28.01.2011

Kimberly acquires High Level Platforms

UK based powered access and telehandler rental group Kimberly has acquired the entire share capital of High Level Platforms (Holdings) Ltd the parent company of High Level Platforms Ltd of Poole, Dorset for an undisclosed cash consideration.

Kimberly says that it intends to operate High Level as an autonomous entity within the group, which already includes Kimberly Access and 1st Access Rentals, this includes retaining its own identity, management and staff.

High Level Platforms also has depots at Wareham, Poole and Southampton and is a member of the Access Link.

High Level’s owners Phil Ainsworth and wife Julie have retired from the business to pursue personal interests. David Solomon the current general manager has been appointed managing director and will report directly to Ray Ledger, chairman of Kimberly.

Ledger said: “This important acquisition totally reflects our strategy and follows the acquisition of 1st Access Rentals and Pinnacle Platforms in Scotland last May, both of which have been seamlessly integrated and are performing well above expectations. The deal ticks all the boxes, being well managed, profitable, financially stable and operating a good quality fleet of equipment with an average age of less than three years.”

“High Level will be encouraged to develop further in to a very major regional business covering the south coast from Brighton to Plymouth thus linking with the Kimberly Access depots in West and East London.”

Kimberly was the seventh largest powered access rental company in the
Cranes & Access Top 30 UK and Ireland.

Vertikal Comment

This deal may just be enough to put Kimberly ahead of Hewden as the sixth largest powered access business in the UK and Ireland?

It gives the company some good additional geographic coverage which should provide additional outlets for the group’s fleet as a whole. A question arises as to High Level’s membership of the Access Link. While it could continue, members will of course be concerned that all future re-rent business will naturally be passed back to Kimberly and 1st Access.