19.05.2022

Briggs takes Access Plus

Briggs Equipment in the UK has acquired Scottish rental company Access Plus and its training division, TrainingPlus.

Established in 1998, and based in Irvine, Access Plus runs a fleet of around 700 aerial work platforms, including booms and scissor lifts, truck mounts, spider lifts and van mounted platforms as well as telehandlers, from three locations in Scotland, Irvine, Glasgow and Edinburgh. The company is also a member of the Access Alliance association of independently owned regional rental companies, which provides a national service for member companies. Owner George Marriot is the current Alliance chairman.

The two companies are expected to compliment the corresponding access rental and training divisions within the Briggs Equipment group. The courses offered by TrainingPlus will add to the industrial equipment solutions provided by Briggs, helping strengthen its access training services.

Briggs managing director Peter Jones said: “We are delighted to welcome Access Plus and Training Plus into the Briggs Equipment group. In recent years, we have significantly increased our access equipment capability across the UK & Ireland and this latest acquisition will enable us to accelerate our powered access strategy and ultimately deliver a broader proposition to our customers. Through the acquisition of TrainingPlus we have an exciting opportunity to expand our existing training services and deliver targeted support to customers across our product offering.”

“Our acquisition strategy is focused on working with businesses that share the same values and culture as ourselves. From the intensive work we carried prior to completing this acquisition, it’s clear that Access Plus and TrainingPlus will fit seamlessly into our operations and quickly become an integral part of our group. We look forward to providing the appropriate investment and support to ensure both companies can continue to prosper and fulfil their huge potential.”

Access Plus owner and managing director George Marriott added: “We are extremely pleased to be a part of the Briggs Equipment group following confirmation of the acquisition. Our team can’t wait to get started and continue the ongoing development of our businesses in a strategic and progressive manner. The culture and values of Briggs aligns perfectly with us, and we could not have picked a better parent company.”

“Throughout the acquisition process the team at Briggs have conducted themselves in an exemplary manner and we are looking forward to working closely as part of the group moving forward. We are determined to maximise the potential of our business, whilst still delivering a great service to our customers and this acquisition will help us deliver on that ambition.”
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Vertikal Comment

This is a sounds move for both parties, it significantly expands Briggs access rental and training operations in Scotland, while providing George Marriot with a what is almost certain to be a decent exit package, having built a strong and solid business over many years. Although Marriot is well below the normal entrepreneur retirement age at 53. Access Plus has a tangible net worth of almost £5.5 million and a solidly positive working capital position.

Briggs has been expending its powered access rental business in the UK and Ireland for the past three years with acquisitions such Aerial Platform Hire in February, Laois and Forkway last year, following Highway Plant, Northern Forklift and Balloo Hire in 2019.
Last year Briggs Equipment was the 17th largest aerial lift company in the UK, this year’s acquisition alone would take them up to 12th place. Don’t expect this to be the last acquisition for the Cannock based group this year.