Compagnie Generale de Location
Compagnie Generale de Location (CGL) is a French equipment rental company serving construction, public works, industry, and event sectors through a 35-agency network across France, offering 406+ SKUs of compressors, generators, material handling, and Stage V-compliant eco equipment.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1963
- HeadquartersBègles, France
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Compagnie Generale de Location does
Compagnie Generale de Location (CGL) is a French equipment rental company headquartered in Bègles, near Bordeaux, founded in 1963. It rents construction, public works, industrial, and event equipment through a network of 35 owned agencies across metropolitan France plus a central workshop. Its catalog spans roughly 406 SKUs organized into three sub-brands: Travaux Publics & Bâtiment (compressors, generators, compaction, material handling, earthworks, welding, pumping, lighting, fuel tanks, pneumatic tools, utility vehicles), Energie Industrie (industrial generators, normal-emergency cabinets, load banks, distribution and connection boxes), and Matériel Eco (Stage V-compliant and electric/hybrid versions of the core fleet). Selected machines are equipped with telemetry for geolocation and usage tracking, and all lifting equipment undergoes six-monthly VGP inspections verified by Bureau VERITAS. CGL holds ISO 9001 (since 1997), ISO 14001, MASE, and ISO 45001:2018 (October 2019, the first French rental company to do so).
CGL operates a B2B direct-sales model with no public e-commerce checkout: customers browse a 406+ SKU online catalog, submit quote requests, and finalize rental terms through agency-based account managers and field sales teams. Pricing is quote-based and subscription-style — daily, monthly, or flat-rate contracts — with additional fees for overtime beyond eight hours per day, Sundays and public holidays, and weather downtime on short-term contracts (50% of daily rate). An optional damage waiver (Renonciation à recours) creates an insurance-like revenue layer on top of base rental fees. Customers are segmented into construction and building contractors, industry and energy operators, event organizers, and eco-conscious contractors needing Stage V-compliant machinery; delivery and collection services are offered nationwide. The company is privately held as a Société Anonyme, led by Director General Jérôme Loustalet, with no parent company, PE sponsor, or public listing identified.
Compagnie Generale de Location firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Compagnie Generale de Location
- Legal name
- SA Compagnie Générale de Location
- Website
- https://cgl.fr
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1963
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- Compagnie Generale de Location (CGL) is a French equipment rental company serving construction, public works, industry, and event sectors through a 35-agency network across France, offering 406+ SKUs of compressors, generators, material handling, and Stage V-compliant eco equipment.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Compagnie Generale de Location industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Construction Equipment Rental
- NAICS
- Commercial and Industrial Machinery and Equipment Rental and Leasing (5324)
- SIC
- Services-Equipment Rental & Leasing, Nec (7359)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Material Handling Equipment Rental/Leasing (Forklifts, Telehandlers, Reach Trucks) (TLABAFAF)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Utility / Service Body Truck Leasing & Rental (Bucket, Field Service, Telecom/Power) (TLABABAJ)
Keywords
Where Compagnie Generale de Location is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Bègles
- HQ country
- France
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices36 records
Markets served
Compagnie Generale de Location business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Operations, Supply Chain, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Equipment Rental - Construction & Public Works: CGL's primary revenue stream is short-term and long-term rental of construction equipment including air compressors, generators, compaction machines, welding units, excavation equipment (mini-excavators, dumpers, loaders), material handling equipment (telescopic handlers, traditional lifts, mini-cranes), light vehicles, fuel tanks, and accessories. Rental is priced per day, per month, or at negotiated flat rates. Additional charges apply for overtime usage beyond 8 hours/day, Sundays, and public holidays.
- Equipment Rental - Industry & Energy: Rental of industrial power equipment including industrial generators, distribution cabinets, load banks, connection boxes, and fuel tanks for energy and industrial applications. Pricing follows standard rental terms.
- Eco Equipment Rental: Rental of Stage V-compliant eco-friendly equipment including electric compressors, compact electric tools, and hybrid lighting towers. Expanding category as environmental regulations tighten.
- Insurance Waiver (Renonciation à Recours): For an additional rental charge, CGL offers a waiver of recourse clause, releasing the tenant from liability for damage to rented equipment. This is an optional insurance-like revenue stream layered on top of the base rental contract.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Pay-as-you-go | Short-term daily rental — standard construction equipment |
| Subscription | Monthly | Monthly rental contracts |
| Unit Pricing | Monthly | Optional damage waiver (Renonciation à recours) |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels4 records
Compagnie Generale de Location product offering
Product offeringCore offering
CGL rents construction, public works, and industrial equipment across metropolitan France through a network of 35 agencies and a 406+ SKU catalog organized into three lines: Travaux Publics & Bâtiment (compressors, generators, compaction, material handling, earthworks, pumping, lighting, fuel tanks, welding), Energie Industrie (industrial generators, load banks, distribution cabinets), and Matériel Eco (Stage V-compliant electric and hybrid equipment). Rental terms are daily, monthly, or flat-rate, with optional damage waiver insurance (renonciation à recours), equipment delivery to sites, and mandatory periodic inspection of lifting equipment.
Product overview
Compagnie Generale de Location (CGL) operates a diversified equipment rental platform serving construction, public works, building, industry, and events sectors across France. The offering is organized into three main catalogs: (1) Travaux Publics & Bâtiment covering core construction equipment including compressors, generators, material handling, compaction, welding, earthworks, pumping, lighting, fuel tanks, pneumatic tools, and utility vehicles; (2) Energie Industrie providing industrial power solutions such as generators, emergency power systems, load banks, and distribution equipment; and (3) Matériel Eco featuring Stage V compliant low-emission versions of key equipment categories. CGL maintains a network of 35 agencies nationwide and an online catalog of over 400 products with approximately 406 rental items, delivering equipment with optional logistics services including delivery and pickup.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Travaux Publics & Bâtiment Equipment Rental Catalog
Companies that use Compagnie Generale de Location
Customer profileSegments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Compagnie Generale de Location technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature1 record
Compagnie Generale de Location partnerships and signals
Strategic signalScale indicators4 records
Recent moves9 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Compagnie Generale de Location competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Riwal: Riwal is a European aerial work platform rental specialist with operations across multiple countries, focused on boom lifts, scissor lifts, and telehandlers. Directly comparable to CGL's material handling and lifting equipment categories serving construction and industrial clients.
- Kiloutou: Kiloutou is the second-largest equipment rental company in France, operating a dense national branch network serving construction, public works, and event customers. A direct French peer with overlapping customer segments (B2B construction contractors) and similar catalog breadth to CGL.
- Loxam: Loxam is the largest equipment rental company in France and Europe, offering construction, industrial, and aerial equipment rental across a multi-country branch network. Directly comparable to CGL as a French construction equipment rental peer with broader geographic reach and significantly larger scale.
- Mateco: Mateco is a European specialist in aerial work platform and material handling equipment rental, operating across multiple European countries with a focused fleet. Comparable to CGL's material handling category (telehandlers, mini-cranes, elevators), serving overlapping construction and industrial customers.
- Locagri: Locagri is a France-based equipment rental company serving construction and public works clients with a national footprint. Closely comparable to CGL in scale and product mix, making it a relevant direct competitor for French market share.
Broad incumbents
- Boels Rental: Boels Rental is one of Europe's largest equipment rental companies (Netherlands-headquartered), operating across construction, infrastructure, and events in multiple European markets. Comparable to CGL in product breadth but operates at much larger pan-European scale, competing with CGL in cross-border French projects.
- Sunbelt Rentals: Sunbelt Rentals is the equipment rental division of Ashtead Group and one of the largest rental providers in North America, offering a full spectrum of construction and industrial equipment. Comparable to CGL in product mix and customer base; relevant for benchmarking scale, digital, and ESG practices.
- Herc Rentals: Herc Rentals is a North American equipment rental provider offering aerial, construction, industrial, and infrastructure equipment solutions. Comparable to CGL in product breadth and B2B customer base, but operating at materially larger scale with broader geographic reach.
- United Rentals: United Rentals is the world's largest equipment rental company, offering aerial, construction, industrial, and specialty equipment across North America and select international markets. While primarily US-based, it represents the global benchmark for equipment rental scale, digital platforms, and fleet management practices that compete with European peers like CGL for best-practice standards.
Others
- Algeco: Algeco is a European leader in modular space and portable building rentals, serving construction site accommodation, offices, and storage. Adjacent to CGL's site services and cantonnement de chantier category — thematically related as part of broader construction site services rather than direct equipment competition.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Compagnie Generale de Location compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance4 records
Compagnie Generale de Location financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Compagnie Generale de Location leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Compagnie Generale de Location funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Compagnie Generale de Location M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Compagnie Generale de Location
What does Compagnie Generale de Location do?
CGL rents construction, public works, and industrial equipment across metropolitan France through a network of 35 agencies and a 406+ SKU catalog organized into three lines: Travaux Publics & Bâtiment (compressors, generators, compaction, material handling, earthworks, pumping, lighting, fuel tanks, welding), Energie Industrie (industrial generators, load banks, distribution cabinets), and Matériel Eco (Stage V-compliant electric and hybrid equipment). Rental terms are daily, monthly, or flat-rate, with optional damage waiver insurance (renonciation à recours), equipment delivery to sites, and mandatory periodic inspection of lifting equipment.
Is Compagnie Generale de Location a public or private company?
Compagnie Generale de Location is a private company. It is classified as unknown and is currently operating.
When was Compagnie Generale de Location founded?
Compagnie Generale de Location was founded in 1963. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is Compagnie Generale de Location based?
Compagnie Generale de Location is headquartered in Bègles, France, in the Europe region.
How does Compagnie Generale de Location make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Equipment Rental - Construction & Public Works are the primary driver. The others are equipment Rental - Industry & Energy, eco Equipment Rental and insurance Waiver (Renonciation à Recours).
Who are Compagnie Generale de Location's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Riwal, Kiloutou, Loxam, Mateco and Locagri. Broad incumbents are Boels Rental, Sunbelt Rentals, Herc Rentals and United Rentals. Algeco is listed as an others.
Does Compagnie Generale de Location have an API?
No public API is recorded for Compagnie Generale de Location.
What industry is Compagnie Generale de Location in?
Compagnie Generale de Location's product category is Construction Equipment Rental. Its primary akta.pro industry code is TLABAFAF, Material Handling Equipment Rental/Leasing (Forklifts, Telehandlers, Reach Trucks), with a secondary code of TLABABAJ, Utility / Service Body Truck Leasing & Rental (Bucket, Field Service, Telecom/Power). Its NAICS code is 5324 and its SIC code is 7359.