11.10.2017

AA Access acquired

UK cleaning and industrial maintenance company High Access has acquired AA Access the large and specialist truck mounted lift rental from founder/owner Andy Ainsworth.

Ainsworth and the AA Access team will remain with the business, with Niel and Adam Bethell of High Access joining the company as directors.

High Access was established by chief executive Niel Bethell in 2005, to provide a maintenance and cleaning service to the commercial, industrial and high end and high-level residential property sectors. The acquisition is funded in part by BGF, which made a £3.3million investment available in July last year to pursue further growth.

The company said: “This acquisition will allow High Access clients to reap the benefits of the business now having an enhanced fleet of fully owned, top of the range machinery, and will support the company’s objective of moving into new sectors while delivering growth through high service levels.”

Andy Ainsworth established AA Access in 2003 with the aim of of providing a superior rental service for high end truck mounted aerial lifts. Its fleet includes units as small as 10 metres, through to the 70 metre Bronto 70 XDT. A large proportion of its work comes from the supplying platforms to the film and television industry.

Ainsworth said: “I am very proud of how AA Access has grown since I set out back in 2003, our client base says it all, with events including The Open, Glastonbury, the Queen’s Jubilee and Wimbledon. We have always maintained a fleet with the latest models and, like High Access, the business is built on great customer service and creating an environment where people want to work. It was apparent from early discussions that AA Access would be a complementary acquisition for an ambitious, forward-thinking business.”
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One of AA Access' 70 metre Bronto S70XDT truck mounted lifts

Bethell added: “We are focused on further expanding the business, particularly in Birmingham, Leeds, Scotland and London, and the AA Access acquisition was part of this long-term strategy. High Access was built on strong customer relationships and standing out in the sector for quality and, because of that, the AA Access acquisition was the perfect deal for us. Clients can rely on us to provide everything they need for any job under one roof – plus, access to an expanded fleet of machinery will further enhance response times and coverage.”

“We look forward to working with AA Access to achieve a seamless transition, working with its clients to deliver the same high level of service that they have come to expect working with Andy and his team.”
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(L-R) Niel Bethell of High Access with Neil Inskip of BGF

Vertikal Comment

This looks like a good move for both parties, over the past 15 years Andy Ainsworth has focused heavily on providing the very best service, with the best of equipment meticulously maintained. Cashing out of the business was always going to be a challenge, as very few, if any, industry buyers would have been likely to have lived up to his expectations and wishes for the future of business and its employees.

High Access appears to be a first class operation, and it has all of the ingredients to look after the AA Business as Ainsworth would like. The fact that he can continue to build his ‘baby’ will of course also be a benefit.

High Access, which already runs a few truck mounts, can now dip its toe into a new business sector, gaining a first class fleet and a highly experienced team.

We understand that other potential buyers have expressed an interest over the past year or so, but clearly this one ticks the most boxes.