419
Amortization of intangible assets		362			559			591
Provision for losses on accounts receivable		3,182			3,164			3,246
Provision for inventory obsolescence		210			315			48
Provision for deferred income taxes		2,697			(13,227	)		(5,963	)
Stock-based compensation expense		1,327			1,039			726
Impairment of goodwill and intangible assets		—			—			8,972
Gain from sales of property and equipment, net		(793	)		(443	)		(533	)
Gain from sales of rental equipment, net		(18,788	)		(12,931	)		(15,676	)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of impact of acquisitions:
Receivables, net		(9,382	)		(30,302	)		75,046
Inventories, net		(21,561	)		(6,762	)		23,182
Prepaid expenses and other assets		3,457			(1,680	)		4,722
Accounts payable		4,569			29,571			(64,801	)
Manufacturer flooring plans payable		(16,740	)		(17,810	)		(34,822	)
Accrued expenses payable and other liabilities		2,491			(1,271	)		(9,930	)
Deferred compensation payable		4			63			(85	)

Net cash provided by operating activities		60,385			17,938			72,901

Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchases of property and equipment		(18,433	)		(4,652	)		(19,395	)
Purchases of rental equipment		(127,235	)		(73,249	)		(15,121	)
Proceeds from sales of property and equipment		1,382			587			1,448
Proceeds from sales of rental equipment		63,358			47,645			70,968

Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities		(80,928	)		(29,669	)		37,900

Cash flows from financing activities:
Excess tax benefit (deficiency) from stock-based awards		257			—			—
Purchases of treasury stock		(554	)		(212	)		(110	)
Borrowings on senior secured credit facility		557,884			—			536,311
Payments on senior secured credit facility		(541,829	)		—			(612,633	)
Payments of deferred financing costs		—			(2,888	)		—
Payments of related party obligation		—			—			(150	)
Payments of capital lease obligations		(149	)		(140	)		(131	)
Principal payments on note payable		—			(1,216	)		(18	)

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities		15,609			(4,456	)		(76,731	)

Net increase (decrease) in cash		(4,934	)		(16,187	)		34,070
Cash, beginning of year		29,149			45,336			11,266

Cash, end of year	$	24,215		$	29,149		$	45,336

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated statements.

H&E EQUIPMENT SERVICES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Continued)

FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,


	2011			2010			2009
	(Amounts in thousands)
Supplemental schedule of non-cash investing and financing activities:
Non-cash asset purchases:
Assets transferred from new and used inventory to rental fleet	$	28,356		$	29,278		$	11,023
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:
Cash paid during the year for:
Interest	$	27,345		$	27,603		$	30,110
Income taxes, net of refunds received	$	(1,694	)	$	(149	)	$	(567	)

H&E EQUIPMENT SERVICES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(1) Organization and Nature of Operations

Organization

In connection with our initial public offering of common stock in February 2006, we converted H&E Equipment Services L.L.C. (“H&E LLC”), a Louisiana limited liability company and the wholly-owned operating subsidiary of H&E Holding L.L.C. (“Holdings”), into H&E Equipment Services, Inc., a Delaware corporation. Prior to our initial public offering, our business was conducted through H&E LLC. In order to have an operating Delaware corporation as the issuer of our initial public offering, immediately prior to the closing of the initial public offering, on February 3, 2006, H&E LLC and Holdings merged with and into us (H&E Equipment Services, Inc.), with us surviving the reincorporation merger as the operating company. Effective February 3, 2006, H&E LLC and Holdings no longer existed under operation of law pursuant to the reincorporation merger. In these transactions (collectively, the “Reorganization Transactions”), holders of preferred limited liability company interests and holders of common limited liability company interests in Holdings received shares of our common stock.

Nature of Operations

As one of the largest integrated equipment services companies in the United States focused on heavy construction and industrial equipment, we rent, sell and provide parts and service support for four core categories of specialized equipment: (1) hi-lift or aerial work platform equipment; (2) cranes; (3) earthmoving equipment; and (4) industrial lift trucks. By providing equipment sales, rental, on-site parts, and repair and maintenance functions under one roof, we are a one-stop provider for our customers’ varied equipment needs. This full-service approach provides us with multiple points of customer contact, enables us to maintain a high quality rental fleet, as well as an effective distribution channel for fleet disposal and provides cross-selling opportunities among our new and used equipment sales, rental, parts sales and service operations.

(2) Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Principles of Consolidation and Basis of Presentation

Our consolidated financial statements include the financial position and results of operations of H&E Equipment Services, Inc. and its wholly-owned subsidiaries H&E Finance Corp., GNE Investments, Inc., Great Northern Equipment, Inc., H&E California Holdings, Inc., H&E Equipment Services (California) LLC and H&E Equipment Services (Mid-Atlantic), Inc., collectively referred to herein as “we” or “us” or “our” or the “Company.”

All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in these consolidated financial statements. Business combinations are included in the consolidated financial statements from their respective dates of acquisition.

The nature of our business is such that short-term obligations are typically met by cash flows generated from long-term assets. Consequently, and consistent with industry practice, the accompanying consolidated balance sheets are presented on an unclassified basis.

Use of Estimates

We prepare our consolidated financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, which requires management to use its judgment to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and related disclosures at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reported period. These assumptions and estimates could have a material effect on our consolidated financial statements. Actual results may differ materially from those estimates. We review our estimates on an ongoing basis based on information currently available, and changes in facts and circumstances may cause us to revise these estimates.

H&E EQUIPMENT SERVICES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

Revenue Recognition

In Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 104 (“SAB 104”), the SEC Staff believes that revenue generally is realized or realizable and earned when all of the following criteria are met: (1) persuasive evidence of an arrangement exist; (2) delivery has occurred or services have been rendered; (3) the seller’s price to the buyer is fixed or determinable; and (4) collectibility is reasonably assured. Consistent with SAB 104, our policy recognizes revenue from equipment rentals in the period earned on a straight-line basis, over the contract term, regardless of the timing of the billing to customers. A rental contract term can be daily, weekly or monthly. Because the term of the contracts can extend across multiple financial reporting periods, we record unbilled rental revenue and deferred revenue at the end of reporting periods so that rental revenues earned are appropriately stated in the periods presented. Revenue from the sale of new and used equipment and parts is recognized at the time of delivery to, or pick-up by, the customer and when all obligations under the sales contract have been fulfilled, risk of ownership has been transferred and collectibility is reasonably assured. Services revenue is recognized at the time the services are rendered. Other revenues consist primarily of billings to customers for rental equipment delivery and damage waiver charges and are recognized at the time an invoice is generated and after the service has been provided.

Inventories

New and used equipment inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market, with cost determined by specific-identification. Inventories of parts and supplies are stated at the lower of the average cost or market.

Long-lived Assets, Goodwill and Intangible Assets

Rental Equipment

The rental equipment we purchase is stated at cost and is depreciated over the estimated useful lives of the equipment using the straight-line method. Estimated useful lives vary based upon type of equipment. Generally, we depreciate cranes and aerial work platforms over a ten year estimated useful life, earthmoving equipment over a five year estimated useful life with a 25% salvage value, and industrial lift trucks over a seven year estimated useful life. Attachments and other smaller type equipment are depreciated generally over a three year estimated useful life. We periodically evaluate the appropriateness of remaining depreciable lives and any salvage value assigned to rental equipment.

Ordinary repair and maintenance costs and property taxes are charged to operations as incurred. However, expenditures for additions or improvements that significantly extend the useful life of the asset are capitalized in the period incurred. When rental equipment is sold or disposed of, the related cost and accumulated depreciation are removed from the respective accounts and any gains or losses are included in income. We receive individual offers for fleet on a continual basis, at which time we perform an analysis on whether or not to accept the offer. The rental equipment is not transferred to inventory under the held for sale model as the equipment is used to generate revenues until the equipment is sold.

Property and Equipment

Property and equipment are recorded at cost and are depreciated over the assets’ estimated useful lives using the straight-line method. Ordinary repair and maintenance costs are charged to operations as incurred. However, expenditures for additions or improvements that significantly extend the useful life of the asset are capitalized in the period incurred. At the time assets are sold or disposed of, the cost and accumulated depreciation are removed from their respective accounts and the related gains or losses are reflected in income.

We capitalize interest on qualified construction projects. Costs associated with internally developed software are accounted for in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 350-40, Internal-Use Software (“ASC 350-40”), which provides guidance for the treatment of costs associated with computer software development and defines the types of costs to be capitalized and those to be expensed.

H&E EQUIPMENT SERVICES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

We periodically evaluate the appropriateness of remaining depreciable lives assigned to property and equipment. Leasehold improvements are amortized using the straight-line method over their estimated useful lives or the remaining term of the lease, whichever is shorter. Generally, we assign the following estimated useful lives to these categories:


Category	Estimated Useful Life
Transportation equipment		5 years
Buildings		39 years
Office equipment		5 years
Computer equipment		3 years
Machinery and equipment		7 years

In accordance with ASC 360, Property, Plant and Equipment (“ASC 360”), when events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of our rental fleet and property and equipment might not be recoverable, the expected future undiscounted cash flows from the assets are estimated and compared with the carrying amount of the assets. If the sum of the estimated undiscounted cash flows is less than the carrying amount of the assets, an impairment loss is recorded. The impairment loss is measured by comparing the fair value of the assets with their carrying amounts. Fair value is determined based on discounted cash flows or appraised values, as appropriate. We did not record any impairment losses related to our rental equipment or property and equipment during 2011, 2010 or 2009.

Goodwill

We have made acquisitions in the past that included the recognition of goodwill, which was determined based upon previous accounting principles. Pursuant to ASC 350, Intangibles-Goodwill and Other (“ASC 350”), effective January 1, 2009, goodwill is recorded as the excess of the consideration transferred plus the fair value of any non-controlling interest in the acquiree at the acquisition date over the fair value of any non-controlling interest in the acquiree at the acquisition date over the fair values of the identifiable net assets acquired.

We evaluate goodwill for impairment at least annually, or more frequently if triggering events occur or other impairment indicators arise which might impair recoverability. Impairment of goodwill is evaluated at the reporting unit level. A reporting unit is defined as an operating segment (i.e. before aggregation or combination), or one level below an operating segment (i.e. a component). A component of an operating segment is a reporting unit if the component constitutes a business for which discrete financial information is available and segment management regularly reviews the operating results of that component. We have identified two components within our Rental operating segment and have determined that each of our other operating segments (New, Used, Parts and Service) represent a reporting unit, resulting in six total reporting units.

In September 2011, the FASB issued ASU 2011-08, Intangibles-Goodwill and Other (Topic 350)-Testing Goodwill for Impairment (“ASU 2011-08”), to allow entities to first use a qualitative approach to test goodwill for impairment. ASU 2011-08 permits an entity to first perform a qualitative assessment to determine whether it is more likely than not ( a likelihood of greater than 50%) that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying value. If it is concluded that this is the case, the currently prescribed two-step goodwill test must be performed. Otherwise, the two-step goodwill impairment test is not required. We adopted ASU 2011-08 in conjunction with our annual impairment test as of October 1, 2011. As a result of our adoption of this guidance, we performed a qualitative assessment and determined that it is more likely than not that the fair value of our reporting units exceed their respective carrying values at the October 1, 2011 valuation date and, therefore, did not perform the prescribed two-step goodwill impairment test. We considered various factors in performing the qualitative test, including macroeconomic conditions, industry and market considerations, the overall financial performance of our reporting units, the Company’s stock price and the excess amount or “cushion” between our reporting unit’s fair value and carrying value as indicated on our most recent quantitative assessment.

H&E EQUIPMENT SERVICES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

To determine if any of our reporting units are impaired under the prescribed two-step goodwill test, we must determine whether the fair value of each of our reporting units is greater than their respective carrying value. If the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying value, then the implied fair value of goodwill must be calculated and compared to its carrying value to measure the amount of impairment. The implied fair value of goodwill is calculated by allocating the fair value of the reporting unit to all assets and liabilities of that unit (including any unrecognized intangible assets) as if the reporting unit had been acquired in a business combination (purchase price allocation). The excess of the fair value of the reporting unit over the amounts assigned is the implied fair value of goodwill. If the carrying amount of the goodwill exceeds the implied fair value of goodwill, an impairment loss is recognized for the excess amount.

We determine the fair value of our reporting units using a discounted cash flow analysis or by applying various market multiples or a combination thereof. As a result of our annual goodwill impairment test as of October 1, 2009, we determined that the goodwill associated with our Equipment Rentals Component 1 reporting unit was impaired and recorded a $9.0 million, or $5.5 million after tax, non-cash goodwill impairment charge The impairment charges are largely due to worsening macroeconomic conditions in 2009. The impairments also reflect a decrease in projected cash flows as of the impairment testing date. The impairment charge was a non-cash item and did not affect our cash flows, liquidity or borrowing capacity under our senior credit facility, and the charge is excluded from our financial results in evaluating our financial covenant under the senior secured credit facility.

There were no changes in the carrying amount of goodwill for our reporting units for the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010.

Intangible Assets

Our intangible assets are comprised of the intangible assets that we acquired in the September 1, 2007 Burress Acquisition. Specifically, we recognized intangible assets for (i) non-compete agreements; (ii) tradenames; and (iii) customer relationships. At December 31, 2011, the tradename and customer relationships intangible assets were fully amortized. The net carrying amount our our non-compete agreements intangible asset as of December 31, 2011 was approximately $66,000 and will be fully amortized during our fiscal year ending December 31, 2012.

The intangible asset related to various non-compete agreements are amortized on a straight-line basis with estimated useful lives ranging from three to five years from the date of the Burress Acquisition. The straight-line method of amortization of these intangible assets reflects an appropriate allocation of the costs of these intangible assets to earnings in proportion to the amount of economic benefits obtained in each reporting period.

Intangible assets are tested for impairment whenever events or circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. An impairment loss would be recognized when the carrying amount of the asset exceeds the estimated undiscounted future cash flows expected to result from the use of the asset and its eventual disposition. The impairment loss to be recorded would be the excess of the asset’s carrying value over its fair value. Fair value is generally determined using a discounted cash flow analysis or other valuation technique.

H&E EQUIPMENT SERVICES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

There were no impairment charges to our intangible assets for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 or 2009. Total amortization expense for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010, 2009 totaled $0.4 million, $0.6 million, and $0.6 million, respectively.

Closed Branch Facility Charges

We continuously monitor and identify branch facilities with revenues and operating margins that consistently fall below Company performance standards. Once identified, we continue to monitor these branches to determine if operating performance can be improved or if the performance is attributable to economic factors unique to the particular market with unfavorable long-term prospects. If necessary, branches with unfavorable long-term prospects are closed and the rental fleet and new and used equipment inventories are deployed to more profitable branches within our geographic footprint where demand is higher.

As a result of the downturn in construction and industrial activities and its impact on our business, we closed or consolidated four branches during the year ended December 31, 2009, one branch during 2010 and three branches during 2011 in markets where long-term prospects did not support continued operations. Under ASC 420, Exit or Disposal Cost Obligations (“ASC 420”), exit costs include, but are not limited to, the following: (a) one-time termination benefits; (b) contract termination costs, including costs that will continue to be incurred under operating leases that have no future economic benefit; and (c) other associated costs. A liability for costs associated with an exit or disposal activity is recognized and measured at its fair value in the period in which the liability is incurred, except for one-time termination benefits that are incurred over time. Although we do not expect to incur material charges related to branch closures, additional charges are possible to the extent that actual future settlements differ from our estimates of such costs. Costs incurred for the closed branches in 2009, 2010 and 2011 did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements. As of the date of this Annual Report on Form 10-K, the Company has not identified any other branch facilities with a more than likely probability of closing where the associated costs pursuant to ASC 420 are expected to be material.

Deferred Financing Costs and Initial Purchasers’ Discounts

Deferred financing costs include underwriting, legal, accounting and other direct costs incurred in connection with the issuance, and amendments thereto, of the Company’s debt. These costs are amortized over the terms of the related debt using the straight-line method which approximates amortization using the effective interest method. The amortization expense of deferred financing costs and accretion of initial purchasers’ discounts is included in interest expense as an overall cost of the related financings. As further described in note 9 to the consolidated financial statements, we incurred approximately $2.9 million in transaction costs related to the 2010 amendment and restatement of our Senior Secured Credit Facility.

Reserves for Claims

We are exposed to various claims relating to our business, including those for which we provide self-insurance. Claims for which we self-insure include: (1) workers compensation claims; (2) general liability claims by third parties for injury or property damage caused by our equipment or personnel; (3) automobile liability claims; and (4) employee health insurance claims. These types of claims may take a substantial amount of time to resolve and, accordingly, the ultimate liability associated with a particular claim, including claims incurred but not reported as of a period-end reporting date, may not be known for an extended period of time. Our methodology for developing self-insurance reserves is based on management estimates and independent third party actuarial estimates. Our estimation process considers, among other matters, the cost of known claims over time, cost inflation and incurred but not reported claims. These estimates may change based on, among other things, changes in our claim history or receipt of additional information relevant to assessing the claims. Further, these estimates may prove to be inaccurate due to factors such as adverse judicial determinations or other claim settlements at higher than estimated amounts. Accordingly, we may be required to increase or decrease our reserve levels. At December 31, 2011, our claims reserves related to workers compensation, general liability and automobile liability, which are included in “Accrued expenses and other liabilities” in our consolidated balance sheets, totaled $2.9 million and our health insurance reserves totaled $1.2 million. At December 31, 2010, our claims reserves related to workers compensation, general liability and automobile liability totaled $2.8 million and our health insurance reserves totaled $1.6 million.

H&E EQUIPMENT SERVICES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

Sales Taxes

We impose and collect significant amounts of sales taxes concurrent with our revenue-producing transactions with customers and remit those taxes to the various governmental agencies as prescribed by the taxing jurisdictions in which we operate. We present such taxes in our consolidated statements of operations on a net basis.

Advertising

Advertising costs are expensed as incurred and totaled $0.2 million, $0.6 million and $0.6 million for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively.

Shipping and Handling Fees and Costs

Shipping and handling fees billed to customers are recorded as revenues while the related shipping and handling costs are included in other cost of revenues.

Income Taxes

The Company files a consolidated federal income tax return with its wholly-owned subsidiaries. The Company is a C-Corporation under the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code. We utilize the asset and liability approach to measuring deferred tax assets and liabilities based on temporary differences existing at each balance sheet date using currently enacted tax rates in accordance with ASC 740. ASC 740 takes into account the differences between financial statement treatment and tax treatment of certain transactions. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect of a change in tax rate is recognized as income or expense in the period that includes the enactment date of that rate.

In accordance with ASC 740, the Company recognizes the effect of income tax positions only if those positions are more likely than not of being sustained. Recognized income tax provisions are measured at the largest amount that is greater than 50% likely of being realized. Changes in recognition or measurement are reflected in the period in which the change in judgment occurs. The Company recognizes both interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions as part of the income tax provision.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The carrying value of financial instruments reported in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets for cash, accounts receivable, accounts payable and accrued expenses payable and other liabilities approximate fair value due to the immediate or short-term nature or maturity of these financial instruments. The fair value of our letter of credit is based on fees currently charged for similar agreements. The carrying amounts and fair values of our other financial instruments subject to fair value disclosures as of December 31, 2011 and 2010 are presented in the table below (amounts in thousands) and have been calculated based upon market quotes and present value calculations based on market rates.

H&E EQUIPMENT SERVICES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)


	December 31, 2011
	Carrying Amount		Fair Value
Manufacturer flooring plans payable with interest computed at 5.38%	$	58,318	$	52,069
Senior unsecured notes with interest computed at 8.375%		250,000		252,500
Capital leases payable with interest computed at 5.929 to 9.55%		2,605		1,839
Letter of credit		—		192


	December 31, 2010
	Carrying Amount		Fair Value
Manufacturer flooring plans payable with interest computed at 7.00%	$	75,058	$	63,105
Senior unsecured notes with interest computed at 8.375%		250,000		251,250
Capital leases payable with interest computed at 5.929% to 9.55%		2,754		2,199
Letters of credit		—		216

Concentrations of Credit and Supplier Risk

Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk consist primarily of trade accounts receivable. Credit risk can be negatively impacted by adverse changes in the economy or by disruptions in the credit markets. However, we believe that credit risk with respect to trade accounts receivable is somewhat mitigated by our large number of geographically diverse customers and our credit evaluation procedures. Although generally no collateral is required, when feasible, mechanics’ liens are filed and personal guarantees are signed to protect the Company’s interests. We maintain reserves for potential losses.

We record trade accounts receivables at sales value and establish specific reserves for certain customer accounts identified as known collection problems due to insolvency, disputes or other collection issues. The amounts of the specific reserves estimated by management are based on the following assumptions and variables: the customer’s financial position, age of the customer’s receivables and changes in payment schedules. In addition to the specific reserves, management establishes a non-specific allowance for doubtful accounts by applying specific percentages to the different receivable aging categories (excluding the specifically reserved accounts). The percentage applied against the aging categories increases as the accounts become further past due. The allowance for doubtful accounts is charged with the write-off of uncollectible customer accounts.

We purchase a significant amount of equipment from the same manufacturers with whom we have distribution agreements. During the year ended December 31, 2011, we purchased approximately 64% from three manufacturers (Grove/Manitowoc, Komatsu, and Genie Industries (Terex)) providing our rental and sales equipment. We believe that while there are alternative sources of supply for the equipment we purchase in each of the principal product categories, termination of one or more of our relationships with any of our major suppliers of equipment could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operation if we were unable to obtain adequate or timely rental and sales equipment.

H&E EQUIPMENT SERVICES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

Earnings (Loss) per Share

Earnings (loss) per common share for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009 are based on the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. The effect of potentially dilutive securities that are anti-dilutive are not included in the computation of dilutive income (loss) per share. The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted net income (loss) per common share for the years ended December 31, (amounts in thousands, except per share amounts):


	2011		2010			2009
Basic net income (loss) per share:
Net income (loss)	$	8,926	$	(25,460	)	$	(11,943	)
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding		34,759		34,668			34,607
Net income (loss) per common share — basic	$	0.26	$	(0.73	)	$	(0.35	)

Diluted net income (loss) per share:
Net income (loss)	$	8,926	$	(25,460	)	$	(11,943	)
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding		34,759		34,668			34,607
Effect of dilutive securities:
Effect of dilutive non-vested stock		128		—			—

Weighted average number of common shares outstanding — diluted		34,887		34,668			34,607
Net income (loss) per common share — diluted	$	0.26	$	(0.73	)	$	(0.35	)

Common shares excluded from the denominator as anti-dilutive:
Stock options		51		51			51
Non-vested stock		—		330			279

Stock-Based Compensation

We adopted our 2006 Stock-Based Incentive Compensation Plan (the “Stock Incentive Plan”) in January 2006 prior to our initial public offering of common stock. The Stock Incentive Plan was further amended and restated with the approval of our stockholders at the 2006 annual meeting of the stockholders of the Company to provide for the inclusion of non-employee directors as persons eligible to receive awards under the Stock Incentive Plan. Prior to the adoption of the Stock Incentive Plan in January 2006, no share-based payment arrangements existed. The Stock Incentive Plan is administered by the Compensation Committee of our Board of Directors, which selects persons eligible to receive awards and determines the number of shares and/or options subject to each award, the terms, conditions, performance measures, if any, and other provisions of the award. Under the Stock Incentive Plan, we may offer deferred shares or restricted shares of our common stock and grant options, including both incentive stock options and nonqualified stock options, to purchase shares of our common stock. Shares available for future stock-based payment awards under our Stock Incentive Plan were 3,829,079 shares of common stock as of December 31, 2011.

We account for our stock-based compensation plan using the fair value recognition provisions of ASC 718, Stock Compensation (“ASC 718”). Under the provisions of ASC 718, stock-based compensation is measured at the grant date, based on the calculated fair value of the award, and is recognized as an expense over the requisite employee service period (generally the vesting period of the grant).

H&E EQUIPMENT SERVICES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

Non-vested Stock

From time to time, we issue shares of non-vested stock typically with vesting terms of three years. The following table summarizes our non-vested stock activity for the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010:


	Number of Shares			Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value
Non-vested stock at January 1, 2010 2009		279,223		$	7.79
Granted		173,978		$	9.54
Vested		(97,650	)	$	8.20
Forfeited		(25,614	)	$	8.18

Non-vested stock at December 31, 2010 20092008		329,937		$	8.57
Granted		109,275		$	14.46
Vested		(148,252	)	$	8.69
Forfeited		(12,326	)	$	9.54

Non-vested stock at December 31, 2011 232202009		278,634		$	10.77

As of December 31, 2011, we had unrecognized compensation expense of approximately $2.0 million related to non-vested stock award payments that we expect to be recognized over a weighted average period of 2.0 years.

The following table summarizes compensation expense related to stock-based awards included in selling, general and administrative expenses in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations for the years ended December 31, (amounts in thousands):


	2011		2010		2009
Compensation expense	$	1,328	$	1,030	$	669

We receive a tax deduction when non-vested stock vests at a higher value than the value used to recognize compensation expense at the date of grant. In accordance with ASC 718, we are required to report excess tax benefits from the award of equity instruments as financing cash flows. Excess tax benefits will be recorded when a deduction reported for tax return purposes for an award of equity instruments exceeds the cumulative compensation cost for the instruments recognized for financial reporting purposes.

Stock Options

No stock options were granted during 2011, 2010 or 2009. At December 31, 2011, we had no unrecognized compensation expense related to prior stock option awards.


	2011		2010		2009
Compensation expense	$	—	$	9	$	57

H&E EQUIPMENT SERVICES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

The following table represents stock option activity for the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010:


	Number of Shares		Weighted Average Exercise Price		Weighted Average Contractual Life In Years
Outstanding options at January 1, 2010		51,000	$	24.80
Granted		—		—
Exercised		—		—
Canceled, forfeited or expired		—		—

Outstanding options at December 31, 2010		51,000	$	24.80		5.5
Granted		—		—
Exercised		—		—
Canceled, forfeited or expired		—		—

Outstanding options at December 31, 2011		51,000	$	24.80		4.5

Options exercisable at December 31, 2011		51,000	$	24.80		4.5

The closing price of our common stock on December 31, 2011 was $13.42. All options outstanding at December 31, 2011 have grant date fair values which exceed our December 31, 2011 closing stock price.

The following table summarizes non-vested stock option activity for the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010:


	Number of Shares			Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value
Non-vested stock options at January 1, 2010		2,000		$	26.27
Granted		—			—
Vested		(2,000	)	$	26.27
Forfeited		—			—

Non-vested stock options at December 31, 2010		—			—
Granted		—			—
Vested		—			—
Forfeited		—			—

Non-vested stock options at December 31, 2011		—			—

We receive a tax deduction for stock option exercises during the period in which the options are exercised, generally for the excess of the price at which the stock is sold over the exercise price of the options.

Purchases of Company Common Stock

Purchases of our common stock are accounted for as treasury stock in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets using the cost method. Repurchased stock is included in authorized shares, but is not included in shares outstanding.

Segment Reporting

We have determined in accordance with ASC 280, Segment Reporting (“ASC 280”) that we have five reportable segments. We derive our revenues from five principal business activities: (1) equipment rentals; (2) new equipment sales; (3) used equipment sales; (4) parts sales; and (5) repair and maintenance services. These segments are based upon how we allocate resources and assess performance. See note 17 to the consolidated financial statements regarding our segment information.

H&E EQUIPMENT SERVICES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In September 2011, the FASB issued ASU 2011-08, Intangibles—Goodwill and Other (Topic 350)—Testing Goodwill for Impairment (“ASU 2011-08”), to allow entities to first use a qualitative approach to test goodwill for impairment. ASU 2011-08 permits an entity to first perform a qualitative assessment to determine whether it is more likely than not (a likelihood of greater than 50%) that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying value. If it is concluded that this is the case, the currently prescribed two-step goodwill impairment test must be performed. Otherwise, the two-step goodwill impairment test is not required. Entities are not required to perform the qualitative assessment and are permitted to skip the qualitative assessment for any reporting unit in any period and proceed directly to Step 1 of the two-step goodwill impairment test. ASU 2011-08 is effective for us in fiscal 2012 and earlier adoption is permitted. We adopted ASU 2011-08 in conjunction with our annual impairment test as of October 1, 2011. As a result of our adoption of this guidance, we performed a qualitative assessment and determined that it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is not less than its carrying value and therefore, did not perform the prescribed two-step goodwill impairment test. See also Critical Accounting Policies in Item 7-Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Operating Results for further information on goodwill impairment testing.

(3) Receivables

Receivables consisted of the following at December 31, (amounts in thousands):


	2011			2010
Trade receivables	$	107,907		$	100,357
Unbilled rental revenue		2,989			2,735
Income tax receivables		14			2,047
Other		10			4

		110,920			105,143
Less allowance for doubtful accounts		(5,581	)		(6,004	)

Total receivables, net	$	105,339		$	99,139

We charge off customer account balances when we have exhausted reasonable collection efforts and determined that the likelihood of collection is remote.

H&E EQUIPMENT SERVICES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(4) Inventories

Inventories consisted of the following at December 31, (amounts in thousands):


	2011		2010
New equipment	$	45,939	$	50,586
Used equipment		6,633		6,954
Parts, supplies and other		12,579		14,616

Total inventories, net	$	65,151	$	72,156

The above amounts are net of reserves for inventory obsolescence at December 31, 2011 and 2010 totaling $0.9 million and $1.1 million, respectively.

(5) Property and Equipment

Net property and equipment consisted of the following at December 31, (amounts in thousands):


	2011			2010
Land	$	6,833		$	5,947
Transportation equipment		43,303			38,356
Building and leasehold improvements		18,444			17,625
Office and computer equipment		39,095			37,280
Machinery and equipment		8,552			7,974
Property under capital leases		3,217			3,217
Construction in progress		5,381			728

		124,825			111,127
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization		(62,050	)		(53,941	)

Total net property and equipment	$	62,775		$	57,186

Total depreciation and amortization on property and equipment was $12.3 million, $13.1 million and $10.8 million for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively. Included in the office and computer equipment category above at December 31, 2011 and 2010 is approximately $26.9 million of capitalized costs, including $0.6 million, of capitalized interest, related to the implementation of our employee resource planning system. Unamortized computer software costs related to the new employee resource planning system at December 31, 2011 and 2010 was $19.1 million and $23.3 million, respectively, while related amortization expense in 2011 and 2010 totalled $3.8 million and $3.9 million, respectively. The employee resource planning system was substantially complete and ready for its intended use on or around January 19, 2010. Amounts of construction in progress at December 31, 2011 and 2010 represent costs incurred related to the construction of the Company’s new corporate office in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, which is expected to be completed during the third quarter of 2012. Interest costs capitalized for the year ended December 31, 2011 were $0.1 million. Total costs for the facility are expected to approximate $15 million.

(6) Manufacturer Flooring Plans Payable

Manufacturer flooring plans payable are financing arrangements for inventory and rental equipment. The interest cost incurred on the manufacturer flooring plans ranged between 0% to the prime rate (3.25% at December 31, 2011) plus an applicable margin at December 31, 2011. Certain manufacturer flooring plans provide for a one to twelve-month reduced interest rate term or a deferred payment period. We recognize interest expense based on the effective interest method. We make payments in accordance with the original terms of the financing agreements. However, we routinely sell equipment that is financed under manufacturer flooring plans prior to the original maturity date of the financing agreement. The related manufacturer flooring plan payable is then paid at the time the equipment being financed is sold. The manufacturer flooring plans payable are secured by the equipment being financed.

H&E EQUIPMENT SERVICES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

Maturities (based on original financing terms) of the manufacturer flooring plans payable as of December 31, 2011 for each of the next five years ending December 31 are as follows (amounts in thousands):


2012	$	24,931
2013		32,990
2014		397
2015		—
2016		—
Thereafter		—

Total	$	58,318

(7) Accrued Expenses Payable and Other Liabilities

Accrued expenses payable and other liabilities consisted of the following at December 31, (amounts in thousands):


	2011		2010
Payroll and related liabilities	$	13,384	$	11,023
Sales, use and property taxes		5,452		5,990
Accrued interest		10,078		10,148
Accrued insurance		2,782		2,996
Deferred revenue		3,640		3,728
Other		3,154		2,114

Total accrued expenses payable and other liabilities	$	38,490	$	35,999

(8) Senior Unsecured Notes

We currently have outstanding $250.0 million aggregate principal amount of 8 3/8% senior unsecured notes due 2016. The senior unsecured notes are guaranteed, jointly and severally, on an unsecured senior basis by all of our existing and future domestic restricted subsidiaries.

The senior unsecured notes were issued at par and require semiannual interest payments on January 15^th and July 15^th of each year. No principal payments are due until maturity (January 15, 2016). We may redeem the senior unsecured notes at specified redemption prices plus accrued and unpaid interest and additional interest. In addition, if we experience a change of control, we will be required to make an offer to repurchase the senior unsecured notes at a price equal to 101% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest and additional interest.

The senior unsecured notes rank equal in right of payment to all of our and our guarantors’ existing and future unsecured senior indebtedness and senior in right of payment to any of our or our guarantors’ future subordinated indebtedness and are effectively junior in priority to our and our guarantors’ obligations under all of our existing and future secured indebtedness, including borrowings under our senior secured credit facility and any other secured obligations, in each case, to the extent of the value of the assets securing such obligations. The senior unsecured notes are also effectively junior to all liabilities (including trade payables) of our non-guarantor subsidiaries.

The indenture governing our senior secured notes contains certain covenants that, among other things, limit our ability and the ability of our restricted subsidiaries to: (i) incur additional indebtedness, assume a guarantee or issue preferred stock; (ii) pay dividends or make other equity distributions or payments to or affecting our subsidiaries; (iii) purchase or redeem our capital stock; (iv) make certain investments; (v) create liens; (vi) sell or dispose of assets or engage in mergers or consolidation; (vii) engage in certain transactions with subsidiaries or affiliates; (viii) enter into sale leaseback transactions with subsidiaries or affiliates; (viii) enter into sale leaseback transactions; and (ix) engage in certain business activities. Each of the covenants is subject to exceptions and qualifications. As of December 31, 2011, we were in compliance with these covenants.

H&E EQUIPMENT SERVICES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(9) Senior Secured Credit Facility

We had $16.1 million outstanding under our senior secured credit facility as of December 31, 2011. Borrowing availability under the terms of the senior secured credit facility as of December 31, 2011, net of $7.0 million of standby letters of credit outstanding, totaled $296.9 million.

(10) Capital Lease Obligations

As of December 31, 2011, we had two capital lease obligations, expiring in 2022 and 2029, respectively. Future minimum capital lease payments, in the aggregate, existing at December 31, 2011 for each of the next five years ending December 31 and thereafter are as follows (amounts in thousands):


2012	$	333
2013		333
2014		333
2015		333
2016		333
Thereafter		2,296

Total minimum lease payments		3,961
Less: amount representing interest		(1,356	)

Present value of minimum lease payments	$	2,605

H&E EQUIPMENT SERVICES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(11) Income Taxes

Our income tax provision (benefit) for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, consists of the following (amounts in thousands):


	Current			Deferred			Total
Year ended December 31, 2011:
U.S. Federal	$	—		$	2,621		$	2,621
State		262			332			594

	$	262		$	2,953		$	3,215

Year ended December 31, 2010:
U.S. Federal	$	—		$	(13,345	)	$	(13,345	)
State		329			(1,904	)		(1,575	)

	$	329		$	(15,249	)	$	(14,920	)

Year ended December 31, 2009:
U.S. Federal	$	(199	)	$	(5,455	)	$	(5,654	)
State		(16	)		(508	)		(524	)

	$	(215	)	$	(5,963	)	$	(6,178	)

Significant components of our deferred income tax assets and liabilities as of December 31 are as follows (amounts in thousands):


	2011			2010
Deferred tax assets:
Accounts receivable	$	2,140		$	2,305
Inventories		336			431
Net operating losses		32,308			38,840
AMT and general business tax credits		1,356			1,356
Sec 263A costs		731			811
Accrued liabilities		3,236			2,779
Deferred compensation		645			394
Accrued interest		567			543
Stock-based compensation		398			385
Goodwill and intangible assets		5,756			7,143
Other assets		123			340

		47,596			55,327
Deferred tax liabilities:
Property and equipment		(104,623	)		(109,663	)
Investments		(1,589	)		(1,583	)

		(106,212	))		(111,246	)

Net deferred tax liabilities		(58,616	)	$	(55,919	)

H&E EQUIPMENT SERVICES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

The reconciliation between income taxes computed using the statutory federal income tax rate of 35% to the actual income tax expense (benefit) is below for the years ended December 31 (amounts in thousands):


	2011			2010			2009
Computed tax at statutory rates	$	4,249		$	(14,133	)	$	(6,342	)
Permanent items—other		415			317			589
Permanent items—excess of tax deductible goodwill		(2,130	)		—			—
State income tax (benefit), net of federal tax effect		342			(1,023	)		(340	)
Increase in uncertain tax positions		339			—			—
Other		—			(81	)		(85	)

	$	3,215		$	(14,920	)	$	(6,178	)

At December 31, 2011, we had available federal net operating loss carry forwards of approximately $130.6 million, which expire in varying amounts from 2022 through 2030. We also had federal alternative minimum tax credit carry forwards at December 31, 2011 of approximately $0.8 million which do not expire and $0.5 general business credit carryforwards that expire in varying amounts from 2025 and 2026.

Management has concluded that it is more likely than not that the deferred tax assets are fully realizable through future reversals of existing taxable temporary differences and future taxable income. Therefore, a valuation allowance is not required to reduce the deferred tax assets as of December 31, 2011.

A reconciliation of the beginning and ending balances of the total amounts of gross unrecognized tax benefits is as follow (in thousands):


	2011			2010
Gross unrecognized tax benefits at January 1	$	6,498		$	6,478
Increases in tax positions taken in prior years		434			20
Decreases in tax positions taken in prior years		—			—
Increases in tax positions taken in current year		—			—
Decreases for tax positions taken in current year		—			—
Settlements with taxing authorities		(269	)		—
Lapse in statute of limitations		—			—

Gross unrecognized tax benefits at December 31	$	6,663		$	6,498

The gross amount of unrecognized tax benefits as of December 31, 2011 includes $0.3 million of net unrecognized tax benefits that, if recognized, would affect the effective income tax rate. Consistent with our historical financial reporting, to the extent we incur interest income, interest expense, or penalties related to unrecognized income tax benefits, they are recorded in “Other net income or expense.” At this time, we do not expect to recognize significant increases or decreases in unrecognized tax benefits during the next twelve months.

Our U.S. federal tax returns for 2005 and subsequent years remain subject to examination by tax authorities. We are also subject to examination in various state jurisdictions for 2007 and subsequent years. Our Federal Tax Returns for the tax years 2005 through 2009 are currently under examination by the IRS. We currently do not expect any material adjustment resulting from the IRS examination.

(12) Commitments and Contingencies

Operating Leases

As of December 31, 2011, we lease certain real estate related to our branch facilities and corporate headquarters, as well as certain office equipment under non-cancelable operating lease agreements expiring at various dates through 2031. Our real estate leases provide for varying terms, including customary renewal

H&E EQUIPMENT SERVICES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

options and base rental escalation clauses, for which the related rent expense is accounted for on a straight-line basis during the terms of the respective leases. Additionally, certain real estate leases may require us to pay maintenance, insurance, taxes and other expenses in addition to the stated rental payments. Rent expense on property leases and equipment leases under non-cancelable operating lease agreements for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009 amounted to approximately $12.6 million, $11.8 million and $11.5 million, respectively.

Future minimum operating lease payments existing at December 31, 2011 for each of the next five years ending December 31 and thereafter are as follows (amounts in thousands):


2012	$	11,851
2013		10,078
2014		8,510
2015		7,208
2016		6,435
Thereafter		41,313

	$	85,395

Legal Matters

We are also involved in various claims and legal actions arising in the ordinary course of business. In the opinion of management, after consultation with legal counsel, the ultimate disposition of these various matters will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated financial position, results of operations or liquidity.

Letters of Credit

The Company had outstanding letters of credit issued under its senior secured credit facility totaling $7.0 million and $8.0 million as of December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively. The 2011 letter of credit expired in January 2012 and was renewed for $6.5 million, and now expires in January 2013.

(13) Employee Benefit Plan

We offer substantially all of our employees’ participation in a qualified 401(k)/profit-sharing plan in which we match employee contributions up to predetermined limits for qualified employees as defined by the plan. For the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, we contributed to the plan, net of employee forfeitures, $1.2 million, $1.1 million and $0.6 million, respectively.

(14) Deferred Compensation Plans

In 2001, we assumed in a business combination nonqualified employee deferred compensation plans under which certain employees had previously elected to defer a portion of their annual compensation. Upon assumption of the plans, the plans were amended to not allow further participant compensation deferrals. Compensation previously deferred under the plans is payable upon the termination, disability or death of the participants. At December 31, 2011, we had obligations remaining under one deferred compensation plan. All other plans have terminated pursuant to the provisions of each respective plan. The remaining plan accumulates interest each year at a bank’s prime rate in effect at the beginning of January of each year. This rate remains constant throughout the year. The effective rate for the 2011 calendar plan year was 3.25%. The aggregate deferred compensation payable at December 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010 was $2.0 million. Included in these amounts at December 31, 2011 and 2010 was accrued interest of $1.5 million and $1.4 million, respectively.

H&E EQUIPMENT SERVICES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(15) Related Party Transactions

John M. Engquist, our Chief Executive Officer and President, and his sister, Kristan Engquist Dunne, each have a 29.2% beneficial ownership interest in a joint venture, from which we leased our Baton Rouge, Louisiana and Kenner, Louisiana branch facilities during the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009. Four trusts in the names of the children of John M. Engquist and Kristan Engquist Dunne hold in equal amounts interests totaling 16.6% of such joint venture. The remaining 25% interest is beneficially owned by Mr. Engquist’s mother. We paid such entity a total of $0.2 million, $0.3 million and $0.3 million in lease payments for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively. On January 11, 2011, we purchased the Kenner, Louisiana branch facility from the joint venture for approximately $1.6 million.

Mr. Engquist has a 50.0% ownership interest in T&J Partnership from which we lease our Shreveport, Louisiana facility. Mr. Engquist’s mother beneficially owns 50% of the entity. In 2011, 2010 and 2009, we paid T&J Partnership a total of approximately $0.2 million each year in lease payments.

We are party to aircraft charter arrangements with Gulf Wide Aviation, in which Mr. Engquist has a 62.5% ownership interest. Mr. Engquist’s mother and sister hold interests of 25% and 12.5%, respectively, in this entity. We pay an hourly rate plus fuel and expenses to Gulf Wide Aviation as well as a management service fee to an unrelated third party for the use of the aircraft by various members of our management. In each of the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, our payments in respect of charter (and related) costs to Gulf Wide Aviation totaled approximately $0.4 million, $0.4 million and $0.5 million, respectively.

Mr. Engquist has a 31.25% ownership interest in Perkins-McKenzie Insurance Agency, Inc. (“Perkins-McKenzie”), an insurance brokerage firm. Mr. Engquist’s mother and sister each have a 12.5% and 6.25% interest, respectively, in Perkins-McKenzie. Perkins-McKenzie brokers a substantial portion of our commercial liability insurance. As the broker, Perkins-McKenzie receives from our insurance provider as a commission a portion of the premiums we pay to the insurance provider. Commissions paid to Perkins-McKenzie on our behalf as insurance broker totaled approximately $0.5 million, $0.7 million and $0.7 million for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively.

We purchase products and services from, and sell products and services to, B-C Equipment Sales, Inc., in which Mr. Engquist has a 50% ownership interest. In each of the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, our purchases totaled approximately $0.2 million, $0.2 million and $0.2 million, respectively, and our sales to B-C Equipment Sales, Inc. totaled approximately $20,000, $14,000 and $0.6 million, respectively.

On April 30, 2007, the Company entered into a Consulting Agreement with Gary W. Bagley, Chairman of the Board of the Company (the “Agreement”). This Agreement supersedes the Consulting and Noncompetition Agreement, dated July 31, 2004, between the Company and Mr. Bagley.

This Agreement provides for, among other things:

•

a term of five years;

•

a consulting fee of $167,000 per year together with a cost-of-living increase of 4% compounded annually, plus reimbursement of all reasonable and actual out-of-pocket expenses;

•

welfare benefits, including medical, dental, life and disability insurance; and

•

the protection of confidential information obtained during employment.

We expensed approximately $0.2 million for each of the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009 related to this agreement.

H&E EQUIPMENT SERVICES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(16) Summarized Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited)

The following is a summary of our unaudited quarterly financial results of operations for the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010 (amounts in thousands, except per share amounts):


	First Quarter			Second Quarter		Third Quarter		Fourth Quarter
2011:
Total revenues	$	134,908		$	184,335	$	184,289	$	217,019
Operating income (loss)		(2,880	)		10,301		15,071		17,650
Income (loss) before provision (benefit) for income taxes		(9,764	)		3,308		7,967		10,630
Net income (loss)		(6,473	)		2,689		4,848		7,862
Basic net income (loss) per common share⁽¹⁾		(0.19	)		0.08		0.14		0.23
Diluted net income (loss) per common share⁽¹⁾		(0.19	)		0.08		0.14		0.23


	First Quarter			Second Quarter			Third Quarter			Fourth Quarter
2010:
Total revenues	$	114,686		$	131,006		$	153,844		$	174,618
Operating income (loss)		(11,925	)		(4,251	)		1,451			2,830
Loss before benefit for income taxes		(19,166	)		(11,348	)		(5,826	)		(4,040	)
Net loss⁽²⁾		(12,078	)		(7,093	)		(3,780	)		(2,509	)
Basic net loss per common share		(0.35	)		(0.20	)		(0.11	)		(0.07	)
Diluted net loss per common share		(0.35	)		(0.20	)		(0.11	)		(0.07	)

⁽¹⁾	Because of the method used in calculating per share data, the summation of quarterly per share data may not necessarily total to the per share data computed for the entire year.

(17) Segment Information

We have identified five reportable segments: equipment rentals, new equipment sales, used equipment sales, parts sales and service revenues. These segments are based upon how management of the Company allocates resources and assesses performance. Non-segmented revenues and non-segmented costs relate to equipment support activities including transportation, hauling, parts freight and damage-waiver charges and are not allocated to the other reportable segments. There were no sales between segments for any of the periods presented. Selling, general, and administrative expenses as well as all other income and expense items below gross profit are not generally allocated to our reportable segments.

H&E EQUIPMENT SERVICES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

We do not compile discrete financial information by our segments other than the information presented below. The following table presents information about our reportable segments (amounts in thousands):


	Years Ended December 31,
	2011			2010			2009
Segment Revenues:
Equipment rentals	$	228,038		$	177,970		$	191,512
New equipment sales		220,211			167,303			208,916
Used equipment sales		85,347			62,286			86,982
Parts sales		94,511			86,686			100,500
Services revenues		53,954			49,629			58,730

Total segmented revenues		682,061			543,874			646,640
Non-Segmented revenues		38,490			30,280			33,092

Total revenues	$	720,551		$	574,154		$	679,732

Segment Gross Profit (Loss):
Equipment rentals	$	94,658		$	59,193		$	61,524
New equipment sales		24,059			16,638			25,031
Used equipment sales		20,305			14,017			16,677
Parts sales		25,289			22,784			27,714
Services revenues		32,930			30,878			36,905

Total gross profit from revenues		197,241			143,510			167,851
Non-Segmented gross profit (loss)		(4,538	)		(7,571	)		(2,353	)

Total gross profit	$	192,703		$	135,939		$	165,498


	December 31,
	2011		2010
Segment identified assets:
Equipment sales	$	52,572	$	57,540
Equipment rentals		450,877		426,637
Parts and service		12,579		14,617

Total segment identified assets		516,028		498,794
Non-Segmented identified assets		237,277		235,627

Total assets	$	753,305	$	734,421

The Company operates primarily in the United States and our sales to international customers for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009 were 1.9%, 2.1% and 3.1%, respectively, of total revenues for the periods presented. No one customer accounted for more than 10% of our revenues on an overall or segmented basis for any of the periods presented.

(18) Consolidating Financial Information of Guarantor Subsidiaries

All of the indebtedness of H&E Equipment Services, Inc. is guaranteed by GNE Investments, Inc. and its wholly-owned subsidiary Great Northern Equipment, Inc., H&E Equipment Services (California), LLC, H&E California Holdings, Inc. and H&E Equipment Services (Mid-Atlantic), Inc. The guarantor subsidiaries are all wholly-owned and the guarantees, made on a joint and several basis, are full and unconditional (subject to subordination provisions and subject to a standard limitation which provides that the maximum amount guaranteed by each guarantor will not exceed the maximum amount that can be guaranteed without making the guarantee void under fraudulent conveyance laws). There are no restrictions on H&E Equipment Services, Inc.’s ability to obtain funds from the guarantor subsidiaries by dividend or loan.

The consolidating financial statements of H&E Equipment Services, Inc. and its subsidiaries are included below. The financial statements for H&E Finance Corp., the subsidiary co-issuer, are not included within the consolidating financial statements because H&E Finance Corp. has no assets or operations.

H&E EQUIPMENT SERVICES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEET


	As of December 31, 2011
	H&E Equipment Services				Guarantor Subsidiaries			Elimination		Consolidated
	(Amounts in thousands)
Assets:
Cash		$	24,215		$	—		$	—	$	24,215
Receivables, net			93,840			11,499			—		105,339
Inventories, net			55,052			10,099			—		65,151
Prepaid expenses and other assets			5,098			125			—		5,223
Rental equipment, net			366,568			84,309			—		450,877
Property and equipment, net			52,021			10,754			—		62,775
Deferred financing costs, net			5,640			—			—		5,640
Intangible assets, net			—			66			—		66
Investment in guarantor subsidiaries			(25,142	)		—			25,142		—
Goodwill			4,493			29,526			—		34,019

Total assets		$	581,785		$	146,378		$	25,142	$	753,305

Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity:
Amount due on senior secured credit facility		$	16,055		$	—		$	—	$	16,055
Accounts payable			59,095			3,911			—		63,006
Manufacturer flooring plans payable			58,249			69			—		58,318
Accrued expenses payable and other liabilities			37,786			704			—		38,490
Intercompany balance			(164,231	)		164,231			—		—
Senior unsecured notes			250,000			—			—		250,000
Capital leases payable			—			2,605			—		2,605
Deferred income taxes			58,616			—			—		58,616
Deferred compensation payable			2,008			—			—		2,008

Total liabilities			317,578			171,520			—		489,098
Stockholders’ equity (deficit)			264,207			(25,142	)		25,142		264,207

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity		$	581,785		$	146,378		$	25,142	$	753,305

H&E EQUIPMENT SERVICES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEET


	As of December 31, 2010
	H&E Equipment Services				Guarantor Subsidiaries			Elimination		Consolidated
	(Amounts in thousands)
Assets:
Cash		$	29,149		$	—		$	—	$	29,149
Receivables, net			87,629			11,510			—		99,139
Inventories, net			57,698			14,458			—		72,156
Prepaid expenses and other assets			8,479			200			—		8,679
Rental equipment, net			339,644			86,993			—		426,637
Property and equipment, net			47,301			9,885			—		57,186
Deferred financing costs, net			7,027			—			—		7,027
Intangible assets, net			—			429			—		429
Investment in guarantor subsidiaries			(18,509	)		—			18,509		—
Goodwill			4,493			29,526			—		34,019

Total assets		$	526,911		$	153,001		$	18,509	$	734,421

Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity:
Accounts payable		$	55,482		$	2,955			—	$	58,437
Manufacturer flooring plans payable			74,882			176			—		75,058
Accrued expenses payable and other liabilities			34,896			1,103			—		35,999
Intercompany balance			(164,522	)		164,522			—		—
Senior unsecured notes			250,000			—			—		250,000
Capital leases payable			—			2,754			—		2,754
Deferred income taxes			55,919			—			—		55,919
Deferred compensation payable			2,004			—			—		2,004

Total liabilities			308,661			171,510			—		480,171
Stockholders’ equity (deficit)			254,250			(18,509	)		18,509		254,250

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity		$	562,911		$	153,001		$	18,509	$	734,421

H&E EQUIPMENT SERVICES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS


	Year Ended December 31, 2011
	H&E Equipment Services				Guarantor Subsidiaries			Elimination		Consolidated
	(Amounts in thousands)
Revenues:
Equipment rentals		$	182,822		$	45,216		$	—	$	228,038
New equipment sales			200,298			19,913			—		220,211
Used equipment sales			70,485			14,862			—		85,347
Parts sales			80,153			14,358			—		94,511
Services revenues			47,325			6,629			—		53,954
Other			31,573			6,917			—		38,490

Total revenues			612,656			107,895			—		720,551

Cost of revenues:
Rental depreciation			68,327			18,454			—		86,781
Rental expense			37,264			9,335			—		46,599
New equipment sales			178,413			17,739			—		196,152
Used equipment sales			52,978			12,064			—		65,042
Parts sales			58,827			10,395			—		69,222
Services revenues			18,658			2,366			—		21,024
Other			34,066			8,962			—		43,028

Total cost of revenues			448,533			79,315			—		527,848

Gross profit (loss):
Equipment rentals			77,231			17,427			—		94,658
New equipment sales			21,885			2,174			—		24,059
Used equipment sales			17,507			2,798			—		20,305
Parts sales			21,326			3,963			—		25,289
Services revenues			28,667			4,263			—		32,930
Other			(2,493	)		(2,045	)		—		(4,538	)

Gross profit			164,123			28,580			—		192,703

Selling, general and administrative expenses			126,880			26,474			—		153,354
Equity in loss of guarantor subsidiaries			(6,633	)		—			6,633		—
Gain from sales of property and equipment, net			384			409			—		793

Income from operations			30,994			2,515			6,633		40,142
Other income (expense):
Interest expense			(19,536	)		(9,191	)		—		(28,727	)
Other, net			683			43			—		726

Total other expense, net			(18,853	)		(9,148	)		—		(28,001	)

Income (loss) before income taxes			12,141			(6,633	)		6,633		12,141
Income tax expense			3,215			—			—		3,215

Net income (loss)		$	8,926		$	(6,633	)	$	6,633	$	(8,926	)

H&E EQUIPMENT SERVICES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS


	Year Ended December 31, 2010
	H&E Equipment Services				Guarantor Subsidiaries			Elimination		Consolidated
	(Amounts in thousands)
Revenues:
Equipment rentals		$	141,180		$	36,790		$	—	$	177,970
New equipment sales			151,906			15,397			—		167,303
Used equipment sales			53,789			8,497			—		62,286
Parts sales			73,369			13,317			—		86,686
Services revenues			43,602			6,027			—		49,629
Other			24,786			5,494			—		30,280

Total revenues			488,632			85,522			—		574,154

Cost of revenues:
Rental depreciation			61,507			17,076			—		78,583
Rental expense			32,485			7,709			—		40,194
New equipment sales			136,899			13,766			—		150,665
Used equipment sales			41,789			6,480			—		48,269
Parts sales			54,066			9,836			—		63,902
Services revenues			16,699			2,052			—		18,751
Other			29,878			7,973			—		37,851

Total cost of revenues			373,323			64,892			—		438,215

Gross profit (loss):
Equipment rentals			47,188			12,005			—		59,193
New equipment sales			15,007			1,631			—		16,638
Used equipment sales			12,000			2,017			—		14,017
Parts sales			19,303			3,481			—		22,784
Services revenues			26,903			3,975			—		30,878
Other			(5,092	)		(2,479	)		—		(7,571	)

Gross profit			115,309			20,630			—		135,939

Selling, general and administrative expenses			123,279			24,998			—		148,277
Equity in loss of guarantor subsidiaries			(13,972	)		—			13,972		—
Gain from sales of property and equipment, net			389			54			—		443

Loss from operations			(21,553	)		(4,314	)		13,972		(11,895	)
Other income (expense):
Interest expense			(19,403	)		(9,673	)		—		(29,076	)
Other, net			576			15			—		591

Total other expense, net			(18,827	)		(9,658	)		—		(28,485	)

Loss before income taxes			(40,380	)		(13,972	)		13,972		(40,380	)
Income tax benefit			(14,920	)		—			—		(14,920	)

Net loss		$	(25,460	)	$	(13,972	)	$	13,972	$	(25,460	)

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS


	Year Ended December 31, 2009
	H&E Equipment Services				Guarantor Subsidiaries			Elimination		Consolidated
	(Amounts in thousands)
Revenues:
Equipment rentals		$	155,583		$	35,929		$	—	$	191,512
New equipment sales			173,494			35,422			—		208,916
Used equipment sales			75,862			11,120			—		86,982
Parts sales			85,043			15,457			—		100,500
Services revenues			51,657			7,073			—		58,730
Other			27,076			6,016			—		33,092

Total revenues			568,715			111,017			—		679,732

Cost of revenues:
Rental depreciation			69,791			18,111			—		87,902
Rental expense			33,997			8,089			—		42,086
New equipment sales			152,640			31,245			—		183,885
Used equipment sales			61,264			9,041			—		70,305
Parts sales			61,597			11,189			—		72,786
Services revenues			19,403			2,422			—		21,825
Other			27,855			7,590			—		35,445

Total cost of revenues			426,547			87,687			—		514,234

Gross profit (loss):
Equipment rentals			51,795			9,729			—		61,524
New equipment sales			20,854			4,177			—		25,031
Used equipment sales			14,598			2,079			—		16,677
Parts sales			23,446			4,268			—		27,714
Services revenues			32,254			4,651			—		36,905
Other			(779	)		(1,574	)		—		(2,353	)

Gross profit			142,168			23,330			—		165,498

Selling, general and administrative expenses			119,920			24,540			—		144,460
Impairment of goodwill			8,972			—			—		8,972
Equity in loss of guarantor subsidiaries			(12,985	)		—			12,985		—
Gain from sales of property and equipment, net			455			78			—		533

Income (loss) from operations			746			(1,132	)		12,985		12.599

Other income (expense):
Interest expense			(19,415	)		(11,924	)		—		(31,339	)
Other, net			548			71			—		619

Total other expense, net			(18,867	)		(11,853	)		—		(30,720	)

Loss before income taxes			(18,121	)		(12,985	)		12,985		(18,121	)
Income tax benefit			(6,178	)		—			—		(6,178	)

Net loss		$	(11,943	)	$	(12,985	)	$	12,985	$	(11,943	)

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS


	Year Ended December 31, 2011
	H&E Equipment Services				Guarantor Subsidiaries			Elimination			Consolidated
	(Amounts in thousands)
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income (loss)		$	8,926		$	(6,633	)	$	6,633		$	8,926
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization on property and equipment			10,498			1,757			—			12,255
Depreciation on rental equipment			68,327			18,454			—			86,781
Amortization of deferred financing costs			1,388			—			—			1,388
Amortization of intangible assets			—			362			—			362
Provision for losses on accounts receivable			2,172			1,010			—			3,182
Provision for inventory obsolescence			210			—			—			210
Provision for deferred income taxes			2,697			—			—			2,697
Stock-based compensation expense			1,327			—			—			1,327
Gain from sales of property and equipment, net			(384	)		(409	)		—			(793	)
Gain from sales of rental equipment, net			(16,002	)		(2,786	)		—			(18,788	)
Equity in loss of guarantor subsidiaries			6,633			—			(6,633	)		—
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Receivables, net			(8,383	)		(999	)		—			(9,382	)
Inventories, net			(20,500	)		(1,061	)		—			(21,561	)
Prepaid expenses and other assets			3,381			76			—			3,457
Accounts payable			3,613			956			—			4,569
Manufacturer flooring plans payable			(16,633	)		(107	)		—			(16,740	)
Accrued expenses payable and other liabilities			2,890			(399	)		—			2,491
Intercompany balances			291			(291	)		—			—
Deferred compensation payable			4			—			—			4

Net cash provided by operating activities			50,455			9,930			—			60,385

Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchases of property and equipment			(15,757	)		(2,676	)		—			(18,433	)
Purchases of rental equipment			(106,490	)		(20,745	)		—			(127,235	)
Proceeds from sales of property and equipment			923			459			—			1,382
Proceeds from sales of rental equipment			50,177			13,181			—			63,358

Net cash used in investing activities			(71,147	)		(9,781	)		—			(80,928	)

Cash flows from financing activities:
Excess tax benefit (deficiency) from stock-based awards			257			—			—			257
Purchases of treasury stock			(554	)		—			—			(554	)
Borrowing on senior secured credit facility			557,884			—			—			557,884
Payments on senior secured credit facility			(541,829	)		—			—			(541,829	)
Payments on capital lease obligations			—			(149	)		—			(149	)

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities			15,758			(149	)		—			15,609

Net decrease in cash			(4,934	)		—			—			(4,934	)
Cash, beginning of year			29,149			—			—			29,149

Cash, end of year		$	24,215		$	—		$	—		$	24,215

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS


	Year Ended December 31, 2010
	H&E Equipment Services				Guarantor Subsidiaries			Elimination			Consolidated
	(Amounts in thousands)
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net loss		$	(25,460	)	$	(13,972	)	$	13,972		$	(25,460	)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization on property and equipment			11,239			1,885			—			13,124
Depreciation on rental equipment			61,507			17,076			—			78,583
Amortization of deferred financing costs			1,406			—			—			1,406
Amortization of intangible assets			—			559			—			559
Provision for losses on accounts receivable			2,609			555			—			3,164
Provision for inventory obsolescence			315			—			—			315
Provision for deferred income taxes			(13,227	)		—			—			(13,227	)
Stock-based compensation expense			1,039			—			—			1,039
Gain from sales of property and equipment, net			(389	)		(54	)		—			(443	)
Gain from sales of rental equipment, net			(11,010	)		(1,921	)		—			(12,931	)
Equity in loss of guarantor subsidiaries			13,972			—			(13,972	)		—
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Receivables, net			(31,833	)		1,531			—			(30,302	)
Inventories, net			(8,891	)		2,129			—			(6,762	)
Prepaid expenses and other assets			(1,603	)		(77	)		—			(1,680	)
Accounts payable			26,616			2,955			—			29,571
Manufacturer flooring plans payable			(17,986	)		176			—			(17,810	)
Accrued expenses payable and other liabilities			(792	)		(479	)		—			(1,271	)
Intercompany balances			4,691			(4,691	)		—			—
Deferred compensation payable			63			—			—			63

Net cash provided by operating activities			12,266			5,672			—			17,938

Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchases of property and equipment			(4,067	)		(585	)		—			(4,652	)
Purchases of rental equipment			(60,504	)		(12,745	)		—			(73,249	)
Proceeds from sales of property and equipment			588			(1	)		—			587
Proceeds from sales of rental equipment			39,856			7,789			—			47,645

Net cash used in investing activities			(24,127	)		(5,542	)		—			(29,669	)

Cash flows from financing activities:
Purchase of treasury stock			(212	)		—			—			(212	)
Payments of deferred financing costs			(2,888	)		—			—			(2,888	)
Payments on capital lease obligations			—			(140	)		—			(140	)
Principal payments on note payable			(1,216	)		—			—			(1,216	)

Net cash used in financing activities			(4,316	)		(140	)		—			(4,456	)

Net decrease in cash			(16,177	)		(10	)		—			(16,187	)
Cash, beginning of year			45,326			10			—			45,336

Cash, end of year		$	29,149		$	—		$	—		$	29,149

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS


	Year Ended December 31, 2009
	H&E Equipment Services			Guarantor Subsidiaries			Elimination			Consolidated
	(Amounts in thousands)
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net loss	$	(11,943	)	$	(12,985	)	$	12,985		$	(11,943	)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization on property and equipment		8,611			2,189			—			10,800
Depreciation on rental equipment		69,791			18,111			—			87,902
Amortization of deferred financing costs		1,419			—			—			1,419
Amortization of intangible assets		—			591			—			591
Provision for losses on accounts receivable		3,246			—			—			3,246
Provision for inventory obsolescence		48			—			—			48
Provision for deferred income taxes		(5,963	)		—			—			(5,963	)
Stock-based compensation expense		726			—			—			726
Impairment of goodwill		1,150			7,822			—			8,972
Gain from sales of property and equipment, net		(455	)		(78	)		—			(533	)
Gain from sales of rental equipment, net		(13,735	)		(1,941	)		—			(15,676	)
Equity in loss of guarantor subsidiaries		12,985			—			(12,985	)		—
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of impact of acquisition:
Receivables, net		63,106			11,940			—			75,046
Inventories, net		24,047			(865	)		—			23,182
Prepaid expenses and other assets		4,590			132			—			4,722
Accounts payable		(64,801	)		—			—			(64,801	)
Manufacturer flooring plans payable		(34,822	)		—			—			(34,822	)
Accrued expenses payable and other liabilities		(10,271	)		341			—			(9,930	)
Intercompany balances		22,248			(22,248	)		—			—
Deferred compensation payable		(85	)		—			—			(85	)

Net cash provided by operating activities		69,892			3,009			—			72,901

Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchases of property and equipment		(18,816	)		(579	)		—			(19,395	)
Purchases of rental equipment		(4,080	)		(11,041	)		—			(15,121	)
Proceeds from sales of property and equipment		1,505			(57	)		—			1,448
Proceeds from sales of rental equipment		62,174			8,794			—			70,968

Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities		40,783			(2,883	)		—			37,900

Cash flows from financing activities:
Purchase of treasury stock		(110	)		—			—			(110	)
Borrowings on senior secured credit facility		536,311			—			—			536,311
Payments on senior secured credit facility		(612,633	)		—			—			(612,633	)
Payments of related party obligation		(150	)		—			—			(150	)
Payments on capital lease obligations		—			(131	)		—			(131	)
Principal payments on note payable		(18	)		—			—			(18	)

Net cash used in financing activities		(76,600	)		(131	)		—			(76,731	)

Net increase (decrease) in cash		34,075			(5	)		—			34,070
Cash, beginning of year		11,251			15			—			11,266

Cash, end of year	$	45,326		$	10		$	—		$	45,336

Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure

None.

Item 9A. Controls and Procedures

Disclosure Controls and Procedures.

We maintain disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the reports that the Company files or furnishes under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management, including its Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required financial disclosure.

Our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer (our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, respectively) have evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) as of the end of the period covered by this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Based on this evaluation, our principal executive officer and principal financial officer have concluded that, as of December 31, 2011, our current disclosure controls and procedures were effective.

The design of any system of control is based upon certain assumptions about the likelihood of future events, and there can be no assurance that any design will succeed in achieving its stated objectives under all future events, no matter how remote, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may not deteriorate. Because of its inherent limitations, disclosure controls and procedures may not prevent or detect all misstatements. Accordingly, even effective disclosure controls and procedures can only provide reasonable assurance of achieving their control objectives.

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

There were no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(f)) that occurred during the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2011 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

The management of H&E Equipment Services, Inc. is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as such term is defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f). Our internal control system was designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

All internal control systems, no matter how well designed, have inherent limitations. Therefore, even those systems determined to be effective can provide only reasonable assurance with respect to financial statement preparation and presentation. Any evaluation or projection of effectiveness to future periods is also subject to risk that controls may become inadequate due to changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies and procedures may deteriorate.

Under the supervision and with the participation of management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, we conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2011, based on the framework in Internal Control – Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (“COSO”). Based on that evaluation, management concluded that, as of December 31, 2011, our internal control over financial reporting was effective based on these criteria.

The effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2011, has been audited by BDO USA, LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report, which is included herein.

Date: March 2, 2012

/s/ John M. Engquist

John M. Engquist

President and Chief Executive Officer

/s/ Leslie S. Magee

Leslie S. Magee

Chief Financial Officer

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

Board of Directors and Shareholders

H&E Equipment Services, Inc.

Baton Rouge, Louisiana

We have audited H&E Equipment Services, Inc.’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2011, based on criteria established in Internal Control – Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (the COSO criteria). H&E Equipment Services, Inc.’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for their assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying Item 9A, Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit.

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audit also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

In our opinion, H&E Equipment Services, Inc. maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2011, based on the COSO criteria.

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated balance sheets of H&E Equipment Services, Inc. and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2011 and 2010, and the related consolidated statements of operations, stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2011 and our report dated March 2, 2012 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.

/s/ BDO USA, LLP

Dallas, Texas

March 2, 2012

Item 9B. Other Information

None.

PART III

Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance

The information required by this Item is incorporated herein by reference from the Company’s definitive proxy statement for use in connection with the 2011 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the “Proxy Statement”) to be filed within 120 days after the end of the Company’s fiscal year ended December 31, 2011.

We have adopted a code of conduct that applies to our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer. This code of conduct is available on the Company’s internet website at www.he-equipment.com. The information on our website is not a part of or incorporated by reference into this Annual Report on Form 10-K. If the Company makes any amendments to this code other than technical, administrative or other non-substantive amendments, or grants any waivers, including implicit waivers, from a provision of this code to the Company’s Chief Executive Officer or Chief Financial Officer, the Company will disclose the nature of the amendment or waiver, its effective date and to whom it applies by posting such information on the Company’s internet website at www.he-equipment.com.

Item 11. Executive Compensation

The information required by this Item is incorporated herein by reference from the Proxy Statement.

Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters

The information required by this Item is incorporated herein by reference from the Proxy Statement.

Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence

The information required by this Item is incorporated herein by reference from the Proxy Statement.

Item 14. Principal Accountant Fees and Services

The information required by this Item is incorporated herein by reference from the Proxy Statement.

PART IV

Item 15. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules

(a)

Documents filed as part of this report:

(1) Financial Statements

The Company’s consolidated financial statements listed below have been filed as part of this report:


	Page
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm—Internal Control over Financial Reporting		87
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm—Consolidated Financial Statements		51
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2011 and 2010		52
Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009		53
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009		54
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009		55
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements		57

(2) Financial Statement Schedule for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009:


Schedule II—Valuation and Qualifying Accounts			90

All other schedules are omitted because they are not applicable or not required, or the information appears in the Company’s consolidated financial statements or notes thereto.

(3) Exhibits

See Exhibit Index on pages 92-94.

SCHEDULE II: VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS

FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2011, 2010 AND 2009


Description	Balance at Beginning of Year		Additions Charged to Costs and Expenses		Recoveries (Deductions)			Balance at End of Year
	(Amounts in thousands)
Year Ended December 31, 2011
Allowance for doubtful accounts receivable	$	6,004	$	3,182	$	(3,605	)	$	5,581
Allowance for inventory obsolescence		1,105		210		(454	)		861

	$	7,109	$	3,392	$	(4,059	)	$	6,442

Year Ended December 31, 2010
Allowance for doubtful accounts receivable	$	5,736	$	3,164	$	(2,896	)	$	6,004
Allowance for inventory obsolescence		824		315		(34	)		1,105

	$	6,560	$	3,479	$	(2,930	)	$	7,109

Year Ended December 31, 2009
Allowance for doubtful accounts receivable	$	5,524	$	3,245	$	(3,033	)	$	5,736
Allowance for inventory obsolescence		920		48		(144	)		824

	$	6,444	$	3,293	$	(3,177	)	$	6,560

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, on March 2, 2012.


H&E EQUIPMENT SERVICES, INC.

By:		/s/ John M. Engquist
		John M. Engquist Its: President and Chief Executive Officer

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the Registrant in the capacities and on the dates indicated.


	Signature	Capacity		Date

By:	/s/ John M. Engquist	President, Chief Executive	March 2, 2012

	John M. Engquist	Officer and Director
		(Principal Executive Officer)

By:	/s/ Leslie S. Magee	Chief Financial Officer	March 2, 2012

	Leslie S. Magee	(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)

By:	/s/ Gary W. Bagley	Chairman and Director	March 2, 2012

	Gary W. Bagley

By:	/s/ Paul N. Arnold	Director	March 2, 2012

	Paul N. Arnold

By:	/s/ Bruce C. Bruckmann	Director	March 2, 2012

	Bruce C. Bruckmann

By:	/s/ Patrick L. Edsell	Director	March 2, 2012

	Patrick L. Edsell

By:	/s/ Thomas J. Galligan III	Director	March 2, 2012

	Thomas J. Galligan III

By:	/s/ Lawrence C. Karlson	Director	March 2, 2012

	Lawrence C. Karlson

By:	/s/ John T. Sawyer	Director	March 2, 2012

	John T. Sawyer

Exhibit Index


2.1		Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated February 2, 2006, among the Company, H&E LLC and Holdings (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to Current Report on Form 8-K of H&E Equipment Services, Inc. (File No. 000-51759), filed February 3, 2006).

2.2		Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of May 15, 2007, by and among H&E Equipment Services, Inc., HE-JWB Acquisition, Inc., J.W. Burress, Incorporated, the Burress Shareholders (as defined therein), and Richard S. Dudley, as Burress Shareholders Representative (as defined therein) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to Current Report on Form 8-K of H&E Equipment Services, Inc. (File No. 000-51759), filed on May 17, 2007.

2.3		Amendment No. 1 to Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of August 31, 2007, by and among H&E Equipment Services, Inc., HE-JWB Acquisition, Inc., J.W. Burress, Incorporated, the Burress Shareholders (as defined therein), and Richard S. Dudley, as Burress Shareholders Representative (as defined therein) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to Current Report on Form 8-K of H&E Equipment Services, Inc. (File No. 000-51759), filed on September 4, 2007).

2.4		Acquisition Agreement, dated as of January 4, 2005, among H&E Equipment Services, L.L.C., Eagle Merger Corp., Eagle High Reach Equipment, LLC, Eagle High Reach Equipment, Inc., SBN Eagle LLC, SummitBridge National Investments, LLC and the shareholders of Eagle High Reach Equipment, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to Form 8-K of H&E Equipment Services L.L.C. (File Nos. 333-99587 and 333-99589), filed January 5, 2006).

3.1		Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of H&E Equipment Services, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.4 to Registration Statement on Form S-1 of H&E Equipment Services, Inc. (File No. 333-128996), filed January 20, 2006).

3.2		Amended and Restated Bylaws of H&E Equipment Services, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to Current Report on Form 8-K of H&E Equipment Services, Inc. (File No. 000-51759), filed June 5, 2007).

3.3		Amended and Restated Articles of Organization of Gulf Wide Industries, L.L.C. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to Registration Statement on Form S-4 of H&E Equipment Services L.L.C. (File No. 333-99589), filed September 13, 2002).

3.4		Amended Articles of Organization of Gulf Wide Industries, L.L.C., Changing Its Name To H&E Equipment Services L.L.C. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.3 to Registration Statement on Form S-4 of H&E Equipment Services L.L.C. (File No. 333-99589), filed September 13, 2002).

3.5		Amended and Restated Operating Agreement of H&E Equipment Services L.L.C. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.8 to Registration Statement on Form S-4 of H&E Equipment Services L.L.C. (File No. 333-99589), filed September 13, 2002).

3.6		Certificate of Incorporation of H&E Finance Corp. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.4 to Registration Statement on Form S-4 of H&E Equipment Services L.L.C. (File No. 333-99589), filed September 13, 2002).

3.7		Certificate of Incorporation of Great Northern Equipment, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.5 to Registration Statement on Form S-4 of H&E Equipment Services L.L.C. (File No. 333-99589), filed September 13, 2002).

3.8		Articles of Incorporation of Williams Bros. Construction, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.6 to Registration Statement on Form S-4 of H&E Equipment Services L.L.C. (File No. 333-99589), filed September 13, 2002).

3.9		Articles of Amendment to Articles of Incorporation of Williams Bros. Construction, Inc. Changing its Name to GNE Investments, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.7 to Registration Statement on Form S-4 of H&E Equipment Services L.L.C. (File No. 333-99589), filed September 13, 2002).

3.10		Bylaws of H&E Finance Corp. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.9 to Registration Statement on Form S-4 of H&E Equipment Services L.L.C. (File No. 333-99589), filed September 13, 2002).



3.11		Bylaws of Great Northern Equipment, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.10 to Registration Statement on Form S-4 of H&E Equipment Services L.L.C. (File No. 333-99589), filed September 13, 2002).

3.12		Bylaws of Williams Bros. Construction, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.11 to Registration Statement on Form S-4 of H&E Equipment Services L.L.C. (File No. 333-99589), filed September 13, 2002).

4.1		Amended and Restated Security Holders Agreement, dated as of February 3, 2006, among the Company and certain other parties thereto (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to Current Report on Form 8-K of H&E Equipment Services, Inc. (File No. 000-51759), filed February 3, 2006).

4.2		Amended and Restated Investor Rights Agreement, dated as of February 3, 2006, among the Company and certain other parties thereto (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to Current Report on Form 8-K of H&E Equipment Services, Inc. (File No. 000-51759), filed February 3, 2006).

4.3		Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of February 3, 2006, among the Company and certain other parties thereto (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 to Current Report on Form 8-K of H&E Equipment Services, Inc. (File No. 000-51759), filed February 3, 2006).

4.4		Form of H&E Equipment Services, Inc. common stock certificate (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 to Registration Statement on Form S-1 of H&E Equipment Services, Inc. (File No. 333-128996), filed January 5, 2006).

4.5		Indenture, dated as of August 4, 2006, by and among H&E Equipment Services, Inc., the Guarantors named therein and The Bank of New York Trust Company, N.A., as Trustee, relating to the 8 3/8% senior notes due 2016 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to Current Report on Form 8-K of H&E Equipment Services, Inc. (File No. 00-51759), filed August 8, 2006).

4.6		Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of August 4, 2006, by and among H&E Equipment Services, Inc., GNE Investments, Inc., Great Northern Equipment, Inc., H&E California Holdings, Inc., H&E Equipment Services (California), LLC, H&E Finance Corp., Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC and UBS Securities LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to Current Report on Form 8-K of H&E Equipment Services, Inc. (File No. 00-51759), filed August 8, 2006).

10.1		Consulting Agreement, dated April 10, 2007, between the Company and Gary W. Bagley (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Current Report on Form 8-K of H&E Equipment Services, Inc. (File No. 000-51759), filed April 30, 2007).†

10.2		Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of July 29, 2010, by and among H&E Equipment Services, Inc., Great Northern Equipment, Inc., GNE Investments, Inc., H&E Finance Corp., H&E Equipment Services (California), LLC, H&E California Holdings, Inc., H&E Equipment Services (Mid-Atlantic), Inc., General Electric Capital Corporation, as Agent, Bank of America, N.A. as co-syndication agent, documentation agent, joint lead arranger and joint bookrunner and the lenders party thereto (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.1 to Current Report on Form 8-K of H&E Equipment Services, Inc. (File No. 000-51759), filed August 3, 2010).

10.3		Amendment No. 1, dated February 29, 2012, to the Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement by and among the Company, Great Northern Equipment, Inc., and H&E Equipment Services (California), LLC (collectively, the borrowers), General Electric Capital Corporation, as agent for the lenders, Bank of America, N.A., as co-syndication agent and documentation agent, and Wells Fargo Capital Finance, LLC, as co-syndication agent, and the lenders from time to time party thereto (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.1 to Current Report on Form 8-K of H&E Equipment Services, Inc. (File No. 000-51759), filed March 1, 2012).

10.4		Consulting and Noncompetition Agreement, dated as of June 29, 1999, between Head & Engquist Equipment, L.L.C. and Thomas R. Engquist (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.20 to Registration Statement on Form S-4 of H&E Equipment Services L.L.C. (File No. 333-99589), filed September 13, 2002).†

10.5		Purchase Agreement by and among H&E Equipment Services L.L.C., H&E Finance Corp., the guarantors party thereto and Credit Suisse First Boston Corporation, dated June 3, 2002 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.21 to Registration Statement on Form S-4 of H&E Equipment Services L.L.C. (File No. 333-99587), filed September 13, 2002).

10.6		Purchase Agreement, among H&E Equipment Services L.L.C., H&E Finance Corp., H&E Holdings L.L.C., the guarantors party thereto and Credit Suisse First Boston Corporation, Inc. dated June 17, 2002 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.21 to Registration Statement on Form S-4 of H&E Equipment Services L.L.C. (File No. 333-99589), filed September 13, 2002).



10.7		H&E Equipment Services, Inc. Amended and Restated 2006 Stock-Based Incentive Compensation Plan (incorporated by reference to Appendix B to the Definitive Proxy Statement of H&E Equipment Services, Inc. (File No. 000-51759), filed April 28, 2006).†

10.8		Amendment No. 1 to the H&E Equipment Services, Inc. Amended and Restated 2006 Stock-Based Incentive Compensation Plan (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.7 to Form 10-K of H&E Equipment Services, Inc (File No. 000-51759), filed March 3, 2011). †

10.9		Form of Option Letter (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.36 to Registration Statement on Form S-1 of H&E Equipment Services, Inc. (File No. 333-128996), filed January 20, 2006).†

10.10		Form of Restricted Stock Award Agreement for Officers of H&E Equipment Services, Inc. (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.1 to Form 10-Q of H&E Equipment Services, Inc. (File No. 000-51759), filed November 3, 2011). †

18.1		BDO Seidman, LLP Preferability Letter. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 18.1 to Form 10-K of H&E Equipment Services, Inc. (File No. 000-51759), filed March 7, 2008).

21.1		Subsidiaries of the registrant.*

23.1		Consent of BDO USA, LLP.*

31.1		Certification Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.*

31.2		Certification Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.*

32.1		Certifications of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.**

101.INS XBRL Instance Document**

101.SCH XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document**

101.CAL XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document**

101.DEF XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document**

101.LAB XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document**

101.PRE XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document**

*	Filed herewith

**	Furnished herewith

†	Management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement

Subsidiaries of the Registrant

Exhibit 21.1

Table of Subsidiaries of Registrant


Name		Jurisdiction of Incorporation
H&E Finance Corp.		DE
GNE Investments, Inc.		WA
Great Northern Equipment, Inc.		MT
H&E California Holdings, Inc.		CA
H&E Equipment Services (California), LLC		DE
H&E Equipment Services (Mid-Atlantic), Inc.		VA

Consent of BDO USA, LLP

Exhibit 23.1

Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

The Board of Directors

H&E Equipment Services, Inc.

Baton Rouge, Louisiana

We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statement on Form S-8 (No. 333-138242) of H&E Equipment Services, Inc. of our reports dated March 2, 2012, relating to the consolidated financial statements, financial statement schedule and the effectiveness of H&E Equipment Services, Inc.’s internal control over financial reporting, which appear in this Form 10-K.

/s/ BDO USA, LLP

BDO USA, LLP

Dallas, Texas

March 2, 2012

Section 302 CEO Certification

Exhibit 31.1

Certification of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to

Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

I, John M. Engquist, certify that:

I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K of H&E Equipment Services, Inc.;

Based on my knowledge, this annual report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this annual report;

Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this annual report;

The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

(a)

designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

(b)

designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

(c)

evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

(d)

disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s Board of Directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

(a)

all significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal controls over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

(b)

any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

Section 302 CFO Certification

Exhibit 31.2

Certification of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to

Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

I, Leslie S. Magee, certify that:

I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K of H&E Equipment Services, Inc.;

(a)

(b)

(c)

(d)

(a)

(b)

any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

Section 906 CEO and CFO Certification

Exhibit 32.1

Certifications of the Chief Executive Officer and

Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to

Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

In connection with the Annual Report of H&E Equipment Services, Inc. (the “Company”) on Form 10-K for the period ending December 31, 2011 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), I, John M. Engquist, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, and Leslie S. Magee, Chief Financial Officer of the Company, each certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 1350, as adopted pursuant to § 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:

(1)

to my knowledge, the Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

(2)

the information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.


Dated: March 2, 2012	By:	/s/ John M. Engquist
		John M. Engquist
		President and Chief Executive Officer
		(Principal Executive Officer)

Dated: March 2, 2012	By:	/s/ Leslie S. Magee
		Leslie S. Magee
		Chief Financial Officer
		(Principal Financial Officer)