Mr Cropper snapped up by northern rival

MIDLANDS equipment hire business Mr Cropper has been bought by rival Vp for £4.6m.

Burton-upon-Trent-based Mr Cropper is the market leader in the rental of pile cropping machines to the UK groundworks and construction sectors. Operating across the UK from its base in the Midlands and one in the South East, the firm has been established for 13 years.

The business will be integrated within Harrogate-based Vp’s groundforce division, complementing the group’s existing piling equipment activities.

Jeremy Pilkington, chairman of Vp, said: “We are very pleased to welcome a market leading business of Mr Cropper’s quality to the Vp group. 

“The specialist nature of the business is an excellent fit for Vp and Mr Cropper will provide complementary activities in support of our other businesses operating in the groundworking and construction sectors.”

Earlier this month,Vp said it was seeing good demand in its new trading year.