A-Plant acquires Lion Trackhire
Speedy Hire peer, A-Plant, has announced plans to acquire Lion Trackhire, the temporary access and flooring services provider, enabling it to expand its business into Europe. The deal is expected to be completed by the end of October.

National Deals Richard Frost

Equipment hire company A-Plant has struck a deal to acquire temporary access and flooring services provider Lion Trackhire.

The business, which is part of FTSE 100-listed Ashtead Group, has signed a agreement with Lion Trackhire's shareholders Carl Springthorpe and Dale Robinson. Under the deal, A-Plant will acquire the Lion business in its entirety.

A-Plant is headquartered in Warrington while Lion operates out of Worksop.

A-Plant said: "The acquisition of Lion Trackhire is an exciting opportunity for A-Plant's and Lion Trackhire's customers. The combination will create a more efficient and diversified firm.

"UK customers will benefit from increased availability of temporary access and flooring solutions in the UK, in the form of competitively priced quality products and services. The combination will also enable A-Plant to expand its business into Europe."

Meanwhile, Lion Trackhire said that as A-Plant currently has no presence in continental Europe, the acquisition provides the opportunity for it to develop and grow the temporary access market overseas and expand its existing activities in the UK.

Dale Robinson, managing director of Lion, added: "Our customers have always been our priority and we recognise that, in order to ensure a strong and consistent level of service, it is necessary to establish a scale which secures the long-term commitment to investment and development required to meet our growing customer demand.

"This merger is targeted at providing our customers with the long-term security of supply, quality and service they deserve."

Completion of the transaction, which is subject to conditions, is expected to take place before 31 October 2016.