Hull firm completes south coast acquisition with £3.3m funding package

A Hull-based supplier of forklifts, access and materials handling equipment (MHE), has completed the acquisition of Geolift Ltd after securing £3.3m in funding from Santander Corporate & Commercial.

As a result of the transaction, Windsor Materials Handling now has 13 operating locations across the country, including facilities in Birmingham, Chelmsford, East Kilbride, Peterborough and St Helens.

Established in 1977 by chairman Gerry Burton, the family-run business offers clients a range of sales, service and hire services, offering a fleet of over 800 forklifts, pallet trucks, stackers and access platforms.

Under the leadership of Stephen and Jonathan Burton, Windsor Materials Handling has grown its annual turnover over the past ten years from £8.5m to over £24m.

Geolift Ltd has been operating in and around Southampton for over 34 years and is one of the leading suppliers of forklift, sideloader and handling equipment on England’s south coast.

Gerry Burton, chairman of Windsor Materials Handling, said: “We have gone from strength to strength in a highly competitive business in a contested market, and we have strong aspiration for continued growth and expansion.

“Santander has delivered a competitive solution that has been fundamental in executing our latest acquisition in Southampton, a key market for us and one in which we intend to invest and grow. In addition to the local presence we will gain from the Geolift team, we hope to build up our existing customer-base across the South of England, and we plan to invest further in the business in terms of both additional personnel and infrastructure.”

Barry Haslam, relationship director, Santander Corporate & Commercial, added: “We are delighted to be able to support this prestigious Hull-based business as it invests for growth.

“Windsor Materials Handling already has a presence in Chelmsford and Slough but this acquisition will increase its regional footprint and provide access to a key southern port. We are pleased to fund its expansion and will continue to work with the team to deliver specialist expertise and support its development in a high growth market.”