A-Plant acquires GB Access

UK-based rental company A-Plant has acquired GB Access, a specialist provider of hoist hire equipment. A-Plant said the company would operate as an independent business within its Specialist Products division.

The deal added over 300 hoists to A-Plant’s fleet, including Alimak and Stros construction hoists. In addition, it added over 30 service vehicles, a number of pick-up trucks and 32-tonne 8-wheel construction chassis rigid lorries fitted with Palfinger lorry mounted cranes.

The acquisition further consolidated A-Plant’s position in lifting and safety equipment and complemented the offering of FLG Services, the A-Plant division which specialises in lifting equipment.

Managing director of A-Plant’s Specialist Products division Richard Thomas said, “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.

“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.”

And director of GB Access Pat Barford said, “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 UK.”

A-Plant is owned by Ashtead Group, which also operates the Sunbelt brand in the US.