18.12.2020
AER acquires Mainline
AER Rents, part of O’Flaherty Holdings group, has acquired Derbyshire based Mainline Hire group, which includes Mainline Tool & Plant Hire and Mainline Access & Training, from Keith Williams and Carole Poynton.
The two owners, who will remain on board, established Mainline 39 years ago and have grown the business into a leading regional rental company, covering the Midlands and the English Home Counties. The business employs 34 and has assets of around £7.4 million.
AER Rents was incorporated by family owned O’Flaherty in late 2014 to acquire London based rental company Mr Plant Hire, while earlier this year it purchased Irish rental company Drogheda Hire & Sales. Each of the three business will retain their current identities, while working together to improve market coverage. Last year AER had revenues in the region of £9 million, mostly coming from Mr Plant Hire. With the addition of Mainline the two companies will have a combined fleet of around 1,500 aerial lifts - the 12th largest fleet in the UK - as well as a fleet of telehandlers.
The company said that AER Rents will continue to expand its presence in the rental market through a combination of strategic acquisitions and organic growth, offering its customers access to a wider offering of modern products and services.
Keith Williams and Carole Poynton said: “We have always had a good working relationship with Mr Plant Hire and are pleased to have the opportunity to become part of the AER Rents family. Mainline have always invested in class leading assets and AER Rents investment will give Mainline Group, and their customers, access to expertise and resources to support our growth plans.”
O’Flaherty Holdings previously owned aerial lift manufacturer Time/Versalift, which it sold in 2017 - see:
Change of owner at Time. The company appointed Gavin Pitt as chief executive of AER Rents in July, he previously worked with HSS, Hewden, Selwood, Ashtead and Elliot.
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Great news for all involved. Te process seems to have worked well for the team at Mr Plant. Interesting concept where the Company that carries out the takeover recognises the success of existing leadership, and seems to want to encourage that growth. Bit different to the slash and burn merchants.I wonder which philosophy will be most successful in the long run........Best wishes to both parties, roll on 2021!!!!