HSS Hire on the up with UK Platforms deal

HSS Hire, the private-equity backed equipment rental company, has ramped-up its presence in the powered access market with a bolt-on acquisition.

HSS, which has its main operational base at Trafford Park, has snapped up UK Platforms, a Telford company with 10 regional depots, from listed French company Haulotte.

The deal will add around £17m to HSS Hire’s turnover and make it the second-largest provider in the powered access market in Britain and Ireland.

UK Platforms was founded in 2000 and is a nationwide hire company supplying an extensive range of electric and diesel powered access products, including cherry pickers, scissor lifts, boom lifts and telehandlers.

It has approximately 120 employees and operates from a network of 10 depots in Barnsley, Brentwood, Crawley, Manchester, Norwich, Reading, Tebay, Telford, Wellingborough and Stockton.

Chris Davies, chief executive of  HSS Hire said: “We believe that UK Platforms is a great fit for HSS and reflects our commitment to adding specialist expertise to our group.

“I’m confident that it will help us to continue to deliver an unrivalled hire experience to our customers. There is great cultural alignment – we each care strongly about safety, high-quality kit, great value and industry-leading customer service. We look forward to a continuing strategic partnership with Haulotte.”

UK Platforms’ managing director Philip James said: “UKP is a specialist in its field, distinguished by an excellent range and service commitment. We look forward to becoming part of the HSS Group and the future service enhancements this will bring to customers and colleagues of both organisations.”
 
The deal is the second transaction HSS has completed since it was acquired by Exponent Private Equity in October 2012.