RENTAL firm TLS will gear up for international expansion after a management shake-up.

As part of the changes, three GE Capital businesses, TLS, TIP and GE Capital-Key Lease, are combining to form one organisation.

TIP is a trailer and transport equipment rental, leasing and sales firm, while GE Capital-Key Lease and TLS offer finance leases, contract hire and short-term rental.

TLS is only present in the UK, but new pilot programmes for international expansion will include launching trials in Denmark, Germany, Spain, Netherlands and France. T.J. Tuscai will be managing director of the new firm, and TLS chief executive Tim Minett has left the company. Roger Hodgkiss, former chief operating officer for the pan-European modular space business, will be chief financial officer.

John Bucci, president and chief executive officer of TIP Europe, said: 'We can offer more to our customers from the three combined firms than we could when they were separate.

'There is a big European benefit from the changes. TIP is represented in 17 countries, but TLS is only in the UK. The TIP business could be a source of referrals to TLS.'