Loxam Finalizes Acquisition of UK Platforms from HSS Hire

Nationwide Platforms Limited, a wholly-owned U.K. subsidiary of the Loxam Group, has completed the acquisition of UK Platforms Limited from HSS Hire Group plc. UKP has about 120 employees and operates a fleet of around 3,000 powered access units.

Michael Roth

Jan. 16, 2019

2 min read

A Nationwide Platforms mobile elevating work platform in the shop.

“I am delighted to welcome UKP’s skilled and experienced management team and employees into the Loxam Group,” said Don Kenny, CEO of Loxam’s powered access division. “The combination of UKP and Nationwide’s capabilities will enable us to offer market leading working at height solutions from the smallest local SME to the largest national customer.”

“I am pleased to announce the completion of this transaction which allows Loxam to strengthen its position in the United Kingdom’s powered access market,” said Gérard Déprez, Chairman of Loxam. “This acquisition is a tangible demonstration of our confidence in, and commitment to, the largest rental market in Europe and to the future prospects for the U.K. construction industry.”

“UK Platforms is a great business, and this change in ownership will ensure that the company receives the right expertise and support to continue on its positive growth trajectory,” added Steve Ashmore, CEO of HSS. “The UK Platforms business has made an excellent contribution to the HSS Hire Group over recent years, and we look forward to continuing to work alongside them to provide specialist powered access capabilities to HSS customers. On behalf of myself and HSS I want to wish them all the best of luck for the future, and we look forward to continuing to work together to drive growth in both our businesses.”

The acquisition significantly strengthens Loxam’s presence in the U.K. aerial rental industry.

Loxam was advised by Allen & Overy LLP (Corporate and M&A) and by White & Case LLP (Antitrust and Competition).

About the Author

Michael Roth

Editor

Michael Roth has covered the equipment rental industry full time for RER since 1989 and has served as the magazine’s editor in chief since 1994. He has nearly 30 years experience as a professional journalist. Roth has visited hundreds of rental centers and industry manufacturers, written hundreds of feature stories for RER and thousands of news stories for the magazine and its electronic newsletter RER Reports. Roth has interviewed leading executives for most of the industry’s largest rental companies and manufacturers as well as hundreds of smaller independent companies. He has visited with and reported on rental companies and manufacturers in Europe, Central America and Asia as well as Mexico, Canada and the United States. Roth was co-founder of RER Reports, the industry’s first weekly newsletter, which began as a fax newsletter in 1996, and later became an online newsletter. Roth has spoken at conventions sponsored by the American Rental Association, Associated Equipment Distributors, California Rental Association and other industry events and has spoken before industry groups in several countries. He lives and works in Los Angeles when he’s not traveling to cover industry events.