12.02.2013

AFI acquires Wilson Access

UK based AFI has acquired truck mounted platform rental specialist Wilson Access Hire of Elland in West Yorkshire.

Wilson Access is owned by Tom Wilson and was established around 10 years ago, it has 12 employees and runs a fleet of 14 truck mounts and three spider lifts. The company also has a small southern operation in Leighton Buzzard.

Wilson Access will become part of the AFI group under the control of AFI director Richard Saunders. Tom Wilson has sold the business in order to devote more time to his other business interests.
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One of Wilson Access Hire's CTE Zed21j

Saunders said: “This latest acquisition is a further example of how AFI’s strong financial position is allowing us to capitalise on opportunities in the market. Wilson Access Hire is a well-run, quality business with a well maintained and modern powered access fleet and a strong presence in the North.”

“The company is highly regarded and in recognition of this, we are retaining the Wilson name. Wilson’s customers will have the added advantage of having access to AFI’s UK network of 20 depot and training centres and our modern and versatile powered access hire fleets of over 4,000 machines.”

Vertikal Comment

This is an interesting move for AFI, taking it into a new market that a few years ago it would not have touched.

Truck mounted rental, particularly larger units with operators, is quite different to that of self-propelled lift rental. The company already re-rents quite a few truck mounted lifts as a service to its customers, so this will now allow it to serve this business directly, having effectively test marketed the sector.

One assumes that the modern premises in Elland, near Leeds, might also be an attraction, although its proximity to the AFI headquarters in Wakefield might been that Elland is not required?
See Wilson on the move