Ainscough gets a lift into Plymouth
AINSCOUGH Crane Hire has acquired Plymouth-based West Country Crane Hire Ltd for an undisclosed sum.
The Wigan-based company, which is owned by its management team following a £255m management buy-out backed by Bank of Scotland Integrated Finance in 2008, said the deal will strengthen its position in the South West.
Plymouth-based West Country Crane Hire has been operating since 1984 and was owned by Brian and Donna Metters. It is a crane hire provider with contracts in the shipbuilding, power station and construction sectors.
The company did not file full accounts but abbreviated accounts for the year to April 30, 2011 for parent company West Country Crane Hire Holdings showed that it had net liabilities of £242,000.
Ainscough Crane Hire said the deal brings the number of depots it operates across the UK to 29.
Managing director Neil Partridge said: “I am delighted to announce our successful acquisition of West Country Crane Hire – the acquisition truly completes our national network.
“The Plymouth site will operate as an Ainscough depot immediately, and we look forward to working with employees, customers and suppliers.”
Brian Metters, managing director of West Country Crane Hire, said: “My wife and I have enjoyed running the business, and we are delighted to be passing it into safe hands.”
