An Abird oil-free compressor on an industrial job, a segment where Abird is particularly strong.

European Giant Boels Rentals Acquires Abird

Dec. 23, 2017
Boels Rental, one of Europe’s leading equipment and tool rental companies with more than 400 branches in 17 European countries, has acquired Abird, active for more than 50 years in the Benelux countries and Germany.

Boels Rental, one of Europe’s leading equipment and tool rental companies with more than 400 branches in 17 European countries, has acquired Abird, active for more than 50 years in the Benelux countries and Germany.

     Boels Rental is headquartered in Sittard, The Netherlands, and is forecasted to grow by 15 percent in 2017 to €440 million (about U.S. $522 million) in 2017.

     Abird has annual revenue of more than €27 million. It specializes in the rental, sales and maintenance of industrial tools, welding equipment, hoisting and lifting gear, and air, light and power equipment. Abird has seven branches and the acquisition will help strengthen Boels in its area.

     “Abird is a large independent industrial equipment prover in the Netherlands, with a strong regional presence in Western Germany and Belgium,” said Pierre Boels, CEO of Boels Rental. “Although Boels is already active in the same market segment, the acquisition of Abird represents an important milestone in our growth strategy. Together with the talented and experienced management and staff of Abird, we will continue to work towards our goal of becoming the most important equipment provider for the petrochemical and other industrial sectors.”

     “Boels has given us the opportunity to develop further at a fast pace in the industrial market at home and abroad,” added Michel Hogervorst, managing director of Abird. “Because of the acquisition, we shall be able to continue to invest in our rental fleet and our staff will be able to carry on expanding their product specialties. Knowledge, safety and quality are vitally important to our customers and Boels will help us deliver all three.”