A-Plant, one of the largest equipment rental companies in the U.K. and sister company to Sunbelt Rentals, has acquired GB Access, a specialist provider of hoist rental equipment. As a result of the acquisition, A-Plant now owns one of the largest rental fleets of Alimak and Stros construction hoists.
GB Access will operate as an independent business within A-Plant’s Specialist Products Division, A-Plant said. The acquisition strengthens A-Plant’s position in lifting and safety equipment and complements the offering of FLG Services, A-Plant aerial division.
“GB Access is a long-established and well-respected hirer of hoists and this acquisition affords us new capabilities to even better serve our customers who use lifting equipment,” said Richard Thomas, managing director of A-Plant’s Specialist Products Division. “We believe that the GB Access hoist hire product range, along with its dedicated team, will open up new specialist opportunities for us in this sector.”
“I am confident that the support from A-Plant and the commitment to invest in the very best equipment currently available will enable us to grow the business going forward, and will affirm and maintain this division of A-Plant as the premier hoist rental company in the U.K.,” added Pat Barford, director of GB Access.
GB Access has more than 25 years of experience in supplying solutions for the vertical transportation of operatives and materials, on construction and industrial sites, meeting the demands of both major construction companies and smaller operators. With the transaction, A-Plant has added more than 300 hoists to its fleet, as well as more than 30 service vehicles and a number of pick-up trucks and 32-tonne, 8-wheel construction chassis rigid lorries fitted with Palfinger lorry-mounted cranes.
A-Plant, based in Warrington, U.K., is owned by Ashtead Group plc, as is Sunbelt Rentals.
