The American Rental Association recognized Austin’s Safe Way Rental with a Certificate of Appreciation for operating the oldest family-owned rental operation in the state of Texas. Started 58 years ago by Allen R. Rundell, the same family owns and operates the business. Safe Way Rental was an offshoot of the Frank R. Rundell Construction Company. That construction company had amassed scores of its own equipment over the years, but there were still some things Allen felt they needed. Unsuccessful in persuading his father of the need to purchase those items, Allen bought them himself and would lease them to his father’s company when needed. Thus was the beginning of what would later become Safe Way Rental Equipment Co.
He helped introduce not only the rental concept to general contractors in Central Texas, but construction methods as well through his staff of outside salesmen – previously unheard of in Central Texas.
The operation is chaired by Mrs. Rundell and day-to-day operations are overseen by her sons Charles T. Norris and Dale Rundell. Presently the operation consists of four branches in downtown Austin, Oak Hill, Round Rock, and in Northwest Austin. Construction will be finished soon on their new corporate headquarters on Manchaca Road, south of Slaughter Lane.
