TORONTO, Ont. — West Van has acquired Toronto-based trailer rental company Blue Star Trailer Rentals. Blue Star’s assets include approximately 1,600 rentable trailers, mainly 48-ft and 53-ft cartage trailers and specialty transport trailers.

Blue Star was founded by Robert Kerr in 1985. After Kerr’s passing in 2010, Joel Rose, a longtime friend of Kerr and senior partner for Aird and Berlis, was appointed executor of Kerr’s estate. Rose managed the operation of Blue Star since 2010 and facilitated the acquisition and transition.

In addition to expanding West Van’s service capability, officials say the Blue Star acquisition brings the company’s fleet size to in excess of 4,000 units.

“The two legacy trailer rental businesses are now one. The Blue Star acquisition was a natural fit in West Van’s expansion plan and we welcome the staff and clients of Blue Star into our family,” said Richard Gladden, CEO of West Van.

“We welcome the addition of the Blue Star team, and the additional product lines they have in their inventory,” said Rick Kloepfer, president and COO of West Van. “We can now offer specialized heavy haul equipment, along with shunt tractors and, of course, a variety of dry vans to all of our clients. This addition to our fleet as well as our new locations in Cornwall and Calgary will allow us to serve both our local and national clients better than ever.”